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No. 03, The districts · 11 of 11

The Agdal gardens: Marrakech's royal orchards and great basins

The Agdal gardens are royal orchards south of the Kasbah, laid out in the 12th century and listed by UNESCO with the medina in 1985. Olive, orange and pomegranate trees surround great still basins of water. They usually open on Fridays and Sundays, and close when the King is in residence, so check before going.

Best timeUsually open Fridays and Sundays

Eat here
Bring your own: oranges, bread and water
Don't miss
The great basin (Sahraj el-Hana)
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A wide basin of still water, palms along its far wall and the snow-capped High Atlas beyond
The Agdal basin, the High Atlas behind · Photo: Belbaraka, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

The Agdal gardens at a glance

Best time
Usually open Fridays and Sundays, and closed when the King is in residence. Check before going.
What it feels like
Royal orchards south of the Kasbah: olives, oranges, pomegranates and great still basins of water.
Eat here
Bring your own: oranges, bread and water.
See
  • The great basin (Sahraj el-Hana)
  • Orchards in walled plots
  • Atlas views across the water

Opening days

The gardens are usually open on Fridays and Sundays and close when the King is staying at the royal palace. Hours change, so check locally before you go. Entry has been free.

Rows of orchard trees either side of a track running to a basin
Orchards and a basin · Photo: Anaslaassibi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized)

What grows here

Walled plots of olives, oranges and pomegranates, irrigated from the great basins. It is still a working orchard.

A palace garden courtyard with a fountain, trees and carved plaster above the doors
A palace garden courtyard

The basins

The largest basin reflects the Atlas on clear days, with snow on the peaks in winter.

A rooftop garden table beside crenellated red ramparts
A rooftop garden beside the Kasbah ramparts

History

The gardens date to the 12th century and were inscribed by UNESCO in 1985, together with the medina and the Menara gardens.

Don't miss

  • The great basin (Sahraj el-Hana)
  • Orchards in walled plots
  • Atlas views across the water
  • A courtyard fountain ringed with zellige, carved cedar galleries aboveThe Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum, the fountain
  • A Moroccan breakfast from above: msemen, harcha, bread, eggs, amlou and orange juiceBreakfast at a café by Bab Agnaou
  • A glass of mint tea on a café tableMint tea at a café on Jemaa el-Fnaa

Worth knowing before you go

  • If the gate is shut, it is closed for real; the royal schedule decides. Have a plan B, such as the Menara gardens.

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Questions people ask

When are the Agdal gardens open?

Usually Fridays and Sundays, closed when the King is in residence. Check the hours locally before you go.

Are the Agdal gardens a UNESCO site?

Yes, they were listed in 1985 as part of the Marrakech World Heritage property, with the medina and the Menara gardens.

Is there food inside the Agdal?

Plan to bring your own water and snacks.