Créé par Emilie, le 7 mai 2026
Votre guide Ryo
© Shutterstock
If you're lucky enough to stay a few days in Marrakech, you absolutely must visit one of its most touristic sites: its palm grove. Located north of the city, it's part of the many wonders to discover in Morocco. Here's a small guide that will give you all the practical information to visit this beautiful oasis!
A historic palm grove
Morocco has numerous palm groves throughout its territory, but Marrakech's is certainly one of the most impressive. It dates back to the 11th century and thus presents nearly 10 centuries of history! It was around the year 1070 that Morocco's Sultan Youssef ben Tachfine, from the Almoravid dynasty, founded this palm grove at the same time as Marrakech's medina, the country's new capital. From then on, it served to produce dates, palm oil, palm wine, palm hearts or wood among other articles.
It reveals more than 100,000 palm trees planted at that time, spread over 13,000 hectares of land. A grandiose spectacle in a place that has, in addition, created an ecosystem that allowed numerous fruit trees and plantations to develop alongside the palm trees by exploiting local groundwater. It's therefore a historic palm grove that takes us straight back to the Almoravid period and which still constitutes, today, a source of wealth for Marrakech!
How to visit Marrakech palm grove?
Getting to the palm grove
The palm grove is located about ten kilometers from the medina. Several options are available depending on how you wish to visit it:
- By car: if you opted for a rental car upon your arrival in Marrakech, you can reach the palm grove in about ten minutes from the medina. You'll need to follow the indicated route and not venture into the small surrounding paths, which are closed to traffic to preserve the site.
- By taxi: you can order a taxi that will take you to the location you want in the palm grove.
- By carriage: book a carriage that leaves directly from Jemaa el-Fna square, in the medina, and takes you on a tour of the palm grove before bringing you back to the city. It's the longest solution, but the most typical!
- By bus: line 36 takes you from the medina to part of the palm grove. Take time to inquire about schedules and the itinerary in advance.
What to do in Marrakech palm grove?
1. Hiking on foot
You'll only see a small part of the palm grove if you decide to visit it on foot, but several walking trails will allow you to get a beautiful overview.
2. Taking a camel ride
This is certainly the most requested activity in the palm grove. Nothing like a small camel ride to discover these vast expanses of palm trees in the most typical way possible! Remember to book in advance to be sure to have a spot. Some rides are even offered during sunset, a magical moment!
3. Opting for a quad tour
This is also a very popular option among travelers! Aboard your quad – or your buggy depending on the place you choose – you set off on an adventure for a sporty visit to discover the most beautiful corners of the palm grove. An efficient and fun way to explore this haven of peace! Also to be booked well in advance...
4. Choosing the carriage tour
The carriages that leave from central Marrakech will take you on a tour of the palm grove and the driver will make several stops to give you information about the places and their attractions. If you want to do an activity on site, it's possible to see with him if he agrees to drop you off at the departure point for camel or quad rides, for example, and wait for you to return to the medina. He will receive a commission from the providers in this case, but discuss this well before leaving!
5. Relaxing in a spa
Marrakech's palm grove is now surrounded by numerous hotel complexes that mostly offer pools, hammams and spas for your well-being. You can therefore take advantage of your day in this oasis to relax in a hammam or during a massage in one of these residences.
6. Playing golf
And yes, it's a sport you can practice in the heart of Marrakech's palm grove! It's so well-regarded that it was voted "best golf complex in Africa"... It's in a magnificent setting that you can indulge in a thrilling golf game following the 27 holes offered in total.
All-inclusive excursions: several websites offer excursions that include both the journey from the medina to the palm grove and activities to do on site. Inquire well to be sure to fully enjoy this unique place on the dates you want! If you're staying in one of the residences or hotels in the palm grove, you can book these services directly with your hotel during breakfast or other times.
When to visit the palm grove?
This little haven of peace is open for visits permanently, so you can go there at any time of day. It's nonetheless recommended, if you have the opportunity, to go there for sunrise or sunset, which prove to be magnificent there. Camel rides or quad tours can also be done at this time – and are very popular, remember to book! As for prices, entry to the palm grove is free, an appointment not to be missed.
Sleeping in Marrakech palm grove
In recent years, with the great expansion of tourism in Morocco, Marrakech's palm grove has been invaded by numerous hotel complexes and restaurants that have settled all around and nearby, to the great delight of visitors. It's now possible to sleep directly in the palm grove to be at the heart of the spectacle! Here are the different accommodation offers that can be found there:
- Hotel complexes: in these buildings, which are immense for some, you have a multitude of infrastructures and services offered to spend an unforgettable stay. Most are equipped with pools, hammams and the possibility to book a relaxing massage. They also very often present a wide range of activities that you can book directly with them to visit the palm grove according to your desires.
- Apartments: some private apartments can be rented in the palm grove via online booking platforms.
- Villas are available for larger groups of travelers, often accompanied by an outdoor pool to enjoy beautiful sunny days – and cool off during high heat! They often resemble large riads, the traditional Moroccan accommodation. A beautiful alternative if you're traveling with several people!
In conclusion
You'll have understood, Marrakech's palm grove is part of Morocco's must-see visits. This vast natural expanse filled with palm trees is a rich heritage from one of the most important periods in the country's history. To visit this exceptional oasis, ride a quad, mount a camel or horse or let yourself be pulled by a carriage! So many offered activities that make this place a grandiose site where one willingly spends several hours, even several days to enjoy the multiple experiences!