By Alaric 
Jardin Majorelle is an enchanting botanic garden and colourful oasis in Marrakesh.
As the former home of Yves Saint Laurent, it’s become a pilgrimage for fashion and garden enthusiasts.
The vibrant colours, plethora of cacti and exotic plants are also perfect for those who love photography.
I’ve been twice, and this fairytale estate never ceases to amaze me.
Walking around here feels like you’ve entered a dream as it’s so serene and beautiful…if you can ignore all the other tourists, of course!
Here is how to visit the YSL Gardens in Marrakech with everything you need to know.
The history of Jardin Majorelle
Jardin Majorelle was designed by the famous artist Jacques Majorelle (1886–1962).
He originally travelled to Morocco to convalesce after a health condition but fell in love with the colours, patterns and vibrant life of North Africa.
Shortly after, he permanently settled in Marrakech and bought a plot of land where he constructed a villa with a painting studio and gardens.
The iconic deep shade of cobalt blue paint was inspired by Berber culture and later became known as Majorelle Blue.
He made this botanic sanctuary his life’s work and developed the gardens for over 40 years with his wife Andrée Longueville.
After their divorce in 1950, Jacques was forced to sell the estate and it was eventually neglected and fell into disrepair.
Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé rediscovered the gardens and bought the property in 1980 to save it.
They then restored the gardens to their former glory and moved into their ‘Villa Oasis’.
They also opened a museum of Islamic Art designed by Bill Willis in the painter’s studio. This is now the Museum of the Berber Arts.
Their legacy turned Marrakech into a pilgrimage for fashion enthusiasts and there is now a YSL Museum next door.
Today, it’s owned by the non-profit Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent Foundation and managed by the charity Foundation Jardin Majorelle.
The gardens are open to the public and are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Morocco. You must include it in your itinerary.
How to visit the YSL Gardens in Marrakech
Jardin Majorelle is located around 2 kilometres from Marrakech Medina in Ville Nouvelle (New Town).
You can find the entrance near Avenue Yacoub el-Mansour and Rue Yves Saint Laurent.
Walking from the Medina will take you around 20-30 minutes through busy streets so it’s best to arrive by taxi.
Taxis are safe in Marrakech just make sure to negotiate a price before you get inside as they can be ruthless.
Uber doesn’t work, unfortunately. If you prefer taxi apps, you can try services like Careem or inDrive.
Opening times & ticket prices
Jardin Majorelle is open every day from 8 am / 8.30 am to 5 pm with the last entry at 4.30 pm.
Sometimes the gardens have different opening times during religious festivals like Ramadan.
Purchasing tickets is now a lot easier since my first visit a decade ago (*cue existential dread*) as you can buy tickets online.
There is no ticket counter or option to buy tickets onsite anymore.
The ticket prices are;
- Adults: 170 MAD (£13.50)
- Students and Children 10+: 95 MAD (£7.50)
- Children under 10: free with an accompanying adult
You can also buy combination tickets for the gardens, Berber Museum and YSL Museum if you want to visit all three.
Important: Be careful of scams. The only place you can buy tickets with valid QR codes is through the official website!
Do you have to book Jardin Majorelle in advance?
Yes, you do and I cannot stress how important it is to book your tickets online as soon as you know your travel dates.
The YSL gardens are the most popular attraction in Marrakech and see over 700,000 tourists each year. Almost every visitor will want to go!
Tickets for Jardin Majorelle can often sell out before the day, especially on weekends. This happens even in the offseason.
I would also book for the first time slot of the day to avoid the longer queues and mass crowds.
Queueing for the YSL Gardens
Even if you book tickets in advance, you can’t escape queuing to enter Jardin Majorelle.
I booked the first slot of the day at 8.30 am and got there around 8 am to be one of the first inside with the hope of empty(ish) photos.
I was not surprised that there was already a queue forming as everyone had the same idea.
Queues only get longer throughout the day due to capacity limits. So, the earlier you arrive the less time you have to wait!
Things to do in Jardin Majorelle
The Majorelle Gardens are very beautiful with lots of lovely vibrant features to enjoy but they are also tiny. So, it doesn’t take long to explore them fully.
As one of the first visitors inside, I managed to get a few clean photos of the villa before it was packed just ten minutes later.
I was also a little gutted on my visit as it was raining so heavily. But, as I had already purchased my tickets, I just got soggy and powered through.
It was also complete chaos. The poor staff had to quickly wipe water from the paths as it was so slippery that visitors were falling over.
It’s a rare occurrence in Marrakech so this likely won’t happen to you.
But, if it does, the gardens will still be breathtaking due to all the bright colours. Just make sure to bring waterproofs and tread carefully!
Here are all the magical things to do at Jardin Majorelle during a visit;
1. The YSL Gardens
Although this botanical oasis is compact, it’s also a labyrinth filled with exotic plants, birds and cacti.
You can explore through a series of crisscrossing alleyways and you will find something amazing around every corner.
Many of the colourful walkways, fountains and features have Art Deco and Moorish influences.
Most visitors make a beeline to the villa and this is where the majority of people will hang around.
But, it’s also worth following the other pathways as there is so much more to this garden than just the Majorelle blue house.
There are helpful maps and signs posted throughout so you don’t get lost.
2. Berber Museum of the Arts
The famous blue villa in these gardens was the former painting studio of Jacques Majorelle.
It was later the refuge of Yves Saint Laurent and his business manager and partner Pierre Bergé. They called it Villa Oasis.
Their love story was long and sometimes turbulent but they worked together to restore this property and opened a museum of Islamic art.
Today, it’s known as the Beber Museum of the Arts and was inaugurated by the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI.
It has 600 objects of the Berber (Imazighen) people collected from the Rif Mountains to the Sahara Desert.
You can visit with a separate ticket and learn about Berber culture through the impressive collections and audiovisual displays.
3. Yves Saint Laurent Memorial
The entire garden is a memorial to Yves Saint Laurent. But, at the very back, you can find a small monument dedicated to Laurent and Bergé.
Laurent died in 2008 and chose to be cremated. His ashes were scattered around these gardens where he found solace and inspiration.
The memorial is understated but it’s an evocative place that inspires reflection.
It’s also in a tranquil area where you can enjoy a peaceful moment away from the mass crowds.
4. Le Boutique
After you have left the house, you can visit Le Boutique. This has an art gallery, book and gift shop with quality traditional items from Morocco.
The products here are infused with Islamic Art and pay homage to Yves Saint Laurent as they are made with his favourite colours and patterns.
It’s probably also the only place in the world where you can buy YSL items for a low cost. There were postcards for just £1!
5. Café Majorelle
At the end of your tour, you can visit Café Majorelle for some respite.
It’s a gorgeous pink building that used to be the former servants’ quarters of Jacques Majorelle.
There is a large outdoor seating area and a minimalist indoor café serving drinks and food throughout the day.
It’s open the same hours as the garden, so you can enjoy breakfast in the morning and an a la carte menu in the afternoons.
How long do you need to visit?
The gardens are small so it only takes around 30 minutes to explore them fully.
But, I would leave at least an hour to ensure you have enough time to appreciate all the colourful details.
Most people only hang around the house, but there are lots of nice surprises to find all over the estate if you love plants and flowers.
There’s also Café Majorelle where you can relax with a drink and you may want some time to browse the YSL boutique.
If you have also planned to visit the Berber Arts Museum, I set aside two hours.
When is the best time to go?
As the YSL Gardens are the most popular tourist attraction in Marrakech, you can expect it to be busy throughout the year.
I would opt to visit during the week if you can and in a shoulder season like Spring/Autumn for fewer crowds.
You should also try to book the first time slot of the day for the best experience.
If you’re not an early riser, pick one of the last time slots and wait for crowds to thin out.
Is Jardin Majorelle worth visiting?
Yes, I think that these wonderful gardens are worth visiting in Marrakech.
Many people will say that it doesn’t live up to the hype because they are so small for the price of the ticket.
But, I’d say it’s quality over quantity. These gardens are truly unique with all the vibrant colours and I’ve never seen anything else like it in the world.
There are also plenty of pretty photo opportunities to be had, just make sure to come armed with a little patience.
I’ve visited twice now and this vibrant oasis never fails to take my breath away!
Don’t skip the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech; they are a wonder for the eyes and soul.
Why not visit the YSL Museum next?
Just next door to Jardin Majorelle, you can find the YSL Museum entirely devoted to the work of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Inside you can learn about his life and see his most iconic designs. The route takes you through a large museum, fashion exhibits and a research library.
No photography is allowed inside and it does require a separate entry ticket.
You can book YSL museum tickets on their own or buy them as a combo ticket with the gardens.
Looking for more things to do in Marrakech?
After Jardin Majorelle, there are plenty of attractions in the historic Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
One of my favourite places was Jardin Secret, a 19th-century palace complex which is an oasis from the busy streets outside.
Dar el Bacha Museum or the Museum of Confluence is another architectural marvel where you can visit the world-famous Bacha Coffee.
Bahia Palace is also another highlight with many ornate courtyards and rooms to explore and was built in the 19th century.
El Badi Palace is an eerie 400-year-old ruin from the Saadian dynasty but an incredible place to browse. You can also visit the Saadian Tombs nearby.
The Medina is an attraction in itself and you can visit Soukh Semarine and the Spice Market to buy lots of souvenirs.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is a vibrant square where you can watch the sunset over the Koutoubia Mosque from one of the many rooftop cafés.
Read more of my Marrakech travel guides
The ultimate 2 weeks in Morocco itinerary
How to visit the magical Ben Youssef Madrasa
How to visit Ouzoud Waterfalls in Morocco
The most Instagrammable places in Fes
How to visit the Chouara Tannery in Fes
Things to know before travelling to Morocco
What to wear in Morocco as a woman
Solo female travel tips for Morocco
Top things to do in Essaouira
Taking a Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakesh
Top places to visit in Chefchaouen
Save Jardin Majorelle Marrakech for later!
