20 – Full-day tour of the historical monuments of Marrakech

Description:

During a one-day visit you will discover the historical monuments, the ramparts and the tourist places in Marrakech, namely: the Koutoubia Mosque which is the largest religious building in the city of Marrakech, the Majorelle Garden, the Garden of the Menara, the Secret Garden, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs and the ramparts.

You will immerse yourself in the history of the ocher city of Morocco.

The Koutoubia

Are you going to Marrakech in Morocco, the jewel of North Africa? To benefit from a cultural and spiritual break during your stay there, we present to you the splendid Koutoubia mosque!

In the heart of the Medina, the Koutoubia mosque is the largest religious building in the city. A place of culture, history and spirituality, it is impossible to visit Marrakech without making a detour to this mosque.

This religious building is famous throughout the Muslim world and recognized worldwide as one of the most famous mosques celebrating Islam. Indeed, unlike others, it is not distinguished by its architecture or its ornaments but by a certain stylistic austerity, a certain aesthetic simplicity, apart from its 12th century minaret, more richly decorated.

It attracts thousands of visitors around the world every year. We recommend that you stop by if you are passing through Marrakech. To convince you and help you, we have prepared a concise and practical listing of all the necessary practical information: a brief history of the place, major attractions and elements not to be missed on site, as well as privileged access, opening hours and prices to treat yourself to a moment of tranquility and a first-rate cultural stopover.

The Ben Youssef Madrasa

The Medersa Ben Youssef of Marrakech is a historic Islamic school located in the heart of Marrakech, Morocco. Built in the 14th century, this madrasa was once the largest Islamic school in North Africa and is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This essay will address the history of the Medersa Ben Youssef in Marrakech, its architecture and its importance for the city of Marrakech.

The Ben Youssef Madrasa of Marrakech is an important part of the history and culture of Marrakech. It testifies to the city’s rich Islamic heritage and its importance as an educational center. The impressive architecture of the madrasa testifies to the talent and know-how of Moroccan artisans. Madrasa Ben Youssef in Marrakech is a must-see for anyone visiting Marrakech and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The secret garden:

The secret garden is located in the heart of the Medina of Marrakech, in the Mouassine district. It constitutes a true floral and architectural masterpiece.

The origins of the complex date back to the time of the Saadian dynasty, more than four hundred years ago.

Reconstructed in the mid-19th century by an influential Atlas leader, Le Jardin Secret was home to some of the highest political figures in Morocco and Marrakech.

The Secret Garden, which we can fully appreciate today thanks to its recent restoration, is part of the great tradition of Arab-Andalusian and Moroccan palaces. The visitor can thus discover the gardens and buildings that compose it and which constitute exceptional testimonies of Islamic art and architecture.

The Bahia Palace:

The Bahia Palace in Marrakech is a dazzling example of Moroccan architecture and design. Built in the late 19th century, it is a vast complex of gardens, courtyards and rooms bursting with intricate details and vibrant colors.

The construction of the palace took over a decade and was completed by the Sultan’s Grand Vizier Abdelaziz Si Moussa. At the end of the 19th century, the palace fell into the hands of Abou Bou Ahmed, a black slave who became vizier who gave the building its current appearance.

The palace covers 8 hectares and houses 150 rooms which overlook different interior courtyards and gardens. The most interesting part of the Bahia Palace is the harem of the 4 wives and 24 concubines of Abou Bou Ahmed.

The Saadian Tombs:

The Saadian Tombs are a historic royal necropolis in Marrakech, Morocco. They date from the time of the Saadian dynasty, and in particular the reign of Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). They are located immediately south of the Kasbah Mosque, in the city’s royal kasbah (citadel) district. Due to the beauty of their decoration, they constitute a major attraction for visitors to the ocher city.

Very close to the Casbah, this necropolis of the Saadian dynasty was rediscovered and opened to the public in 1917, after having been entrusted to the Fine Arts services for its restoration. These tombs, which date from the end of the 16th century, considered the most beautiful period of the city, are the work of Sultan Ahmed el Mansour, known as the Golden, also author of the El Badi palace. Furthermore, in the 18th century, Sultan Moulay Ismail decided to remove the remains of the previous dynasty and walled up the tombs which were not rediscovered until 1917.

Perhaps a fine example of Hispano-Moorish decorative art but above all a disappointing place.

The Majorelle Garden:

The Majorelle Garden is a tourist botanical garden of around 300 species over nearly one hectare (10,000 m2), an Art Deco villa labeled Maisons des Illustres since 2011, and a museum of the History of the Berbers, in Marrakech in Morocco .

The garden is named after its founder, the French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962), who created it in 1931, drawing inspiration from oases, the Islamic garden and the Spanish-Hispano-Moorish garden. Purchased by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1980, it today belongs to the Fondation Jardin Majorelle – which also includes the Yves Saint Laurent museum – and is one of Morocco’s tourist hotspots, with nearly 600,000 annual visitors. .

In 2022 – according to a ranking by the English-speaking site HouseFresh which brought together the opinions of tens of thousands of tourists – the Majorelle Garden is named the second most beautiful garden in the world, behind the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and ahead of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris .

If there is one place that you absolutely must visit during your visit to Marrakech, it is undoubtedly the Majorelle Gardens.

The Menara Garden:

The Menara is Built in the 12th century by the caliph Abdul-Mu’min of the Almohad dynasty, it is a vast garden planted with olive trees laid out under the Almoahade dynasty about 45 minutes on foot from Jemaa el-Fna square, in center of Marrakech, Morocco. At the heart of this garden, a large pond at the foot of a pavilion serves as a water reservoir to irrigate the crops. It is a very peaceful place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is therefore a privileged place for walks.

The basin is supplied with water thanks to a hydraulic system more than 700 years old, which transports water from the mountains located approximately 30 km from the city of Marrakech. This basin allows the irrigation of the olive grove.

If you are looking for a quiet, fascinating and nostalgic place, Menara is the right place.

Particularly popular with families and couples looking for peace and quiet, the Jardins de la Ménara are located in the Hivernage district, just a few kilometers from the medina. It will only take you a few minutes by taxi or around 45 minutes if you choose to reach the Menara on foot from the city center.

The ramparts of the medina:

The ramparts of Marrakech are a set of defensive walls that surround the historic districts of the medina of Marrakech, Morocco. They were first established at the beginning of the 12th century by the Almoravid dynasty who founded the city in the year 1070 and made it the capital of their empire. The walls have since been enlarged several times by the addition of the Kasbah to the south in the late 13th century and by the subsequent extension of the walls to encompass the districts to the north of the zaouia of Sidi Bel Abbès.

About this activity

Free cancellation : Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Book now, pay later : Stay flexible with your travel plans, reserve your place without paying anything today
Pick-up service included: Pick-up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech
Target: Individual person, small group and private group.
Driver guide: English, French, Spanish, Arabic
Duration : Approximately 8 hours
Availability : Every day
Departure time : To be communicated when booking