This October, I went on a trip to Morocco which was by far the best experience I’ve had this year. I travelled with some friends and we had the chance to visit Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, the Sahara Desert, and more.
There’s much to see and do in Morocco, but one of the places that stood out was the beautiful and famous Majorelle Garden in Marrakech. I’m not someone who’s familiar with the different kinds of trees and flowers, so I didn’t expect to enjoy this botanical garden as much as I did! This is the most beautiful and calm place I’ve ever seen, even though it is right in the middle of the city.
The Majorelle Garden was designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, who lived there until 1950. In 1980, two fashion designers, Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé, bought the estate and opened it to the public. Today, the garden houses the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech, the Berber Museum, and the Yves Saint-Laurent Museum.
When you enter the garden, it feels like stepping into another world. Trees, cacti, flowers, and fountains can be seen everywhere. Don’t worry if you don’t know the names of the plants; you can find them written on sign boards all around the place. You can also sit and relax on one of the many benches and enjoy the beautiful nature.
Inside the garden there are pathways paved with blue tiles; blue pots with flowers; buildings, passageways, and pagodas all painted in blue! This color is originally called “Morocco blue” and it was widely used by the Berber people to color their clothes.
One thing that surprised me was a sign at the entrance reading, ‘Please, do not decorate the plants.’ I didn’t understand what it meant exactly, until I saw a plant covered in names and messages. There were words carved in leaves and tree trunks. It was a sorrowful sight, as I firmly believe that nature, plants, and animals are just as deserving of respect and protection as human beings are.
If you wish to take some good photos of the garden, I recommend going before 10 a.m., as it tends to get crowded. The queue is also shorter around that time. There is an entrance fee of 70 Moroccan dirhams (around 7 dollars), which allows access to the garden, but not to the museums inside. The garden is popular among families, young and elderly people, and visitors from all over the world who wish to take a breath amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.
What I liked the most about the Majorelle Garden is that it’s so peaceful and quiet that you can hear the birds chirping and the water dropping in the fountains, making you forget your daily tasks for a while.
Have you ever been to a botanical garden? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below!
Nevertheless, I was super excited when I entered the 
.
too many itchy fingers.