Do you love art and culture and are you looking for your next travel destination? Then you’re in the right place, because Morocco is the answer to all your questions and the place that will exceed all your expectations.
No, I’m not just blowing my own horn: I’m about to tell you about a land where an ancient culture has made art the star of Morocco’s places. Moroccan art reflects both the historic significance and the contemporary charm of the imperial cities, and it’s thanks to museums and art galleries, where old and new blend together, that travelers can immerse themselves in its history.
Marrakech alone has more than 31 museums worth visiting, but here I’ve chosen just a few, the ones considered most fascinating by the many travelers who have visited them and whom I’ve had the privilege of accompanying on my tours. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to hear about the others, which for practical reasons I won’t cover here.
The best art museums in Marrakech
Let’s start our tour of the most fascinating art museums in Marrakech with the two most visited: the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, usually explored on the same day because both are in the enchanting Majorelle Garden, which of course you can’t miss.
Yves Saint Laurent Museum
Fashion lovers who want a real history lesson in Moroccan style and design must visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. The world-famous designer, born in Oran, Algeria, and made famous in Paris, designed some of his most beloved haute couture collections right here in Marrakech. Here you can learn about his story and admire a vast display of original sketches, prototypes and pieces from all the collections he created between 1962 and 2002.
You’ll also have the privilege of seeing a collection of vintage prints by world-famous fashion photographers, including the series of portraits by Andy Warhol.
Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts
Continue your tour of Marrakech’s best museums with the Berber Museum, set in the Jardin Majorelle, a cradle of culture, history and nature. The Pierre Bergé Museum, dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent’s partner, holds more than 600 artifacts the two collected over their years together. The collection focuses on ancient North Africa and its people, the Berbers, letting visitors admire everyday tools, musical instruments and traditional clothing made by these artisans.
A large part of the museum is devoted to jewelry, sparkling in a room whose ceiling recalls a star-studded desert sky.
Feast your eyes on these wonders, because photography isn’t allowed inside the Pierre Bergé Museum.
Anima Garden
If you’re traveling with kids, set aside a stop on your Marrakech tour for the Anima Garden, an open-air art museum that will take the breath away of art and nature lovers, young and old alike. Anima Garden was conceived by Austrian artist André Heller and today it’s a kaleidoscopic playground where art installations and extravagant sculptures come to life, scattered throughout a lush, generous landscape.
You’ll surely be struck by famous works by artists of the caliber of Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso. And don’t forget to go up to the panoramic terrace of Café Paul Bowles to enjoy the view of Mount Toubkal.
The museum is 27 kilometers (about 17 miles) from Marrakech, so I recommend allowing plenty of time to enjoy it. Usually nobody wants to leave the garden before 2–3 hours.
Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL)
Less famous but just as worth a visit, and one of the largest art galleries in Marrakech, is the innovative MACAAL, a museum showcasing the best of contemporary African art, a treat for travelers who love modern art. Here you can admire multimedia displays of contemporary paintings, sculptures and videos from Morocco and neighboring countries.
The most popular area of the museum is the Al Maaden Sculpture Park, featuring sculptures by 13 Moroccan and international artists, including Moataz Nasr and Adiba Mkinsi.
Museum of Art and Culture of Marrakech (MACMA)
If you want to immerse yourself in Moroccan culture and way of life, the private Museum of Art and Culture of Marrakech is for you. Created by collector Nabil El Mallouki, it displays works by some of the country’s most famous artists, including Moroccan painters Mohammed Hamri and Mohamed Ben Ali R’bati, the latter considered the father of Moroccan painting.
Also worth noting are the collections of old tapestries, antique jewelry, clothing and objects unusual for a Marrakech museum, like vintage motorcycles. I recommend stopping by the gift shop, where you can buy some of the most elegant souvenirs in the city.
Marrakech Museum
I’ll close my guide to Marrakech’s most fascinating museums with the museum named after the Red City itself. Contrary to what you might think, the Marrakech Museum is a peaceful place, a contrast to the bustle of the city, where you can enjoy a blend of Moroccan history, art, archaeology and architecture.
Located on Ben Youssef Square, in the majestic Dar Menebhi Palace (worth a visit in itself for its Andalusian architecture, its splendid patio, its traditional courtyard and its hammam), the museum houses some of the finest artworks from Marrakech and the surrounding area, including a large collection of Moroccan art and archaeological artifacts.
Lisa
