The Palmeraie of Marrakech is one of the city’s most iconic natural attractions, famous for its vast, lush landscape of palm trees. About 10 km (6 miles) northeast of the Marrakech medina, close enough to make it a perfect half-day trip without straying far from the city’s beating heart, the Palmeraie covers some 13,000 hectares (about 32,000 acres) with more than 100,000 date palms. Although today it’s better known as a tourist attraction than as farmland, for years it was home to one of Morocco’s largest date productions.
It was created for farming, thanks to an underground irrigation system called khettara, since historic settlers (starting with the Almoravid dynasty) used the palms for wood, leaves and fruit, and for shade in the arid land. Over time, the Palmeraie went from being a source of natural and agricultural resources for the city to one of Marrakech’s most appealing symbols, a green oasis in the middle of the city’s semi-desert region.
Besides palms, the landscape is dotted with olive groves, citrus orchards and artificial oases, with vegetation that contrasts strikingly with the surrounding hills and deserts, making it an ideal setting for peaceful walks. Thanks to its exotic, photogenic scenery, the Palmeraie is often chosen as a location for films and photo shoots.
Sadly, despite its size, the Palmeraie is partly threatened by urbanization: the many resorts, luxury villas, golf courses and tourist facilities built there, between one centuries-old tree and the next, are gradually shrinking the natural space.
Even so, the Palmeraie has kept its green soul, with palms still dominating the landscape, making it pleasant to stroll in the shade of their fronds and offering a relaxing refuge from the chaos of the Marrakech medina.
The most interesting things to do in the Palmeraie
The sheer number of palms and fruit trees makes the whole area a micro-ecosystem rich in biodiversity. Among the fronds and irrigation channels live many species of birds and reptiles, making the Palmeraie a living, natural environment as well as a picture-perfect (or, as we say today, Instagrammable) landscape. Amid swaying fronds and shady paths, you can enjoy a slow, sensory visit, with quiet, relaxing walks or moments of deep relaxation.
There are many activities to enjoy during your visit to the Palmeraie, offering experiences for very different tastes. The most iconic is a camel ride, a popular way to explore the palm groves on the back of this animal so respected in Morocco. The slow pace of your unusual ride is perfect for taking great photos, shooting stories all over the oasis and enjoying stunning sunsets.
If you prefer more adrenaline-filled outings, a quad or buggy tour is for you. Don’t forget sunglasses and a scarf to protect yourself from the dust, and you’ll be ready to zip between the palms and small surrounding villages on dirt roads and trails through the vegetation.
Ideal early in the morning or at sunset, when the light makes the play of shadows among the palms especially poetic, and much quieter if you avoid the mainstream tourist circuits, a lovely walk will be just as satisfying if you don’t feel like (or don’t dare to) try the previous two but still want peace and nature.
Golf lovers will also enjoy the Palmeraie, since the oasis is home to some of Marrakech’s most exclusive golf courses, like PalmGolf Marrakech Palmeraie, with 27 holes, many lakes and wide views of the Atlas, a perfect chance for an outdoor activity surrounded by greenery.
Lisa
