At the foot of the breathtaking Atlas Mountains in the Haouz Valley, this magical oasis sits just 10 km from the city centre. The green lung of the red city, the Palmeraie is a 13,000-hectare palm tree grove that is more than 10 centuries old. Known for its soaring palm trees and elegant villas, the Palmeraie boasts over 100,000 palm trees, contributing to the city's agricultural and cultural wealth. Blending history and modernity, nature and tourism, this unique place is one of the reasons why Marrakech remains such a fascinating destination.
In the 11th century, the Sultan Youssouf ben Tachfine planted the seeds of this emblematic palm grove. Legend says that when his soldiers tossed date pits on the ground, they grew into what is now known as the Palmeraie of Marrakech. Impressively, the palm grove uses an ancient irrigation system that captures groundwater from the nearby Atlas Mountains and transports it via underground canals. Called khettara, this innovative system dates back to 1st Century B.C. and permits the palm trees to flourish in Marrakech's hot, arid climate.
As one of the largest palm groves in the world, the Palmeraie benefits from a rich biodiversity. The abundant flora and fauna include around 50 bird species and 20 different kinds of reptiles. The 100,000 palm trees also play an important role in the region’s economy. Their cultivation supports local agricultural activity and traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. Date palms play a primary role in Moroccan culture and cuisine. In Islamic tradition, dates symbolise abundance and the sacred, and are revered as a highly nutritious food. That is why Muslims break the Ramadan fast with them.
Another type of tree, the oil palm, is used to make various products. Popular in cooking, cosmetics, and cleaning products, palm oil is made by pressing the palm fruit. The lesser-known palm wine is produced by fermenting pine sap. Low in alcohol content, it tastes somewhat like cider. Hearts of palm are harvested from other palms, as well as wood that is used in construction and furniture making.
Spread across 130 square kilometres, the best way to truly appreciate the vast expanse of the Palmeraie is to explore it on two or four wheels - or atop a camel or a horse. A camel ride gives you a taste of the traditional way to traverse the Sahara Desert. Both children and adults will enjoy donning typical blue garments and stopping for tea in a Berber village. For a more dynamic experience, book a mountain bike or quad tour in the Palmeraie. Golf lovers will enjoy the beautiful 27-hole golf course surrounded by palm trees.
On hot days, plan your outdoor activities for the morning or the late afternoon since there's not a lot of shade in the Palmeraie. The silhouettes of the palm trees at sunset are truly sublime. Your Villanovo concierge will be happy to book excursions to make the most of your family holiday, whether you want to horseback ride, spend the afternoon on the links, and more.
As tourism and urban planning projects have increased across the region, the Palmeraie in Marrakech has grown in economic and cultural importance. You can now find luxury villas with swimming pools and one of the best golf courses in Marrakech. This growth has had an environmental impact, with the Palmeraie's surface decreasing around 30% over the last 20 years. Thankfully, the local government has launched a protection programme to preserve existing trees and plant new ones so that visitors and local alike can continue to enjoy this magical oasis.
Villanovo has thoughtfully selected a range of luxury villas in the Palmeraie selected for their comfort, elegance and peaceful surroundings. Choose a villa with a swimming pool, tennis court, house staff, or a private chef.
Villanovo also offers an exclusive collection of luxury villas in other areas of Marrakech, including the Medina, the elegant neighbourhoods of Gueliz and Hivernage, or close to the Royal Palm, Amelkis and Al Maaden golf courses, all within easy reach of Jemaa el-Fna and Marrakech’s most iconic cultural experiences.
Our attentive concierges take care of all the details so you can concentrate on your holiday. This personalised service is tailored to your preferences, whether you wish to arrange yoga classes, water sports or the services of a private chef. Villanovo offers you a beautiful travel booklet for each stay in one of our villas in Marrakech. You'll find all our recommendations and great addresses for restaurants, shops and other experiences to discover in Marrakech.
