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Don’t Miss Le Jardin Secret When You’re Visiting Marrakech

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Like most travellers, we’d dreamed of visiting the famous Yves Saint Laurent garden when in Marrakech.

However if your trip runs anything like ours, by day three your perfectly planned itinerary will start to move. During our Medina walking tour, our guide told us of a stunning garden in the heart of the Medina.

Le Jardin Secret offered an oasis which we didn’t know existed and it turned out to be one of our favourite finds. If you’re planning a visit to the Red City then put the Secret Garden on your to-do-list and give yourself an hour or two to explore this glorious little corner.

Why Visit Le Jardin Secret

Le Jardin Secret was indeed a hidden secret garden until it was rediscovered and restored to its former glory in 2008.

Once a 16th-century Saadian palace, for almost 200 years these gardens were considered a marvel within the Medina.  Sadly, by the late 18th century the tides of power were changing and the estate fell into decline and disrepair.

Today, meticulously restored, Le Jardin Secret opens its doors and invites you to step back in time and into a remarkable space in the heart of bustling Marrakech where you can :

Wandering the courtyards, it’s easy to imagine the grandeur of its past. I’m not sure what we were expecting but it wasn’t anything quite so large or quite so fabulous.  We were genuinely surprised to learn about the garden’s history, and did not anticipate the different botanical and architectural styles.

Le Jardin Secret was such a joy for us and a genuine look into Morocco’s rich heritage—not to mention the perfect escape from the noise and chaos of the souks.  If you’re visiting Marrakech it’s so easy to find and worthy of a visit.  

Why the Name Le Jardin Secret?

Morocco was once a French Colony and French is still widely spoken. The garden retains it’s French name and I feel this adds an air of exotic mystery that suits this glorious space.

Where is Le Jardin Secret & How to Find It

Le Jardin Secret sits right in the heart of the Medina, just a short walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa square. Its entrance is surprisingly unassuming—we walked by it several times before realising!

If we hadn’t been told on the Medina Walking Tour, we may not have found it. Although Google Maps worked well for navigating both the souks and the Medina. If you’re unsure, pop this into your map:

Ticket Prices & The Tower: Is It Extra Worth The Extra?

If you live in Marrakech, you can buy an annual pass or a book of tickets. Honestly, if I lived here, I’d be tempted to visit every day for a morning coffee.  For the rest of us though, the prices are :

We paid extra for the Tower visit—I’ve always have a fear of missing out and I have the perfect excuse now as I have to keep you all informed!  We paid but honestly I didn’t feel it was worth the extra.

The Tower rooftop terrace does offer views over the gardens and indeed Medina, but it’s very small, with a high wall. You’ll wait your turn to climb onto a small box like step and peep over.

My advice? Save the extra few dollars, stop halfway up at the small café—you’ll get a great view of the garden and a cup of tea without the wait.

Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit

Thankfully the gardens are open daily from 9:30 am, designed with visitors in mind. Do be aware though that opening hours vary by season and particularly during Ramadan:

Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Double-check Le Jardin Secret website for updated times

The best seasons to visit Marrakech are said to be spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summers get very hot, and school holidays are busy—meaning crowds. We visited in December—the air was at times cool but blue skies and sunshine made it perfect.

Aim to go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the group tours. Unlike the busy Bahia Palace, Le Jardin Secret felt peaceful during our visit. This is a garden to linger so allow time. Grab a bench, and if there’s someone ahead then stop and smell the roses—we sat dreaming up ways to recreate the garden at home.

What Makes The Secret Garden So Special

We loved this garden far more than we expected. While it’s not vast, it’s larger than it first appears and offers two distinctly different styles. The Exotic Garden was, maybe our favourite for the planting—almost tropical. It’s the kind of garden we could imagine creating at home (or at least being our inspiration).

The Islamic Garden is larger, more peaceful, with quiet corners to explore.

Le Jardin Secret blends the old with the new—two distinct spaces which reflect Morocco’s rich history and it’s modern restoration. One side echoes ancient traditions and the other global planting, colour and unexpected calm.

We found ourselves lingering here far longer than planned. If you have time, spend a few hours, but if not—give yourself at least an hour.

The Exotic Garden

This space has seen the most change. Once part of the 16th-century palace, little of the original remains here. The 2008 restoration reimagined it as something new—offering a chance to introduce a modern garden that complements the historic core.

British landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith designed the Exotic Garden, drawing plants from Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia. It’s a nod to Marrakech’s own legacy of great botanical collections.

We loved the textures, the use of colour, and the well-placed benches inviting you to pause. It felt strangely familiar—recognising plants from other journeys. At first glance, it feels modern but give it time and you’ll want to slow down and look more closely.

The Islamic Gardens

This is the heart of Le Jardin Secret’s heritage—meticulously restored to honour its earlier design. Set out in a classic Chahar Bagh (four-part garden), it embodies the principles of Islamic garden design.

Water channels divide the space into quadrants, symbolising the Quranic vision of paradise with rivers flowing from a central source. It’s planted with olives, pomegranates, and oranges—classic choices in Moroccan gardens.

Echoing 6th-century Persian gardens, it really does feel like a peaceful oasis. There are shady corners, seats beneath the trees, and spaces designed for quiet reflection.

What struck us most was how every detail seemed to ask for a closer inspection—the line of olives, the terracotta tiles, every corner seem to say come this way. The more time you give this garden, the more it reveals. Understated, enchanting, and for us at least, happily a space to linger in.

Ancient Water Systems

One of the most fascinating features of Le Jardin Secret is its restored ancient water system, known as a khettara. An underground irrigation network, originally engineered centuries ago, transported water from the Atlas Mountains directly into the city’s palaces and gardens; including Le Jardin Secret.

The same mountains that fed this system are still a vital part of Morocco’s landscape today. If you’re curious about exploring them, check out our Atlas Mountains hiking experience.

As you explore the garden you can still see parts of the original system which channels water to both the Exotic and Islamic Gardens. It’s a reminder of how crucial water was (and still is) in Moroccan garden design—Islam considers water to be a symbol of life, as well as historically a symbol of wealth and tranquillity.

The Hammam Ruins

Tucked within the garden’s walls are the ruins of a traditional Moroccan Hammam. While only fragments remain, they hint at the luxury that was once part of every day life in this private estate.

Hammams are not just for bathing but continue to be places for gathering, relaxation and cleansing. Whilst this Hammam is no longer in use, you can still experience a traditional Hammam – have a look at our post about what to expect from a Hammam In Marrakech.

Roof Terrace Views

If you’re after a different perspective, there are roof terraces offering views over the gardens and out across the Medina rooftops.

The most well-known is the Tower Viewpoint—though we felt the café terraces offered just as lovely a vantage point without the extra fee. From up there, you really appreciate just how hidden this green space is within the city.

It’s true the Tower gives you a broader view of Marrakech’s rooftops, but if it’s the garden you’re keen to see from above, the café terraces are a great choice.

Cafés at Le Jardin Secret

There are two cafés at either end of the Islamic Garden—Café Sahrij and Café Menzeh—and both are accessible with a garden entry ticket.

They serve a range of hot and cold drinks, traditional Moroccan mint tea, and light meals including sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and cakes (though sadly, no gluten-free options when we visited). Fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies are also available.

Both cafés follow the garden’s opening hours and both are worth allowing a little extra time for. Each gives you a different view of the gardens and mint tea never tasted so good!  

There’s also a small exhibition space behind the café and when we visited it featured photographs and information about the history and painstaking renovation of Le Jardin Secret.

Etiquette & Tips for First-Time Visitors

Before arriving in Morocco, we’d read that it’s a conservative country and that women should cover up. And while that’s true to a certain extent, it mostly means covering shoulders and knees and avoiding anything too low-cut.

We visited in December, so trousers and long sleeves were easy. In warmer weather, I’d recommend something cool, lightweight, and modest—think linen trousers or a loose dress with lose short sleeves.

Inside the garden, it’s worth remembering this is a quiet, peaceful space. Be mindful of other visitors and help keep the calm.

Other things to consider :

Other Famous Gardens to Visit in Marrakech

We’re always drawn to botanical gardens—it feels like visiting a different layer of culture, and Morocco is no exception. Marrakech is full of green spaces, from grand historical gardens to modern artistic landscapes.

Of course, the most famous is what many call the Yves Saint Laurent Garden—but there’s so much more worth exploring:

Each garden offers a unique escape from the city’s chaos, but Le Jardin Secret holds a special charm. Its blend of history, greenery, and peaceful corners in the heart of the city really does transport you to another age.

And if you’re seeking even more green spaces, don’t miss the gardens around the Koutoubia Mosque—they’re worthy of a stroll.

So Is Le Jardin Secret Worth A Visit?  

Absolutely. Writing this post made me fall in love with the garden all over again.

If you love visiting green spaces, you’ll find Le Jardin Secret a joy. We stayed far longer than we intended—lingering over tea, exploring the gallery, we were inspired, we found quiet benches and we considered and contemplated and planned,

It’s not a vast garden but it doesn’t need to be. It’s designed to suggest you slow down—finding corners to pause, reflect, and just be. Le Jardin Secret really is a hidden gem in the heart of the Medina : a peaceful haven offering history, beauty, and a pause for relaxing.

Make sure you leave time for this little oasis; it’s just waiting to be discovered.

More Inspiration for Your Marrakech Adventure

If you’re planning a trip to Marrakech, there’s so much to see beyond the main squares and souks. Whether you’re dreaming of ancient kasbahs, learning to cook the perfect tagine, or escaping into the Atlas Mountains, we’ve written about it!

Check out these guides to help you plan your Moroccan adventure:

Which experience are you most excited about? Come say hi on Facebook or Instagram—I’d love to hear your plans!

Looking For An Amazing Hotel In Marrakech Medina?

Choosing where to stay in Marrakech is a big decision, but for us, staying in a riad within the Medina was non-negotiable and Riad Matham turned out to be the perfect choice.

After the World Cup matches, as we returned to the Riad, Gerry played football with a couple of young boys in the street outside. He’d let them score a goal and cheer Hakim! in honour of Hakim Ziyech, the Moroccan hero of the match; happy memories!

We loved :

Top Tip: Like most riads in the Medina, taxis won’t drop you at the door, so be prepared to walk a few minutes. If you’re arriving late or want a smooth check-in, ask them to arrange your transfer or arrange airport pickup yourself from Viator which is what we did.