Morocco’s riches also include a variety of fauna and flora, to which its sumptuous gardens can attest. Just to give you an idea, Morocco counts several hundred gardens, each more awe-inspiring than the next.
One great example is Menara Garden, which features a vast stretch of olive trees in a peaceful haven right in the center of Marrakesh. In Rabat, visit the famous Botanical Test Gardens and Exotic Gardens that await with thousands of plant species. And be sure not to miss the Andalusian Gardens at Les Oudayas. In and around Tangier, get some fresh air at the wonderful Mendubia Garden, where centuries-old trees stand over canons that are now purely decorative, or stroll around a chateau in Perdicaris Park. In Fez, embark on an outing fit for a king at the Jnan Sbil Gardens which run from the medina to the royal palace.
Where sustainable eco-tourism is a priority
The Majorelle Garden is the most symbolic park in Marrakesh. The painter of the same name planted beautiful specimens here to create a pleasant space that would inspire his artwork. The garden was bought by Yves Saint Laurent in the late 1980s and is now open to the public to promote green tourism. Finally, for a magical evening constitutional, the roses in the Koutoubia gardens are the perfect destination.
In Morocco, put your body and mind at peace by spending time in its multi-faceted gardens.
The Moroccan desert
There is a reason why Morocco is known as the “Land of Dunes”: its desert expanses lend themselves to the formation of sand dunes, which make the Moroccan landscape such an unusual one.
Your adventure begins in Zagora, the gateway to the Sahara. This simply fantastic town is surrounded by a palm grove and rocky hills. Other, grander spots that have their own oases, such as Tafilalet, Tinghir, Fint,Tata and Figuig.
An original experience in the desert
The Moroccan desert is a vast space ripe for discovery. Climb aboard the Oriental Desert Express, the train that connects Oujda to Bouarfa, for an unbeatable view of the Sahara Desert glimpsed between dunes and palm trees. Athletic adventurers can choose activities like sandboarding, i.e. sand surfing, which is possible in Merzouga and M’hamid El Ghizlane. In fact, the Merzouga dunes are a great place for sampling the desert in an ATV or off-roader. If you’re a romantic at heart, spend the night in a khaima, a traditional tent used by nomads that makes a lovely spot for resting under the stars.
Treat yourself to a total immersion in the Sahara and you won’t regret it.
The dazzling nature of southern Morocco
Turn inland, away from the sea, and allow the towns of Midelt, Errachidia and Merzouga to show you another side of Morocco. Their stunning panoramas unfurl between the summits of the
Middle Atlas and the infinite expanse of the Sahara.
Midelt and Errachidia are mountain towns. Varying contours interrupt the horizon, forming a backdrop that exudes serenity. Oaks, date palms and olive trees rise from the valley floors, while cedars and firs ring the mountaintops, reinforcing the sense of calmness that pervades the area. There are many excursions to bring you up close to these beautiful landscapes.
The outlying areas of Midelt and Errachidia hint at the nearby desert, but Merzouga, a lost village in the sand, sits right at its doorstep. This is where you will find the tallest dunes in Morocco and the most beautiful sunrise in the world. Look around for a palm grove and waters stirred by the flights of birds and you have found Dayet Srij Lake and its migratory bird population. Whether you choose a quick getaway or a multi-day excursion, you will be able to immerse yourself in these treasures and discover all the secret delights of the desert.
These remote lands are far removed from the resorts of Morocco. This is whereyou come for untamed nature and where adventure awaits just around the bend.
