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| Home > City Guide - Marrakech - Further Distractions | ||
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Further Distractions Menara Gardens With its backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, it is no surprise that the Menara Gardens are one of the most photographed places in Morocco. It is also a popular place among locals for picnics. The best time to come is late afternoon when most of the tourists have left. More a working farm than a garden, the Menara was laid out in the 12th century by the Almohads. Around 30,000 olive trees are set around a magnificent water tank. The pavilion, menzeh, was built much later in 1870. The first-floor open balcony offers a wonderful view over the large expanse of water towards the mountains. Avenue de la Menara, two kilometres (one mile) east of the medina Transport: Petit taxi or calèche; or bus 11. Opening hours: Daily dawn-dusk. Admission: Free (gardens); Dh5 (menzeh). Museums Marrakech has three excellent little museums, all set in historic buildings and offering fine, well-displayed collections of local crafts and fine arts. The Musée Dar Si Saïd (Museum of Morocco) is the official collection of fine carpets, carvings, jewellery, musical instruments and arms, housed in the 19th-century home of royal chamberlain, Sidi Said. Nearby, the somewhat eccentric Musée Tiskiwin is a beautiful riad (merchant’s house) containing the private collection of folk crafts belonging to Dutch expat, Bert Flint. In the heart of the souk, the Musée de Marrakech is another magnificently restored 19th-century mansion, built by the Menebha family and now displaying fine art, carpets, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, textiles and manuscripts. Musée Dar Si Saïd off Rue Dar Bahia, near Bahia Palace Opening hours: Daily 0830-1145 and 1430-1745 (closed Tues). Admission: Dh10. Musée Tiskiwin 8 Rue Dar Bahia, near Bahia Palace Opening hours: Daily 1030-1230 and 1500-1830 (closed Tues). Admission: Dh10. Musée de Marrakech Place Ben Youssef (in the souks) Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800 (closed Mon). Admission: Dh20. Transport: All three museums are accessible only on foot, although a petit taxi or calèche can drop a visitor within about 200m (656ft). |
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