A row of four tickets, three in gold and one in silver, labeled 'my return ticket' with a decorative border.

VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!

This guide forms part of our complete Morocco Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across Morocco.

This article is part of our 14 Days in Marrakech: Ultimate Guide. We visited the famous Jemaa el Fnaa market, ancient Ait Ben Haddou, travelled the Atlas Mountains and saw the incredible Ouzoud Waterfalls. Our trip also included a stay at the Riad Catalina and a one in a lifetime Hot Air Balloon flight over the desert.

Top Attractions

Many of the attractions are Highly Recommended with a 5 Ticket rating!

Where Is Le Jardin Secret? Le Jardin Secret is located in the Mouassine district of Marrakech’s historic Medina, making it easy to incorporate into a day exploring the souks and historic centre.

Step away from Marrakech’s busy souks and discover historic gardens, ingenious ancient waterways and one of the Medina’s most peaceful retreats

Le Jardin Secret is a true oasis of calm in the heart of the medina. The fountains, pools & carefully designed pathways reflect the art of Moroccan garden design across centuries.

If you are a history lover (like us), a plant lover, or just looking for somewhere tranquil to sit awhile… Le Jardin Secret meets those expectations.

Enchanting spaces, and breathtaking views over the city & the Atlas Mountains make this a wonderful day trip.

You can take a break at one of the two cafes, enjoying fresh Moroccan mint tea, sandwiches and cakes. There is an art exhibition space that would be worth a visit.

Things To Do In Marrakech: The Fascinating History Behind the Secret Garden

The story of Le Jardin Secret stretches back much further than its beautifully restored appearance might suggest.

Its origins date to the second half of the 16th century, when Saadian Sultan Moulay Abd-Allah began developing Marrakech’s Mouassine district. The original palace was eventually destroyed following the decline of the Saadian dynasty.

A new palace was constructed on the site during the 19th century for kaid al-Hajj Abd-Allah U-Bihi, while respecting the layout of the earlier Saadian complex.

There’s even a rather dramatic twist to his story: U-Bihi was suspected of political intrigue and was reportedly killed by poisoned tea. The property subsequently passed through several influential owners before eventually falling into disrepair during the 20th century. Le Jardin Secret

Restoration eventually brought the gardens and buildings back to life, and Le Jardin Secret opened to visitors in 2016.

Intricate ceiling design featuring vibrant floral patterns and geometric shapes, with a hanging lantern in the center.

A beautiful garden scene featuring a central fountain with intricate tile work, framed by palms and greenery. People relax on benches, while others walk along a pathway leading to a building with draped curtains.

Two Gardens: Two Very Different Experiences

One detail worth knowing before visiting is that Le Jardin Secret actually contains two distinct gardens.

◆ The Islamic Garden

This is perhaps the most historically interesting. Its restoration follows the likely 19th-century layout, with the garden divided into four sections.

The symmetry isn’t simply decorative. The traditional four-part Islamic garden has both practical and symbolic meaning, helping distribute water while also recalling descriptions of paradise and gardens with flowing water.

◆ The Exotic Garden

The second garden is deliberately different. Here you’ll find plants originating from different parts of the world, reflecting Marrakech’s long history of experimenting with exotic species in its great gardens.

Things to Look For at Le Jardin Secret

Don’t simply walk through, photograph the plants and leave. Some of Marrakech’s historic garden’s most fascinating features are surprisingly easy to miss.

The ancient water system: Look closely for the channels, reservoirs and pipes running through the property. Le Jardin Secret once benefited from Marrakech’s remarkable khettara underground irrigation system, which carried groundwater into the city. Having a private water supply was an unusual privilege and an indication of the wealth and status of the property’s owners.

The four-part Islamic Garden: Stand back and look at the geometry. The four sections weren’t randomly designed; symmetry, water and pathways are fundamental elements of traditional Islamic garden design.

The central marble basin: At the intersection of the garden’s raised walkways sits a marble basin, reinforcing water as the architectural and spiritual heart of the riad.

Zellige and carved stucco: Look beyond the plants. The restored buildings showcase zellige tiles, hand-carved stucco, inlaid cedar, traditional tadelakt plaster and geometric decoration created by Moroccan craftspeople.

The pavilions: The architecture surrounding the gardens is as important as the vegetation. Notice the pointed arches, wooden lintels, exposed beams and traditional doors.

The tower: Don’t overlook this. The tower rises above the Medina and provides panoramic views across Marrakech and, when conditions cooperate, toward the Atlas Mountains. Tower access currently requires a separate ticket.

The contrast between the two gardens: Move slowly between the Exotic and Islamic gardens and notice how dramatically their planting styles and layouts differ.

The sound of water: This is part of the design rather than simply decoration. Within Islamic garden traditions, water represents life and purification while its movement and reflections contribute to the garden’s contemplative atmosphere.

► 7 Interesting Facts About Le Jardin Secret

Its history reaches back to Marrakech’s Saadian period in the 16th century.
The original palace was destroyed following the decline of the Saadian dynasty.
A new palace was constructed on the site during the 19th century.
One former owner, al-Hajj Abd-Allah U-Bihi, was reportedly poisoned with tea amid suspicions of political intrigue.
The property had its own water supply, a rare privilege demonstrating the owner’s wealth and importance.
The complex contains two separate riads as well as the Islamic and Exotic gardens.
After decades of deterioration, the property was extensively restored before eventually opening to the public.

► My Return Ticket Tip

We recommend around two hours to visit Le Jardin Secret. You can see the gardens faster, but this isn’t really an attraction that should be rushed. Explore both gardens, study the historic water system, climb the tower if it’s open, and then do exactly what we did, find a seat, order a Moroccan mint tea and enjoy one of the rare places in the Medina where doing absolutely nothing for a while is part of the attraction.

Located: 121 Rue Mouassine, Marrakech 40030, Morocco

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With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.

Le Jardin Secret⎮Discover a Hidden Oasis in the Heart of the Medina⎮ Marrakech