The Marrakech Palm Grove (often also written Palmeraie) is one of the areas chosen by many tourists for their trip to the city. But what makes it so attractive? In this post, we answer that question, explaining its historical value and the main activities that can be done here. And of course, we tell you why it has become a benchmark for luxury and exclusivity.
Historical Review
At first glance, the Marrakech Palm Grove may seem like a mere grouping of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera). But its large size and, above all, its great age make it one of the most interesting spaces on the outskirts of the city. According to some estimates, there are about 100,000 date palms, spread over an area of about 13,000 hectares, where you can also find olive and fruit trees to a lesser extent.
Its origins date back to the Almoravid era, a dynasty that founded Marrakech in the 11th century and made it the capital of the sultanate. Logically, the oldest specimens in the palm grove are not that old, since palms of this species rarely live more than 300 years. However, what remains is the water supply system devised at that time: a network of khettaras, that is, underground channels that distribute water throughout the area, which are fed by aquifers located underground, in the water table.
Marrakech Palm Grove: a Luxury Benchmark
Since time immemorial, the Marrakech Palm Grove has been a symbol and hallmark for the people of Marrakech themselves. And in recent times it has become a benchmark for luxury: it is a quiet area north of the city, about 10 km from the medina, where the residential villas of the wealthy classes have traditionally been located.
That is why the large hotel chains have set their sights on this area in recent years, opening charming resorts here, with the highest quality standards and a wide range of services. However, most have one thing in common: the low height of their buildings, conceived more as large villas, since local legislation has always been very restrictive in that regard, trying to preserve the natural landscape of the palm grove itself.
That is also why many of the tourist complexes in the area are designed as luxury apartment hotels, in line with the atmosphere of retreat and disconnection offered by this quiet area of the city, completely away from the hustle and bustle of the medina.
In addition, in the Marrakech Palm Grove there is another great attraction for tourists of the highest level: its golf course, known as PalmGolf Marrakech Palmeraie. Although it is a course that does not stand out precisely for the presence of shade and cool corners, it integrates well into the surrounding natural landscape, and is one of the favorite options during the winter for international players.
Playing golf is not the only activity that can be done in the Marrakech Palm Grove. Those most interested in the botanical and historical values of the area can join guided tours of the surroundings, which explain the aforementioned khettaras system, which could consist of some 5,000 wells, according to some calculations.
And if you are traveling as a family, in the Marrakech Palm Grove you can take camel (dromedary) rides, a proposal that is always interesting for the little ones and can last from just 30 minutes to several hours. The absence of traffic and the supervision of specialized guides and monitors guarantees a safe experience for all.
