"Dont go. Buy a postcard and call it done!" Menara Gardens Tip by krissyM

The Menara Gardens were built in the 12th century by the Almohad ruler Abd al-Mu'min. The name menara derives from the pavillon with its small green pyramid roof (menzeh). The pavilion was built during the 16th century by the Saadi dynasty. It was renovated in 1869 by Sultan Abderrahmane of Morocco, who used to stay here in summertime.

The gardens themselves are free, if you could even call them gardens. They consist of rows upon rows of olive trees. There are no flowers, or any other plants nor paths through the trees. If you want to enter the pavilion I think it cost between 5-15 MAD. Which isn't much but it's not worth it. The pavillion is empty and the view from the balcony is of the murky, brown pool in front of it.

While in the gardens you will be harrassed to buy cheap clothing, tacky souvenirs and camel rides. The Menara Gardens are open daily between 8:00 and 19:00.

This is a well photgraphed site in Marrakech appearing on all the postcards in all it's glory. My photos were not even worth the space on my memory card. The only saving grace is that this garden is a stop on the Bus Touristique so I didn't waste the taxi fare to get there.