Marrakech: ANIMA Garden Shuttle Ticket & Art Walk

Summary

Art and wild gardens near Marrakech with Atlas mountain views

You’ll slip out of Marrakech’s heat and noise into ANIMA Garden’s shady paths—art hidden among palms and cacti, tea made with garden herbs at Café Paul Bowles, museum rooms full of surprises, and those unexpected Atlas mountain views that might stick with you long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I booked the ANIMA Garden ticket mostly because I needed a break from the Marrakech chaos. Didn’t expect to end up sitting under a giant bamboo, grinning at a Keith Haring sculpture while the scent of mint drifted over from somewhere (probably the café). The shuttle picked us up right by Koutoubia—easy enough, though I did worry we’d miss it since I’m always late. But they waited a minute for us. That felt good.

The garden itself is wild but careful, if that makes sense. Palms and cacti everywhere, with art peeking out in weird places—one minute you’re staring at something Picasso-ish, next you’re just watching sunlight flicker on the pond. Our guide didn’t hover but pointed out some local artists’ work tucked behind the bamboo. There were kids running around, older couples just quietly taking it all in. I liked that nobody rushed you along.

We stopped at Café Paul Bowles for tea—mine had saffron and mint from the garden itself (Li laughed when I tried to say “shukran” properly; probably butchered it). The pastries tasted faintly floral, not too sweet. At one point I just sat there listening to distant birds and thinking how close yet far Marrakech felt now. The museum rooms were small but surprising—photos and paintings from artists I’d never heard of before.

I still think about that view of the Atlas mountains through a gap in the bamboo—snow on top even though it was warm down below. If you need a quiet afternoon away from the city noise, this day trip to ANIMA Garden is something else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit ANIMA Garden and Café

• Stroll along shady garden paths
• View diverse plants and sculptures
• Explore museum with art exhibitions
• Enjoy organic dishes and drinks

Top questions

Is shuttle transfer included in the ANIMA Garden ticket?

Yes, round-trip shared shuttle transfer from Marrakech/Koutoubia is included.

What time does ANIMA Garden open?

The garden opens at 09:00 each day.

Are meals or drinks available inside ANIMA Garden?

Yes, Café Paul Bowles offers meals, organic juices, teas with garden herbs, and pastries.

Is ANIMA Garden suitable for children or people with limited mobility?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; children under 12 enter free.

Are service animals allowed at ANIMA Garden?

Yes, service animals are allowed inside the garden.

How many types of plants are in ANIMA Garden?

The garden features over 250 types of plants including bamboo, palms, and cacti.

Can I reach ANIMA Garden by public transportation?

Yes, public transport options like Bus ALSA 25 are available nearby.

What’s included

Your ticket covers round-trip shared shuttle transfer from central Marrakech (Koutoubia), admission to both the botanical garden and museum rooms at ANIMA Garden, plus access to Café Paul Bowles where you can buy meals or fresh drinks made with ingredients grown right there in the garden before heading back to town.