Ourika Valley
Anima is a three-hectare art and nature garden created by the Austrian artist André Heller, about 27 km from Marrakech on the Ourika road. Plan two to three hours among sculptures, pavilions and planting, with views to the High Atlas. It combines well with the Ourika Valley.
- Garden and open-air artworks by André Heller and invited artists
- Views of the High Atlas and Jbel Toubkal on clear days
- Free shuttle from Marrakech when you book a ticket
- Easy to combine with the Ourika Valley
Anima is not a botanical garden in the classic sense, and it is not a museum either. It is the personal vision of one artist, who planted, placed and hid things all over a piece of land at the foot of the Atlas. Some of our guests call it the highlight of their stay; others find it a pleasant stroll. Knowing what to expect helps you decide whether it belongs in your day.
What Anima is
Anima was created by André Heller, an Austrian artist also known for his work as a poet, singer and designer of gardens and shows. The garden covers about three hectares in the Ourika area and mixes landscape design, exotic planting and contemporary art. The garden describes it as a place of "shady paths, between precious trees and shrubs, miracles of flowers and fragrances, pavilions and sculptures".
You walk on winding paths through bamboo, palms, cacti, flowering beds and tall grasses, with water features along the way. Around almost every bend there is something to find: a face in the vegetation, a coloured pavilion, a sculpture half hidden among leaves.
The art installations
The garden presents works by André Heller himself alongside pieces by other artists. The garden names, among others:
- Keith Haring, whose bold, playful imagery appears in the garden through his collaboration with Heller.
- Igor Mitoraj, the Polish sculptor known for fragmented classical figures.
- Abderrahim Hamza, a Moroccan calligrapher who blends Arabic calligraphy with street art.
- Edgar Tezak and Hans Werner Geerdts, the latter with a permanent space dedicated to his work.
- Tributes to Pablo Picasso and to the writer Paul Bowles, who gives his name to the café.
Rather than a trail of labels, the art is meant to be discovered as you wander. If you want to be sure not to miss a piece, ask the staff at the entrance where to look.
The setting and the Atlas views
The garden looks south towards the High Atlas. On clear days, particularly from late autumn to spring, you can see snow on the peaks, including Jbel Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest summit in North Africa. Haze in summer often softens the view, so if the panorama matters to you, go on a crisp morning after rain.
Inside, Café Marocain Paul Bowles serves fresh juices, teas and pastries; the garden says some ingredients are grown on site. It is a good place to sit in the shade at the end of the loop.
Practical information
All details below come from the garden's official website at the time of writing. They change, so check before you go.
- Opening hours: every day, 9 am to 6 pm, except during the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays.
- Tickets: 140 MAD adults, 60 MAD for ages 12 to 16, free under 12, 60 MAD for local residents. Visa and Mastercard accepted.
- Time: the garden recommends two to three hours; shorter loops exist for younger visitors.
- Accessibility: limited access for wheelchair users.
- Access by car: the entrance is off the Ourika road, down about 500 m of unpaved track after a service station.
The free shuttle
The garden runs a free shuttle for ticket holders from the "Parking & Lavage" car park behind the Koutoubia mosque. At the time of writing there are two departures a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, each returning three to three and a half hours later. Seats are limited: you must book online at least 24 hours in advance. The shuttle is a good option if you only want Anima. If you also want to see the valley, it will not help, because it only runs between the Koutoubia and the garden.
How to combine Anima with the Ourika Valley
Anima sits on the road we drive every day, a few kilometres before Tnine Ourika. That makes it one of the easiest additions to a day in the valley. Three options we arrange:
Anima and a gentle Ourika day. Anima first thing in the morning, then the Nectarome aromatic garden or the Berber Ecomuseum at Tafza a few kilometres further up, lunch in the valley and back to Marrakech in the afternoon. Relaxed, with little walking.
Anima plus the full valley. Anima at opening time, then up to Setti Fatma for lunch by the river and a shorter walk to the first waterfall. It makes for a long but rewarding day. Our Ourika Valley day trip can be adapted this way on request; entry to Anima is paid on top.
Your own programme. Book a private car with driver for the day and choose your stops. The driver waits at Anima and at each stop, and you are not tied to the shuttle times.
For more ideas along the same road, see our list of things to do in the Ourika Valley.
Is Anima worth it?
It depends on what you enjoy. If you like gardens, design, contemporary art or simply a quiet, beautiful place to walk, yes: it is one of the most original sites around Marrakech. If you are mainly after mountain villages, rivers and Berber life, you may prefer to spend your time further up the valley. For many of our guests, the answer is both: an easy morning at Anima, and the afternoon among the orchards and earth villages of Ourika.
Two last tips: wear comfortable shoes, as paths are uneven in places, and bring sun protection. Parts of the garden are shaded, but the Atlas sun is strong in every season.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Anima Garden cost?
At the time of writing, the garden's official site lists 140 MAD (about 14 EUR) for adults, 60 MAD for children aged 12 to 16, and free entry under 12, with a reduced rate for local residents. Cards are accepted at the entrance. Prices change, so check the official site before you go.
How does the free shuttle work?
At the time of writing the garden runs a free shuttle for ticket holders from the 'Parking & Lavage' car park behind the Koutoubia mosque, with a morning and an afternoon departure. Seats are limited and must be booked online at least 24 hours in advance. Groups of more than ten are asked to contact the garden directly.
Can I visit Anima and the Ourika Valley on the same day?
Yes. Anima is on the same road, a few kilometres before the entrance to the valley. The shuttle only goes to Anima and back, so for both in one day you need a car. We arrange it with a private driver: Anima in the morning, then up the valley, or the other way round.
Is Anima good for children and people with reduced mobility?
The garden describes itself as family-friendly, with shaded paths and a café, and shorter loops for younger visitors. Access for wheelchair users is limited to some areas only, according to the garden. Tell us before booking so we can plan the drop-off as close to the entrance as possible.
When is the best time to go?
Mornings give the softest light and the clearest views of the Atlas, especially from late autumn to spring when the peaks can carry snow. In summer, go early to avoid the midday heat. The garden closes for the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays.
