Excellence Luxury Villas · Annakhil
Luxury Villa Rentals in Annakhil
Walled villas with private pools among the palms of the Palmeraie, a short drive from the medina
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Palm groves, quiet lanes and the medina a short drive away
Annakhil is the district on Marrakech's northern edge that takes in much of the Palmeraie, the great palm grove beyond the city walls. Its name comes from the Arabic for palm trees, and there are well over a hundred thousand of them here. Local legend says the grove grew from date stones dropped by Almoravid soldiers in the eleventh century. It makes a pleasing story, whatever the botanists say.
Our Annakhil collection runs to 37 villas, from family houses of five or six bedrooms to large estates for gatherings, the biggest with 17 bedrooms. Private pools are the rule rather than the exception, and the setting is the palm grove itself: walled gardens, quiet lanes and, on clear days, the Atlas on the horizon.
The trade-off is simple: you give up the bustle of the old city and get space, silence and a swim before breakfast. Here is how to make the most of it.
Annakhil at a glance
- Villas
- 37 in Annakhil and the Palmeraie, with up to 17 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £5,800 to £15,000 a week, from around £3,500
- Setting
- The palm grove north of the city, around 6 to 7 km from Jemaa el-Fna
- Best time
- March to May and September to November; summer heat can pass 40°C
- Airport
- Marrakech Menara, usually around 25 to 35 minutes by road
Browse all 37 villas in Annakhilor see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Dar Sabra | 6-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Marrakech6 bedrooms
Moroccan Lodge Morocco8 bedrooms
Rent Riad Tamasna Morocco8 bedrooms
Villa Mazita | 11-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Marrakech11 bedroomsWhere to stay in Annakhil
The Palmeraie loop for seclusion among the palms, the Route de Fès side for quicker drives into Marrakech, and Al Haouz and Essaouira for days out into the mountains and to the coast.
Behind the walls, among the palms
The Circuit de la Palmeraie is a long loop road that winds through the grove, with the Route de Fès along its eastern side. Villas line dusty lanes behind tall pink walls, and from the road you see little but the gates and the palm tops. Inside it is another world, and on a clear winter morning there can be snow on the High Atlas beyond the garden wall.
Distances are greater than they look on a map, and one villa can sit a good few minutes' drive from the next. A car or driver is close to essential here, which our concierge can arrange from the day you land.
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The souks by day, the palms by night
The medina is usually a fifteen to twenty minute drive away, which is the great appeal of Annakhil. Spend the morning in the souks, the Bahia Palace or the Jardin Majorelle and its neighbour, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, then retreat to the pool when the afternoon heat sets in. Come back in the evening to watch Jemaa el-Fna fill with storytellers, musicians and food stalls.
Closer to home, the Musée de la Palmeraie shows contemporary Moroccan art in its gardens and galleries, and there are golf courses in and around the grove. Camel rides and horse-drawn carriages wander the palm tracks too, if you can bear the cliché. Children generally can.
Mountains, desert and the Atlantic
The Ourika valley, with its Berber villages and riverside lunches, is around an hour south, and the stony Agafay desert is close enough for a sunset dinner under canvas. Imlil and Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, lie further into Al Haouz for those who want a proper walk.
Essaouira, the walled port on the Atlantic, is around two and a half to three hours west by road. Expect grilled sardines on the harbour, blue fishing boats and a wind that the kitesurfers love. Most people make it a long day trip or a night away.
Browse villas in Al Haouz
Tanjia, mint tea and a long, warm spring
Marrakech's own dish is tanjia, beef or lamb slow-cooked in a clay urn in the embers that heat the hammam. It shares the table with tagines, pastilla and the endless glasses of sweet mint tea. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, warm by day and pleasant at dinner outdoors. July and August are fiercely hot, so plan on slow mornings and long afternoons by the pool. Winter brings bright, mild days but cold nights, so pack a jumper for the terrace. The Marrakech International Film Festival usually takes place in late autumn. Our concierge can book a cook for a villa dinner, guides for the medina, restaurant tables and transfers.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Annakhil
Rent Villa Abiad Morocco8 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £13,755 a week
Villa Tensift | 8-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Marrakech8 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £12,186 a week
Rent Villa Shama Morocco6 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £12,026 a week
Villa Namira Morocco7 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £10,074 a week
Villa Tallaght | 6-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Marrakesh6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £8,781 a week
Villa Aashif Morocco4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £8,706 a week
Rent Villa Maaden Morocco4 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £8,162 a week
Villa Annan | 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Marrakesh5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £8,124 a weekWhy book your Annakhil villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Annakhil's villas are scattered along miles of palm-lined lanes behind near-identical walls, and we know which are quickest into the medina, which have the clearest Atlas views and which feel properly secluded. With 37 properties in Annakhil, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Airport transfers from Menara, private drivers, a cook for dinners at the villa, guided tours of the medina and souks, days out to the Ourika valley, Agafay and Essaouira, and restaurant reservations. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Annakhil a good place to stay in Marrakech?
Yes, if you would rather have space and quiet than be a stroll from the souks. Annakhil covers much of the Palmeraie, where villas sit in walled gardens, many with private pools, and the medina is usually a fifteen to twenty minute drive away.
When is the best time to visit Annakhil and Marrakech?
March to May and September to November are the most comfortable months. July and August are very hot, often above 40°C, and winter days are sunny and mild but nights can be cold.
Do I need a car when staying in the Palmeraie?
It helps a great deal. The villas are spread out along long lanes and there is little within walking distance, so most guests use a private driver or hire a car. Our concierge can arrange either.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Annakhil?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Annakhil cost?
Across our 37 villas in Annakhil, weekly rates typically range from £5,800 to £15,000, with the most affordable from around £3,500 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How far is Annakhil from Marrakech airport?
Marrakech Menara airport is usually around 25 to 35 minutes from the Palmeraie by road, depending on the villa and the traffic. Our concierge can arrange private transfers.
Are there villas in Annakhil for large groups?
Yes. Our Annakhil collection includes properties with up to 17 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Annakhil
37 villas among the palms of Annakhil, booked direct with our concierge on hand