Stretching south of the royal palace, the Agdal is one of the oldest gardens in Marrakesh, laid out in the 12th century by the Almohads and expanded over the following centuries. The vast grounds contain groves of olive, orange, fig, and pomegranate trees irrigated by an ancient system of underground channels fed from the Atlas Mountains. Two large basins — the Sahraj el Hana and the Dar el Hana — once served as swimming pools for the sultans and as reservoirs. The gardens are only open to the public on Fridays and Sundays when the king is not in residence, so plan accordingly. A peaceful escape from the medina's intensity.