marrakech riad

Dates and dried fruit in Marrakech

Dried Moroccan fruits and dates in particular are not only key staples in Moroccan cuisine, they have a rich cultural and historical significance that goes back many thousands of years. As early as 6,000 BC there is evidence to suggest that the date palm was cultivated and harvested in North Africa and the Middle East […]

Evil eye

A late night stroll through Marrakech’s central square, Jemaa al-Fnaa will lead you to encounter all kinds of the weird and the wonderful. However particularly towards the Eastern side of Jemaa al-Fnaa you will discover many Marrakshi locals selling unusual trinkets. Unlike the souvenirs you will find in the nearby postcard shops, for a few […]

Aqua Italian Restaurant

On the Eastern side of Jemaa al-Fnaa you will find Aqua, a quaint Italian pizzeria in the heart of the Medina. Depending on the length of your stay in the red city of Marrakech, you might discover that the intensely flavourful local tajine’s leave you longing for the more familiar tastes of home. If this […]

7saints

The 7 Saints is a cosy Café-Restaurant in the southern reaches of the central square of Marrakech, Jemaa al-Fnaa. At the 7 Saints you will be able to find traditional Moroccan cuisine as well as good variety of European dishes such as panini’s and pizzas. It’s easy to glance over the name, ‘7 Saints’ and not […]

Souks Marrakech

If you speak to anyone who has visited Marrakech, you can be sure that they will mention the red city’s famous Souk District. Located in the very heart of the Medina, just north of Jemaa al-Fnaa and a five minute stroll from Riad Spice, Cinnamon, Papillon and Riad Star. The souks of Marrakech are the largest you […]

Horse drawn carriages: Calèches in Marrakech

As you stroll through the winding alleys of the Marrakech Medina you will see that the pathways are shared by pedestrians, mopeds, donkey-drawn carts and the Calèche. Calèches are horse-drawn carriages of which can hold four to five people. Moroccans have been using Calèches as a means of quickly traversing the narrow streets of the red city […]

National Festival of Popular Arts

Hosted every year in the lavish courtyard of the El Badi Palace in the Marrakech Medina is the ‘National Festival of Popular Art’s’ (Festival National des Arts Populaires) in the centre of Marrakech. Being only a five minute walk from the Riad I stayed in,  I went down to the festival last night to discover more. Before […]

El Waha Cafe Restaurant

El Waha Café Restaurant is located on the eastern side of the central square of Marrakech (Jemaa al-Fnaa), a convenient 5 minute stroll from Riad Dar Habiba but only a 10-15 minute walk from any of our other Riad’s. El Waha offers a similar selection of traditional Moroccan dishes as other Café Restaurant’s in the area such […]

Taj'in Darna sunset

Taj’in Darna is a cafe/ restaurant located on the Eastern side of Marrakech’s central square. Serving a variety of traditional Moroccan dishes and refreshments it’s cosy rooftop terrace is the ideal space in which to stop and refresh your batteries after a day spent exploring the red city. Due to the stunning panoramic views of […]

Marrakech Lamps in Souks

Lamp’s have held a hugely high value in Moroccan architecture and design for hundreds of years and are used in all four corners of Morocco to decorate shops, restaurants and houses. Hand-crafted Moroccan lamps come in all shapes and sizes and often take a painstakingly long time to complete. In Jemaa al-Fnaa many lamp salesmen […]

Eid celebrations

As the holy fasting month of Ramadan draws to a close in the world of Islam, the red city of Marrakech comes alive as vibrant religious festivities for Eid go underway. Eid celebrations are split into two parts, ‘Eid al-Fitr’ (festival of the breaking of the fast) which is followed by ‘Eid as-Adha’ (festival of […]

cafe arabe bar marrakech

Just a five minute stroll from Riad Papillon, Riad Cinnamon and Riad Star is the Cafe Arabe. Nicely situated in a sleepy neighborhood just north of the renowned souk district, Cafe Arabe offers traditional Moroccan cuisine in a modern and sophisticated environment. The atmosphere inside the cafe/ restaurant is relaxed and welcoming and an hour spent here […]

Cyberpark

Nestled alongside Boulevard Al Yarmouk is the Marrakech Medina’s cyber park. If you are looking to seek some shade from the Moroccan sun or need to send a quick e-mail while you are on the move in the city, then the cyber park is the ideal location to spend an hour and recharge your batteries. […]

Earth Cafe

Although meat dishes are a specialty in Marrakech as well as the whole of Morocco, you will be surprised at the outstanding selection of vegetarian eating experiences available in the city. Whether it’s in the restaurants of the new-town of Guillez or the market stalls of Djemaa El Fnaa, you never need to worry about […]

Soufiane the Tankkacht

Marrakech is a ancient city which has acted as a hub of trade and commerce for nearly a thousand years. One of the most fascinating aspects of the cities rich and diverse history that is well worth your attention is it’s relationship with the arts and crafts. From leather, textiles and especially metal, craftsmen and […]

Ensemble Artisanal

If you take a five minute walk from Koutoubia Mosque and Marrakech’s central square (Jemaa El Fnaa) in the direction of the new town of Guillez, you will find the ‘Ensemble Artisanal’. The Ensemble offers the same wide selection of handcrafted goods that you could hope to find in the Souks, however the prices are at […]

tin work

Although there are a huge variety of crafts being practiced in Marrakech, one that you’re path will definitely cross as you discover what the souk’s have to offer is the Moroccan tin work. After a short walk to Jemaa El Fnaa, I come across some of the striking pieces the Marrakshi craftsmen have to offer. […]

snake charmers

Snake charming is an ancient skill in Morocco and those who practice this art can always be found in Marrakech’s central square, Jemaa El Fnaa. Although there are a myriad of remarkable sights to be discovered in the centre of the city, the small communities of charmers will perhaps be those you hear, before you […]

Orange-Juice stall Marrakech

Situated in the middle of Marrakech, the central square (Jemaa El Fnaa) truly can be described as the beating heart of the city and a day spent wandering through the groups of performers, artists and musicians can indeed be thirsty work. So when you’re ready for refreshment there really is no other option than to […]

street art

Above is an example of the kind of street art that can be seen on a walk through Marrakech. This piece of art is the work of French street artist Christian Guémy who goes under the pseudonym of ‘C215’. Guémy has been described as being akin in style and popularity to British street artist ‘Banksy’ and his stencil […]

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This is just a short post to properly introduce ourselves as the new resident travel journalists for the Marrakech-Riad blog. Our team is split into two, on one side is Jamie Horton, owner of Chasing Safety Media and the resident video blogger. Jamie will be joining us for 2 weeks and he’ll be spending his […]

Poultry markets

There are 18 souk’s which employ over 40,000 locals of all backgrounds, ages and ethnicity in Marrakech alone. Although that makes for an almost uncountable number of wares to explore and choose from, no adventure in the Marrakshi  souk’s is complete without a trip to the poultry market in Marché de Volaille, just a ten minute walk away […]

goats in a tree

If, during your stay you find yourself wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh  for a few hours, by travelling just a few miles from the city outskirts you can not only take a pause to gather your senses but you can also get hands on with a unique aspect of Moroccan agriculture. These are […]

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Traveling the daily 5 hour round trip to Essouira is what bestows the owners of restaurant 14 and 98 such exquisite, fresh and reasonably priced fish that makes these restaurants a hub of local Moroccans and in the know visitors. This is the numerically marked restaurant market of Jemaa El Fna square that trundles in […]

Lalla Takerkoust

Just an hour and half by 50cc scooter with two people, or 45 minutes by car you can visit a manmade lake of tranquility and beauty steeped on one side by sloping banks intertwined with a small forest and on the other a plateau of barren but charming land. This is lake Lalla Takerkoust, which is […]

1900s Dar El Basha

A harem of your beautiful women relaxing and natural, greets the Pacha of Marrakech at his grossly decorated palace in the heart of the Marrakshi medina. As the Pacha of Marrakech, most powerful man in Morocco and one of the richest in the world, Themi El Glaoui was able to command great respect and a […]

Thami - The Last of the Pashas

Time and events around “Dar El Bacha,” was difficult for the national unity of Morocco in the turbulent time of the French protectorate. The palace, built in the early twentieth century, was the residence of Thami El Glaoui who, for mutual benefit, brought decisive support to the French “resident” Lyautey based in Marrakech. As a […]