Uncategorized | Marrakech Riad

Photography museum in Marrakech

Located just north of Marrakech’s central square only a five minute walk away from Riad Cinnamon is one of the cities popular attractions: la Maison de la Photographie. Established 3 years ago, the photography museum set its aims to founding a cataloged archive of Moroccan history in which the memories of these times gone past could […]

Tin craftsmen in Marrakech

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. […]

The snake charmers of Jemaa El Fnaa

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 […]

Motorbikes in the Marrakech Medina

Anyone who has experienced Marrakech will know that unlike most Europeans, the Marrakshi are on the move 24/7. Be it by donkey, horse, motorbike or car you will see the local inhabitants speeding through the ancient city all through the day and night. This does indeed give Marrakech a unique atmosphere. At times it feels […]

Moroccan football

As you explore the areas surrounding the central square (Djemma El Fna) of Marrakech you will come into contact with all kinds of the weird and the wonderful. From snake charmers to acrobats it’s easy to wonder how these individuals started and developed their own unique skills. This is arguably one of the most alluring aspects […]

New times, new money

The official currency in Morocco is the Dirham (DH), divided into 100 centimes, and the word derives from the Greek Drachmae, meaning ‘handful’. In 2009, a new 50-dirham note appeared, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Central Bank and this was the first commemorative banknote issued in Morocco. Front shows portraits of kings Mohammed VI, […]

Marrakech Simple Yet Delectable Street Food

Dotted around the Medina in Marrakech is what at first glance looks merely like rundown household 70s tiled kitchens but be mistaken as they hold the source of a simple street food that feeds a large selection of the Marrakech population. A large bowl of cooked potato’s and a separate dish of eggs make the […]

Essouira – a Sleepy Seaside Oasis

Stepping back into the turn of the 60s and 70s, inspiring musicians such as Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones to write some of their most iconic records, is what awaits those visiting the picturesque, humble and historic city of Essouira. For a long time populated heavily by ‘take is at it comes’ hippies, this […]

Morocco’s Friday Couscous

Every Friday lunchtime a large ornate clay tagine dish arrives on the ground floor of the charity Henna Café, which is where many visiting guests and local Marrakshi and Marrakshia’s will come to get an education for free in a number of subjects. Aside from the black flags flying aloft the many Mosques around the […]

Moroccan Bread – Sacred and Never Wasted

Bread, or Khobz in Moroccan dialect Arabic, is a staple in Morocco and this is most evident its abundance in what seems like every other shops front while walking round the Medina. Baguettes are eaten for breakfast while a soft round alternative called Kesra accompanies plentiful tagine, salad or sardine lunches and evening meals. Wasted […]

Destinations Travel Show, free tickets available online

Riad Cinnamon, Riad Papillon and Dar Habiba will be featured with HipMarrakech on stand AF7 in the Africa section at the Destinations travel show in Earls Court, London 31 January and 1 2 3 February 2013. To secure FREE tickets to the show follow the link below and use the code MSC68 www.destinationsshowtickets.com There is […]

Morning trip to the lake and back

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 […]

The zwîna house of the Marrakshi henna artist

Entering a Marrakshi household on a non descript Wednesday evening is an experience filled with warmth, welcome and sharing. As the Henna artist and cook of the Henna Café in the north-west of La Medina, Fatima has been a practicing Nquasha (master of an artform) for over 26 years and a producer of local cuisine […]

The salted walls of Jewish Morocco

The name El Mellah is used to indicate the walled districts that the Jewish population inhabited in the imperial cities and some rural areas of Morocco. The Marrakech Mella was adjoined to the palace of Bahia in the south during the Saadien dynasty as further protection for its valued inhabitants who made an important contribution […]

Flowers in your Marrakech hotel room?

Birthday? Anniversary? Valentine? for that extra special occasion why not a glorious bunch of fresh flowers in your Riad hotel room? Contact our reservations team to pre order or don’t hesitate to discuss with the team at the hotel. Nothing is too much trouble in our Marrakech Riads.

Marrakech Riad holidays

There has never been a better time for Marrakech holidays. There are currently scheduled flights from all four London airports transporting you in just three hours to the most exotic and foreign destination you can viably reach for a weekend break. There are fantastic hotels and villas in Marrakech, as there are all over the […]

Many thanks femail and Nell

Riad Cinnamon were delighted to host a recent Marrakech retreat for London based yoga teacher Nell Lindsell founder of yogabugs. We were doubly delighted to read Deborah Arthurs kind words in her article in femail. Riad Cinnamon has such versatile accommodation it has proved itself perfect for groups of all descriptions- wedding partys, family get-aways, […]

Gnawi rhythm instrument: Hajhoj Santir or Gumberi

HajHoj is the arabic name for an African instrument that arrived in the north of the continent during the golden age of Morocco in the 15 century. Slavery was common at that time and it was through music that slaves transported from sub saharan Africa retained a link to their own cultures and faiths. A […]

Marrakech Mint and Herbs

One of the delights of Magical Marrakech is a traditional mint tea which is usually made from seven or more mint and herb varieties. What could be more refreshing as you relax in your Marrakech Riad. The video above shows a young man called Mohamed who takes care of his family mint and herb stall […]

Events for Namuwongo

Marrakech Riad are delighted to support Events for Namuwongo a fantastic example of an industry getting together to give back- in this case to a slum community in Uganda. At a Charity Auction on 22nd May 2012 two short breaks to our Marrakech Riads raised more than £7,200 a useful contribution to the fantastic £80,000 […]

Budget Marrakech

Our budget Marrakech package allows guests to enjoy the Traditonal Riad Dar Habiba and our famous hospitality for a three night stay at the fabulous price of just £99 per person (Euros 119). Don’t delay, make contact today! Included in the Budget Marrakech package: * Arrival transfer from Marrakech airport. * Three nights sharing the […]

Marrakech Silver Coins

In the 11th century Marrakech was the Capital of the Almoravid dynasty and issued its own currency. The square silver coins (to the left on the image above) are from this period. The round coins to the right are a currency that circulated in Marrakech three centuries later. All these coins are silver, note how […]

New British Consulate Office

Effective May 2012 the British Consulate Office in Marrakech has moved to new premises at 47 Avenue Mohamed V next to the prominent Marrakech Grand Prix store in the New Town of Guiliez. Our Marrakech Riad staff will be pleased to help guests with further directions if required! The Consulate phone number is 0524420846 and the […]

Where to watch televised football in Marrakech

Morocco is mad about football. Most local cafes and coffee shops show international games and top club matches from Spain and England. Spanish club football, is followed more closely than English (Barca are most Moroccans favourite team) so Cafe’s will generally not be tuned to and English game if there is top Spanish game at […]

Modern boutique

One of our favourite merchants in the Marrakech Souks is the friendly Mostafa whose boutique is located on fashionable Dar El Bashah near to its junction with the Rue Mouassine. Mostafa offers a colourful and modern twist to traditional Moroccan designs and he will always be pleased to share a glass of mint tea in […]

Norwegian guests welcome

Guests from Norway are most welcome in our Marrakech Riads. Even visiting polar bears from the archipeligo of svalbad! With outstanding offers on direct flights from Oslo with Norwegian how better to escape the arctic winter? Our English speaking staff will take great care of you and lend a Marrakech pay as you go mobile […]

Decorated Berber Furniture

There is a long tradition of decorating Berber furniture with painted patterns. In respect of islamic the patterns are geometric shapes that do not depict living things. This delightful litte table sits in the Essaouira Suite at Riad Cinnamon. The decor in our Marrakech Riads is carefully selected to be reflect local tradition.