Guide to Marrakech
Guide to Marrakech
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 […]
Setti Fatmas Café’s
The road from Marrakech to Orika Valley’s Setti Fatma is long, straight and stunning. What starts as a long snowcapped penciled horizon above the steering wheel slowly begins to engulf the whole front and side windscreens as you approach the colossal High Atlas Mountains. A small village that is not too far from your Marrakech […]
Moroccan Prayer Beads – A Humble Story
Commonly clutched in the weathered hands of the older population of Morocco, the Tasbih (pictured) is the highly significant beaded prayer string of the Muslim population. According to the Prophet, these enable all that follow the Islamic religion to pray, give thanks to Allah and acquire a heavenly place in the after life equally, regardless […]
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 […]
Cutting the onion like a Marrakshi
As Marrakshi women will tell you, food and its preparation is more than just about eating. It is a lifestyle that brings together families, friends, and any visitors to this wonderful city that are open to new experiences. Taking a freshly bought red onion in her hand and a knife in the other, away from any […]
Ryanair Marrakech operating base
From March 2013 budget airline Ryanair will have two aircraft based in Marrakech, their first operating base in Africa Seven new routes will commence to Baden, Bergerac, Cuneo (Italy), Dole (France), Munich, Paris (Vatry) & Tours bringing the number of ryanair routes to Marrakech to a total twenty two and the projected number of Ryanair […]
Must visit fish restaurants of Place Jemaa El Fna
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 […]
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 […]
Secret palace of the Marrakshi Millionaire
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 […]
Last Pasha and Lord of the Atlas
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 […]
Heating drum skin for Achoura
Riad Denise Masson played host to fest of Moroccan clay drums as the last day of the Islamic Achora festival, celebrating the freeing of Moses from the Egyptians by god and the day Noah left the Ark, rained out over the traditional open riad roof. Entering the performers rehearsal room has a mellow tone, with […]
An Engagement in La Medina
Walking down the street of Souikat market in the North West of the Marrakech Medina you see two men pulling an unwilling full sized ram towards you, it passes and you think nothing of it. An hour later, in the distance pipes and drums begin to play which gradually crescendo and from a distance you […]
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.
Tam Tam Teenagers
Walking through the small streets of La Medina in Marrakech on the 10th day of Murahham (the Islamic calendar) you would be mistaken to think that a micro war has broken out, in fact, this is the exciting and friendly celebration of Achoura. Celebrated by all ages in a variety of ways around the Muslim […]
Book Marrakech Riads Online
Our Marrakech boutique hotels can now be booked 24 hours a day online. Convenient availability calendars show current availability on a room by room basis so it is quick and easy to secure your preferred accommodation whether that is a romantic double, a fun and practical family room, a luxurious twin or a whole Riad ! Please click through […]
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 […]
Marrakech Shrine
Peering through an green iron gate covering an open window frame into a dark room during the middle of the day, you notice several women covered in ornately patterned blankets asleep on the floor surrounding a large well decorated box. These are women seaking spiritual help from the enshrined body of Sidi Abdellaziz at-Tabba, one […]
Absinthe, and the Marrakech winter
In Europe Absinthe is synonymous with a distilled highly alcoholic spirit and ‘little green fairies’, however with the local Moroccan population in Marrakech, it is something quite warming and welcoming with the colder winter period setting in when mint is out of season. This herbal tea drink is bought and made in much the same […]
Mint Tea Recipe
Mint tea is the staple of Moroccan hospitality. Here is our recipe for mint tea as the locals drink it. Essentials: * 1 teapot * 2 tsp Loose Black Tea Leaves * 2 bunch Fresh Mint Leaves * Boiling Water *Sugar Method 1. Put the tea leaves in the bottom of the tea-pot 2. Break mint […]
Diners Club and Discover
We are delighted to be able to accept Diners Club and Discover in payment for your Marrakech Riad Reservations. Even better, as with other commonly accepted credit cards we make no processing charge. Confirming your reservation could not be easier, we will email a link to our secure online payment gateway. Another good reason […]
