The Marrakech Medina
The Marrakech Medina
At Marrakech Riad we pride ourselves on offering our guests as much support and information as they require to help them to plan their perfect stay in our beautiful Medina accommodation. The ancient walled city at the heart of Marrakech is a labyrinthine adventure, filled with the daily activities of the inhabitants of this marvellous place, some moments truly seem frozen in time! Here you will find details of some of the great places within those fabled walls of this celebrated red city.
Harira, a Moroccan staple.
The Lcrésé family are famous amongst the locals in Marrakech, for their positive presence in the community. In recent years, they established a successful restaurant, Atay; which is a popular hub amongst residents & tourists. They serve both traditional and continental dishes which are all prepared by their Moroccan chef, using fresh and locally sourced […]
Exhibition – A Spring in the High Atlas
The museum of Mouassine is housed in a house from the 17-18th century. The space is used to show exhibitions of the arts of Morocco.From the 15th of May until the 15th of June 2017 there will be an exhibition titled “A spring in the High Atlas.” Showcasing Precious Berber textiles from the High Atlas. […]
Flavours of Marrakech
Marrakech is a sensory delight, the city is well known for seducing it’s visitors with vivid colours, an exotic soundscape with calls to prayer, street musicians and the sounds of life within the medina and of course the tastes of exotic spices and local delicacies. One cannot fail to notice the daily rituals around food and […]
Marrakech a city of contrasts.
Marrakech; one of the great Imperial Moroccan cities, the fabled red city, the destination of camel trains laden with wares from far afield for over 900 years, the place of inner discovery for the bohemian travellers of the 1960’s. This magical place with a location which is locked in on all sides by the desert once made the […]
Henna traditions in Morocco
Henna has been used since through time to dye skin, hair, and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool, and leather. A cosmetic dye ids derived from the powdered leaves of the Henna (Lawsonia inermis, also known as hina, the henna tree, the mignonette tree, and the Egyptian privet) plant. The Earliest written evidence of the use of henna is from the […]
Olives in Morocco
Cured olives are ever present at the moroccan dinner table. Locally grown and picked by hand, the food miles are minimal and the taste sensation is maximum! There are wide selections on offer in the Olive Market, located close to Djema el Fna Square. Our free smartphone App the Marrakech Riad Travel Guide will guide […]
The seven saints of Marrakech
There are seven patron saints of Marrakech. These men were Sufi mystics and Islamic Scholars. It is believed that these seven saints are only sleeping and will awaken to continue their good deeds. Their tombs are visited each year by pilgrims during the Zaira pilgrimage. A pilgrimage to the tombs offers an alternative to undertaking […]
Secrets of a Tagine – Preserved lemons
A Moroccan tagine is a centrepiece of a Marrakech dining table. With layers of flavour which are a delight. Achieving some of these special culinary taste sensations is a combination of a masterly and accomplished chef and some time honoured recipes using wonderful ingredients. Ingredients which may be unfamiliar to some of us. A key […]
Kaleche Marrakech
Marrakech has everything: shopping, culture, entertainment and so many more. so what if, you can find all these in one place?! yes, it is possible, because it’s Marrakech… At the well known Cafe Arabe you will find a new generation of music, DJ Kaeche, beautiful creations and beautiful ideas in the heart of the Medina. If […]
The 6th Marrakech Biennale 24 February – 8 May 2016
The 6th Marrakech Biennale is taking a different turn with significant Moroccan input into the programme. The Executive President is Amine Kabbaj. The honorary President is André Azoulay advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The Marrakech Biennale founded by Vanessa Branson to address cultural issues throught the medium of artistic expression is now an […]
Mouassine Museum.
The Moussine museum is located on the Derb el Hammam between the Mouassine mosque and the Moussine fountain. The museum is signposted and the narrow derb runs alongside the wall of the mosque and just after the mosque’s massive side door you walk through a narrow archway leading to the Museum. A reception desk at […]
UNESCO celebration, December 2015
Marrakech is holding a major cultural event between 18 and 20 December 2015, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its declaration as a city World Heritage Site . The event is being held in partnership with the Marrakech- Safi region, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the Wilaya of the […]
Spice tea
The spice tea store, one of the master piece that decorate the square activities in the west side, these stores present one of the traditional kind of tea that is known but it’s chilly and it’s hot. They being busy much during the cold weather, because of the specific treatment that the element of that […]
The Market Mosque
The mosques are usually a restrictive place to perform and learn the worship through the QUORAN (house rituals) that should be led in a good way by the Imam and the Moazine. It is rule seems providing the regular opportunities to acquire knowledge that organize the social affairs chiefly the thing concern about the financial […]
Latitude 31 Restaurant
Newly opened and without doubt one of our top tips! There are many doors in Marrakech and one cannot imagine what is behind them, however, in Bab doukkala, on el gza arset street at number 186, you will find a peaceful place, with friendly faces and a 21st century menu. Latitude 31 is not a […]
The Unique Door Knockers of Marrakech
The Moroccan people are famous for their hospitality and always make an effort to ensure any guest or visitor is comfortable, fed and, most importantly, given a mint tea to drink. Indeed, this warm welcoming nature is perhaps the reason that many local Marrakchis opt for large, ornate door knockers to embellish their front door. […]
The Cats and Kittens of the Marrakech Medina
Anyone who has visited Marrakech will probably tell stories of the cats and kittens that inhabit the streets of the ancient medina. Every derb (street) you walk down you see family of cats resting in the shade, a cute kitten lapping up some water or a lone cat sneaking around the corner. Even some of […]
Tazoukt: the traditional artisanal craft of wood painting
In Marrakech, there are many traditional artisanal trades that have been practiced for centuries, passed down from generation to generation. One such craft skill is the art of Tazoukt. Tazoukt is a form of woodcraft in which wooden items – including panels, boxes, ceilings and furniture – are painted in intricate patterns. The designs are […]
Agdal Gardens, Marrakech
Situated close to the Royal Palace, to the southern edge of the Marrakech medina, the Agdal Gardens exists as a superb example of the architectural and landscaping skill. Covering an area of approximately 400 hectares, the garden comprises of orange, apricot, lemon, fig, and pomegranate trees in rectangular plots, all conjoined by olive-tree lined walkways. […]
Mandarin Oranges in the Streets of the Marrakech Medina
Across the Marrakech Medina, almost on every derb (street), there are many small stalls selling a variety of food from home cooked bread to dried fruit. Indeed, each stall specialises in a different food-type and many sell fresh fruit sourced from the local Marrakech area. It is undoubtedly true that the summer months (July to […]
Passage Prince Moulay Rachid (Le Prince Street), Marrakech
Set off the famous Jemaa el Fna Square, Passage Prince Moulay Rachid – or Le Prince Street as it is known to the locals – is one of the most popular streets in the Marrakech Medina. The street connects the main square to the south of the Medina including the long distance taxi rank, the El […]
Arabic Calligraphy: creating art with words
Calligraphy, known as Khatt in Arabic, is very much part of the Arab identity. On your trip to Marrakech, you will see that it is all around you: on shop signs, newspapers, books and advertising. It has become a way of communicating through art. We met up with Nour-Eddine Boukheir, a traditionally trained calligrapher, who […]
The Mysterious holes in the walls of Marrakech
Stretching for 16km around the medina, the extensive ramparts of Marrakech are impossible to miss; they may even be the your first sight of the red city. You may notice that the walls themselves are marked with numerous holes. Although many local Marrakchis will tell you conflicting stories as how the holes were formed, we […]