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.
The traditional Babouche
The Babouche is a traditional slipper found throughout the Arab-Muslim world. Usually made from leather and found in a variety of colours. The Babouche comes in various styles ranging from thick soled slippers. It is often worn by locals both in the Medina and in the new town. There are also more thin soled slippers […]
Moroccan Lamps
Lamps 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. Within 10 minute walk from our […]
Food Stalls of Jemma al Fnaa
Your Marrakech visit won’t be complete without eating out in the central square of Jemaa El Fnaa at least once.
Gnawa musicians in the Jemma el Fnaa
Gnaws are a group of musicians that descend from the dark-skinned slaves brotherhood from Ghana, Guinea and Mali several centuries ago. The Gnawa can be seen in Marrakesh and Essouira. Every year especially in May the town of Essaouira hosts a festival of Gnawa and world music. Here is a video about Gnawa in the […]
Mustapha Blaoui, Marrakech Shop
Mustapha Blaoui owns and runs a famous Bazaar located in the fashionable dar el basha area just a few steps from the Henna Cafe. and Riad Papillon. Here you can buy carpets, lamps, leather and art items, mostly manufactured within the local area. It is a great place especially if you are an inexperienced haggler […]
Khatt, the art of handwriting
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. Come and experience this in Marrakech. Our riads are the perfect […]
Gordon Gino and Fred, Christmas Road Trip
Three wise men followed the Star for an ITV festive special in Marrakech as Riad Star was honoured to host Gordon Ramsey, Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix in, ‘Gordon, Gino & Fred: Christmas Road Trip: Three Unwise Men’. The traditional riad property is the final destination on a 6,000 culinary journey across Morocco in a […]
Doris Day, Marrakech
Hollywood Great Doris Day passed away in May 2019 at the age of 97. One of her best known movies, The Man Who Knew Too Much was filmed in 1956 with Marrakech as one of the main locations. Co Starring James Stewart and Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film included the immortal song QUE SERA […]
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Perfect Venue for Marrakech Yoga Retreats
Riad’s—traditional Moroccan homes—are the perfect destination for yoga groups. The intimate layout, the rooftop terrace, and the relaxing dipping pool of our Riad Star offer a gorgeous backdrop to any yoga retreat. Our in-house chefs are happy to prepare fresh, nourishing food for the body and mind and our live-in staff is always on hand […]
Donkeys of Marrakech
As you walk the streets of Marrakech, you won’t just find humans working, but donkeys, too. Donkeys are essential to the Marrakshi work force, especially in the Old Town. The streets of the Medina are so narrow, that oftentimes workers at building sites are unable to transport their materials with anything other than a donkey-drawn […]
Marrakech’s Secret Wholesale Clay Market
If you like clay pots, tagines, lamps or anything else to do with handmade clay items from Morocco, you should visit Souk Rabeaa, not far from the famous Marrakech tannery and Souk Khamis. The displays throughout the shop are laden with every clay and ceramic ware imaginable. The space used to be a vegetable market, […]
Tagine
The tagine is by far the most popular cooking item in Morocco. No matter where you are in the country, you will find one in the kitchen. The word “tagine” specifically refers to a clay pot with a cone-shaped lid that slowly cooks meats and vegetables until they are moist and oh so tender. After […]
Hidden Mosaics
What’s incredible about Morocco (that perhaps people don’t realize) is that the stunning mosaics and expertly carved wall accents you find in many Riads aren’t just reserved for upper-class homes or tourist-y hotels. These incredibly detailed artworks cover the surfaces of everyday homes that people have lived in for millennia. Most homes, which look humble […]
Cats are Everywhere in Marrakech
Cats are all over the place in Marrakech. You’ll find them relaxing in the streets, playing with one another by shop entrances, and even coming up to you for some cuddles! The whole city is their stomping ground. Cats are in cafes, restaurants, and, sometimes, we are pleasantly surprised to find a furry feline friend […]
Black Olives
Every home in Morocco always has two ingredients on hand: olive oil and olives. These products are essential to Moroccan cuisine and culture. At breakfast, traditional breads and pancakes are dipped in olive oil to start the day; at lunch, olives are presented as an appetizer; at supper, coffee and mint tea are served alongside […]
Max & Jan Concept – Expanding Horizons In Marrakech
The Max & Jan concept store has once again undertaken a large expansion of their Marrakech outlet, to meet the popular demand for their designs. The concept first launched in 2012, in the form of “Maktoub by Max & Jan”. The vibrant boutique specialised in contemporary women’s wear made in Morocco, using typical ethnic textiles […]
Histoire de Caftan by Diamantine
For the fashion conscious among us, Marrakech is a hub for inspiration. From textile shops stacked floor to ceiling with every colour of velvet, muslin, cotton and sequin cloth; to the enticing amalgamation of African, Arabian and Oriental influences within the characters, architecture, flavours and music of Marrakech. As an artist, it is almost impossible […]
Marrakech Jeweller Preserves Traditional Adornment
Morocco is a country with a rich and diverse history spanning several millennia. In it’s lifetime, Morocco has been home to an extensive variety of demographics; beginning with the indigenous Berber people in the first millennium BC, and continuing with colonisation and invasions by the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantine Empire, Arabs, Moors(Spanish) & French. With each […]
The National Human Development Incentive
As you pass through the ancient medina, with your senses being overwhelmed by sounds, smells and colour, you might miss a few small details. A detail which is particularly worthy of noting, are the small signs which are dotted around the walls of various attractions or industrial areas which read “Initiative Nationale pour le Developpement Humain”. […]
Le Trou au Mur
Newly opened in 2017 and a welcome addition to the fashionable Kaat Benahid district of the Medina. Le Trou au Mur (the hole in the wall) expresses the personality of talented young Englishman James Wix who is often in attendance front of house. The cosmopolitan menu includes Moroccan cuisine, old favorites like Macaroni Cheese and […]
Artisans give old tyres new life.
There’s no denying that Morocco is a well known destination for unwanted European tyres. The Moroccan customs are taking control of this situation, and just last year at the border they seized a heavy good vehicle carrying in excess of 2,500 used tyres. It is essential that the European tyre management schemes and companies which […]
Recycle Your Water Bottles In Marrakech
Looking at the topic of recycling in Marrakech, there are several ways in which the locals maintain a “waste not, want not” mentality. It is wonderful to behold the reality of a community in which people salvage what they can use again & look for practical solutions to step away from a throw-away, disposable society. […]