Marrakesh

Menara gardens, Marrakech

Located just west of the Medina lies the Menara Gardens: a 12th Cent garden consisting of rows of olive groves, tall palm tree and beautiful flowers.  These tall trees are occasionally accompanied by a modern addition to the park: the planes flying into the nearby Marrakech Menara Airport. However, far from being a disruptive distraction, […]

wood workshop, marrakech

Whilst walking around Marrakech, it is impossible not to notice how many of the doors, window shutters and wooden tables are carefully adorned with exquisite carvings or intricately painted tessellated patterns. These humble items extend far beyond their functional use: the beautiful designs, that are so unique to the region, represent a certain respect for […]

Souks, Marrakech

Lying at the northern point of the world famous Souks, hidden down a small alleyway off the main Souk passageways, it is possible to find a row of Iron workshops inhabited by local Marrakchis. Although this spot remains uncharted on the majority of tourist maps and guides, if you download our MarrakechRiad app and follow […]

Marrakech Church

Nestled in the heart of Gueliz you can find the first Church to be built in Marrakech, The Saint Martyrs Church (L’Eglise des Saints Martyrs). As seen in the photo above, The Saint Martyrs Church is located opposite an equally stunning Mosque on Rue el Iman Ali . The face to face, almost symmetrical configuration […]

medina wall, turrets, marrakech

Commissioned by Ali Ben Yousef back in 1126, the ramparts that surround Marrakech’s old town have become the symbol of the red city. Standing at 8-10m high they once provided protection for the inhabitants of Marrakech and, until the early 20th century, the 10 gates that give access to the Medina (Marrakech’s old town) were […]

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.

tanjia restaurant marrakech medina

Le Tanjia is a long established restaurant, South of the  main square in the direction of the Jewish quarter, the Mellah. It is named after a classic Moroccan Lamb dish the Tanjia but the real signature dish is another slow cooked Marrakechi Lamb speciality ‘Mechoui’ where the whole lamb is cooked (traditionally undergound) for many […]

Stalll #12 Jemaa el Fna

As the call to prayer resonates throughout Jemaa el Fna a strange process starts to take place throughout the square, strange rectangular market stalls appear to pop up from nowhere in the centre of the square and within a few brief minutes the enticing smell of cooking Moroccan food wafting over the square can be […]

Majorelle Gardens

The Majorelle Gardens situated in the heart of Marrakech’s fashionable Gueliz district is a botanical and artistic sight to behold, originally designed and constructed by Jacques Majorelle a French expat in 1924 during the colonial period of Marrakech when the area was a French protectorate. It is therefore one of the rare number of European […]

Exhibits in the Museum of Marrakech

If you’re looking for a more historical perspective on Marrakech and Morocco or indeed just looking for a tranquil and interesting place to visit between the hustle and bustle of the markets and the souks then Marrakech Museum is what you’re looking for.  The museum itself is a classic example of the local architecture meaning […]

le studio restaurant marrakech

One of the hottest restaurant recommendations in Marrakech. Packed with expats but rarely visited by tourists. Reservation is essential Tuesday to Saturday, on Sunday and Monday le Studio is closed. Established in 2011 in the heart of the up and coming new town of Marrakech, Le Studio is a smart and very stylish restaurant boasting an […]

cinnmaonpool

The oldest building in Marrakech is the Kouba Baroudiyine, the washrooms from the original Mosque built by, and named after Ben Yussef the second King of the Almoravid dynasty. Sadly this is the only remaining example of the highly decorated architecture of this period. It features some fantastic details which are echoed in later islamic […]

BMI airplane

From April 2nd  airline bmi will operate a Heathrow to Marrakech return service three times a week: Monday; Friday; Sunday. The flights will be operated using A319 aircraft with both business and economy cabins. A Riad hotel in the heart of the old town is the perfect place for your Marrakech break. Reserve accommodation today!

We never forget that our guests have a choice of places to stay. If you are traveling to Marrakech, why not experience the old town medina first hand in one of our boutique riad hotels? Individual suites at Riad Cinnamon: Fez | Essaouira | Chefchaouen | Casablanca | Meknes Luxurious en suite rooms at Riad Papillion: Bougainvillea | Geranium […]

marrakech cafe des epices

The Cafe des Epices (Spice Cafe) is a charming inexpensive cafe located on the historic Rahba Kedima square just north of the main Jemma al Fnaa. Historically the Rahba Kedima was the Marrakech slave market, today it is a bustling showcase for a variety of crafts as well as a centre for herbalists and spice […]

The Cities of Fez, Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat are known as the Imperial Cities of Morocco. All four have served as Capital Cities of Morocco and indeed substantial Empires beyond. Rabat remains the administrative Capital today although Casablanca is very much the most important City for business. Our Marrakech Riad Cinnamon has two luxurious suites […]

Childrens play area, Marrakech

Located on the Casablanca road out of Marrakech in the Commercial and shopping complex that includes the Marjane hypermarket there is a double height childrens play area and ball pond that is as impressive as anything we have seen in Europe. Usually open all day and into the early evening. If you are planning a […]

Chez Yassine, Marrakech

Chez Yassine is a well kept secret. A super little cafe located on the Rue Fatim Zohra just round the corner from the Dar El Bashah Palace. Yassine serves delicious and inexpensive Moroccan dishes. We are particularly fond of his freshly prepared vegetable soups. The best tables are upstairs. Our Marrakech Riads offer the perfect […]

cafe de France-1

Cafe France is a Marrakech institution, located at the north west corner of the Jemaa al Fnaa it has been a meeting place and watering hole for Europeans since the days of the French Protectorate in Morocco. It was redecorated at the end of 2009 and inconveniently for the new visitor the Cafe France sign […]

Opening day Cafe Ben Youssef, Marrakech

The Cafe Ben Youssef, Marrakech, Morocco opened in February 2010. Pictured to the right is the traditonal gift of warm milk and dates shared  with friends and neighbours on the day of the opening. Look out for the colourful and impressive reclaimed entrance door. The cafe is conveniently located near the Ben Youssef Mosque in […]

Cafe Berber, Marrakech

NOW CLOSED this review was written in 2012   Just a few doors south of the well known Cafe Arabe at 180 Rue Mouassine is a pleasant and inexpensive cafe serving tea and simple foods at lunch time and throughout the afternoon.  A group of Marrakech ‘water sellers’ live upstairs, you might catch a glimpse […]

dar yacout fine dining marrakech

Dar Yacout is a Marrakech institution, the owner Mohamed Zkhiri is a prominent citizen and until recently served as the honorary British Consul. One of the most flamboyant buildings in the Red City, Yacout was created under the direction of the late Bill Willis, a renowned american architect. A little out of the way in […]

Souk Cafe Marrakech

The aptly named Souk Kafe opened in March 2010.  Mike and Lucie of Marrakech Riad were the first customers! The Cafe is located  at the northern end of the famous Souks at  11 derb Souk Jeldid  about 50 metres south from the well known shrine of Sidi Abdelaziz just around the corner from Riad Cinnamon […]

Bougainvillea Cafe

The Bougainviller Restaurant is a long established, cheerful and reasonably priced Cafe. It is conveniently located toward the Jemaa Al Fnaa end of the Rue Mouassine and serves as a bit of landmark walking north up Mouassine as the street deviates around the Mouassine Mosque. It serves some western dishes like Pizza as well as […]

Medina living is a very special experience with centuries old homes woven together in an intricate tapestry. In the Medina of Marrakech there is a huge variety of accommodation from modest houses to palaces, from the street it is almost impossible to guess what is behind each door. A stay in a Riad in the […]

Chicken in Marrakech Tanneries

It is surprisingly common to keep chickens in the Marrakech Medina, they are fed on scraps and kept mainly for eggs. When I first started visiting Marrakech regularly five years ago there were a particularly fine looking group of Andalusian hens that used to scratch around at the top of the well known Derb Semarine […]

Grande Cafe de La Poste, Marrakech

The aptly named Grande Cafe de la Poste is located in the very Grand ex colonial post office building in the new town of Guiliez, Marrakech. Fine European style food and superb service under the supervision of Maitre D. Eric make this a real favourite. Try the stunning Calamari salad starter!  The Steak Frites is […]