If you are fed up with haggling every time you want to buy something, there is a huge store in the Kasbah called Dar Bouchaib.
Here, you will find everything that’s for sale in the souks at a fixed price.
The perfumed oils are of a very high quality, and you can create your own signature fragrance by blending several oils together.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
On the ground floor, there are ceramics, jewellery, clothing, footwear, bags, souvenirs, and much more.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
On the first floor, exquisite furniture, mirrors, Berber rugs, and other beautiful handmade pieces to furnish your home with.
They also ship worldwide.
The staff are incredibly helpful and not pushy at all.
The store is huge and worth visiting just to see the craftsmanship and detail that’s gone into creating each piece.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The Kasbah is a 15 – to 20-minute walk from the main square with plenty of interesting shops and good restaurants along the way.
Here, you will find the Saadian tombs and El Badi Palace.
Dar Bouchaib can be found on;
Rue de La Kasbah,
Marrakech 40000.
Opening times are;
Daily from 9.00 am until 8.30 pm.
Bank holiday hours may differ.
Although part of visiting Marrakech is to enjoy shopping in the souks, sometimes haggling and knowing how much you should be paying for something can become slightly stressful.
Dar Bouchaib is a relaxed shopping experience with everything under one roof.
The prices are fixed and realistic.
Make it part of your visit to the Kasbah area.
You won’t be disappointed.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
For more information, see my other posts or contact me via the email address below..
Situated in the medina, close to Jamaa El Fna, La Pergola is a popular restaurant serving food and alcohol including cocktails.
The beautiful palm trees that grow up from the courtyard of Cafe Arabe make the ambience very tranquil and relaxing.
Part of Riad Monceau, La Pergola is open to the public and a busy place, so booking for an evening meal or cocktails is recommended.
I spent an hour enjoying some peace and calm during the afternoon.
It was much quieter, and I found it very relaxing sitting amongst the exotic trees and plants.
I enjoyed the fresh smoothies, which were beautifully presented with attention to detail.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Like most places serving alcohol in the medina, it is quite pricey.
The stunning surroundings make it worthwhile a visit, and although I didn’t try the food, the menu looked very good.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
During the evening, you can hear the live jazz band in Le Bistro Arabe below the bar.
The afternoon is a more chilled out occasion, quieter and less packed with people.
I visited during the evening on previous trips to Marrakech, and although I enjoyed it, be prepared for how busy it can get if you’re thinking about going there.
Booking beforehand guarantees you a seat.
La Pergola is open daily from noon until 11.00pm.
The address is;
7/8 Riad Zitoun Lakdim.
Marrakech 40000
Morrocco.
Situated in Riad Monceau, directly above Le Bistro Arabe.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
There are plenty of great shops in this area, and a stop off in La Pergola makes a welcome break from sightseeing.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
For more information, contact me via the email address below;
El Badi Palace was built in 1578 by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansoor of the Saadian dynasty.
The palace was built to showcase the considerable wealth of the Saadian dynasty and was a prime example of Islamic architecture and exquisite craftsmanship.
Using both Moroccan and European influences, the palace was beautifully decorated with intricate mosaic tiles, marble arches, and ornate carvings.
The palace was home to the sultans harem and included over 500 women.
Now, only the ruins remain.
After Sultan Ahmad al-Mansoor died in 1603, the palace fell into neglect and was subsequently stripped away with the materials being used for other buildings in Morocco.
The palace is certainly worth a visit if you want to learn about the history of Marrakech and the ruling elite centuries ago.
The exhibition space contains the Almoravid Minbar, which is a finely decorated pulpit that once stood in the Koutoubia Mosque.
It also hosts temporary art and cultural exhibitions.
The underground chambers contain information and photographs about the palaces history.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The palace was badly damaged during the earthquake in 2023, and renovations have taken place to repair the cracks in the walls.
El Badi Palace is situated in the Kasbah district of Marrakech and a popular tourist attraction.
The courtyards are impressive, and the nesting storks on the towers give it a magical feel.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
You get a sense of the grandeur of the Saadian dynasty, and there’s a feeling of peace and tranquillity within the walls of the once opulent palace.
El Badi Palace is open every day from 9.00am to 5.00pm and costs 100 dirhams to enter.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
For more information, contact me via the email address below;
It is the first Moroccan tea house in marrakech, serving 12 teas from the 12 areas of Morrocco.
Set inside a former riad, it is a beautiful place to come and sample the 12 delicious teas on offer, along with modern oriental cakes.
They serve breakfast and lunch.
The food is nicely presented with table service, tasty and varied.
There is a selection of light snacks available on the menu also.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The name 1112 signifies the date 1700 in the gregorian calendar and is etched into the wooden ceiling of the riad.
The riad was beautifully restored by a morroccan family who have been renowned for their expertise in the restoration of such properties since the 1990s.
The architecture is beautiful. Wooden ceilings, intricate tile work, and exotic plants make it a delightful environment for sitting and reflecting on the past history of the importance of tea in Morrocco.
There are interesting facts about the introduction of tea into Morocco and a shop selling nicely packaged tea if you’re looking for a gift to take home with you.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
1112 has a nice rooftop.
After exploring the museum, it is worthwhile taking a look around this exquisite riad and savouring the whole experience.
Kafe Merstan restaurant and rooftop terrace is located near the spice square and vegetable market in the medina.
They serve traditional Morroccan food, and prices are very reasonable.
I had one of the tastiest tagines here, and the overall quality of the food was good.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
It’s popular during sunset, and tourists arrive to watch the sun go down from the rooftop.
It’s quite spectacular and can get quite busy at this time of evening.
The interior is traditional with a fairly modern twist.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
It’s a no frills restaurant, and the price reflects this.
Seating is upstairs on the rooftop, so people with mobility issues may not find it easy.
Payment is by card or cash. However, there’s a minimum of 200 MAD for card payment.
They will accept less but expect a few grumbles of disapproval.
The address for Kafe Merstan is 2 Souk Chaaria Kast Benahid, Marrakech 40000.
Opening hours are 12.00 until
10.00pm.
The restaurant is close to the Madrasa Ben Youssef and Museum of Marrakech, so it’s in a strategic position and ideal for taking a break from sightseeing.
Kafe Merstan offers a good selection of vegetarian dishes, including a very tasty vegetable pastilla.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
For more details about places to eat in Marrakesh, contact me via the email address below;
Riad Zouhour is an absolutely charming riad in the medina.
It is visually stunning with blue and white zellige tiles and exotic plants.
Intricately carved wooden doors and ornate traditional window frames.
Interior courtyard of riad Zouhour/images Freebird Tracey.
The rooftop is an oasis of wonderful flowers and tropical plants, with plenty of places to sit and admire the beautiful surroundings.
There is also a small pool for cooling off in.
Rooftop of riad Zouhour/images Freebird Tracey.
The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated in a traditional yet modern style, with large private bathrooms containing nice fragrant products for use in the shower.
A room in riad Zouhour/ images Freebird Tracey.
The food is also very good.
I loved the vegetable tagine and seasonal salad that I had served to me on arrival at the riad.
My flight had been delayed, yet it was still hot and beautifully presented despite the time of night I eventually arrived.
The staff are attentive and kind, going out of their way to make you feel welcome.
Nothing is any trouble, and the overall atmosphere is relaxed and professional.
The riad exudes luxury, yet it’s affordable and in a strategic location close to the centre of all the action.
Riad Zouhour is a popular riad and gets booked up quickly, so booking in advance is recommended.
As with most riads in the medina, they can also organise tours and excursions for you.
The address is;
33 Derb Snane,
Medina 40000
Marrakech Morocco.
Check-in time is,
00:00 until 23.30 hours.
Check-out time is,
5.00 until 00:00
This is a riad I would highly recommend.
I enjoyed my stay here, and I wouldn’t hesitate to go back.
I loved the views from the rooftop, the pretty flowers and plants, and the overall treatment of the guests.
It truly is a gem in the busy medina, a haven of peace and tranquillity.
It is beautifully restored, and cleanliness is a priority here..
For more details about places to stay in Marrakesh, contact me via the email address below:
Marrakech is a culinary delight for all foodies out there.
The streets are abundant with fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruit.
Herbs and spices galore.
The aromatic aroma of street food fills the air, tempting the tastebuds.
Fine restaurants with impeccable service, in beautiful surroundings, call out to you to come inside and sample their cuisine.
But where do you start?
What do you order?
If you’re anything like me, you may want to fully immerse yourself in the culture of places you’re visiting.
I particularly enjoy sampling the signature dishes of a region and eating the same food that locals do.
It’s a way to get to know the culture, and food is a big part of life in Morrocco.
The locals are very hospitable people and often invite tourists home for a meal with their family.
With an overwhelming choice of food to choose from, you may need a little help to decide what to try..
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The two most popular dishes in Marrakesh are tagine and couscous.
Tagine is the name of the clay or ceramic pot that the dish is cooked in.
It consists of layers of fresh vegetables,with meat in the centre.
Chicken or lamb is the most popular.
Often, dates, olives, fresh lemon, and spices are added for flavour, and everyone has their own personal recipe for making a tagine.
Chicken tagine/image Freebird Tracey.
Couscous is a grain made from semolina and served with meat and vegetables.
It is eaten religiously on Fridays.
In Jamaa El Fna, you will find sheeps head and snails for sale.
Tourists are targeted by street food vendors to try snails, and those who actually do say that they quite enjoyed the experience.
Apparently, broth they’re cooked in is quite tasty, and although it’s an unusual tasting dish, it’s not inedible.
Sheeps head is for the brave amongst us, but it appears to be popular in the main square and a regular sight on display.
The locals sit at street stalls eagerly munching on the spit roasted mutton, enjoying every morsel.
Snails in a broth/image Freebird Tracey.
Every dish is served with traditional bread in Marrakech. It is freshly baked each morning and delicious served warm.
Tangier is also a popular dish.
It is meat (usually lamb), cooked very slowly in the embers of the local hammam.
Traditionally, the tangier is taken to the hammam early in the morning and left to cook throughout the day.
It is then collected and served for dinner with vegetables or bread.
The meat is incredibly tender and falls off the bone.
Tangier cooking in the Hammam/image Freebird Tracey.
There are plenty of street food vendors in the medina, tucked away in the souks.
They serve really good quality food and it’s cheap.
There is a row of street food vendors who only sell tangiers, and this is very popular with locals and tourists alike.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Taking a street food tour is a great way to get to try the best places. There are several tours available during the daytime or evening.
Street food vendor in the medina/image by Freebird Tracey.
Marrakech caters to vegetarians and vegans also, with a good choice of quality food including excellent salads, delicious vegetable tagine and couscous.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Several Italian restaurants in the medina offer excellent pizzas and pasta dishes if you fancy a change from morroccan food.
Olives are served with tea and other beverages as a complimentary side.
They can be spicy or plain, always fresh, and the perfect aperitif.
They are deliciously fresh when bought straight from the vendors themselves.
Complimentary olives/image Freebird Tracey.
The sweets and pastries in Marrakech are incredibly good, and the desserts served after the main course of a meal are beautiful.
The choice on most menus is really good and varied.
There’s no point watching your waistline here..
Dates are hugely popular, and medjool dates are known as ‘ fruits of the King’, so make sure to try some.
You won’t be disappointed.
Fresh fruit is for sale everywhere around the medina and incorporated into tantalising sweet dishes that make your mouth water.
NB: I have a separate post about smoothies and juices in Marrakesh.
Beautiful cheesecake and sweets in Marrakesh/image Freebird Tracey.
Marrakech is a dream come true for people who love their food.
With so much to choose from and so many different dishes and flavours to try, you would need months to eat your way through it all.
Not only is there a great variety of interesting and tasty food, but it’s beautifully presented too.
Imagine sitting in the most beautiful setting, next to exotic plants, and trickling fountains.
That’s my experience of eating in Marrakesh..
112 Tea House/image Freebird Tracey.
For more information on places to dine, use the email address below.
Sounds Of The Souks 