Sounds Of The Souks

Tag: Saadian tombs

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

  • Staying In The Kasbah.

    An authentic district in Marrakech

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The Kasbah is a quieter part of Marrakech, with fewer tourists than the medina.

    Staying in the Kasbah, you feel totally immersed in the culture of Marrakech as you rub shoulders with the friendly locals.

    There are plenty of restaurants and shops including a good fixed price store selling everything you will find in the souks at a realistic price.

    *See my separate post on Dar Bouchaib.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Inside the Kasbah, you can visit tourist attractions like the Saadian tombs and El Badi Palace.

    Zeitoune Cafe overlooking the mosque is a lovely spot for lunch or a drink whilst taking a break from sightseeing.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    It is about 15 to 20 minutes leisurely walking from the main square with plenty to see along the way.

    There are a range of budget and high-end riads to stay in around the Kasbah.

    * See my separate post on Riad Hikaya.

    The Kasbah is the historical citadel in Marrakesh with fortified walls.

    The narrow alleyways make it an exciting place to visit, and there are fewer motorcycles and donkeys trying to negotiate the streets at the same time as you, making it less stressful.

    The Kasbah is home to the Clock restaurant and its legendary camel burger and storytelling evenings.

    Also, the Kasbah Cafe is a popular place for lunch and dinner.

    Krepchy does a fantastic breakfast, and the prices are very reasonable.

    I highly recommend the waffles.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Consider taking a tuk-tuk from the main square if the weather is hot.

    It’s quite an adventure in itself as you rattle along the bumpy streets.

    Spending an hour or two enjoying this interesting area of Marrakech is definitely worth it.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    For details about places to stay or eat in the Kasbah,  contact me via the email address below;

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • Riad Hikaya.

    Riad Hikaya is a beautifully restored riad in the Kasbah district of Marrakech.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    It was purchased by an Englishman who spent 15 years restoring it because everything inside the riad is handmade.

    It is captivating and very pleasing to the eye.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Riad Hikaya is not a budget riad.

    However, considering its aesthetics and the professionalism of the staff, it’s worth paying a little extra for.

    The breakfasts were very good and I ate there one evening and the meal was delicious.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    There is a beautiful rooftop with several places to sit in the shade or soak up some of the hot, morroccan sun.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    The Kasbah is a great place to stay with more of an authentic feel about it.

    There are plenty of good restaurants, including The Clock, which is across the road from Riad Hikaya.

    There are shops and attractions such as El Badi Palace and the Saadian tombs to explore.

    I enjoyed staying amongst the locals in Kasbah, and it was a nice 15 – to 20-minute walk to the main square Jamaa El Fna.

    Riad Hikaya was a good choice, I loved the large copper bathtub in my room and the total piece and quiet the riad provided me with.

    If you’re looking for a lively scene, this place may not be for you. But if you want to disconnect from the busy touristic areas for a while, it’s a perfect retreat.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    For more information about here or other places to stay in Marrakech, drop me a message.

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • Dar Bouchaib.

    A fixed price store selling everything in the Kasbah

    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..

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • The Saadian Tombs.

    A discovery from the air led to this amazing attraction being opened up to the public

    One of the tourist attractions in Marrakesh is the Saadian tombs.

    Rediscovered in 1917, they have become a historical landmark dating back from the late sixteenth century.

    Built by the Saadian dynasty, they house the mausoleums of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansoor and his family.

    The architecture is very impressive, with detailed stucco work, intricate mosaic tiles, and carrara marble.

    The main mausoleum is incredible, and there are usually very long queues to get to see it.

    It’s definitely recommended to arrive early to avoid waiting for sometimes more than an hour in the heat.

    The Saadian tombs are very decadent, with a mixture of Morroccan, Andalusian, and European styles.

    They showcase the wealth of the Saadian dynasty.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Hidden for centuries, they were spotted through aerial photography and are now one of the most visited tourist attractions in Marrakesh.

    Located in the Kasbah next to the mosque, the opening times are;

    9.00am – 5.00pm

    The price of entry is 70 dirhams.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    For more details, contact me via the email address below;

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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