Sounds Of The Souks

Tag: Saadian tombs

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

  • Place Des Ferblantiers.

    Also known as Tinsmiths Square in the Mellah.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    This quieter area of Marrakech is often overlooked by tourists.

    Tinsmiths Square is located to the south of Jamaa El Fna.

    It is within the Mellah, the oldest Jewish quarter of Marrakech.

    It is here that skilled artisans make their wares to sell using traditional methods passed down through generations.

    Beautifully crafted jewellery, lamps, and traditional daggers made from copper and tinplate are skillfully handcrafted in this fascinating area of the city.

    Tinsmiths Square presents a calmer alternative to Jamaa El Fna with palm trees lining the pedestrian friendly walkway.

    It connects the old Jewish district with the Muslim quarter.

    Tinsmiths Square is a colourful, vibrant area with lots of spice shops, rooftop restaurants, and shops selling intricately carved items made in small workshops.

    There are comfortable benches around the square to sit and take in the sights and sounds of authentic life here and a central fountain.

    Cats roam freely across the square and are a popular sight, lazing in the plant pots and flower beds.

    Sometimes, they are quite cheeky and make themselves comfortable on tourist’s laps.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Fun games occasionally take place, and the square sometimes hosts events.

    Place des Ferblantiers is close to popular sightseeing spots like The Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, and The Saadian Tombs.

    The Kasbah is just a short walk away.

    I love Tinsmiths Square.

    There are some great cafes and restaurants and I have bought some perfect souvenirs here.

    There is a great vibe, and the pace is much more relaxed than in the densely packed medina.

    Video by Freebird Tracey.

    I was spoilt for choice with all the fragrant spice shops selling everything from eucalyptus to argan oil.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    I even found a street vendor selling the tastiest dates I’d ever tried.

    If you want a feeling of authentic life in Marrakech and a slower, less touristic place to spend a few hours, don’t miss out on visiting Tinsmiths Square.

    I have featured a few articles in my blog recommending places to dine in this area and places of interest to visit.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • Staying In The Kasbah.

    An authentic district of Marrakech with more local people.

    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.

    Sitting outside on the colourful cushions people watching in the Moroccan sun was quite an experience.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

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

    The walk is interesting, with many shops and vendors selling all kinds of stuff.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    In the kasbah, there are a  range of budget and high-end riads to stay in.

    It is definitely quieter than the medina.

    I stayed in Riad Hikaya, it was absolutely lovely and a totally relaxing few days for me.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    *See my separate article about staying at 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 than the medina.

    There are plenty of good restaurants to enjoy nice food so you won’t have to go too far.

    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.

    To return from the medina, consider taking a tuk-tuk 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.

    The locals are very friendly, and it was a pleasure getting the opportunity to sit and chat with them.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    I would recommend staying in the kasbah if you prefer a quieter, more authentic experience in Marrakech.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • Riad Hikaya.

    A beautifully restored riad in the Kasbah.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    It was purchased by an Englishman who spent 15 years restoring it.

    Riad Hikaya is a gorgeous riad located in the Kasbah district of Marrakech.

    It’s very beautiful inside, and the amount of work that has gone into restoring it is evident as soon as you walk through the door.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Riad Hikaya is not considered a budget accommodation.

    However, considering its aesthetics and the professionalism of the staff, it’s worth paying a little bit extra to stay here.

    The breakfasts were really good and I ate my evening meal here one evening and the food was delicious.

    I had a three course meal, and it was freshly cooked.

    I sat at the edge of the pool to eat, admiring the stunning decor and the beautiful Moroccan lampshade that hung in the centre.

    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.

    It is a lovely space to relax with colourful couches and cushions and lush green plants growing along the walls.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

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

    There are fewer tourists, and the locals are friendly and welcoming.

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

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

    I enjoyed staying amongst the locals in the Kasbah, and it was an easy 20-minute walk to the main square, Jamaa El Fna.

    Riad Hikaya was a good choice of accommodation.

    I especially loved the large copper bathtub in my room and the total peace and quiet inside the riad

    If you’re looking for a lively scene, this place may not be for you.

    However, if you want to disconnect from the busy touristic areas for a while, it’s a perfect retreat.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    I stayed at Riad Hikaya in the winter, I expect it may be busier during the spring and summer months.

    The riad was warm and cosy, and I appreciated the way the room was heated to a nice  comfortable temperature.

    Some riads can be quite cold inside at this time of year.

    Riad Hikaya is a beautiful riad.

    The craftsmanship that’s gone into creating each piece of furniture and door is exceptional.

    The views of the snowcapped Atlas mountains in the morning are spectacular.

    I really enjoyed my winter break at this riad and would definitely return again.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • Dar Bouchaib.

    A fixed price store in the Kasbah selling everything.

    If you are fed up with haggling every time you want to buy something, there is a fixed price store in the Kasbah called Dar Bouchaib.

    Here, you will find everything  that’s for sale in the souks but 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 you can wander around the shop leisurely without any pressure to buy.

    The store is huge and worth visiting just to see the craftsmanship and detail that’s gone into creating the furniture and mirrors on the upper floor.

    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 reflect what you should be paying for each item.

    There is also a massive selection of wonderful Berber rugs for sale in the store.

    Make it part of your visit to the Kasbah area.

    You won’t be disappointed.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Dar Bouchaib is a few steps away from Krepchy.

    If you’re sightseeing in the kasbah, I would recommend taking a look around this impressive store.

    You may find something interesting to take home with you.

    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

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    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 that you arrive early to avoid waiting for up to 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.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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