Medina Mall Marrakech is a unique shopping experience in the medina. Inside the mall, you will find a selection of concept boutiques. These intriguing shops stock cosmetics, pottery, leather goods, traditional textiles, and handcrafted pieces. Local artisans create pieces using age-old techniques reflecting Moroccan heritage.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
There are craft shops where you can learn ancient skills from local artisans, including Berber women. Retailers collaborate with local Berber women, giving them their independence and a sustainable livelihood. This allows them to provide for their families and the local community. Everything on sale in Medina Mall promotes eco-conscious craftsmanship. In turn, this supports local communities, including women’s cooperatives.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
In addition to a selection of shops selling high-quality products, there are a number of restaurants located in Medina Mall. Fluffys, the popular international dessert restaurant, is on the first floor.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Medina Mall offers a relaxed shopping experience. The English speaking saleswomen ensure an easy shopping experience for tourists. Visitors can choose from handcrafted pieces by local artisans or contemporary items. The mall sells a range of high-quality products not found in the souks. It’s a good place to purchase souvenirs and grab a bite to eat. You may even learn a few ancient crafting techniques during your visit
The address for Medina Mall is Arsat Maach, 91 Hommane Fetouaki Marrakech 40000 Morocco. Opening times are 9.00 am until 1.00 am daily.
Visit a fixed price arts and craft centre in Marrakech.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex is a government sponsored initiative for skilled artisans.
A short walk away from Jamaa El Fna, opposite Cyber Park, is this unique space in Marrakech. Within the complex, you will find artisans creating beautiful artwork, including paintings, rugs, and pottery.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
It was established for artisans to teach their work to apprentices, and it’s a more low-key shopping experience than the souks. The best artisans are picked to work here, and there is usually only one or two representing each speciality, unlike in the souks. There are wonderful examples of excellent craft work, including brass and copper crafts, lamps, leather work, musical instruments, and much more..
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Prices are fixed, and all the profit goes to the artisans.
Shopping in this fascinating area gives you an idea of how much you should be charged for items in the souks. Some things here are slightly pricer, but you don’t have to bargain hard, and it’s a more relaxed shopping experience.
Within the complex is a simple restaurant for food and drinks. It’s a cute waterhole to take a rest and admire the attractive setting. The tiled surroundings of Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex are very beautiful to look at and complimented by small green areas with plants.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
There is also calligraphy available. If you want a gift for someone, consider getting their name in Arabic printed onto a nice postcard.
I enjoyed spending a couple of hours away from the hectic pace of the medina. The slow rhythmic tapping of skilled artisans at work was a nice change of pace. Watching the ladies demonstrate carpet weaving on a traditional loom was really interesting, and I was also invited to have a go.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex is located on Mohammed V Avenue. It’s about a 6 minute walk from the Jamaa El Fna. The times of opening are 9.30am until 7.00pm, with the exception of Sunday when they close at 2.00pm.
I found a few lovely paintings to take home with me, which were painted by a local artist and beautifully handcrafted mirrors that caught my eye.
Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex is a perfect respite from the chaos of the medina and a wonderful spot to pick up a few lovely treasures whilst experiencing the local people showcasing their exceptional skills.
Named the second most beautiful garden in the world in 2022. The Majorelle Gardens is a one hectare botanical garden and artists landscape in Marrakech. It features a cubist villa designed by the French architect Paul Sinoir in the 1930s.
Inside the Majorelle Gardens, there are over 300 plant species from all over the world. There are Mexican agave, Chinese windmill palms, African date palms, coconut, and banana trees all coexisting together amongst a labyrinth of pathways. The tall bamboo and exotic Cacti species have produced some of the most visually appealing gardens in marrakech.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The gardens were originally designed by the French orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle in 1923. He planted numerous exotic species, added pools and fountains, and painted the architecture in the splendid blue that has become the iconic Marjorelle blue.
Sadly, he was forced to abandon his home due to divorce, and it was left to perish and decay due to neglect.
In 1980, the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent took it over with his partner Pierre Berge to save it from hotel development. Together,they restored the house and brought the gardens back to their former glory. They added irrigation and doubled the amount of plants transforming the gardens into what they are today.
For many years the Jardin Majorelle has provided me with an endless source of inspiration, and I have often dreamt of its unique colours – Yves Saint Laurent
After his death in 2008, the gardens were donated to the Fondation Pierre Berge, a non-profit organisation based in Paris. Inside the garden, you will find a memorial to Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Majorelle Garden attracts over 900,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most touristic attractions in Marrakech.
I sat in quiet contemplation amongst the lush green vegetation and colourful bougainvillaea, but I was never alone for too long. Despite the beauty of the gardens, there are swarms of people flocking to spend time here, and it’s not peaceful for long.
The art deco pavilion with its striking colours of blue and yellow is a popular place where tourists queue for the perfect instagram photos.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
There is a cafe on site where visitors can get a bite to eat, and an interesting shop selling postcards of Yves Saint Laurents’ annual Love sketches
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The gardens open daily at 8.00am and close at 6.00pm, and the last entry is at 5.30pm. I would suggest getting there before 10.00 am. for the best experience, plus Booking online is essential to guarantee entry.
The ticket also permits entry into the YSL museum, along with the Pierre Berge Museum of Berber Arts. It’s worth a visit if you are interested in the history of Amazigh culture. However, photography is not allowed inside these museums.
Opening times for the museum are from 9.00 am until 5.30 pm with the last entry at 5.00pm.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The price of a ticket varies depending on where you purchase them from, but you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of €24 to visit everything.
There are plenty of good restaurants outside the gardens, and I highly recommend My Kawa. There are also some great shops selling souvenirs and clothes.
Le Jardin Marjorelle was beautiful. The gardens are lush, and their are several places to sit and take in the splendid surroundings. However, the huge number of tourists detract from the serenity and peace that such a spectacular setting really deserves.
Le Jardin Marjorelle is located to the north west of Marrakech medina. It can be reached by taxi from Jamaa El Fna, or it’s a steady 30-minute walk.
The Sound Of The Souks 