Sounds Of The Souks

Tag: Traditional Hamman

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

  • Visiting Marrakech On A Budget.

    Helpful ideas if you want to visit Marrakech on a shoestring.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Visiting Marrakech doesn’t have to break the bank

    In fact, Morrocco is a relatively cheap country to visit in comparison to many others.

    It’s all about careful planning and putting together the right itinerary for your trip before you go.

    I have compiled a few ideas and suggestions to help you enjoy your trip without having to spend a ridiculous amount of cash.

    1.

    Book your flight early.

    The earlier you book, the cheaper it is. Download an airline app and keep an eye on the cost of flights. Book out of season when it’s less busy.

    2.

    If you book your accommodation directly through the riad or hotel, it is often much cheaper.

    3.

    Use public transport in Marrakech. The buses are an excellent way to get a taste of local life. They are extremely cheap and reliable. The price is set, and you will avoid being privy to scams from the local taxi drivers.

    4.

    Marrakech is a bustling metropolis with so much going on around the main square. Consider spending time with a pot of traditional mint tea and observing the spectacle from a rooftop. You won’t be disappointed. The sights, sounds, and smells will keep you entertained for ages.

    5.

    Visit the wonderful Koutoubia Mosque gardens. The mosque is out of bounds for non Muslims. However, the gardens are absolutely delightful and free to visit. Consider picking up a few delicious snacks such as Baclava cake and a sugar cane juice and sitting in the beautiful garden. Despite its proximity to the chaos of Jamaa El Fna, it is peaceful. It’s especially lovely during the evening when the lights come on.

    6.

    There are plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants which are great value for money.

    Henna Art Cafe is superb and has a very pretty interior( see my separate article about Henna Art Cafe). I have eaten here numerous times and highly recommend the food.

    Cafe des Espices is also excellent if you’re prepared to wait for seating. The views are great from the rooftop, and I particularly love their choice of salads.

    Street food is another option and very popular amongst tourists. Check how busy places are to get an idea of the quality of food being served.

    Consider trying the delicious sweets and pastries for sale inside the souks.

    7.

    Try a public hammam.

    I have a separate post describing what a hammam is, and it’s a must do if you’re visiting Marrakech.

    Public baths are very cheap in comparison to the more upmarket ones and the best way to experience the local culture.

    You can purchase black soap and other essentials for taking in with you in the souks for pennies.

    8.

    Visit the souks. This is by far the most exciting part of any trip to Marrakech.

    Experience the colour and the lively atmosphere as people haggle with the locals for a bargain.

    You may get lost in the maze, but that’s all part of the fun. You will find your way out eventually.

    There are souks for many different things, and you will see incredible artisans at work crafting all kinds of things.

    9.

    Visit the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and see the Bab Mellah spice market. It’s an assault on the senses discovering all the different spices and their fragrances. You may be offered mint tea whilst you are given a lesson on what each spice is used for. It’s very educational, and to purchase a couple of things is fairly cheap.

    10.

    Walk around the Kasbah. This is where you will experience the more authentic part of Marrakech. There are more locals here and they are very friendly. It’s a way to feel the more authentic side of Marrakech, and there are some nice spots to grab a coffee and people watch.

    11.

    Visit Cyber Parc, Arsat Moulay Abdeslam. This is a very well maintained place with beautiful native trees and plants. Relax for an hour or so in this peaceful environment away from the chaotic busy medina. Listen to the birds singing and read the interesting facts dotted about here and there.

    12.

    Take a 25-minute walk or the number 16 bus from the medina to Gueliz. Wonder around the upmarket boutiques and stores on Mohammed V Avenue and see how modernity and ancient coexist in harmony together in Marrakech.

    13.

    Spend some time in Tinsmiths Square. This is a less touristic square than Jamaa El Fnaa, and there is plenty to see going on. There are budget friendly cafes and restaurants and plenty of souvenir shops.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Marrakech is a walkable city, and you can spend many an hour wandering about discovering what makes Marrakech so magical.

    It’s a destination that is great for everyone, including those on a tight budget.

    With some careful planning, you can put together an exciting itinerary and have a truly wonderful experience.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • A Traditional Moroccan Hammam.

    Experience a true taste of Marrakechi culture.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    One thing that is central to Morroccon culture is the Hammam.

    A Hammam is similar to a Roman bath and dates back centuries in morrocco.

    It was a ritualistic cleansing ritual that people did before prayers, and many Hammams can be found near a mosque.

    Before homes had plumbing, a Hammam was a place local people could come to get cleansed.

    Seperated by gender, they were a space for people to socialise, relax, and detoxify.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The treatment always begins in a dry steam room.

    Relaxing in the heat opens the pores and prepares the body for the scrubbing.

    Morroccan black soap is used to scrub the body.

    It is a grainy soap made from olive oil and macerated olives, perfect for exfoliating the dead skin cells.

    The scrubbing is quite vigorous, and many tourists are not used to it.

    This is followed by buckets of water being thrown over you to wash off the black soap.

    Some hammams alternative between buckets of cold water and buckets of hot water.

    In more luxurious hammams, Rassoul clay from the Atlas mountains is used to cover the body.

    It’s rich in minerals like silica, magnesium, and calcium.

    After this procedure, your whole body and hair are lathered thoroughly with a gentler soap or gel.

    The next treatment is an all-over massage using fragrant oils like rose oil and argan oil.

    Once the treatment is finished,  you can relax in a separate area with mint tea and morroccan pastries.

    The fragrance of incense wafting around the room adds to the relaxing ambience.

    There are two types of Hammam in Marrakesh.

    Public or private hammams.

    The public Hammam is a true taste of Morroccan life, with many local people bathing together and chatting in their native language.

    In a public Hammam, you have to take your own soap, towel, and oils in.

    These are much less expensive.

    The private Hammams provide you with everything you need, including disposable underwear, a bathrobe, and sandles.

    Treatment options vary, including the length of the treatment and the type of massage and oils you prefer.

    These are more like spa treatments.

    You can relax for as long as you want to after the treatment has finished.

    It’s worth noting that the underwear for women is very flimsy, and some women ask for male underwear instead.

    Nubies can feel slightly vulnerable being exposed with just a disposable thong hiding their modesty.

    The rooms are dimly lit, and the women known as Kassalas working in the hammam are very discreet and professional.

    Most women get over their initial shyness pretty quickly.

    Hammam Mouassine is the oldest Hammam in Marrakesh.

    It opened in 1562 and can be found by the Mouassine fountain, close to the secret garden.

    Many riads have a Hammam room and offer this service to their guests.

    Other popular hammams are,

    . Hammam de la rose.

    . Mamounia Hamman..

    . Les Bains Ziani.

    . Les Bains Kenaria.

    Palm oil is often used to wash people’s hair, so if you don’t agree with the use of it, make sure to check beforehand.

    Experiencing a traditional Hammam is a welcome break from the chaotic souks and Jamaa El Fna.

    It’s a relief from the baking heat of the morroccan sun and a chance to slow down the manic pace for an hour or so.

    Many tourists feel unsure about wearing virtually nothing in front of strangers, but this is an ancient ritual that has been part of Morroccan culture for centuries.

    Visitors to Marrakech have said that they experienced the most invigorating and relaxing time in a hammam and would definitely do it again.

    Some tourists are hooked, despite saying it was an unusual experience.

    I would recommend paying a little bit more for a private Hammam if it’s your first time.

    However, if you want a taste of authentic Marrakechi life, go for a public hammam.

    You can buy Morroccan black soap and other toiletries you’ll need inside the souks, or in the spice square.

    You can book a Hammam through Get Your Guide or Viator.

    Don’t forget a towel, bathrobe and fresh underwear.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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