Sounds Of The Souks

Tag: Zeitoune Cafe

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

  • 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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  • Zeitoune Cafe.

    Zeitoune Cafe has a perfect rooftop view across Jamaa El Fna.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The view from the balcony of Zeitoune cafe overlooks the busy main square.

    It’s fun watching daily life take place from above all the action whilst having a spot of lunch.

    You can hear the drumming and gnawa music from what is considered the heartbeat of the city as you relax, away from the crowds of tourists.

    Video by Freebird Tracey.

    The food here is incredibly good, portions are large, and there are a variety of choices on the menu.

    The smoothies were gorgeous.

    I enjoyed a hearty salad for lunch and decided to try a strawberry smoothie.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Also, the obligatory olives, which often come with a meal in Marrakech, were very welcome.

    The lamb tagine with dried fruits is a  popular choice amongst diners here.

    However, if like myself you don’t eat meat, there are vegetarian and vegan options available.

    The breakfast is excellent  with a selection of refreshing juices and good coffee.

    Meals are competitively priced considering the quality of food served and the location overlooking the main square.

    Zeitoune Cafe is in a strategic location.

    It gets busy before sunset as tourists flock to watch the sun setting over the Jamaa El Fna.

    Finding a table during this time of evening might be difficult.

    Zeitoune Cafe is open all day from 9.00 am until 1.00 am, with the exception of Friday and Saturday when they close at 2.00am.

    They do not accept reservations, so it’s first come, first served.

    There are steps up to the balcony and upper floors, but for people with limited mobility, there is outdoor seating available.

    Zeitoune Cafes’ address is,

    107 Place Jamaa El Fnaa

    40000 Morocco

    There is also a Zeitoune Cafe in the kasbah.

    The outside seating is a wonderful place to people watch in the sunshine.

    It is located opposite the mosque.

    Zeitoune Cafe accepts credit card payments, too.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
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