Ramadan and Marrakesh

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and while the exact dates cannot be determined, this year it falls in July/August. For anyone who is traveling in Marrakech during Ramadan, the British Embassy has issued a guide answering common questions for any non-Muslims.
Q: Do I have to fast?
A: You, as a non-Muslim, are expected to, however, out of respect, should avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public until the daily fasting is broken.
Q: Are restaurants and shops open?
A: In large cities, such as Marrakech, some restaurants open day and night. They are normally open around 10am until just before sunset, which in the summer, won't be until late! (These times will also likely apply to any pharmacies and banks)
Q: How is the road traffic during Ramadan?
A: Buses may alter their schedules or routes to match the setting sun, or reduce traffic. Taxi drivers are less likely to engage in afternoon or evening travel, but trains normally keep to their schedule. Be aware of any possible changes and always keep the sunset in mind when traveling during Ramadan!




If you intend to travel by train or bus at the Eid time, around August 19th / 20th, then we would advise booking your tickets in advance.

To Riad Chi-Chi's Facebook page

Moussem Festivals Ourika Valley Morocco

There are 4 days in August when each region in Morocco has its own 'moussem' festival where there is normally a souk, an agricultural fair, feasting and games. The most famous festival locations is at Setti Fatma, set in the cool freshness of the Ourika Valley - which would be a relief from the stunning heat in Marrakech.
To Riad Ariha blog

July in Marrakesh

July is a busy month in Marrakech, with the Fête du Trône commemorating Mohammed VI's 1999 accession to the throne. This is an important secular holiday in which Marrakech is festooned with lights and flags adorning the buildings as well as free entertainment and fireworks.
Visit our Facebook page

The City of Marrakesh -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site

An ancient gate in Marrakesh

A new gate in modern Marrakesh

The old city of Marrakech  was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Patrimoine Mondiale) in 2008 in recognition of Marrakesh’ impressive number of masterpieces of architecture and art – the ramparts and monumental gates, Koutoubia Mosque, Saâdians tombs, ruins of the Badiâ Palace, Bahia Palace, Ménara water feature and pavilion. Recognition as a World Heritage Site also implies the historical aspect and Marrakesh’ decisive role in medieval urban development.  

The 700 hectares of the Medina, the ancient habitat, rendered vulnerable due to demographic change, represents an outstanding example of a living historic town with its tangle of lanes, its houses, souks, fondouks, artisanal activities and traditional trades.
We are very proud to be able to offer two beautifully renovated riads /riyadhs using the best of Moroccan craftsmanship. Both Riad Ariha and Riad Chi-Chi feature lovely plasterwork, lustrous tadelakt, elegant wrought iron grillwork that leaves wonderful light patterns on the walls and floor depending on the time of day and the intricate woodwork.  We also employed many Moroccan artisans for our interior decoration.  They created the lampshades, the furniture, the rugs and the artwork in the riads.
Come and enjoy one of Marrakech’ beautifully renovated riads  in the historic city of Marrakech.
Riad Ariha and Riad Chi-Chi, Marrakesh.


www.riadariha.com www.riadchichi.com 


http://www.riadariha.com/blog-faqs/marrakesh-and-unesco.htm 

For the serious shoppers in Marrakech

Marrakesh has a whole district of designers located on the outskirts of Marrakech along the road to Safi. It’s called Sidi Ghanem and if you’re serious about shopping, it’s the place to head for.
It does not look chic – in fact it’s the industrial area of Marrakech with factories, stoneworks and plumbing stores BUT the true seeker can also find designer stores and great merchandise.

The layout is not at all a confusing labyrinth like the medina of Marrakech. It’s laid out on a grid system with all roads at right angles to one another.  Click here for a map of Sidi Ghanem Marrakesh http://www.sidighanem.net/plan-sidighanem-marrakech-maroc.php

Most of the interesting stores are along the first two East-West streets but there are a couple of stores worthy of going to the furthest street north.  Newer stores are opening up now along the north-south road that leads to Targa.

Many of the places are a long walk away from one another so rather than slogging along the streets in the heat, the best way to do it is to either hire a car or hire a grand taxi for a day or half a day and the driver chauffeurs you from place to place.

You can stop for lunch at a great French bistro restaurant on 517, rue principale - Quartier industriel Sidi Ghanem called LE ZINC – great food, reasonable prices. The website: www.durandtraiteur.com

Open for lunch every day except Sunday and dinner Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

We will highlight some of the stores in the coming days. Today we are focusing on a linen store, PRETTY LINGE, www.prettylinge.com
Unit 317 on the first floor on  Telephone number 05 24 33 58 83, cell for Soundouss 06 61 23 83 73.

We bought some of our bed linens in Riad Chi-Chi at this store – notably the embroidered pillowcases.

The owner, Soundouss produces beautiful bed linens in pure Egyptian cotton, percale and cotton satin with lovely embroidery on them – you can choose the pattern and colour you want. You can also have towels, bathrobes embroidered with your initials. She also has some small household items, children’s items and lots of lovely gift ideas.



http://www.riadariha.com/blog-faqs/for-the-serious-shopper-in-marrakesh.htm

The flea market in Marrakech – bab el khemis

If you love flea markets and are on the lookout for architectural remnants this is the place to go in Marrakech.  Bab el Khemis is translated as the Thursday gate. It is indeed one of the gates that allows access to the old city of Marrakech, called the medina.  It got its name from the local market held there every Thursday. Now it’s open every day of the week but it’s especially busy on Thursdays and Sundays.

You can stroll through and find old doors called rtaj doors that are the huge wooden doors to the rooms in a riad (townhouse in the medina). You will also see old wooden entrance gates – some with lovely decoration.

They are certainly decorative if you use them on a property, as they would have been used, or just propped against a wall in a city apartment. Other finds include the beautiful ironwork used as grilles on windows, found also in both our riads, Riad Ariha and Riad Chi-Chi.  These are still handmade by metalworkers in the numerous workshops dotted about the medina.  Beautiful mouchroubia - the carved wooden screens - can also be found.

It is even possible to find old art deco furniture from the French colonial period. If you like African handicrafts, how about hand-carved wooden bowls?
There are carpets galore, pots – and many broken small kitchen appliances ….

Come and stay with us in Riad Ariha or Riad Chi-Chi to get an authentic experience of living in the old city of Marrakesh.

http://www.riadariha.com/blog-faqs/flea-market-in-marrakech.htm