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18, Derb el Koudia, Kasbah, Marrakech, Kasbah, Morocco
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of people enjoy staying here
9 Opinions
Koutoubia minaret
Morocco 2008
architectural detail....
Avenue Mohamed VI (Marrakesh, Morocco)
Hi
My sister and I are spending 4 nights in Marrakech in January.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a nice/interesting restaurant in or near the Medina?
Thanks!
Sue
Sue,
I'd recommend Dar Mimoun. It's in a lovely riad in the medina on a street just off the main square. It costs about 15 Euro a head for 3 courses which is a bit more than your average Marrakech restaurant but the food is great as is location. I think the details are on my Marrakech page.
Most interesting: eating in the Djem-el-Fna Square.
Not an original idea, but sex isn't original either and it's still a favorite.
Sue, from your avatar, your sister looks like a beer. Anywhere you go will be interesting.
I would recommend Chez Ali for its display of fantasia and tribal entertainment inclusive with moroccan banquet for just over £20. some might say its cheesey but there are many who are very satisfied with attending it - and unless you are in town during a folk festival its an excellent insight into the array of people groups with their varying costumes, music etc.
also the yacout still gets good recommendations, not just in the 1000 things to do before you die book. its expensive but if you dont eat all day beforehand you will have heaps to eat and sample and get pretty good value for money!
the sheraton is an interesting place to visit for a few drinks as is also the mamounia - both have interesting surroundings and decor.
and then of course theres the main square at night with all its food stalls at djma elfna.
i know hotel foucould, also near the main square, has a buffet evening meal which i havent tried but was reading some personal recommendations recently on it. i have stayed there several times but not eaten there. the hotel is okay too if cant find anything else beforehand.
Thanks very much for the recommendations!
Hi Sue, I was in Marrakesh in Jan 05 (and again Aug/Sept 06) I'd agree with Angie - Chez Ali and Djemma El Fnaa are worth trying. Also for Afternoon tea, go to La Mamounia- the hotel famous for having Winston Churchill etc as a guest-it's a bit expensive, but a pleasant place to chill over a drink-In January, it was warm enough to sit out during the day. A meal there costs a small fortune, but it might be an unforgettable experience.
In Guelez there are some nice restaurants- I ate at Le Lounge, which was ok. Al Fassia comes highly recommended in guide books, travel supplements- I didn't get to eat here, but I wanted to - the menu looked good, and not over expensive (compared to Uk prices)
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions about Marrakesh.
Best Wishes, and A Happy Christmas!
Sue X
When we visited in January we did bring a couple of warm clothes with us - which turned out to be a good idea! It was nice and warm during the day, but in the evenings when the sun had set it was rather chilly!!! And if you are in the nearby Atlas mountains it gets cold quite a bit as well because of the altitude!
We were lucky that the sun was shining most of the time, but rain is quite common (at least in January)
Getting around Marrakech by taxi is quick and easy and cheap - in Morocco called petit taxi - in Marrakech theyre small beigey coloured (beaten up a bit usually!) car - they really are cheap - 15 dirham or 20 at the most to get out to Marjane - usually 15 for anywhere around the city and cheaper if you are sharing as often if theres room and someone going your way the driver might let someone else jump in - usually asking you quickly first if its not okay.
The story changes though if its getting from the airport - then the rip off the tourist stuff sets in - 150 dirham they usually ask without blinking knowing that first time visitors will not question this - and now its even more difficult unless youre a local or speaking arabic to do much about it - as they will just tell you to take the bus if youre not happy about it!
Grande taxis are big 6 seater diesel mercede cars which are usually used for long distance travel between towns and cities - and are usually based at their 'Grand taxi station' near the main bus station in the city - but are used from the airport for groups - taking up to 6 passengers - and of course travellers with luggage that mightnt fit in a tiny petit taxi. Their asking price is not much different getting from the airport as the rip off little ones. but try and haggle anyway. as really the price shouldnt be more than 70 dirham.
You can get henna body art done in the square for reasonable prices. There are lots of ladies to choose from, so look around and choose someone who is slow and careful. Once you decide, go up and enquire, you'll usually be given a small photo album to browse through, which is good for ideas even if you don't like their exact designs.
It was my last night in Marrakesh and I'd already done all my shopping, I only had 150MAD left and just asked one of the henna ladies to do a design on my stomach for that price. She was happy to oblige, it looked pretty cool (see a pic below) and I even got asked about it in Beirut at the beach lol.
This was the largest theological college in the entire Mahgreb, hosting up to a thousand students at a time. Built by the Saadians in the 16th century, it's pretty much intact although it did undergo some 1960's renovations. Thankfully, Moroccan 60's designers didn't have the same ideas as those in Britain so there's no grey concrete in sight!
There's a beautiful huge courtyard in the centre, complete with tiled pool and Qu'ranic verses intricately carved into the walls and pillars. The student 'cells' have their own mini-courtyards surrounding the main centre and you're free to wander around. If you've read my other tips you'll know that I find these old buildings extraordinarily beautiful and relaxing - and this is one of the best.
Ali ben Youssef was a 12th century Almoravid sultan and he obviously made a big impression as there's also a mosque named after him.
Overwhelming at first, but unforgettable. As I sat on the terrace overlooking the square on our last night, hearing the call to prayer, the drums for the belly dancers, and the snake charmers' music, I knew we'd have to go back some day.
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