When I travel to a country, I always like to read up on it’s history. More important of course, I start long in advance checking where to stay and the different possibilities. This time, I really wanted to stay at a riad, since I had read so much about these wonderful places behind the big doors.
The history of Marrakech goes back nearly a thousand years. It began as nothing more than a watering hole for the local Berber tribes, until the city was founded by Almoravid leader Youssef Ibn Tashufin during the mid-11 century.Under Almoravid rule, Marrakesh served as the capital and developed into a magnificent Islamic city, until 1147 when it fell to the Almohads, who basically destroyed all existing religious and civic structures.
Nearly one hundred years later, in 1269 the Marinids took control of Marrakesh but they preferred to use the northern city of Fez as their capital. As a result, a period of steep decline followed and Marrakesh was largely neglected for almost 300 years.
In 1525 the city was captured by the Saadian sharifs and, after they captured Fez in 1549, Marrakesh resumed its status as Imperial capital of a unified Morocco. During this time the city reached its grandeur because the Saadians greatly embellished it. Examples of architecture from this period are The Saadian Tombs, Al Badi Palace and the Ben Youssef Madrasa. In 1669 the city was captured by the Alawite sharifs and, although Marrakesh served as a residence for the sultans, it was not used as a definitive capital, since the sultans chose to move their courts frequently between cities.
Almost another century went by before Mohammed III brought the city back to life in the mid 1700s. Until 1867, the sultan had to grant permission to European travelers to enter the city but European influence began to expand in Morocco as it became the subject of imperial rivalries, European countries seeking its privileged position as a trade route.
In 1912, the Treaty of Fez, which was designed to protect the kingdom while providing stability to the country, created the French and Spanish protectorates . The French extended their influence over most of the country, while Spain’s can mostly be seen on the northern strip of the territory.
Morocco regained it’s independence in 1956 and since then has become a haven for visitors from around the world, who flock here to soak in its rich cultural history.
WHERE TO STAY
Choosing where to stay can be a very daunting task and you will need to consider everything the city has to offer. Marrakesh itself is divided into two sectors: the old Medina and the modern European district. Having said that, there are five main distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own vibe and feel. Here is a brief description to help you decide where to stay according to your own interests and travel style. If you choose to stay in the Medina, most attractions are reachable on foot, while taxis may be necessary from other districts.
The Medina is definitely the best area to stay if you want to experience the true and traditional Marrakesh, this is the heart and soul of the city.
Hivernage is the coolest neighborhood, known for its first class hotels, elegant restaurants and classy bars.
Gueliz is located in the European sector of the city, where you can find contemporary art galleries, modern boutiques and trendy restaurants
Chrifia, south of the Medina, is best suited for families with children. Although a bit further out from the city center, it has lots of fun activities, such as fun waterparks, lush gardens and golf courses. A perfect neighborhood if you want to avoid the hustling and bustling of the Medina.
Kennaria is a small neighborhood located within the walls of the Medina just east of Jemma El-Fna. It is home to many artisanal shops and it is famous for having more Hammams than any other area of the city.
Riad Faraj offers a small spa, a nice pool and a beautifully decorated courtyard where you can enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast. The Riad Le Clos des Arts where, according to legend, this traditional arab house belonged to an arts trader. The Riad Charmes d’Orient is an adults only traditional riad. The gorgeous Riad de Tarabel offers colonial style and is filled with French antiques. The beautiful tree lined terrace of the Riad Camila offers magnificent views of the mountains and the Medina. The romantic Riad La Sultana offers cooking classes of traditional Moroccan cuisine. The elegant Riad Adore boast bright and airy rooms with luxurious furnishings and balconies. Our friends from Marbella stayed at Le perroquet bleu and were enchanted. We also checked out the riad Oriental Medina and is was very nice. Near the Bahia Palace is a bigger and modern, but beautiful riad with fireplaces for the winter, la briljante.
If staying at a small, traditional riad is not your cup of tea, you can always find “big hotels” which capture the beauty and culture of Morocco. Among the best you can find La Mamounia, one hundred year old history but still inspiring. You can also try Les Jardins de la Koutoubia, The Oberoi Marrakesh or the Mandarin Oriental.
If you are feeling more adventurous and are willing to travel 30 kilometers outside of Marrakesh, you can plan for a stay at a Camp in Agafay. Here you will spend the night in a tent, where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan fare for dinner and breakfast, as well as camel riding and ATV tours of the desert. There are over 20 sites now, so you should do your research. We were at Inara, but new camps are popping up every day…