Morocco truly is an all-year-round destination, and spending Christmas or New Year in Marrakech is extremely popular. Many come to escape the cold and dreary weather of the northern hemisphere or to get away from the commercialism of modern-day Europe.

One of the main attractions of spending Christmas and New Year in Marrakech is the fact that the city is in full swing, even on Christmas day (primarily because it is predominantly a Muslim country). Shops, banks,museums, galleries, the souks and many of the tourist attractions are open on Christmas day and through to New Year.

The city isn’t, however, completely immune to Christmas, and you can still find Christmas church services at the protestant or catholic churches in Gueliz. You’ll also find some Christmas themed menus at some of the international restaurants and there are Christmas decorations in some of the modern boutiques and shopping malls in Gueliz.

The weather in Marrakech during winter is surprisingly warm in the daytime (the temperature averages around 19 °C and you can comfortably walk around in shirt sleeves without a coat). However, the temperature drops significantly at this time of year as soon as the sun goes down, so be prepared with warmer clothing for the evenings.

At the Riad El Zohar all of our rooms are kept warm and toasty in the winter, as are our salons and dining spaces. We have lots of cosy nooks for our guests to relax in and enjoy a drink and read or chat.

As for what to do, it’s business as usual in Marrakech, so visitors can wander around the Medina, enjoy the hustle and bustle of the souks, visit the many attractions, such as the El Bahia Palace and the enchanting Majorelle gardens, and take a stroll around the outside of the impressive minaret at the Koutoubia Mosque.

If you can’t quite give up your Christmas, you can find festive goodies, such as buche de Nôel, a French Christmas cake in some of the bakeries. The lanterns in the souks happen to look beautifully festive even though they aren’t Christmas lamps per se.

If, however, you are truly trying to escape from Europe’s Christmas festivities, Marrakech is the perfect winter destination. Swap your turkey dinner for a tagine and immerse yourself in the exotic sights and sounds of this amazing city.

There’s always the option of combining a few days in Marrakech with a spot of skiing. Oukaimeden, fifty miles east of Marrakech, is Morocco’s most noteworthy ski resort. It’s probably not the place for a 10-day ski holiday, as the snow isn’t reliable, but for most of the winter months there are plenty of opportunities for some great skiing. It’s possible to do a day tour to Oukaimeden from Marrakech.

Of course, Marrakech is the perfect place to shop for unusual gifts for all budgets. It’s a Christmas shopping paradise. From leather products, rugs, ceramics, glasses and lanterns to colourful berber breadbaskets, clothing, babouche slippers and spices (Ras el hanout is a Moroccan favourite), there are plenty of options for one-of-a-kind gifts. If you are away over Christmas it’s the perfect opportunity to buy presents for friends and family.

It may be too late for you to visit us this year, but if you really want an awesome Christmas in 2019, we suggest you book with us early as winter breaks around Christmas and New Year here are very popular. Christmas and New Year are our peak season.

To all of our visitors past, present and future we wish you a wonderful festive season and a fabulous 2019. We hope to see you soon. If you have any questions about the Riad or about visiting Marrakech, please drop us an email or call us and we will be extremely happy to help you.

Marrakech is a shopper’s paradise. This bright and beautiful city offers the best of both worlds to shoppers from the mysterious buzzing souks to the modern wide boulevards and designer shops in Gueliz. Marrakech is a fascinating place to explore and really is one of the greatest shopping cities in the world, offering everything from textiles, furnishings and ceramics to decorative objects and clothing.

As well as haggling in the souks, visitors can enjoy luxurious shopping in high-end boutiques and the brilliantly thought out concept stores of Gueliz. In addition, there’s the industrial quarter, Sidi Ghanem, and while it isn’t the most photogenic of places, it is the hub for many artists and craftspeople and is well worth a visit if you are serious about shopping.

The Medina Souks

In the vibrant heart of the Medina, stretching north from Jemaa el-Fnaa square, are the souks of Marrakech. Set in a labyrinth of narrow,winding alleys and streets, there are several souks selling everything from spices to leather goods, slippers, ceramics, lamps, clothing and much more.

At times the souks seem to blend into one, but they are technically different. Each street has its own identity and selling point. Rahba Kehdima, the apothecaries square, is well worth a visit for its multi-coloured spice stalls.

Creiee Berbere is the place to go for unique rugs, kilims and carpets. You’ll also find Berber women here selling wool hats and mountain clothing.

If you visit one shop in the Medina it has to be Mustapha Blaoui. You’ll find this gem of a store in the souks past the Dar el Bacha Palace. Beyond the plain wooden door, you’ll find a delightful space with all manner of Moroccan goods for sale from Berber rugs to ceramics and beautiful lamps.

The Souks have over 3,000 stalls selling everything from brightly coloured glassware to leather goods, ethnic jewellery, rugs, brightly coloured kaftans, and all manner of trinkets.

The souks can feel overwhelming, so it’s a good idea to acclimatise yourself in Jemaa el-Fnaa square before you spend hours exploring the souk’s chaotic web of shops and market stalls. Expect to get lost … several times.

Gueliz

If you want a different shopping experience to haggling in the souks, head to Gueliz, the new part of Marrakech, which offers a completely different vibe to the traditional and chaotic Medina. Gueliz has European shops with familiar boutiques such as Mango and Zara and modern European-style buildings. You will find an interesting fusion of French and Moroccan architecture here.

The modern Gueliz region is renowned for its designer boutiques, specialty shops and galleries. One of the most famous galleries here is the Matisse Art Gallery, named after the famous French artist. The Marrakech Plaza at the centre is where you’ll find up-market shops, cafes and beautiful fountains. It’s a completely different feel to the souks in the Medina.

For the complete antithesis of the crowded souk, head to 33 Rue Majorelle where you’ll find a chic, calm space over two floors selling modern takes on Moroccan crafts and designer clothing by over 90 different artisans.

Sidi Ghanem

Sidi Ghanem is the urban industrial zone of Marrakech (located 5 km from the Medina). Here you will find a plethora of artists,designers and craftspeople making and selling their wares from their workshops and showrooms. There are some great French eateries in the district too. Most shops here are closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays.

Expect to find interesting men’s and women’s fashion,artisan lighting, perfumes, cosmetics, gorgeous pottery and more. This up and coming neighbourhood is the perfect place for a shopping excursion when you’ve reached sensory overload and had enough of the frenetic haggling in the souks.

Happy shopping in Marrakech. If you have something particular you are looking for, or would like to know more about what to see and do in Marrakech please ask us. We know Marrakech like the back of our hands.

Packing for a trip to Marrakech requires careful consideration. Marrakech can see daytime temperatures climb to above 40°C, while winter evenings are decidedly chilly. Depending on what time of year you are visiting, you will need to adjust your wardrobe accordingly.

One other important factor to consider when choosing what to wear in Marrakech is in respecting the country’s culture. Islam is the main religion in Morocco and the indigenous population tend to dress very modestly. There isn’t an enforced dress code for tourists, but both men and women are advised to respect the culture and leave short, revealing clothes at home.

It is best to dress modestly when visiting Marrakech, even though you will see some tourists who are dressed in more revealing clothing. But, out of respect and to avoid hassle and unwelcome comments, dressing to fit in is recommended. It will make your stay much more pleasant.

Women in particular are advised to dress modestly, covering shoulders and legs, particularly above the knee. Men can get away with dressing in shorts and a t-shirt, but women are advised to cover up a bit more.

Here are a few ideas on what to pack for your holiday in Marrakech.

Wardrobe must-haves for women travelling to Marrakech

Forget tiny shorts, strappy vests and bikinis (although you will be able to wear these inside most riads and hotels).

In terms of clothes, capri pants and a light cotton shirt are ideal for walking around the Medina, while long linen trousers and floaty shirts, maxi dresses, midi-length skirts (covering the knee), and kaftans are all perfect for other sightseeing. You’ll need a dressy evening outfit if you plan to visit a fancy restaurant or nightclub.

Large light-cotton drapey scarves and pashminas are extremely versatile and can be wrapped around your shoulders or worn as a headscarf. Sarouel, a loose fit cotton trouser with elasticated waist and cuffs make perfect attire and can be paired with a loose cotton shirt or t-shirt.

It is OK to wear sandals, but in the Medina it’s a good idea to wear closed-toe shoes as there’s some animal excrement to contend with and the cobbled streets are quite jagged. The streets in the Medina are often wet and messy.

It is especially important to dress conservatively in the Medina, even more so if you are woman travelling alone. Limit displays of ostentatious jewellery or luxury handbags. Don’t forget comfortable sandals, a sunhat and sunglasses.

In November rain is likely so if you are heading to Morocco at this time of year be sure to pack raincoats, an umbrella and waterproof shoes. It’s very chilly at night during the winter, so at this time you will need some winter clothing and warm pyjamas.

Whatever you wear in Marrakech, never excessively reveal the body outside of the riad or hotel where you are staying. Cover décolletage, shoulders and thighs. It’s not necessary for non-Muslim women to wear a hijab (a type of scarf covering the hair). If you are wearing jeans, it’s a good idea to wear a longer, tunic style top to cover your bottom.

The best advice is to wear clothes that are cool, but allow you to blend in.

What male tourists wear in Marrakech

It’s pretty well-documented what women should wear when visiting Marrakech, but there’s not much information on what men should wear. Men aren’t under the same scrutiny as women though, as unfair as that may seem to those visiting from a western culture.

Most male tourists wear shorts and t-shirts or polo shirts and trainers or sandals by day, and jeans, linen trousers or chinos and shirts with closed shoes or trainers at night. A jacket or blazer is a good idea if you plan to eat out at an upmarket restaurant.

Definitely pack a couple of sweaters and a warm jacket if visiting Marrakech in the winter. A hardy pair of walking shoes is also a must if you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing.

If you would like any further advice on what to wear and where to stay in Marrakech, contact our friendly team at the Riad El Zohar.

There are certain things you simply must do when you visit Marrakech, from wandering around and getting lost in the streets of the medina and haggling in the souks to eating flavourful street food and drinking sweet peppermint tea in Jemaa el-Fna square.

Marrakech is a bewitching historic city that will awaken your senses like no other place in the world, and it’s hot. Very hot. Once you’ve been here you will know instinctively that taking a break from sensory overload and getting out of the heat for a few hours is essential. After an exhausting day sightseeing, there’s no better way to unwind than paying a visit to one of the city’s many hammams.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about visiting a hammam in Marrakech.

What exactly is a hammam?

For those who don’t know, a hammam is a public steam bathhouse. Public baths are an integral part of life in Marrakech and are a weekly ritual for many locals. There are many hotels with spas that include a hammam, but the local hammams are a completely different experience you should definitely try.

What you need for the public bathhouse

For the traditional neighbourhood hammams, nothing is provided. Take anything you usually use when you bathe (shampoo, conditioner, soap, hairbrush or comb) plus a towel, flip flops and a change of clothes. At many hammams you can purchase shampoo and soap.

In the public bathhouses you’ll also need to take a small bucket or jug to douse yourself in water (you can pick these up in the souk) and a kiis, which is a rough mitt used to exfoliate your skin. You may also want to purchase some rhassoul clay soap in the souk (sticky brown goo that is deeply detoxifying and works into a rich lather when rubbed onto wet skin). It’s what the locals use.

You can take swim shorts or a bikini, but you’ll stand out as all locals go nude. Many women take plastic mats to sit on, so you may also want to purchase one of these in the souk too.

If you are going to a spa or a private hammam, rather than the public bathhouse, just take your swim wear as everything else will be provided. Some private hammams provide disposable underwear.

The hammam routine

Hammams are segregated by gender and in the public bathhouses, men and women have separate days or times to bathe. There are also spas and hotel hammams where couples can enjoy some pampering together.

In the public hammams, the experience usually begins in a dry heated area where you relax and allow your pores to open, before entering a steam room. In the steam room work black olive soap into a lather and use your loofah mitt to give an intense body scrub. You can do this all yourself, but we would whole heartedly recommend you opt for the full bathhouse experience and hire an attendant to do all of the lathering and scrubbing. Be prepared for some heavy-duty scouring! You’ll never feel as clean as after a full hammam experience!

In the private hammams treatments are often finished with a massage. In the more expensive hotel spas you can book a range of treatment options. Over the top luxury can be expensive, costing more than Dh1,000, whereas the insanely affordable public bathhouses will only set you back around Dh20.

Go with the flow

Rule number one when visiting a hammam in Marrakech is to go with the flow. Hammams, particularly the communal ones, can be a tad confusing with the language barrier, especially if you haven’t visited one before. Don’t stress. Simply follow the attendant and their gestures for instructions on what to do.

Cooling off in Marrakech

At Riad El Zohar we have lots of tranquil spaces to relax in and we have our own private courtyard pool where guests can take a dip and cool off. We would still recommend you experience a visit to one of the city’s hammams.

We know the hammams in Marrakech like the back of our hands. So, whether you want to immerse yourself in an authentic basic hammam experience or you would prefer the height of luxury, we can point you to exactly the hammam you are looking for and we’ll give you lots of tips to make sure your hammam experience is a truly enjoyable one.

Come and stay at the Riad El Zohar and we’ll make sure your visit to Marrakech is everything you hoped for and more.

Marrakech provides a delightful assault on the senses and many who have visited here will agree it is probably one of the most evocative places in the world. The hum of haggling voices, the call to prayer, the explosions of colour and the wonderful aromatic smells wafting from the numerous street stalls, cafes and restaurants are quite simply intoxicating.

At the Riad El Zohar we celebrate traditional Moroccan cuisine and we are delighted to offer a wide range of local delicacies and homecooked dishes in the courtyard or in one of our saloons. We ask that you book in advance so we can use only the freshest ingredients. We also know all of the best places to eat in the Medina and further afield.

We would love to see you at the Riad El Zohar for our informal cookery lessons, which include a trip to the market to buy produce, hands on preparation of a traditional two-course Moroccan meal, and of course you get to eat the fruits of your labour at a candlelit dinner in our lovely riad.

To get your taste buds tingling, here’s our lowdown on the amazing food and dishes you might like to try in Marrakech during your stay.

Mint tea

You’ll find mint tea everywhere in Marrakech; it’s the staple of Moroccan hospitality. It’s nothing like the peppermint tea from teabags you may be partial to in the UK. Moroccan mint tea is made with black tea leaves, fresh mint, boiling water (obviously) and ridiculous amounts of sugar (don’t tell your dentist!). The tea traditionally gets poured from a height so that it has a frothy head on it.

Bread

Crusty bread baked in wood-fired ovens is a staple in Morocco. There are lots of communal ovens in Marrakech and the smell of freshly baked bread will hit you as you walk around the medina. Try beghrir (pancakes that look a bit like crumpets), harsha (a buttery bread made from semolina, that looks a bit like an English muffin) and rghaif (a flaky square flat bread).

Snail soup

A street stall staple, you’ll see many vats of snail soup steaming away as you wander around the medina. The snails are cooked slowly over a low heat in a peppery broth (babbouche) made with over 15 different spices. It’s a delicacy that will surprise you. You simply must try this when you are in Marrakech.

Tehal

Essentially stuffed camel spleen which can be likened to an alternative take on sausage. The spleen is stuffed with ground beef, lamb or camel meat, olives, spices and fat and baked in a bread oven. Slices are served with bread.

Chicken B’stilla

One of Morocco’s most unique dishes, chicken b’stilla is essentially a pie made from a combination of sweet and savoury ingredients. Chicken is cooked with spices and broth and shredded. The pie crust is similar to filo pastry, includes crushed almonds and is slightly sweet.

Harira

Often the dish that is served at the end of Ramadan, this dish is a soupy stew packed full of tomatoes, chickpeas. Lentils, spices and lamb.

Sheep head

Sheep’s head steamed for around 5 hours is a traditional Moroccan favourite. The head is served in halves without the brain and is covered liberally with salt and cumin. The meat has lots of different textures, such as the tongue and the cheek.

Kefta tagine (Kefta mkaouara)

The tagine (also known as tangia) is probably one of the most well-known of Morocco’s dishes, though the name refers to the type of urn-shaped terracotta pot the food is cooked in rather than the ingredients themselves. Try a kefta tagine, which consists of small meatballs (lamb or beef) cooked in a rich tomato and onion sauce. Just before serving eggs are cracked into the sauce.

Chebakia

A delicious sweet treat, Chebakia is a kind of cookie, which is fried before being coated in masses of honey or syrup. Buy from the street stalls.

Ma’qooda

Quite simply, ma’qooda are delicious potato fritters dipped in egg and deep fried. These are very moreish snacks.

Orange juice in Jemma el-Fna square

It may seem strange to have something as simple as orange juice on the list of foods to try in Marrakech, but there’s nothing quite like a freshly squeezed orange juice from one of the stalls in Jemma el-Fna square. Morocco’s oranges are famous across the world.

Orange cake at Nomad

You’ll find the Nomad restaurant in the medina overlooking the Rahba Lakdima spice square (Place des Épices). With a rooftop terrace and intimate dining rooms this is one of our favourite spots for lunch. The orange cake here is sublime and not to be missed.

Happy eating in Marrakech. If there are any questions you’d like to ask about the food here, please get in touch.