Riad Zayan Guide
Eating out
Have you ever wondered what Marrakech's nightlife is like in the medina? Find out at Kabana. A beautiful rooftop bar overlooking the Koutoubia mosque.
Take note on weekends it can be particularly crowded and reservations will be necessary to get your spot.
At kabana, you can choose from a varied menu.
Our favourites are the gozya gambas, spaghetti alle vongole and cigares croustillant with feta and mint.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
KABANA ROOFTOP FOOD & COCKTAILS
1 Rue Lalla Fatima ZahraHave you ever wondered what Marrakech's nightlife is like in the medina? Find out at Kabana. A beautiful rooftop bar overlooking the Koutoubia mosque.
Take note on weekends it can be particularly crowded and reservations will be necessary to get your spot.
At kabana, you can choose from a varied menu.
Our favourites are the gozya gambas, spaghetti alle vongole and cigares croustillant with feta and mint.
One of our favorite restaurants is Limoni and fortunately for us a few meters away from Riad Zayan. Limoni is a beautiful riad transformed into an authentic Italian restaurant. The owners are Italian and you can tell immediately by the delicious cuisine, which includes delicious pizzas and pastas.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
I limoni
40 Rue Diour SabounOne of our favorite restaurants is Limoni and fortunately for us a few meters away from Riad Zayan. Limoni is a beautiful riad transformed into an authentic Italian restaurant. The owners are Italian and you can tell immediately by the delicious cuisine, which includes delicious pizzas and pastas.
On every trip to Marrakech, we visit Le Jardin at least once. Our all time favorite lunch spot in the medina. Where to start: a beautiful riad, delicious food and top-notch service. Definitely try to get a spot in the patio and look for the turtles. A fun activity to keep the little ones busy while waiting. The menu is very varied, one of our favorites being the mezze's and the garden burger.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
LE JARDIN
On every trip to Marrakech, we visit Le Jardin at least once. Our all time favorite lunch spot in the medina. Where to start: a beautiful riad, delicious food and top-notch service. Definitely try to get a spot in the patio and look for the turtles. A fun activity to keep the little ones busy while waiting. The menu is very varied, one of our favorites being the mezze's and the garden burger.
Not in the medina but in Geuliz neighborhood you’ll find this nice Italian spot. Inside the restaurant you’ll feel like you’re in the medina with it nice riad vibes. It’s a perfect spot for a nice romantic dinner.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Trattoria
179 Rue Mohammed el BeqalNot in the medina but in Geuliz neighborhood you’ll find this nice Italian spot. Inside the restaurant you’ll feel like you’re in the medina with it nice riad vibes. It’s a perfect spot for a nice romantic dinner.
Comptoir Darna (our house in Arabic) is located in an other nice neighborhood in Marrakech called Hivernage. Nestled between the villas and luxury hotels you’ll find this authentic Moroccan restaurant. We love the Arabic vibe with the belly dancers and live band. A nice way to enjoy delicious food and some spectacle.
125 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
كومبتوار دارنا
Avenue EchouhadaComptoir Darna (our house in Arabic) is located in an other nice neighborhood in Marrakech called Hivernage. Nestled between the villas and luxury hotels you’ll find this authentic Moroccan restaurant. We love the Arabic vibe with the belly dancers and live band. A nice way to enjoy delicious food and some spectacle.
Not far from Riad Zayan you can find “Les jardins du Lotus”. It’s know for his fancy vibe and visitors, but can be visited by everyone. Recommended to book upfront and enjoy the lovely garden.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Les Jardins Du Lotus
Not far from Riad Zayan you can find “Les jardins du Lotus”. It’s know for his fancy vibe and visitors, but can be visited by everyone. Recommended to book upfront and enjoy the lovely garden.
Next to a hotel riad El Fenn opens his doors as a restaurant. Just a few walk from Kabana you’ll find this nice spot. Enjoy their nice rooftop terrace with a nice dinner or drink.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Fenn
Next to a hotel riad El Fenn opens his doors as a restaurant. Just a few walk from Kabana you’ll find this nice spot. Enjoy their nice rooftop terrace with a nice dinner or drink.
Cantine Mouton Noir
What about a nice Saturday brunch? Great spot to visit for some healthy brunch.
Another great brunch spot or lunch with fabulous healthy smoothies or just as a coffee stop to visit is Mandala.
Mandala Society Marrakech
Another great brunch spot or lunch with fabulous healthy smoothies or just as a coffee stop to visit is Mandala.
Yazel
What about some Greek food in Marrakech? Visit Yazel and enjoy their Yazal salads ✨
A true favorite of us. Everything is great at la palette, the food, the ambiance and the staff are truly worth your visit.
La Palette Restaurant Marrakech
24 Rue Moulay AliA true favorite of us. Everything is great at la palette, the food, the ambiance and the staff are truly worth your visit.
Sightseeing
Newly renovated Medersa Ben Youssef is no doubt worth a visit.
Medersa Ben Youssef is a beautiful Koranic school from the 16th century. With its 132 rooms, you are guaranteed to take some great pictures. Unlike mosques that are not open to non-Muslims, the medersa is open to all and allows you to discover the beautiful Saadian architecture.
273 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Escuela del Hijo de José
Rue AssouelNewly renovated Medersa Ben Youssef is no doubt worth a visit.
Medersa Ben Youssef is a beautiful Koranic school from the 16th century. With its 132 rooms, you are guaranteed to take some great pictures. Unlike mosques that are not open to non-Muslims, the medersa is open to all and allows you to discover the beautiful Saadian architecture.
Le jardin secret is located in the lively Mouassine neighborhood. It is definitely worth a visit. As the name implies, it is a beautiful garden and again a great way to admire Moroccan and Arab/Andalusian architecture. Upon entering, you will immediately experience a sense of tranquility. You don't need a reservation to visit it. Cost is 60MAD. Besides the beautiful garden, you can also find a cozy café with a beautiful view of the gardens. Le jardin secret can be found a short walk from Riad Zayan.
116 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Le Jardin Secret
121 Rue MouassineLe jardin secret is located in the lively Mouassine neighborhood. It is definitely worth a visit. As the name implies, it is a beautiful garden and again a great way to admire Moroccan and Arab/Andalusian architecture. Upon entering, you will immediately experience a sense of tranquility. You don't need a reservation to visit it. Cost is 60MAD. Besides the beautiful garden, you can also find a cozy café with a beautiful view of the gardens. Le jardin secret can be found a short walk from Riad Zayan.
The Majorelle Garden is a botanical garden in Marrakech. The garden was designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924, when Morocco was a protectorate of France. The cobalt blue color, characteristic of many decorative elements in the garden and studio, was later named after this artist; Majorelle blue.
Since 1949, Majorelle's garden and studio have been open to the public. The garden houses plants from all five continents, with emphasis of plants from the cactus family and bougainvillea. The garden, which is accessible for a fee, also houses a museum of Islamic art. In fact, the former studio houses a small ethnographic museum on Berber culture with paintings and examples of textiles, ceramics and jewelry.
From 1980, the Majorelle Garden was owned by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, who died in 2008. In 1997, Bergé established a foundation to preserve and manage the garden. After his death, Saint Laurent's ashes were scattered in the rose garden. Much of the textile collection comes from his personal collection.
585 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardín Majorelle
Rue Yves Saint LaurentThe Majorelle Garden is a botanical garden in Marrakech. The garden was designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924, when Morocco was a protectorate of France. The cobalt blue color, characteristic of many decorative elements in the garden and studio, was later named after this artist; Majorelle blue.
Since 1949, Majorelle's garden and studio have been open to the public. The garden houses plants from all five continents, with emphasis of plants from the cactus family and bougainvillea. The garden, which is accessible for a fee, also houses a museum of Islamic art. In fact, the former studio houses a small ethnographic museum on Berber culture with paintings and examples of textiles, ceramics and jewelry.
From 1980, the Majorelle Garden was owned by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, who died in 2008. In 1997, Bergé established a foundation to preserve and manage the garden. After his death, Saint Laurent's ashes were scattered in the rose garden. Much of the textile collection comes from his personal collection.
The Bahia Palace is a palace and set of gardens located in Marrakech, Morocco. It was built in the late 19th century, as the largest palace of the time. The name bahia means "radiance.
As in other buildings of the period in other countries, the intention was to capture the essence of Islamic and Moroccan style in one building.
The palace has an area of 8,000 square meters, several interior gardens and 150 rooms on the courtyards.
354 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Palacio de Bahía
Rue Riad Zitoun el JdidThe Bahia Palace is a palace and set of gardens located in Marrakech, Morocco. It was built in the late 19th century, as the largest palace of the time. The name bahia means "radiance.
As in other buildings of the period in other countries, the intention was to capture the essence of Islamic and Moroccan style in one building.
The palace has an area of 8,000 square meters, several interior gardens and 150 rooms on the courtyards.
The El-Badi Palace is located in Marrakesh, Morocco, and today consists of the remains of a palace built by King Ahmad I al-Mansur in 1578. The original building probably consisted of 360 rooms, a courtyard measuring 135 by 110 meters and a pond measuring 90 by 20 meters. The building was richly decorated with Italian marble and gold from Sudan. The design was heavily influenced by the Alhambra in Granada. Construction took about twenty-five years.
The Alawite sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif destroyed the palace and used materials to decorate his own palace in Meknes.
One of the restored pavilions exhibits the minbar of the Koutoubia mosque, considered a pinnacle of woodcarving.
216 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Palacio El Badi
Ksibat NhassThe El-Badi Palace is located in Marrakesh, Morocco, and today consists of the remains of a palace built by King Ahmad I al-Mansur in 1578. The original building probably consisted of 360 rooms, a courtyard measuring 135 by 110 meters and a pond measuring 90 by 20 meters. The building was richly decorated with Italian marble and gold from Sudan. The design was heavily influenced by the Alhambra in Granada. Construction took about twenty-five years.
The Alawite sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif destroyed the palace and used materials to decorate his own palace in Meknes.
One of the restored pavilions exhibits the minbar of the Koutoubia mosque, considered a pinnacle of woodcarving.
Dar El Bacha is a stately home built in 1910. The building was the residence of Thami El Glaoui, appointed pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912.
Renovated by the FNM and opened in 2017, Dar el Bacha is a museum that represents a beautiful example of traditional Moroccan architecture, with its fountains and orange trees in the central courtyard, its traditional lounges arranged all around and its hammam.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dar El Bacha - Musee des Confluences
Rue Fatima ZahraDar El Bacha is a stately home built in 1910. The building was the residence of Thami El Glaoui, appointed pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912.
Renovated by the FNM and opened in 2017, Dar el Bacha is a museum that represents a beautiful example of traditional Moroccan architecture, with its fountains and orange trees in the central courtyard, its traditional lounges arranged all around and its hammam.
SPA
Every trip to Morocco should include a visit to the hammam (Moroccan spa). We recommend Majorelle Signature, you'll find them near the majorelle gardens, so ideally to combine a hammam and afterwards a visit to the majorelle gardens and/or the YSL museum. At majorelle they offer next to the best hammam experience also very good massages.
Majorelle signature - Spa Marrakech
Every trip to Morocco should include a visit to the hammam (Moroccan spa). We recommend Majorelle Signature, you'll find them near the majorelle gardens, so ideally to combine a hammam and afterwards a visit to the majorelle gardens and/or the YSL museum. At majorelle they offer next to the best hammam experience also very good massages.
Neighborhoods
The mellah of Marrakech is the Jewish Quarter of the city.
Once you’ve wandered through the Mellah of Marrakech, nearby you will also find the Bahia Palace, Badi Palace and the Culinary Arts Museum. The museum is where you’ll find quite a bit on Moroccan Jewish Culinary history. They offer hands-on Moroccan cooking classes two times a day: one session for lunch and one for dinner.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mellah
The mellah of Marrakech is the Jewish Quarter of the city.
Once you’ve wandered through the Mellah of Marrakech, nearby you will also find the Bahia Palace, Badi Palace and the Culinary Arts Museum. The museum is where you’ll find quite a bit on Moroccan Jewish Culinary history. They offer hands-on Moroccan cooking classes two times a day: one session for lunch and one for dinner.
As an old French neighborhood you’ll find some remaining of the French protectorate with big boulevards, a church (French: église is where the name gueliz comes from), French architecture. Behind the Eden Carré mall (where you can find a nice Carrefour supermarket inside) you’ll find some nice restaurants and boutiques worth while visiting.
Gueliz
As an old French neighborhood you’ll find some remaining of the French protectorate with big boulevards, a church (French: église is where the name gueliz comes from), French architecture. Behind the Eden Carré mall (where you can find a nice Carrefour supermarket inside) you’ll find some nice restaurants and boutiques worth while visiting.
Sidi Ghanem is a industrial location harvesting different interior shops. Interested in the design and art this is the place to be. Budget wise you can expect rather higher prices compared to souk shopping as it has a more boutique athmospere. You can look for sidi ghanem on social media before visiting to explore the shops. We suggest to hire a cab for a half day when visiting as it is quite difficult to explore the different shops because of the distance between each other and also not easy access to cabs back to the medina.
Sidi Ghanem Marrakech
326 Rue PrincipaleSidi Ghanem is a industrial location harvesting different interior shops. Interested in the design and art this is the place to be. Budget wise you can expect rather higher prices compared to souk shopping as it has a more boutique athmospere. You can look for sidi ghanem on social media before visiting to explore the shops. We suggest to hire a cab for a half day when visiting as it is quite difficult to explore the different shops because of the distance between each other and also not easy access to cabs back to the medina.
Day trips
Nice day trips to espace the busy Marrakech
During summer Marrakech can hit high temperatures. A great way to escape the heat is to visit Essaouira. One of our favorite cities in Morocco lies only 2h30 hours from Marrakech. Essaouira has much to offer, horse riding on the beach, quad tours, surfing, beach day (pretty windy although) and exploring the authentic medina with some real hippie vibes with definitely make you love it. Essaouira has a old Portuguese/French history with some remaining spots worth visiting, like Skala du Port.
Essaouira is also know as decor for movies like Game of Thrones.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Plage Essaouira
During summer Marrakech can hit high temperatures. A great way to escape the heat is to visit Essaouira. One of our favorite cities in Morocco lies only 2h30 hours from Marrakech. Essaouira has much to offer, horse riding on the beach, quad tours, surfing, beach day (pretty windy although) and exploring the authentic medina with some real hippie vibes with definitely make you love it. Essaouira has a old Portuguese/French history with some remaining spots worth visiting, like Skala du Port.
Essaouira is also know as decor for movies like Game of Thrones.
Another great way to explore the region around Marrakech is to explore the Atlas Mountains and the lovely Berber town of Imlil. A popular place visited by locals and tourists in summertime with it impressive waterfalls and mountains. Definitely worth a visit and recommended as a day trip. Look for a guide that can offer you a lunch at a local Berber family. Definitely an unforgettable experience.
Atlas Mountain Trekking
Another great way to explore the region around Marrakech is to explore the Atlas Mountains and the lovely Berber town of Imlil. A popular place visited by locals and tourists in summertime with it impressive waterfalls and mountains. Definitely worth a visit and recommended as a day trip. Look for a guide that can offer you a lunch at a local Berber family. Definitely an unforgettable experience.
About 150km away from Marrakech you’ll find the Ouzoud waterfalls. Some refer to the waterfalls as Cascade de Ouzoud. You’ll find waterfalls as high as 110m. Especially worth visiting during spring time, because you’ll find a lot of water due to melting snow from the mountains. You’ll find different lunch spots that offer typical Moroccan dishes like tajine. The waterfalls are a very popular destination for both locals and tourists especially during the weekend, so we suggest a trip in midweek to escape the crowd.
There are two ways to go down to where the waterfalls break: one way is faster and has stairs and the other more natural.
We might suggest to look for a guide for a full experience of the area.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ouzoud Falls
About 150km away from Marrakech you’ll find the Ouzoud waterfalls. Some refer to the waterfalls as Cascade de Ouzoud. You’ll find waterfalls as high as 110m. Especially worth visiting during spring time, because you’ll find a lot of water due to melting snow from the mountains. You’ll find different lunch spots that offer typical Moroccan dishes like tajine. The waterfalls are a very popular destination for both locals and tourists especially during the weekend, so we suggest a trip in midweek to escape the crowd.
There are two ways to go down to where the waterfalls break: one way is faster and has stairs and the other more natural.
We might suggest to look for a guide for a full experience of the area.
The city on the west bank of the Asif Ounila River is known for its magnificent kasbahs, built against a hill. The city was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.
The city is know as decor in its kasbahs for different well know movies like Gladiator, The mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, Game of thrones and much more.
The only downside is the long distance 181km which can be discouraging.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Alemania
The city on the west bank of the Asif Ounila River is known for its magnificent kasbahs, built against a hill. The city was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.
The city is know as decor in its kasbahs for different well know movies like Gladiator, The mummy, Kingdom of Heaven, Game of thrones and much more.
The only downside is the long distance 181km which can be discouraging.
Shopping
The newest shopping mall you’ll find in Marrakech is M Avenue. This open air shopping mall is located in Hivernage. You’ll find some high end shops, the Christiano Ronaldo’s hotel CR7, some nice restaurants and lunch spots and the cultural center Meydene that offers different expositions throughout the year for all ages.
M Avenue Marrakech
The newest shopping mall you’ll find in Marrakech is M Avenue. This open air shopping mall is located in Hivernage. You’ll find some high end shops, the Christiano Ronaldo’s hotel CR7, some nice restaurants and lunch spots and the cultural center Meydene that offers different expositions throughout the year for all ages.
Located in the center of Gueliz you’ll find carre Eden. A well know shopping mall. From the medina you can get a cab and just mention carre Eden and you’ll be dropped at the entrance door. Carre Eden offers soms retail shops like H&M, you will also find hairdressers and a big Carrefour market with a big choice of western food offer.
146 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Carre eden shopping center
Avenue Mohammed VLocated in the center of Gueliz you’ll find carre Eden. A well know shopping mall. From the medina you can get a cab and just mention carre Eden and you’ll be dropped at the entrance door. Carre Eden offers soms retail shops like H&M, you will also find hairdressers and a big Carrefour market with a big choice of western food offer.
Located between the koutoubia mosque and mellah neighborhood you’ll find this small mall. The entrance isn’t easy to find as it is located between shops and restaurants. Inside this mall you’ll find some restaurants and little boutique Moroccan souvenir shops. We would recommend visiting the real medina shops instead but it can be visited when passing by.
Medina Mall Marrakech Shopping Center Artisanal
Located between the koutoubia mosque and mellah neighborhood you’ll find this small mall. The entrance isn’t easy to find as it is located between shops and restaurants. Inside this mall you’ll find some restaurants and little boutique Moroccan souvenir shops. We would recommend visiting the real medina shops instead but it can be visited when passing by.
Menara mall will probably be the biggest mall in marrakech. You’ll find outside some restaurants. Inside you’ll find a mix of Moroccan and western shops. On the third floor you’ll find a big play area for kids. In summertime this is a very popular and crowed place especially in the weekends. The playground can be accessed with a prepaid card, great way to limit kids choices and also your own wallet.
66 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Menara Mall
Boulevard Mohamed VIMenara mall will probably be the biggest mall in marrakech. You’ll find outside some restaurants. Inside you’ll find a mix of Moroccan and western shops. On the third floor you’ll find a big play area for kids. In summertime this is a very popular and crowed place especially in the weekends. The playground can be accessed with a prepaid card, great way to limit kids choices and also your own wallet.
The highlight of a trip to Marrakech will definitely be the Marrakech souks. Thankfully for our guests the best neighborhood in the medina (Mouassine) is only a few blocks away. Visiting the souks is something unique and we recommend to get lost and just explore the smells and colors of the seaminly endless souks. With the marrakech souk guide you’ll find in the riad you’ll get to find out the different neighborhoods and places to visit.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Médina Marrakech
The highlight of a trip to Marrakech will definitely be the Marrakech souks. Thankfully for our guests the best neighborhood in the medina (Mouassine) is only a few blocks away. Visiting the souks is something unique and we recommend to get lost and just explore the smells and colors of the seaminly endless souks. With the marrakech souk guide you’ll find in the riad you’ll get to find out the different neighborhoods and places to visit.