A Perfect Quick Getaway for Londoners

Marrakesh is an exotic city that really requires a long visit to truly appreciate all it has to offer. I went for a short three-day visit, however, and found it also the ideal quick getaway for those seeking something completely different from Western lifestyles. Marrakesh is a timeless city that assaults the senses from the colors, smells, and tastes. One has the sense the alleyways and wrought iron windows would have looked the same a thousand years ago.

We stayed in the Medina, which is essentially a walled city within Marrakesh. The Medina is home to the famous Souks and the Jemaael-Fna Square. The Square comes alive at sunset when food stalls—offering an array of meats, soups, juices, and vegetable dishes—mix with an eclectic array of snake charmers, acrobats, henna tattoo artists, and fortune tellers offering something to visitors varying from local families to tourists. There is an edgy element to the Square—with street hustlers of all ages targeting the tourists—but I mostly found people incredibly hospitable and friendly. The Souks are an absolute must for haggling for rugs to leather to all sorts of trinkets.

We stayed at a fantastic Riad in the Medina called Riad L’Orangeraie. An intimate spot with very friendly staff, L’Orangaeraie is tastefully decorated and perfectly located. Be warned that it’s very close to a Mosque and the Islamic morning call to prayer is at sunrise (which was 5am during our March visit)!

For More Information

Riad L’Orangeraie
61, rue Sidi El Yamani – Mouassin –
44000 Marrakech Médina
E-mail: info @ riadorangeraie.com