MOSEY AROUND MARRAKESH

31st Aug 2026

The flag of the Kingdom of Morocco

This was a 'spur of the moment' trip undertaken at short notice as I had found a relatively good value 'package' (with Trailfinders) for a 5 day visit to Marrakesh including an organised group day tour of the nearby Atlas mountains. I duly set off from the 'charming' London Gatwick Airport care of EasyJet.

Left: Wandering around the departure area I came across this large receptacle. It was to collect donations for several 'charities' and contained a lot of money generously donated. I wonder who is responsible for emptying it? I can't help being a bit cynical in thinking that whoever does this might be tempted to pocket some of it!

Anyway, it was a packed EasyJet flight which departed at 3.30pm and arrived at Marrakesh Menara airport (RAK) at about 7.30pm (time zone in Morocco is same as UK). It was a quick and painless walk through immigration/customs. After changing some currency into Moroccan Dirham (at a rip-off exchange rate) and buying an e-Sim for my phone I set about looking for the driver who, I had been assured, would meet me at 'arrivals' and take me to my hotel. To my great relief (and pleasant surprise) he was there waiting holding a card with my name on it! He was a charming man, Rashid, who insisted on carrying my cabin bag to the car for me and we drove the 20 minutes or so into the walled city. My hotel, Riad Les Bougainvilliers, was in an alleyway in a pedestrian area of the 'Medina' (the oldest part of the city) so I had to be dropped off at the bottom of a small street and was given comprehensive directions as to how to find the hotel. 

Thankfully my iPhone e-Sim was working so I could use the 'maps' facility for navigation. It was a 15 minute stroll through the maze of small streets (as per the photo) and eventually down a dark innocuous looking little alleyway where a totally unmarked sturdy wooden door proved to be the hotel entrance. I knocked and was let in and shown to my room. It was by no means a 'luxury' hotel, but the room was comfortable and spacious with a good bathroom. The aircon worked, thankfully. Facilities were basic; a good breakfast was included on a roof-top terrace but there was no other catering provided and no bar!...and no coffee/tea facilities in the room. Not even a complimentary bottle of water. On the plus side the staff (normally only one on duty, 24hrs, at reception) were incredibly helpful when I needed advice. 

By now it was about 9.30pm and I went out to find somewhere to eat. I walked the short distance to the very large central Square, Place Jemaa El Fnaa. There were many restaurants and cafés around and the place was humming with noisy activity. Left: I chose the rooftop at this place, the Tajin Darna. As I soon discovered, there are very few establishments in this city which serve alcohol! I was dying for a cool refreshing beer, but had to make do with a soda and lemon, and a beef tagine. I did later find a couple of bars which sold alcohol and was told (being a country with Muslim rules) that it is very difficult to get a licence to do so. Surprising considering that there were many 'western' tourists in evidence. Good for one's health I suppose.

The following photos were taken at random times during my short stay but may give you some idea of the place.

Right: Taken from the rooftop restaurant of the Tajin Darna on my first evening  The place seems to come alive at night. There was a myriad of stalls selling vegetables and other things and lots of 'entertainment' in the Square. Very noisy with all sorts 'touts' selling things, and pyrotechnics. I counted a row of 25 elaborately decorated and well stocked stalls all selling the same kind of veg, foodstuff and other goods. I can't think how they all make a living. I have no idea when they close, but really only start up late afternoon.

Below: There were several of these musical/dance groups performing. It all added to the deafening racket! I took this video and soon discovered that they expect you to give a 'tip' for doing so!

Below: A basic map of the Medina. Click on to enlarge. My hotel and Place Jemaa El Fnaa marked.

Left: Street scenes. They are 'pedestrianised', but there are some commercial vehicles allowed passage, as well as scooters and motorbikes which career down the streets and you just have to 'be aware'. Nobody seems to get upset, they just get out of the way. 

Right: Plus various horses, mules and donkeys pulling carts. 

Left: A typical street. There are row upon row of small shops and cafés. Food, tattoo artists, hairdressers, ceramics, leather goods and just about anything else you can think of. I even found an upstairs bar which sole alcohol!

I noticed many tourists amongst the pedestrians. Obviously a popular place.










Below: A long row of the well stocked vegetable stalls. Few customers it seemed.

Right: This colourfully attired old chap attracted a few admirers.

Left: Me included! ......and a small tip for the privilege of a photo.

Right: My new best friend. 

Left: An interesting pile of rubbish and discarded corpses.

Right: I found a very decent hotel rooftop restaurant, the Mabrouka, which sold alcohol. A rare facility. All types of wine and fine whiskies were on offer here. I settled for a pint of beer. I took this photo over the city. It is very 'low rise'. I subsequently discovered that there is a law which prohibits buildings to be constructed 'higher than a palm tree'! 

The exception to this rule are the Mosque minarets. This one (left) is the highest, at 77 metres, at the large Koutoubia Mosque. It is on the west side of Place Jemaa El Fnaa. Tourists cannot enter. Entry is restricted to Muslims for prayer.

This 'intro' will do for now. I am late in writing this up as my 'old' travelling laptop which I took with me failed to work and so doing this from home on return and distracted by all else. To be continued, eventually......

In the meanwhile.......

PS. 'Marrakech' is the French spelling. 'Marrakesh' in English. French is the second language here to Arabic and English is widely spoken. This country was a French colony or 'protectorate' from 1912 until independence in 1956. You live and learn!