Riad Chi-Chi is situated in centre of the old town, next to Medersa Ben Youssef and Musée de Marrakech, only a few minutes from the entrance to the Souks and an 8 minutes’ stroll through the Souks to the famous Square, Place Djemaa el Fna.

Riad Chi-Chi has 4 double bedrooms and 1 suite (max. occupancy 11), each with an en-suite bathroom. Its fresh, simple and elegant lines create a calm and relaxing ambience. There are plenty of romantic sitting areas – roof terrace, courtyard with soothing fountain and Islamic pool, b’hou (Moroccan sitting area) and salon. Fabulous views over the Atlas Mountains from the roof terrace. In the evenings the riad is bathed in candlelight adding to the romantic feeling of this gorgeous riad.

The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere means that staying at Riad Chi-Chi is more like visiting friends than staying in a hotel. The riad offers a whole range of services, such as mineral water in your room on arrival, free Internet access, use of a mobile phone during your stay. On top of that, the riad is happy to arrange trips, recommend and organize restaurant bookings as well as beauty/massage treatments in the riad for you. You can either book in advance or upon your arrival leaving you to relax and enjoy your stay in Marrakech.

Riad Chi-Chi is run as a B&B / Maison d’hôte. Breakfast is included in the price. Lunches and dinners may be ordered in advance over the Internet or in the riad. All meals are prepared by the Moroccan staff using fresh ingredients from the market.

Photos Riad Chi-Chi in Marrakech

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Riad Chi-Chi – Contact Information

• Phone: Morocco: +212 (0) 524 38 98 57
• Phone: +49 32211 0899 0579
• Phone: Germany: +49 6086 1566
• Phone: Canada: +1 905 475 1389
• Phone: Toll Free In North America: 1866 689 9901
• Address: Derb El Anboub n° 12, Quartier Al Baroudiine, Marrakech Medina – Morocco
• Website / Bookings: www.riadchichi.com
• E-mail: info@riadchichi.com

Guest House Marrakech, Bed and Breakfast Riads Marrakech, Suite Riad Marrakech

A completely restored home in the quiet residential area of the old city (Medina), Riad Ariha has the peaceful feeling of the past combined with modern comfort.

The atmosphere is one of harmony, simplicity and relaxation. Furnishings are simple yet elegant.

The riad has a inner courtyard fountain, a dipping pool with a wall fountain to refresh you during the warmer days. The Salon has a fireplace for the cooler months.

The riad has 5 bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom with shower.
In one bathroom that has both a shower and a bathtub, you can recline in the bathtub and admire the dome above with light filtered through the glass stars.

The Riad has also a roof terrace, Hammam, Moroccan cuisine and beautiful views from every angle.

Each room is air conditioned for the summer heat, and has heating for the cooler winter evenings. Friendly service from our Moroccan staff.

Photos Riad Ariha in Marrakech

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Riad Ariha – Contact Information

• Phone: +212 (0) 524 37 58 50
• Phone: +212 (0) 673 78 46 78
• Phone: Canada: +1 905 475 1389
• Phone: Toll Free In North America: 1866 689 9901
• Address: Derb Ahmed el Borj 90, Sidi bin Slimane, Kaa Sour, Marrakech Medina – Morocco
• Website / Bookings: www.riadariha.com
• E-mail: riadariha@gmail.com

Guest House Marrakech, Rent Riads Marrakech, Suite Riad Marrakech

Photo of the ramparts and Atlantic Ocean in Essaouira historical city, Morocco

On this page I will give you necessary Essaouira travel information. Where to go, transportation, also riad essaouira, bus schedules, day excursions departing from Marrakech and much more. I hope this page about Essaouira is somehow useful for you to prepare your vacations in Essaouira – Moroccan Atlantic coast.

You can rent a car in Marrakech or take an organized tour to Essaouira departing from Marrakech. On this page I will give you detailed information about Essaouira, how to get there, where to stay, what to see, photo gallery and several other interesting facts that will make it easy to prepare your next travel in Morocco.

Photo of street musicians in Essaouira old city. These men usually play Berber music from the Souss region.

Map of Essaouira and Marrakech
You can navigate this map and zoom in and out.

Essaouira is the ancient city of Mogador on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. For centuries it was occupied by many invaders. In 1506, the King of Portugal built a fortress called “Castelo Real de Mogador”. The Medina of Essaouira formerly Mogador is a protected site included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. It is an excellent example Portuguese fortified architecture of the 16th century until the 18th century built in North Africa.

Photo inside the old Medina of Essaouira

Essaouira is one of my favorite destinations in Morocco included on my Top 10 best Moroccan destinations. This city has a great atmosphere, relaxed and beautiful architecture and extremely photogenic. The small streets inside the walls, the fish markets and the port are some of the places not to be missed. There is a very busy nightlife with some cafes, lots of restaurants and a lively central square.

Photo of camels on the beach in Essaouira. You can notice Essaouira old walls and the old city on the other side of the ocean waves. All around Essaouira you have plenty of beaches to enjoy the Atlantic Coast. Due to some wind and strong waves, Essaouira is the perfect place for wind surf and kite surf.

Essaouira is the ideal place to stay at least 2 or 3 days, with some excursions outside the city and the nearby beaches during this time. This is a fantastic region for water sports: Surfing, Kite-Surfing and Body-Board.

Photo of the entrance to Essaouira souks in the old Medina in center town

Monuments in Essaouira – Essaouira Sightseeing

Basically Essaouira points of interest are two: the old city and the beaches. So, the majority of Essaouira sightseeing places are located inside the old city, inside the walls surrounding Essaouira. Essaouira beaches tend to be better if you go away from the city a couple of kms walking or taking a taxi.

Map of Essaouira, Essaouira street map
You can navigate this map and zoom in and out.

Don’t miss in Essaouira

• The Medina and Souqs (markets)
• Ramparts and The Port
• Beaches
• Gnaoua World Music festival (June)

Movie Othello from director Orson Welles

Othello movie from American filmmaker Orson Welles has many parts filmed in Essaouira and El Jadida in the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Both selected cities by Orson Welles were cities built by the Portuguese back in the 16th century. The Portuguese presence in Moroccan coast is very strong and many cities are quite well preserved with the ancient Portuguese architecture from the 16th century.

Photo of the old Skala of Essaouira and the fishing port

Othello is a drama movie filmed in 1952 based on a Shakespeare play performed by Mercury Productions Inc. and Les Films Marceau, distributed by United Artists in 1955. It was directed and produced by Orson Welles who also represented the film as an actor. The movie was filmed in El Jadida and Essaouira in Morocco, and Venice, in Tuscany and Rome in the Scaler Studios.

Movie Othello from Orson Welles

In the little movie above, when a man is placed in a cell tower of the fortress wall in Essaouira.

Travel by Bus and shared Taxi from Marrakech to Essaouira

It’s quite easy to travel from Marrakech to Essaouira by bus or grand taxi (shared taxi). I advise you to choose Supratours bus company as other private companies are not that reliable, they take too much time and not that safe.

An entire grand taxi from Marrakech to Essaouira costs 460 Moroccan Dirhams (about 46 Euros). Alternatively, it’s about 80dh (8 Euros) per sit if you wait and take a shared grand taxi with total of six passengers and leaving Marrakech bus terminal when full.

Supratours run 3 hours trip buses from the bus terminal next door to Marrakech’s train station to their office in Essaouira on the street at Bab Marrakech. The price is 70dh (7 Euros) per person plus 5 dh per luggage.

CTM buses also take 3 hours trip from Essaouira – Marrakech and the ticket costs 70 Dirhams. Coach / bus schedules for CTM Essaouira to Marrakech are: 12:30, 17:00 and from Marrakech to Essaouira are: 8:00, 12:30.

Photo of CTM bus leaving Essaouira bus terminal

Riad in Essaouira, Essaouira Riad

Photo of the patio of Villa Garance – riad Essaouira Morocco

If you’re looking for a fine place to stay during your travel to Essaouira I advise you the excellent Riad Villa Garance, located inside the old Medina of Essaouira and near all the most important sightseeing point in the old town. This Essaouira riad is located on No 10, Rue Eddakhil street in the old districts. I stayed in this riad in Essaouira back in 2010 during 3 days along with my wife and we loved the ambiance and amazing facilities inside a beautiful traditional Essaouira house. This beautiful riad in Essaouira has ten spacious rooms are arranged around the patio to welcome two or four guests in great comfort.They also have windows opening on to a quiet and bright street.

Photo of a room inside Riad Villa Garance in Essaouira. I stayed in this beautiful room during 3 days.

Villa Garance – Riad Essaouira Morocco

• Address: 10, Rue Eddakhil, Essaouira – Morocco
• Phones: +212 (0) 524.473.995 / +212 (0) 677.541.563
• E-mail: villa.garance@gmail.com
• Website / Bookings: Riad Essaouira www.essaouira-garance.com

Essaouira Day Excursion with Ideal Tours company

If you don’t have much time to travel to Essaouira and you wish to have a travel company organizing your trip to Essaouira, I advise you to contact Ideal Tours company which have a nice office located in Marrakech Gueliz district in the new part of the city. Ideal Tours provides several tours in Morocco, desert trips with Camel Trekking and also some 1 day excursions departing from Marrakech.

Photo of camel trekking in Essaouira beach

Essaouira Tour Description
Visit to the Port and its ramparts of Essaouira, the old Medina and “Scala”. In the Port you will eat fresh fish in a local Essaouira restaurant. You will have the chance of making a camel trekking ride on the beach (not included). The ambiance on this old city is fascinating as you will walk yourself in the ancient Portuguese streets of the Old Medina of Essaouira also known as Mogador. Return to Marrakesh in the evening.

Photo of inside Essaouira old town, the ancient city of Essaouira

Prices of 1 day Tour to Essaouira
Ideal Tours organizes private tours, so you and your family / friend will not share transportation with other groups. You pay the excursion for private transportation, fuel and driver included.

• 2 people = 60 Euros per person
• 3 people = 45 Euros per person
• 4 people = 35 Euros per person
• 5 people = 30 Euros per person
• 6 people = 30 Euros per person

Ideal Tours Marrakech

Photo of Ideal Tours Office waiting room in Marrakech

• 4X4 – Minibus – Bus – Marrakech & Ouarzazate
• IDEAL TOURS MARRAKECH OFFICE
• Angle Av Mohamed 5 / R Imam Ali
• Res. Generosa 2 – Ap.3, PB 2623
• Gueliz, Marrakech 40000 Morocco
• Phone: +212.524.430.306
• Fax: +212.524.430.305
• Manager (Mr. Addi): +212.661.602.848
• GSM: +212.661.469.825
• Website: Tours Morocco

Just in the other day talking with some friends they asked me why should they travel to Marrakech. Their plans for next holidays was to visit Istanbul during 4 days. But, they were quite open to hear whatever I had to say defending Marrakech as a great tourist holidays destination. The fact is that many people think about Marrakech as a shopping travel destination, misunderstanding or not knowing its strong cultural and historical importance in North Africa.

Photo of street Souk Ahl Fez just opposite of Ben Youssef Madrassa and Marrakech Museum deep inside the old districts and old Medina of Marrakech. The word Medina stands for the old parts of Moroccan cities.

Indeed Marrakech is a city with ancient palaces, beautiful gardens, and immense souks where commerce and shopping is a constant, but for example, visiting the old Medina markets and Jewish district is a nice experience. Is not that I don’t like Istanbul – on the contrary, I’ve been to Istanbul more than 5 times during my travel. The point is that my friends only have 4 days of travel, and Marrakech is a great city to spend 4 days.

Photo of street acrobats in Jemaa el Fna Square Marrakech Morocco

Photo of people buying grilled corn in Derb Dabachi street in the old Medina of Marrakech

Why do I like Marrakech?
Personally I like the exotic / chaotic ambiance of Marrakech. The way it feels to be inside a rushing craziness of such a city, so deep attached to many historical features of its past. Marrakech is quite a mystic city and it actually has 7 Patron Saints that somehow still control old people’s religious believes and still a occult pilgrimage to these several sacred places still exists.

Quick “I likes” about Marrakech

• I like to walk around the old Medina tiny medieval streets;
• I like to eat fava bean soup with cumins and olive oil in Dabachi street 8am;
• I like to listen to music at night in Jemaa el Fna UNESCO square;
• I like to visit several workshops to see how people manufacture handicraft such as metal lamps, scarves and carpets;
• I like to drink fresh orange juice in Jemaa el Fna square;
• I like to appreciate Marrakech ramparts with palm trees and the High Atlas Mountains full of snow in the horizon;

Photo of Marrakech ramparts and Atlas Mountains, Morocco
• I like to listen to the Muslim call spreading around the old city during prayer time;
• I like to go to Mabrouk cinema and see some Bollywood movie;
• I like to chat with some shops owners about life;
• I like to shave in some barber shop inside the old city;
• I like to shop for pure perfumes in some special perfume shops;

Quick “Places I like” in Marrakech

• Koutoubia Mosque;
• Jemaa el Fna Square;
• Ben Youssef Madrassa;

Photo of the inside structure of the beautiful historical building of Ben Youssef Madrassa deep inside the old city of Marrakech
• Marrakech Museum;
• Riad Zitoun Jdid and Riad Zitoun El Kdim districts;
• Mellah the Jewish districts;
• Rahba Kedima and Mouassine districts;
• Old caravanserai’s in Kaat Benahid district;
• Bahia and El Badi Palace;

Photo of Marrakech exotic reddish skyline

For Marrakech Car Rental you need to chose the best vehicle that suits your needs, either you want a city car or a powerful 4X4 to roam the Sahara Desert on self drive. Exploring Morocco on your own is the est way to experience the country on in full independence.

You can chose to have your car delivered at Marrakech airport or in front of your hotel or riad in Marrakech. Contact the company for full rental procedures and meeting / car pick up point in Marrakech.

There is a company called Fox Cars that has the following available cars and 4X4 to be delivered in Marrakech: Logan Dacia 1.4 – A/C; Logan Dacia 1.4 – no A/C; Hyundai i10 – A/C; Hyundai i10 – no A/C; Toyota Land Cruiser 100 – A/C; Mitsubishi Pajero – A/C.

Depending on the quantity of days you wish to rent a car or 4X4 departing from Marrakech, prices start as low as 35 Euros for a nice new Dacia Logan, and 120 Euros for a brilliant 4X4 Toyota Land Cruiser.

Contacts for Marrakech Car Rental

• Fox Cars – Car and 4X4 Rental in Morocco
• Phone: +212.678.010.570 Mr. Mimoune
• Email: rentacar.ouarzazate@gmail.com
• Website: Rent a car Marrakech
• 

Road distances from Marrakech, Morocco

• Marrakech to Ouarzazate = 206 km
• Marrakech to Casablanca = 240 km
• Marrakech to Essaouira = 260 km
• Marrakech to Agadir = 260 km
• Marrakech to Zagora = 365 km
• Marrakech to Fez = 485 km
• Marrakech to Erfoud = 510 km
• Marrakech to Merzouga = 560 km

Photo of the Cinema studios in Ouarzazate Morocco

Traveling out of Marrakech it’s fairly easy you just need to either rent-a-car in Marrakech, take a bus in Marrakech or take a share taxi in Marrakech. Car rental in Marrakech couldn’t be more easy you just need to bring your drivers license and your credit card and you’re set to go and explore south of Morocco, getting out of Marrakech for 1 or 2 days. Taking the bus south its even easier, just get yourself to Supratours bus company terminal in Marrakech (attached to the end of Marrakech train station), buy your 8am ticket and you’ll get to Ouarzazate 4 hours later.

Map of Ouarzazate and Marrakech

Ouarzazate is full of surprises, being known as the film capital of Morocco, Ouarzazate has indeed many traditional destinations that completely go out of any modern concept of tourist. Visit unique untouched villages, fascinating oases and valleys, spend half day in the unbelievable Ksar of Ait Benhaddou included in the World Heritage UNESCO list since 1987.

Photo of the Taourirt Kasbah Museum in Ouarzazate Morocco

Places not to miss in and around Ouarzazate

In Ouarzazate

• Tassoumaat district
• Sunday market
• Cinema museum
• Taourit district
• Film studios Atlas Studios

Photo of the Cinema studios in Ouarzazate Morocco

• Film studios CLA
• Taourirt Kasbah Museum
• Central market
• Kasbah des Cigognes (stork’s kasbah)
• Al-Mansour Ad-Dahbi Lake
• Ouarzazate city center by night (from 7pm until 9pm)

Photo of the Sunday Market in Ouarzazate Morocco

Around Ouarzazate

Photo of the UNESCO Ksar of Ait Benhaddou in Ouarzazate Morocco

• UNESCO Ksar Ait Benhaddou
• Tifoultoute Kasbah
• Toundout and surrounding villages
• Fint Oasis
• Skoura palm grove and ancient kasbahs
• The Rose Valley and Bou Tharar village
• Telouet Kasbah in the Atlas Mountains
• Gorges du Dades Canyons
• Gorges du Todra Canyons
• Gorges du Mgoun Canyons
• Taznakht Carpet Village

Photo of view of valley into Ouarzazate from top of Tifoultoute in Ouarzazate Morocco

Accommodation in Ouarzazate: Riad and Hotel in Ouarzazate

Finding a place to stay and a hotel in Ouarzazate is not that hard. Ouarzazate is well prepared to receive travelers and accommodation in the city is pretty much varied and you have plenty of choice. On this page I give you 2 advises to get a hotel in Ouarzazate: Riad Dar Rita (riad ouarzazate) – a fantastic guest house – 35 Euros / £25 Pounds per night per person diner and breakfast included; and Hotel Amlal (hotel ouarzazate) – a cheaper option of 12 Euros / £10 Pounds per night per person.

Photo os the lower floor of Dar Rita – Riad Hotel in Ouarzazate, Morocco

Page under update. I’ll come back for more. Please come back later. Thank you.

Marrakech activities are endless as you can stick to cultural tours, shopping madness, museum walks, restaurant and gastronomic visits, nature excursions, nightlife and dancing, riad accommodation, concerts and film festivals, hot balloon trips, camel trekking in Marrakech inside the enormous palm grove; ATV and quad excursions, musical interest with Gnawa and Jemaa el Fna dancer and musicians, and more, much more.

You can visit many museums in Marrakech such as the Marrakech Museum, Dar Si Said, Dar Tiskiouine, Ben Youssef Museum, Dar Bellarj, Museum of Islamic Art and Museum of the Marrakech Museum of Art de Vivre. In terms of palaces you can visit El Badii Palace and Bahia Palace, both located on the southeast edge of the old Medina.

Nightlife in Marrakech is fantastic and you can try one of the great nightclubs in Marrakech. The most well known clubs in Marrakech are both Teatro and Pacha, but others also stand out on Marrakech nightlife due to its quality and stylish ambiance. Teatro Club in Marrakech has a great selection of DJ’s, drinks and ambiance as it is actually located inside an old renovated theater. The best Gay club in Marrakech is Diamant Noir located in Hotel Marrakech on the Avenue Mohammed V.

For those who love nature, you can visit several gardens in Marrakech and also take a tour inside Marrakech palm grove called Marrakech palmerai. Most famous Marrakech gardens are botanical garden called The Majorelle Garden; the Koutoubia Garden and the Menara Garden.

Take a adventure excursion in moto quad aka ATV in Marrakech surroundings, or make a one day excursion to Ouzoud Waterfalls for example. Go skiing to Oukaimeden resort or visit Ourika Valley, all departing from Marrakech.

Photos of Marrakech – views of the city of Marrakech

Marrakech’s Photo Gallery
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