Our Favourite Medina Walk in Marrakech
Make the most of the spring sunshine with an early morning walk to one of our favourite spots in the medina – with stops for culture, shopping and lunch along the way. To start this walk, go out of the Bab el Ksour gate just next to El Fenn and turn right.
HEAD TO THE MUSEUM OF CONFLUENCES, DAR EL BACHA
Walk five minutes from El Fenn to the former residence of Thami El Glaoui, the last pasha – or governor – of Marrakech. It’s now home to the Museum of Cultural Confluences with a collection exploring Morocco’s fascinating cultural heritage that spans everything from Berber to Arab culture, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The building itself is also an exquisite example of traditional architecture featuring patios, fountains and beautiful zellige. Then stop at their coffee shop with a classic backdrop of palms and monochrome checkered floors.
:: Museum of Confluences, Dar El Bacha, Rte Sidi Abdelaziz. Open 10am-6pm daily (except Mondays).
TOPOLINA
Turn right out of the museum and head down Dar El Bacha – one of the city’s most prestigious shopping streets. A couple of minutes down on the left, you’ll find Topolina. Every piece designed by Belgian designer Isabella Topolina is unique so you’ll never quite know what you’ll find, but can always be sure it will be eye-catching. Vintage fabrics are reworked into one-off pieces with a retro feel. Think reversible jackets with pattern clashing linings and draping separates.
:: Topolina, 134 Dar El Bacha
THE SECRET GARDEN
Head towards the souk, turn right onto Rue Mouassine and look for a huge wooden door just before the Mouassine Fountain. Behind it, you’ll find an amazing oasis of green hidden metres away from one of the medina’s busiest streets. The grounds of this nineteenth century palace have been restored to adhere to beautiful classical Islamic garden design. You’ll also learn the fascinating story of how water was channelled from the Atlas Mountains into Marrakech hundreds of years ago.
:: Le Jardin Secret, Rue Mouassine 121. Open 9.30am to 6-7.30pm depending on the season.
YAZEL
Just a few doors down The Secret Garden, Yazel is perfect for a Middle Eastern meets Maroc lunch on the tiny terrace perched high above the street. Mains include kofte wraps and grilled chicken sandwiches but we always go for the mezze. Namely, the beetroot houmous and fatoush salad. We can’t get enough. There are also delicious juices.
:: Yazel, 131 Rue Mouassine. Open noon to 11pm daily.
Turn left out of Yazel and walk down to the Mouassine fountain. If you want to explore the souks, take the entrance to your left. Or turn right for a leisurely ten-minute stroll back to El Fenn – taking in some vintage clothing stores along the way. We’ll await you on the roof terrace for a refreshing cocktail and perhaps our signature lunch.
