Stories from Marrakech,
written from the medina.
Slow journalism for travellers who want the truth about prices, scams, seasons, and the small wonders nobody photographs. Updated as the souks change.
All stories
Filed under: seasonal · experience · comparison · practical
01
seasonal
Marrakech in May 2026 — What's Open, What's Cooking, What to Skip
May is the sweet spot — jacaranda blossoms, daytime in the mid-twenties, and a medina that is full but not crushed. After three Mays here, this is what to plan around.
02
practical
Your First Night in Marrakech — Where to Eat, How to Get There
Resist the urge to do anything ambitious on day zero. Three reliable restaurants within walking distance of the medina, a transport plan, and the one thing not to do on arrival.
03
experience
Riad Mornings — What Waking Up in the Medina Is Actually Like
There is a particular silence to a riad at 6:30am. The fountain in the courtyard is the loudest thing for fifty metres in any direction. This is what staying in a riad actually feels like.
04
experience
The Agafay at Dawn — A Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Honestly Reviewed
It's 4:45am. The van pulls out, Marrakech is asleep, and ninety minutes later you're watching three hundred kilos of nylon billow into shape in the desert dawn. Here's whether it's actually worth the alarm clock.
05
experience
The Hammam Ritual, Decoded — From Public to Boutique to Luxury
Three tiers, three prices, three takes. What the Marrakech hammam actually is, what to do with your phone, and how to pick the right one for your first ritual.