Our microguides series is inspired by the slow travel movement, encouraging travellers to relax their pace and take a deep dive into one particular neighbourhood in a well-loved city. Rather than a whirlwind itinerary which aims to hit up every must-see attraction, these compact, close-up guides encourage you to zone in, take your time and truly explore like a local.
And in much larger ateliers. Its swanky showrooms are filled with carefully curated collections of fine artisanal goods, many of which are created in on-site workshops. Fashionably dressed designers often greet shoppers against a backdrop of vibrantly coloured objects of desire. While the area is laid out in a grid-like pattern, map views can be deceiving in estimating the distance between shops. Instead of attempting to walk the area, hire a driver for a half-day, at minimum, with your stops pinned on Google Maps.
The installations at this new contemporary art gallery are off the wall, literally. Emphasis is placed on both established and emerging artists from Morocco , but also across Africa and the diaspora. The cafe side with its colourful tiles, bespoke wax-style cushions and vivid table settings makes for a trendy option for Moroccan street food, too: marinated chickpeas, minced meat with grilled onion and tomatoes and more.
Thursday is rfissa β roasted chicken on a bed of lentils and savoury pastry β day and well worth the trek to the area for this dish alone. Known for their woven stripy trousers, jumpsuits and bright cotton caftans, a visit to the Marrakshi Life showroom provides a glimpse into the production process. Trendy and hip, the outdoor courtyard restaurant at Maison Sarayan is perhaps the finest in the area. This cafe brand has locations scattered throughout town and has recently opened up in the industrial zone.
Perfect for a coffee and a little cake or a savoury pastry for a light lunch, the restaurant is located on the corner of a main artery through the area, making it a great meeting point for reconnecting with a driver. Grab a seat at the outdoor table for front-row seats to the hive of activity in the area. Delphine Mottet curates a collection, sourced in Europe and restored in Marrakech, that spotlights homewares and accessories dating back to the s: photographs from the era, fine china, large furnishings and other oddities, recalling the golden age of travel.
