How to find your riad in the medina of Marrakesh

You’ve booked a riad in the medina of Marrakech: good news – you’ll be staying in the heart of the historic city, just a few minutes’ walk from the souks and Jemaa el-Fna Square. But the first time round, finding your door at the end of a derb (a narrow alleyway, often a dead end) can be a bit disorientating. Here’s how to get there with ease.

Why is it so difficult to find a riad?

The medina is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, many of which are dead ends. Street names are few and far between, house numbers aren’t always visible, and the doors to riads are deliberately inconspicuous: all the charm lies inside, around the courtyard.

On top of this, there are three further challenges:

• Cars cannot enter most of the alleyways: your taxi will drop you off at the gate (bab), in a square or at a nearby car park.
• Sat-navs quickly lose their signal beneath the roofs of the souks and between the high walls.
• Unscrupulous guides will offer to show you the way, sometimes claiming that ‘the street is closed’.

Before you set off: prepare for your arrival

Get hold of the riad’s access map

On Riadway, every riad provides a detailed directions map. You’ll find it in your confirmation email and on your booking page: taxi drop-off point, visual landmarks, walking route. Read it before you set off and save it on your phone.

Download an offline map

Save the riad’s location on a maps app and download the map of Marrakech offline. Even if GPS isn’t very accurate in the souks, you’ll at least know which direction to walk in.

Make a note of the key landmarks

• the exact name of the riad and its neighbourhood;
• its telephone number or WhatsApp number;
• the name of the nearest gate, square or car park;
• a photo of the front door, if the riad has sent you one.

Ask to be met

This is the most effective tip: let the riad know your arrival time and ask if someone can come and collect you from the taxi drop-off point. Many riads are happy to offer this service. Once you’ve made your booking, you can write to the riad directly via the Riadway messaging service.

If the riad offers an airport transfer, this is the simplest solution: the driver will drop you off as close as possible, and someone will accompany you right to the door.

On the day: arriving without getting lost

Arrive during the day if possible

The narrow streets are bustling and easy to navigate during the day. In the evening, some shops close, landmarks change and the lighting is sometimes poor.

Hire a porter – at a fair price

At the gates of the medina and near the car parks, porters with trolleys will carry your suitcases to the riads. It’s handy, especially if you have large pieces of luggage. Agree on the price before you set off: a few dozen dirhams is usually enough.

Politely decline any unsolicited guides

If someone tells you that ‘the riad is closed’ or that ‘the street is blocked off’, just smile and carry on. If in doubt, ring the riad: that’s the most reliable source.

Memorise the route for later

Once you’ve arrived, take a few photos of landmarks along the way: a fountain, a shop, a street corner. After a day or two, you’ll be navigating your neighbourhood like a local.

Choose your neighbourhood wisely to make life easier

Some neighbourhoods are easier to get to than others. A riad near a gate or a main road means less walking with your luggage:

• Mouassine: central, between the souks and Jemaa el-Fna Square, ideal for a first visit. View riads in Mouassine
• Kasbah: quieter, near the Saadian Tombs, with easy access by taxi. View riads in the Kasbah
• Riad Zitoun: a stone’s throw from the Bahia Palace and the main square. See riads in Riad Zitoun
• Bab Doukkala: authentic and close to one of the medina’s main gates. See the riads in Bab Doukkala
• Mellah: the old Jewish quarter, steeped in history, near the El Badi Palace. See the riads in the Mellah
• Sidi Ben Slimane: a residential neighbourhood to the north, far from the hustle and bustle. See the riads in Sidi Ben Slimane

In summary

Finding your riad in the medina is mainly a matter of preparation: a map studied in advance, an offline map, the riad’s number to hand and, if possible, someone to meet you. The rest is all part of the adventure, and the door that opens onto a flower-filled courtyard is well worth the effort.

Ready to choose your riad? Discover all our verified riads in the medina and book with a simple online deposit; the balance is paid directly at the riad.