You Must Stay in a Riad

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house built around a central courtyard. They are hidden behind unmarked doors in the medina walls and from the outside give absolutely nothing away. You push open a door in a narrow alley and suddenly you are standing in one of the most beautiful spaces you have ever seen. Mosaic tiles, carved plasterwork, a fountain in the centre and rooms built around a courtyard open to the sky.

Staying in a riad is not just accommodation. It is the experience of Morocco distilled into one building.

Hotels exist in Morocco and some are excellent. But if you stay in a standard hotel you will miss something that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The breakfast alone, served in the courtyard each morning, is worth it entirely.

Kristina's tip: Book your riad well in advance, especially for Marrakesh. The best ones fill up fast. Look for one located inside the medina walls rather than on the outskirts, waking up and stepping straight into the old city is a completely different experience to driving in from a modern hotel district. Riads range from budget friendly to incredibly luxurious so there is an option for every traveller.