9 Coolest Riads in Marrakech
Discover Marrakech’s Coolest Riads
The coolest riads in Marrakech are tucked behind heavy wooden doors and hidden in the winding lanes of the Medina. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses centered around a courtyard, often with a fountain, garden, or pool at the heart. Today, many have been transformed into intimate boutique stays that blend centuries-old craftsmanship with modern design.
Whether you’re drawn to bohemian hideaways, palatial escapes, or art-filled spaces with serious style credentials, Marrakech is dotted with a variety of riads to match your mood. Here are some of the coolest in Marrakech, where history whispers through the walls and every detail engages the senses.
1. Riad Kniza
An 18th-century gem in the heart of the Medina
Good for: Luxury, Couples
Set in the old Medina, Riad Kniza is an elegant 18th-century riad restored with traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. Colorful floor cushions, intricate carvings, and mosaic tiles bring each of its 11 unique rooms to life. As you explore, look out for bubbling fountains and flowering plants.
Guests are welcomed with mint tea and Moroccan biscuits. Once you’ve settled in, unwind in the traditional hammam spa or sample local flavors like fluffy chicken pastilla and cumin-scented bissara soup. Head up to the rooftop for sweeping views of the city’s minarets. Riad Kniza is just minutes from Jemaâ el-Fna and the souks.
Riad Kniza
2. Riad Palais Sebban
A restored mansion with old-world allure
Good for: Luxury, Couples
Located just 5 minutes from Jemaâ el-Fna and housed in a 19th-century mansion, Riad Palais Sebban combines Moroccan and Andalusian architecture across 3 dreamy patios. Each of its 25 rooms features unique designs: expect marble details, stained glass, and colorful Zellige tiles. A skylight reveals the stars above, while rooftop terraces offer stunning views of the Koutoubia Mosque.
The riad offers spa treatments and Moroccan cookery classes. Try your hand at crafting local favorites like sweet pastilla with milk. In the morning, enjoy a hearty continental breakfast in the peaceful courtyard before you wander around the property’s romantic nooks and maze-like staircases.
Riad Palais Sebban
3. El Fenn
A design-lover’s dream with sweeping rooftop views
Good for: Luxury, Photo
Tucked away in the lesser-trodden eastern side of the Medina, Riad La Maison is a thoughtfully curated 3-level guesthouse that blends traditional Moroccan craft with a bohemian touch. Every corner is furnished with treasures from flea markets and local artisans, merging raw textures and soft colors with a minimalist sensibility.
The expansive rooftop features a lap pool and Berber-tented lounge, along with unbeatable views of the Koutoubia Mosque and Atlas Mountains. Guests can indulge in traditional hammam treatments, Saharan sand scrubs, and cocktails by a fire pit. With 4 pools, 2 restaurants, 2 bars, and a curated boutique all within the premises, you won’t need to wander far from this riad.
El Fenn
4. Riad La Maison
Design and serenity in the quieter Medina
Good for: Families, Food
Tucked away in the lesser-trodden eastern side of the Medina, Riad La Maison is a thoughtfully curated 3-level guesthouse that blends traditional Moroccan craft with a bohemian touch. Every corner is furnished with treasures from flea markets and local artisans, merging raw textures and soft colors with a minimalist sensibility.
The plunge pool in the central courtyard is framed by cacti and palms, while the rooftop offers an alfresco bed for starlit summer nights. With just 3 elegant double bedrooms, the house can also be rented in full for a private escape. Home-cooked meals can be arranged on request. Think authentic Moroccan fare such as beef meatball shakshuka with eggs, spinach salad, and eggplant and avocado dips.
Riad La Maison
5. Riad Jardin Secret
A creative hideaway where time slows down
Good for: Food, Couples
Riad Jardin Secret is a slow-living sanctuary in the Bab Doukkala neighborhood, known for its laid-back rhythm and creative vibe. With no TVs or air conditioning, the 7-bedroom house encourages guests to unwind in the bhous seating nooks, bask in the rooftop’s pink glow, or read beneath stained-glass-filtered sunlight.
In line with its sustainable ethos, there’s no pool or hammam. The riad serves only vegetarian fare, all prepared with seasonal ingredients from the market. For breakfast, you’ll be feasting on organic fruits, pancakes, and local yogurt. In addition to its artist residencies, Riad Jardin Secret also hosts exhibitions and cultural events, making it a great place to channel your creativity.
Riad Jardin Secret
6. La Sultana Marrakech
Palatial grandeur behind the city walls
Good for: Luxury, Nightlife
La Sultana is an opulent hideaway made from four interconnected riads, each one richly adorned with vaulted ceilings, carved wood, and traditional brickwork. A maze of patios, pools, and flower-filled courtyards unfolds beneath marble arcades and terracotta rooftops. Its sprawling rooftop terrace offers sweeping views of nearby mosques and souks.
Hundreds of palm varieties flourish in its lush gardens. The spa is a sanctuary in itself, with hammams, jacuzzis, and Moroccan botanicals used in decadent rituals. Whether you’re sipping mint tea in the sun-dappled patio or soaking in a candlelit pool, La Sultana offers indulgence all around.
La Sultana Marrakech
7. Riad Goloboy
Bold colors and brilliant views
Good for: Couples, Photo
Riad Goloboy is where art and architecture collide in vibrant harmony. Housed in a pair of 19th-century aristocratic homes in the serene Sidi Mimoun district, this 14-room riad is a masterpiece drenched in Majorelle blue.
Inside, walls adorned with works by Matisse and French street artist Kouka nod to the owner’s eye for contemporary art. The courtyard shimmers with blue tilework, while 2 rooftop terraces offer sweeping views of the Atlas Mountains and Mamounia’s stunning gardens. A jacuzzi and plunge pool beckon for sunset dips. Riad Goloboy is just a short walk from the Saadian Tombs, Moulay El Yazid Mosque, and Jemaa el-Fna.
Riad Goloboy
8. La Villa des Orangers
A secret sanctuary in the center of Marrakech
Good for: Luxury, Couples
Tucked behind ocher walls near the Koutoubia Mosque, La Villa des Orangers feels like a secret sanctuary. Dating back to the 1930s, this sumptuous riad hotel features pristine tadelakt walls, carved archways, and clawfoot bathtubs in dreamy marble-clad bathrooms. Flickering lanterns and lush citrus trees frame its pools and courtyards.
The subterranean Echo Spa offers pure indulgence, with candlelit hammams and signature 2-hour treatments that leave you glowing. Dine poolside on fig salads or tender tagines from their in-house restaurant, join a henna workshop, or just soak in views from your terrace. If you’re looking to splurge, opt to stay in their private riad.
La Villa des Orangers
9. Riad Joya
Where Moroccan tradition meets Greek and Italian design
Good for: Luxury, Couples
Nestled in a quiet alley just steps from Jemaa el-Fna, Riad Joya blends Moroccan craftsmanship with Greek and Italian design. With 7 individually styled suites, this boutique escape boasts cedar ceilings, Doric columns surrounding a scalloped marble fountain, and soft lighting that dances across fretwork lanterns.
There’s a subterranean hammam, a cozy fireside lounge, and a serene salon-library for quiet afternoons. The in-house restaurant serves Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisine with finesse, and guests can dive deeper into local flavors with a private cooking class that includes a market tour and hands-on prep with the chef.
Riad Joya
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