Marrakech — Riads, Zellige & Contemporary Craft Studios (3 days)
A sensorial, design-forward 3-day itinerary for design enthusiasts: intimate riad life, masterful zellige, contemporary studios in Sidi Ghanem and museum-led deep dives into colour, pattern and material.
Highlights
- Jardin Majorelle & Yves Saint Laurent Museum — colour, planting and curated design
- Hands-on zellige mosaic taster in Sidi Ghanem design district
- Maison de la Photographie — archival textures and vernacular portraiture
- Bahia Palace and Dar El Bacha — palace interiors, carved cedar and historical zellij
- Studio crawl of contemporary makers in Sidi Ghanem and artisan meetings at Ensemble Artisanal
Itinerary
Day 1
Settle into a riad, walk the medina with an eye for zellige and carved wood, and visit intimate design-minded museums and rooftop restaurants to observe light and texture.
Check-in & design briefing — Riad Yasmine
Arrive, drop bags and take a short orientation in the riad courtyard focused on local materials (tadelakt, zellij, cedar). Use this hour to calibrate light and photography angles for the days ahead.
Local tips:
- Accessibility: Riad Yasmine has a few internal steps — request a ground-floor room in advance if mobility is a concern.
- Design note: Inspect the tadelakt finish in the riad’s bathrooms — it’s a good texture study for colour and sheen under morning light.
- Practical: Ask the riad staff for a quiet rooftop time slot for golden-hour photos later in the trip.
Medina orientation walk (design-focused)
A measured walk through the medina’s alleys to spot zellige patterns, carved plaster (stucco), and pantry-colour palettes — guided pacing so you can pause for detail sketches and photographs.
Local tips:
- Design tip: Look upward — many zellij bands and carved wood cornices are best read from a courtyard viewpoint.
- Crowd hack: Start mid-morning to avoid the busiest souk hours and get uninterrupted views of tilework.
- Logistics: Wear closed shoes for uneven paving; bring a small measuring tape or sketchbook for pattern studies.
Bahia Palace — palace interiors and zellij study
Explore the intimate riad-like courtyards of Bahia Palace: elaborate zellij panels, painted ceilings and carved cedar—essential for understanding historic Moroccan composition and scale.
Local tips:
- Photography: The northern courtyard gets softer light mid-morning—ideal for capturing tile detail without harsh shadows.
- Research: Note the proportions of zellij bands vs. field tiles—useful reference for contemporary reinterpretations.
- Accessibility: Central courtyards are level, but some rooms have low thresholds—watch your step with larger equipment.
Lunch at Nomad — contemporary medina rooftop
A light, modern Moroccan lunch on a design-focused rooftop. Nomad’s pared-back interiors and contemporary craft tableware make it a living case study for modern-Moroccan hospitality design.
Local tips:
- Book ahead for a table on the rooftop to study the layered view of the medina rooftops and minarets.
- Material note: Notice how simple linens and earthenware shift the perceived value of a dish—useful for styling displays.
- Diet/accessibility: The rooftop has steps; request a ground-level seating option if needed.
Maison de la Photographie — archival visual textures
A tight museum of vernacular photography: study composition, costume, colour and the photographic record as a sourcebook for pattern and colour palettes.
Local tips:
- Curatorial tip: Ask if a staff member can point out prints that show historic textiles and tile details.
- Lighting note: The gallery light is steady—bring polarising filters to reduce reflections on framed prints during photos.
- Access: Small staircases inside the building may be narrow; travel light if you plan to bring gear.
Tea break — Café des Épices rooftop
A pause to map findings and sketch. The rooftop offers a focussed, contemporary vantage on souk roofs and activity — good for compositional studies.
Local tips:
- Design exercise: Use this time to make quick colour swatches from the courtyard skyline to add to your palette notes.
- Practical: Rooftop seating is exposed—carry a lightweight scarf as a windbreak for camera lenses.
- Local etiquette: If you’d like to photograph local traders from the roof, ask a staff member for the best unobtrusive angles.
Dinner at Le Jardin — intimate courtyard dining
An atmospheric dinner in a renovated riad garden — observe how plant, tile and object are curated together to create a contemporary Moroccan interior.
Local tips:
- Design note: Study the layering of plants, tile and low lighting—great reference for creating calm, textural interiors.
- Seating tip: Ask for a table near the planted central area to best observe how vegetation is used as soft architecture.
- Timing: Dine earlier to catch the transition from golden hour to lantern light and how colour reads change.
Day 2
A day of curated gardens, museum interventions and an afternoon in Sidi Ghanem — Marrakech’s contemporary design and craft district — culminating in gallery visits and a refined dinner.
Jardin Majorelle — colour immersion
Start the day in the Yves Saint Laurent–owned garden — a saturated study in colour, cobalt blue accents and plant-formed rooms; essential for palette research.
Local tips:
- Timing: Arrive at opening to capture the purest colour with minimal visitors and soft morning light.
- Design study: Photograph the junctions where painted architecture meets planted edges to study scale and finish.
- Access: The garden is accessible by paths but can be crowded—use a lightweight tripod for steady close-ups.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech — couture & displays
Examine how a fashion house translates archive display, colour-blocking and object conservation into museum curation — invaluable for exhibition designers.
Local tips:
- Curatorial tip: Note display heights and the relationship between garments and case lighting for inspiration on object presentation.
- Book ahead to join any short talks or guided paths that explain the conservation of textiles.
- Photography: Flash is not permitted—use high ISO for low-light shots of fabrics and textures.
Lunch & design conversation — Café Clock
A creative hub for residents and makers; a good spot to debrief and read studio contacts on the menu while enjoying contemporary local food.
Local tips:
- Community tip: Café Clock runs occasional creative events—check their board for evening talks or workshops you could join.
- Networking: Ask staff about local makers who frequent the café; it’s a low-key place to arrange studio visits.
- Design eye: Observe their mix of modern furniture and local craft used as decor — good case study in layering.
Transfer to Sidi Ghanem (design district)
Short drive to Sidi Ghanem — Marrakech’s industrial-to-design corridor with showrooms, small studios and contemporary makers.
Local tips:
- Logistics: Taxi or arranged driver recommended for ease—Sidi Ghanem is spread out and not fully walkable from the medina.
- Prep: Have studio names/addresses ready; many showrooms open by appointment.
- Packing: Carry samples of colours or materials you’re researching—designers appreciate physical references.
Sidi Ghanem studio crawl + zellige taster workshop
An afternoon visiting contemporary studios and a hands-on zellige taster (arranged in advance with a local master) where you set tiles, trim and grout a small tile sample to take home.
Local tips:
- Booking: Confirm your workshop time 48 hours ahead—many studios run small-group sessions by appointment only.
- Studio manners: Bring a notebook and ask to see raw tool kits—makers are proud to show techniques and tool marks.
- Safety & comfort: Wear closed shoes for studio work and bring a small towel—zellige work can be dusty and tactile.
Gallery visit — Galerie 127
A focused visit to a contemporary gallery showcasing regional artists and craft-led contemporary work — great for emerging-Maghreb artists and applied-design projects.
Local tips:
- Inside track: Ask the gallerist for recent commissions or studio addresses; many artists are open to studio visits.
- Context: Take notes on how contemporary work dialogues with craft traditions—look for material reuse and recontextualisation.
- Buying: Galleries often ship internationally—ask about packing and shipping if you find a piece you love.
Dinner at Dar Moha — refined interiors & cuisine
An elegant dinner in a setting that blends Moroccan architectural detail with contemporary hospitality design — a restful finale to a day of making and looking.
Local tips:
- Design note: Observe how traditional motifs are reinterpreted in table settings and lighting.
- Reservations: Book a quieter table in advance for better conversation with gallery contacts you may wish to call.
- Savor: Try dishes that showcase local plating and material choices (clay, brass) for tabletop inspiration.
Day 3
A concluding day mixing palace-scale interiors, meetings with cooperative artisans, and time in Gueliz to visit contemporary shops and showrooms before your farewell rooftop moment.
Dar El Bacha — Musée des Confluences (palace collections)
Explore a restored palace museum whose interiors and curatorial choices reveal the convergence of craft and global influence — excellent for studying object display within historic rooms.
Local tips:
- Display study: Observe how the museum balances object density with negative space—useful ideas for gallery layout.
- Lighting: Rooms have a mix of natural and controlled light—note how textiles are kept away from direct sun.
- Accessibility: The museum is on one level with some steps—ask staff for assistance if you need a gentler route.
Ensemble Artisanal — artisan meetings & sourcing
A focused visit to meet cooperatives and independent makers: carpets, brass, leather and tile vendors are approachable here for material sourcing and bespoke commissions.
Local tips:
- Negotiation: As a design buyer, ask about custom runs and material grades—many vendors will quote trade prices for larger commissions.
- Sampling: Request small offcuts or sample tiles—these are invaluable when testing how colours read in your environment.
- Timing: Mornings are quieter and artisans are likelier to demonstrate techniques or open storerooms for you.
Lunch at La Maison Arabe — slow lunch & material notes
A leisurely midday meal in a historic riad-restaurant where tableware, plasterwork and gardens are part of the design study. Use the meal to consolidate contacts and samples.
Local tips:
- Observation: Look at how ceramics and brassware are used in service—note patina and scale for display ideas.
- Meeting spot: The restaurant is calm and discreet—good for reviewing contact lists with a maker over mint tea.
- Comfort: The dining rooms have steps; ask for a courtyard table if you prefer level access.
Gueliz design walk & contemporary shopping
Afternoon in Gueliz to visit contemporary showrooms, concept stores and design boutiques — a modern counterpoint to the medina’s craft tradition.
Local tips:
- Stores to note: Look for contemporary textile studios and boutique furniture showrooms that blend Moroccan craft with modern forms.
- Transport: Gueliz is flat and walkable; taxis are easy if you prefer shorter legs between showrooms.
- Buying: Many shops in Gueliz are used to shipping — ask about lead times if you plan to commission pieces.
Farewell rooftop cocktail at your riad
Return to the riad rooftop for a final reflective hour: compare notes, photograph the last light and pack samples with care.
Local tips:
- Packing: Use this quiet time to wrap fragile samples in soft textiles and document provenance details for each item.
- Golden hour: The rooftop is ideal for last-moment photography—capture how artificial and natural light transform surfaces.
- Goodbye ritual: Invite the riad manager to recommend a local contact for post-trip shipping or customs for purchased items.