Riads in Morocco

What is a Riad?

A riad (ryad) is an urban house situated in the medina (old city). Moroccan architecture is more inward looking and given to isolation and intimacy rather than showing off. It is, above all, an enclosure, a place of contemplation and escape for its cloistered inhabitants, an engaging interior away from the outside world. A mysterious enchantment awaits the guest who is invited to cross the threshold. The typical riad is organised around a central square courtyard, often decorated with zelige, painted wood (zouak), sculptured plaster or marble and generally with a fountain and orange or lemon trees giving a profusion of scents and the rippling of running water. The central courtyard or the riad is usually surrounded by an arched colonnade giving access to the living rooms and kitchen. The sleeping areas are constructed on the upper floors, thus creating a covered arcade around the patio with balustrades running around each storey. The riads roof top terrace may have an awning to protect against the sun where guests will have breakfast or dinner.

Riads have thick walls thus protecting the inhabitants from the sun or the cold and most of the outside noise. Being urban dwellings, they are often situated along a narrow alleyway (derb) with no access by car. For those seeking an authentic Moroccan style of accommodation, the riad offers its guests a haven of tranquillity, an architectural treasure, an insight into tradition, culture and craftsmanship and an opportunity to melt into an anonymous location.

Please note that inevitably all riads have several flights of stairs to the upper floors and roof terraces, and often will not have a lift. There are, however, riads where the majority of the facilities and some bedrooms are located on the ground or lower floor.