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A Brief History of Riads
Riads date back to Morocco’s Idrisid period (788โ974 AD) and draw inspiration from Roman villas and Andalusian palaces.
Their name derives from the Arabic “rawd”, meaning garden, reflecting the central courtyard that defines them.
Riads are inward-focused houses, designed to provide privacy, a refuge from the busy streets outside, and climate control, all centred around a courtyard.
The design works a treat, leaving the courtyards as incredibly pleasant and peaceful places, despite the areas of the medinas they might be found in and the heat outside.
They are regarded as a traditional Moroccan house that was originally built for wealthy merchant and courtier families in the parts of Moroccan cities known as ‘medinas’ (a medina being an ancient, typically walled, historical centre of a North African city, characterised by narrow streets, palaces, and mosques, etc.).
This means they are also found outside Marrakech.
They are spread throughout Morocco in major cities such as Fez, Rabat, Meknes, Essaouira, and Chefchaouen, as well as other locations including Agadir, Ouarzazate, and Taroudant.
Although many of the riads in Marrakech now serve as accommodations for tourists, local families still live in them.
While in Marrakech, we attended a cooking class held in a traditional riad.
It was the family home of the host, which had been in the same family for four generations.
Today, restored riads preserve centuries-old craftsmanship with their zellij tiles, carved stucco, and cedar woodwork, standing as beautiful artefacts of Moroccan heritage.
We chose to stay at the Riad Oriental Glory during our visit to Marrakech and had a wonderful stay in what felt like a traditional riad, complete with excellent service.
Riad Features
All riads typically have the same basic features, which are listed below, although they vary significantly in size from two to four storeys.
Smaller riads have as few as four or five rooms, and the larger ones have as many as 20.
- Central courtyard with a fountain or pool for natural cooling
- Hand-crafted zellij tile mosaics, carved stucco arches, and ornate woodwork
- Balconies overlooking the garden
- High exterior walls with very few street-facing windows, designed to control temperature and enhance privacy
- Rooftop terraces
Some of the riads still feature traditional doors, which consist of two knockers.
Knockers were used to help manage household routines before phones and intercoms were commonplace.
This is because each knocker produced a distinct sound, allowing the household to know whether the visitor was male or female, familiar or unfamiliar.
This knock would allow the host to respond with the correct level of formality and privacy, such as determining which gender-appropriate rooms to use, depending on the visitor.
You will also notice the small latticed window beside the door, which provides airflow and discreet screening of visitors knocking on the door.
Another interesting aspect of riads is that, historically, they rarely used conventional street numbers.
Instead, homes were known by family names, by oral directions passed between locals and by distinct door features, such as the knockers, door colour, carvings or the metal studwork patterns.
Today, you’ll find numbered riads because municipal administrations and colonial-era reforms added them to organise mail and taxes.
Pros and Cons of a Riad
Pros
- Authentic cultural experience, each with unique dรฉcor and architecture.
- Intimate, boutique atmosphere and personalised service by owners or small staff teams.
- Tranquil courtyard perfect for relaxation, photography, and al fresco dining.
- A cooler interior climate thanks to its inward focus and water features.
Cons
- Fewer modern facilities (e.g., gyms, business centres) compared to a large hotel.
- Potentially limited natural light in bedrooms due to inward-facing design.
- Noise can travel between rooms and bounce upwards from the courtyard.
Undoubtedly, the pros of staying in a riad outweigh the cons.
The riad we stayed in was painted almost entirely white, which helped the daylight reach the courtyard.
It was also sympathetically illuminated at night with festoon and candle lights, creating a cosy atmosphere.
And despite the noise bouncing up from the courtyard, there was little noise to worry about.
7 Reasons to Stay in a Riad in Marrakech
- Authentic architecture. Experience traditional Moroccan design with zellij tiles, stucco render, and carved cedar woodwork. You will stay in rooms with unique dรฉcor, hand-crafted details, and a sense of history that you won’t find in a typical hotel.
- Quiet oasis. Find calm and privacy away from the medina’s streets thanks to inward-facing rooms and high exterior walls.
- Atmospheric courtyards. Enjoy fountains, planting, shade, and natural ventilation that create a peaceful and pleasant microclimate.
- Personalised service. Receive attentive, often family-run hospitality that can arrange transfers, guided tours, hammam visits, and home-cooked food.
- Great photography opportunities. Capture strong architectural lines, intimate courtyards, colourful tiles, and beautiful, soft light to complement your travel photography.
- Location. Stay within the medina and experience the rhythm of the souks, artisans, street life, and local markets on your doorstep. The medina is also where you’ll find most of the best things to do in Marrakech.
- Value for money. You can often pay less for historical charm and bespoke service than for equivalent luxury in large hotels.
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