Lonely Planet Local Chris Griffiths has been photographing Morocco for more than four years and has now settled in Marrakesh, drawn in by the historic architecture mixed with an ever-changing creative scene. Navigating through the maze of the medina, he's usually on the hunt for cheap eats, refuge from the hustle and bustle and, as a travel photographer, the perfect photo-op.
The best places in Marrakesh are… the souqs and food markets. I am obsessed with herbs and spices and am also pretty fond of the way Moroccans do tea, so I’m in my element discovering all the varieties of herbs, such as lemon geranium and verbena, which are found in abundance in the medina. Nothing beats a Moroccan sheba tea with a platter of dried fruit and nuts, olives, oil, honey and bread as an afternoon snack. The seasons matter here, which means shopping for the exact produce you want can sometimes be a challenge. But I can spend whole afternoons happily wandering around and finding the best of what’s on offer and then an equal amount of time back at home attempting to cook up tajines and Moroccan tapas dishes.
For cheap eats… look no further than the street food. It can feel elusive sometimes – the stalls somehow hide away behind those mosaic-tiled counters and tired tables and chairs. The trick is to be confident and find out what people are eating from stalls around you and to always eat at the busy places. My favourite morning snack is usually a slice of meloui (a Moroccan-style pancake) drizzled with honey, which is best washed down with nus-nus (half milk, half espresso) or a classic mint tea. Afternoon bites range from grabbing a quick seafood pastilla (rich savoury pie) from a bakery or sitting down to enjoy some small plates of loubia (stewed white beans in a herbed tomato sauce).
When I need to relax… I’ll head to a garden or palace space for a couple of hours. The sunken gardens of Badi Palace are a personal favourite, but I also love the random and disjointed layout of the Bahia Palace. Marrakesh's many quiet gardens and palace complexes shouldn't be missed. To see them at their best, get up early for a morning stroll.
A typical weekend involves... finding out what exhibitions and pop-up galleries are on and indulging in creative inspiration for an afternoon. Marrakesh is a captivating place to be right now. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum and the Museum of Contemporary African Art Al Maaden have recently opened and are always displaying something brilliant. As a photographer, my favourites are the Voice Gallery, Galerie 127 and the Maison de la Photographie because they always have well-selected works on display.
When I meet friends for a drink… I usually end up at Barometre. I like the smoky, mad professor's lab feel – the bar is lined with apothecary jars holding all sorts of herb-infused liquor concoctions that are mixed into the cocktails. They do decent tapas there too, so it’s a cool place to grab a few drinks and a snack. Café du Livre has a great vibe and is also home to the cheapest beer in town. If you aren’t fussed about alcoholic drinks, then Cafe Clock is great for chilling out. They often host traditional live music, such as gnaoua performances, and the ambience is relaxed and sociable. I save the big nights out for when the festivals are in town, and this year I’m particularly looking forward to Oasis Festival.
When I want to get out of the city… I head to Essaouira to soak up the laidback coastal vibes or up to Imlil in the High Atlas to trek in the fresh mountain air. Escaping the urban sprawl of the city is easy in Marrakesh. You can find yourself in the arid expanse of the Agafay Desert within an hour, and the peaceful Berber villages of the Ourika Valley are also within easy reach. That’s another reason why I love living here; the city is well connected to the rest of Morocco, meaning you have as many options for weekend breaks as there are stalls in the Medina.
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