When reading a blog about a place I’ve not been before, the photographs that grab my attention are those of everyday street scenes. How I feel walking down the street wherever I am is an indicator of how happy I will be there. The streets (derbs) of Marrakech are exciting, red, worn, and full of unusual people and interesting sights.
We went to Granada in Spain because it was close to our house-sit and because of the Alhambra. The Alhambra, arabic translation “red castle”, was home to the Moorish (African) Monarchs before their defeat by the Christians. We only had one incredible visit to the Alhambra but we walked the streets of Granada daily and the feel of Granada, was every bit as alluring as the astonishing Alhambra above.
Today I’m showing a small portion of the streets of the Medina in Marrakech – the route from the Bahia Palace to the Saadian Tombs.
I’ve shown every photograph en-route, not just the pretty.
No time to find out what was in the baskets! The criss-cross ballustrading caught my eye.
The derbs in these photos are wider and cleaner than those around our riad. On arrival we felt uneasy but before long we walked our derbs with ease day or night. We weren’t hassled as we’d warned we would be and in retrospect I believe it was because we lived on a local derb, where tourists and subsequent scams were scarce.
Marrakech is a not to be missed destination.
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Loved your photos Jan. They certainly give a great impression of the narrow alleyways to be found in the old part of the city. I loved getting lost on these streets!
Thanks Jenny, I feel like I am back there again! Jan
Loved these photos! Marrakech is one of my dream destinations – I have to get there soon!!
Hi Lisa, My only regret is that we did not get to see more of Morocco, but we did see a neat section of it and I prefer to travel slowly, so I can’t complain. Such a different life to our own, that is what I really liked about it. The trip from Marrakech to the desert is a must do. Hope you get there one day.
Jan
Those walls are incredible! It would be like walking in a maize – lucky you had a tour guide to help out 🙂
It sure looks so pretty. I have heard that some countries have lots of people who either get money from asking, or taking it from you…glad Marrkakech was a safe place for you to walk through!
Hi Lisa, It was great having a guide for the day. Lucky I entered that Urban Adventures contest!
Jan
Hoping to get there soon! Thanks for the tour.
Thanks Cindy, My pleasure! Hope you get there soon.
Jan
I love the photos where the stucco has come off so that you can see the brick underneath.
Hi Margaret, There are a lot of walls like this in the Marrakech Medina. Every day we walked past the ruins of a double storey mud home that collapsed after heavy rain. Somebody (a foreigner) had just purchased it, and now it is no more! Jan
Morocco had been on my bucket list for years – and of course I’d like to spend time in Marrakech. Somehow something always comes up – so that trip gets put further and further out.
I love the colours in your photos.
Hi Leigh, Yes life sometimes puts barriers between us and our dreams, but you will get there one day. Jemaa el Fna square at night has to be seen to be believed. I hope you get there before it changes. Jan
Great shots and I love the way you positioned them in the post.
Thanks Jackie, I am into doing in-sequence shots at the moment! Jan
These photos are so lovely. I love the natural details of the walls.
Thanks Danyelle, The textures and colours are wonderful in Marrakech.
Jan
Beautiful shots! Marrakech has always sounded intriguing and exotic and I hope to visit someday. Thanks for taking us on this interesting street tour.
Thanks Mary, We went there because I like you thought in sounded exotic, and I wasn’t disappointed. Jan
Beautiful colors and passion in these photos. You captured Spain and the beauty so well.
Thanks you Jade, I am off to check out the best hot dogs in the world! Jan
Marrakech remains in my bucket list! Love those small alleys. Reminds me of the walk I did in Pisa, Italy.
Thanks Aleah, I drove past Pisa because I did not have enough time – now I wish I had made time! Jan
Great pictures! I’d love to do some shopping in those little spice shops… The alleys looks like you could get so easily lost there 🙂
Hi Sabrina, You definitely can get lost in the derbs. We have a friend whose riad was in such an obscure position, touts waited outside to lead you! The herb shops are certainly intriguing. I worried about the spices being open to the elements! Jan
I really like these photos of the derbs.especially because they are so different from typical travel shots. The very narrow derb with high walls looks so myserious.
Hi Cathy, At first I worried about some of them because it seemed there was no escape from them. But familiarity made them feel friendly very quickly. Jan
I hear you about the streets. I feel the same about markets. Love your photos!
Markets are a given for me too. Must be the budget coming out in me! Jan