What is a Riad, Riads Virtual Tour and History

Riads are traditional Moroccan houses located inside old city districts. After being abandoned by rich families a couple of centuries ago while moving to other major Moroccan cities such as Casablanca or Rabat, Riads gained life again when bought by rich Moroccan families or European travelers and investors, and being restored and used as private houses in the late 1970′s.

Riads are not located in the new part of the cities. The old parts of the cities in Morocco are called Medina’s and the newer districts are called “Ville Nouvelle” which were mainly built during the French Rule. The Treaty of Fez signed on 1912 made Morocco a protectorate of France until 1956.

Central Patios of Riads in Marrakech

Riad Cinnamon Marrakech	Dar Malak Marrakech	Riad Karmela Marrakech
Riad Carllian Marrakech	Riad Dar Najat Marrakech	Riad Samsli Marrakech
Riad Bahia Salam Marrakech	Riad Dar Karma Marrakech	Riad Riad Villa El Arsa Marrakech
Riad Dar Bounouar Marrakech	Riad Eden Marrakech	Riad Papillon Marrakech
Riad Jona Marrakech	Riad Porte Royale Marrakech	Riad Dar Thania Marrakech

What is a Riad?

The subject “What is a Riad” comes to many people’s mind and in fact, many people wonder its origin. The word Riad comes from the Arabian term for garden, “ryad”.

Throughout history Moroccan architecture suffered several external influences, and the architectural concept of Riads seem to come all the way from ancient Roman times and end up being an adaption and modification of the Roman villa. A villa was originally a Roman main residence of many wealthy citizens.

Riads are usually a few stories high, having the main ground floor with a patio and a fountain.

The middle level hold the suites having window view to the lower patio “cloister type” and the upper level holds a terrace usually overseeing the city skyline.

Today, most Riads are used as private guest houses offering exceptional service in truly amazing buildings re-decorated and re-built in a traditional way.

Riads are the perfect escape to bigger hotels and suitable for people that search authenticity and privacy as most Riads offer a very limited number of rooms. Finding a House in Morocco or a Riad in Marrakech can be a big adventure as you have a extensive list of superb offers for Accommodation in Marrakech.

This website gives you an easy insight and selection of the best Riads in Morocco.

Photo: Room at Riad Mur Akush Marrakesh Morocco.

Visit a Riad, Virtual Tour of Riads in Marrakech

Riads follow a specific architecture and house structure: Entrance halls, Patios, Corridors, dining areas, rooms, relaxing areas, terrace. We present you many photos of many parts of riads in Marrakech. We hope you enjoy.

Rooms of Riads in Marrakech

Riad Jona Marrakech	Riad Dar Zaman Marrakech	Riad Samsli Marrakech
Riad Dar Malak Marrakech	Riad Dar Najat Marrakech	Riad Carllian Marrakech
Riad Les Orangers d’Alilia Marrakech	Riad Dar More Marrakech	Riad Boussa Marrakech
Riad Dar Thania Marrakech	Riad Dar Karma Marrakech	Riad Eden Marrakech

Bathrooms of Riads in Marrakech

Riad Samsli Marrakech	Riad Chi-Chi Marrakech	Riad Mur Akush Marrakech
Riad Carllian Marrakech	Riad Anabel Marrakech	Riad Cinnamon Marrakech
Riad Dar Bounouar Marrakech	Riad Papillon Marrakech	Riad Dar Thania Marrakech

Corridors of Riads in Marrakech

Riad Samsli Marrakech	Riad Dar Karma Marrakech	Riad Chi-Chi Marrakech
Riad Merstane Marrakech	Riad Dar Bounouar Marrakech	Riad Boussa Marrakech
Riad Dar Najat Marrakech	Riad 107 Marrakech	Riad Dar Zaman Marrakech

Living Rooms of Riads in Marrakech

Riad Kitula Marrakech	Riad Anabel Marrakech	Riad Eden Marrakech
Riad Dar More Marrakech	Riad Carllian Marrakech	Riad Merstane Marrakech
Riad Karmela Marrakech	Riad 107 Marrakech	Riad Villa El Arsa Marrakech

Terraces of Riads in Marrakech

Riad Dar Bounouar Marrakech	Riad Carllian Marrakech	Riad Jona Marrakech
Riad Les Orangers d’Alilia Marrakech	Riad Dar More Marrakech	Riad Samsli Marrakech
Riad Cinnamon Marrakech	Riad Porte Royale Marrakech	Riad Dar Malak Marrakech