Everything you need to know about Riads

Morocco Riads

Everything you need to know about a Riad

After much consideration I have deciced to transfer everything I have written about Riads under my main Morocco Travel and Tourism Blog to this new blog which will solely concentrate on Riads and other various types of accommodation in Morocco. I hope you will like this series. I m planning to make this blog big. 

In this first chapter of my Riad series, I’d like to talk about the original concept of a Riad. I hope you will like it. Should you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to let me know.

What is a Riad exactly?

Now, the thing is, I’d love to feature many things are authentically Moroccan but the concept of Riad can be found all over the Islamic world as it symbolizes the Muslim way of life, enjoying privacy but yet not losing out on the good things. Riads have special importance for the women of the house, who can enjoy the privacy of a „hidden garden” and even swimming pool without having to be afraid of being seen by any other men. The Riad is the house where the family really feels at home and no one can see them while being at home.

The meaning of Riad is „ house with a garden” and basically that’s what they are, however they are like a square with another square on the inside. The Riad is almost totally closed to the outer world, at the minimum it has some tiny windows to the outside streets but the big windows, the balconies, and the verandas are all facing inwards. Privacy is an interesting concept in the Muslim world: it’s the privacy of the whole family. However within the family, there is almost no privacy. This is something that will come up later on, when I start enlisting the things you ought to know before deciding to stay in a Riad.

Riad Star Marrakech

Riads can be found all over North Africa and the Middle East. Their planning doesn’t only build on the privacy. The inner courtyard gives a much better movement to the air, and gives shadow even when it’s very hot outside. The doors, windows that all open on the inside, when left open will give an even better movement to the air.  This is often referred to as microclimate. This means, the air is fresher inside a Riad then out on the street. This is further helped by the specific (traditionally clay-based) bricks used when building Riads.

Today, the business of buying up and renovating old or ruined Riads is getting very big, which is a good thing, because these buildings are well worth to shine in a new light. These Riads are often turned to mini- hotels, restaurants and private homes. This is something I will also discuss in details in one of the upcoming chapters.

Also, you shouldn’t really differentiate Riads and other Arabic homes, because they are the basically same and all wealthy families had at least one back in the day.

For viewing some of the nicest Riads out there please check out my Pinterest Album created for Moroccan Riads.

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