Morocco Riad Life: : Things to consider for tourists

Things to consider before choosing to stay 

at a Moroccan Riad

Riads for tourists

If you are a real cultural explorer and a traveler you will greatly enjoy a being at a Dar or a Riad. They are like an island often in the very middle of a busy Medina in cities like Morocco, Rabat, Fes ( these are the cities with the biggest and oldest Medinas) however this is a place where you must be open to talking, making friends, talking to your hosts. This is a collective experience. Also, as windows are facing inwards and there is an atrium court in the middle, this means the acoustics are great. So you will eventually end up pretty much hearing everything and everyone and so will they.

If you are looking up a Dar or a Riad (most of them are Dars though) where you would like to spend considerable time always check how many private places there are if you would like to have some time apart. This may sound weird but let’s make one thing clear: it’s important and a Dar with 2-3 tables in the courtyard will not really do when it comes to this.

There is something I’ve recently read about which is a phenomenon that often happens with people who are less travelled or experienced with other lifestyles or cultures and this is called a cultural shock. This means basically a sort of a panicking by all things different a sort of an overload. This often happens with American people who don’t travel much and decided to go „ deep waters” to experience Moroccan culture.  Staying at a Dar might be too much too soon. So, if you are less travelled or your personal space is important to you in terms of silence and privacy, please rather visit a more impersonal hotel for the first time you are in Morocco. This way you can enjoy the oriental streets when you want to but also can return to a calmer, Westernized world at the end of the day.

Therefore, in order for you to avoid this, I’d suggest you to check out some of the more modernized and more spacious Riads or Dars, which are predominantly Western, they are more like hotels in concept so that you have enough time and chance for acclimatization. Some Riads also focusing on accommodating guests of specific countries e.g. British, Spanish even Italian.

Another thing I’d like to emphasize on: Riads/ Dars are small, often you open your bedroom door and you are right there in the courtyard. Therefore this is a place where it’s wiser to do some private actions silently. That’s also why I don’t suggest Riads for those with a baby or a toddler (unless a Riad confirms they have specific room for you so the other guests can have a relaxed time as well).

Needless to say though that today even the cheaper Dars are offering free Wi-Fi and they do their very best to offer all the Western style comfort for their guests.

So, these are the things I thought to bring all these to your attention as things to consider before choosing a Riad. If you have any comments or questions please let me know.

Check out my Pinterest album on Moroccan Riads for more incredible photos of Dars and Riads.

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