19 to 26 March 2026
One of the joys of travelling is exploring the old market places that are the heart and soul of any city. We even enjoy wandering through a local supermarket and examining what is offered.
The medinas in Morocco and Tunisia are a little more complex than a simple market. They are in fact a city’s old town or historical centre. The souk or market is just a part of the town. There are also palaces, mosques and homes.
Visiting these medinas during Ramadan created further interest.
Marrakesh’s medina is one of the most famous and certainly the craziest. When we visited it was full on with locals, tourists and motor scooters all competing for space along the twisted, narrow lanes. Really quite a challenge to not be lost or bowled over.
Meat hangs from hooks over the counter, colourful arrangements of fruit and vegetables are piled high, spices and incense arouse your senses and trades people continue their crafts.
And of course, in the Jemaa el-Fnaa (square) there were the snake charmers and monkey handlers.
We were in Fez for the end of Ramadan, and the anticipation of the Eid holiday. Many stalls were closed in the souk and the mood was quieter and less chaotic. But what was interesting was to see the medina without the distraction of the many stalls. The architecture stood out. The houses with their extended windows, the decorated doors, the arches.
We were treated to demonstrations of pottery and weaving, but the famous tannery was quiet – no smell!
The ancient Qur’an school Madrasa al-Attarine was less crowded than it’s counterpart in Marrekesh so we had time to admire the beautiful architecture. These were schools where religion, the Arabic language, astronomy, mathematics, and medicine were taught.
We were left to find our own way through the medina of Meknes. The souk was nearly empty for Ramadan, but we enjoyed the stroll through the quiet laneways. It was a challenge when we got lost and had to find our way out.
The white medina of Tangiers was far more ordered and the more palatial residences stood out. Ramadan had finished so there was a massive selection of cafes and coffee houses.
The medina of Marrakesh MA. The butcher.
The medina of Marrakesh MA
The medina of Marrakesh MA. Crazy traffic.
The medina of Marrakesh MA. The door wirh many stories.
The medina of Marrakesh MA. Hamman Dhab (Golden Baths)
The medina of Marrakesh MA. Medersa Ben Yossef.
The medina of Marrakesh MA. Medersa Ben Yossef.
The medina of Marrakesh MA. Herboriste La Sagesse (spice shop).
The medina of Marrakesh MA. View from Herboriste La Sagesse (spice shop).
The medina of Marrakesh MA
The medina of Marrakesh MA
Jemaa el-Fnaa (square) in the medina of Marrakesh MA
Jemaa el-Fnaa (square) in the medina of Marrakesh MA
Holidays, so the Jewish quarter of the medina is closed. Fez MA
Jewish quarter of the medina in Fez MA
Bab as-Semmarine, Horse shoe maker gate, Fez MA
The ceramics school in the medina, Fez MA
Natural colours used at the ceramics school in the medina, Fez MA
The ceramics school in the medina, Fez MA
The ceramics school in the medina, Fez MA
The medina in Fez MA
Interesting grafitti in the medina in Fez MA
The medina in Fez MA
The medina in Fez MA
Food market in the medina in Fez MA
Butcher in the medina in Fez MA
Camel butcher in the medina in Fez MA. Camel hooves.
Camel butcher in the medina in Fez MA
Food market in the medina in Fez MA
The medina in Fez MA
Lunch in Ryad Nejjarine, old home in Fez MA
Lunch in Ryad Nejjarine, old home in Fez MA
Madrasa al-Attarine, Fez MA
Madrasa al-Attarine, Fez MA
Madrasa al-Attarine, Fez MA
Madrasa al-Attarine, Fez MA
Madrasa al-Attarine, Fez MA
Fabric store in an old caravanseri, Medina in Fez MA
Fabric store in an old caravanseri, Medina in Fez MA
Fabric store in an old caravanseri, Medina in Fez MA
Fabric store in an old caravanseri, Medina in Fez MA
The tannery in Fez MA. Closed for Eid.
The tannery in Fez MA. Closed for Eid, a place to hang out.
The tannery in Fez MA. Closed for Eid.
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA. Bab Berdieyinne Mosque
Girl practising soccer. An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA. Shops shut for Ramadan.
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
Bread shop. An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA. Grand Mosque of Meknes.
Butcher. An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA. Fruit and tiles. Mekne.s is a 'green' city
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
An unguided stroll through the medina of Meknes MA
Food Market in the medina of Tangier MA
Food Market in the medina of Tangier MA
Food Market in the medina of Tangier MA. Cats are welcome.
Food Market in the medina of Tangier MA
Food Market in the medina of Tangier MA. Hooves and tongues.
Food Market in the medina of Tangier MA, Fish.
Mosquée Sidi Bouabid, near Place du 9 Avril 1947, Tangier MA
The Medina, Tangier MA
The Medina, Tangier MA
The Medina, Tangier MA
The Medina, Tangier MA
The Medina, Tangier MA
Kasbah or walls of the Medina, Tangier MA
The Medina, Tangier MA
Selling local produce near the Big Market in the Medina, Tangier MA