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Riad in the Marrakech Medina: A Short Walk from Jemaa El-Fna
Plan your whole stay with our Discover Marrakech guide (what to see, what to do, where to stay, how many days).
Riad hotel in the Marrakech medina, near Jemaa El-Fna: Riad Vendôme is a 7-minute walk from the square (1 km), in the quiet Dar El Bacha district. 12 rooms (20 with second riad), pool, hammam, jacuzzi 36°C. From €70/night with breakfast. Managed by Eric, the French owner.
In brief — Riad in Marrakech Medina
- Riad Vendôme is a boutique riad in the Marrakech medina, a 7-minute walk and 1 km from Jemaa el-Fna square, with rooms from 70 euros per night including breakfast.
- It sits in the quiet Dar El Bacha district at 217 Derb El Halfaoui, with the souks 3 minutes away on foot, Ben Youssef Medersa 5 minutes and the Koutoubia minaret 10 minutes.
- The riad has a pool in its central patio, a private marble and tadelakt hammam, and a rooftop jacuzzi heated to 36 degrees with panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and the Koutoubia.
- Direct booking / WhatsApp: +212 600 608 608
Riad Vendôme & Spa is a riad with pool in the Marrakech medina, located only 7 minutes on foot from Jemaa El-Fna square. We are in the Dar El Bacha district, in the heart of the old town, next to the souks and main monuments. With a private hammam, a rooftop jacuzzi and Atlas views, it's the ideal base for exploring Marrakech on foot.
Google Maps — Find us in the medina
Address: 217 Derb El Halfaoui, Dar El Bacha, Medina, 40000 Marrakech, Morocco
GPS: 31.63211, -7.99412 — Type "Riad Vendôme Marrakech" into Google Maps.
View Riad Marrakech Vendôme & Spa on Google Maps — opening hours, photos and guest reviews.
Steps from Jemaa El-Fna square: why it matters
When you stay in the old town of Marrakech, being close to Jemaa El-Fna square changes everything. It's the beating heart of the city: storytellers, musicians, street-food stalls in the evening, and the starting point for all your daytime sightseeing. From Riad Vendôme, you are there in 7 minutes on foot by the souks — close enough to go for dinner and walk back peacefully, far enough to sleep in peace without the noise of the square.
What makes our location exceptional is that you need no taxi for your visits. The souks start 3 minutes' walk away. Ben Youssef Medersa, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, is 5 minutes away. The Koutoubia minaret, visible from our rooftop, is 10 minutes on foot. Even the Bahia Palace, in the south of the medina, is just a 15-minute stroll.
Eric's advice, owner for 15 years: "Returning guests always choose accommodation close to Jemaa El-Fna but not right on it. On the square, it's noisy until 2am. In distant neighbourhoods like the Kasbah, you need a taxi for everything. Our district, 1 km from the square, offers the perfect balance."
Riad with pool in the medina: luxury in the heart of the old town
Finding accommodation with a pool in the medina isn't easy: the narrow streets and traditional houses leave little space. Our guesthouse has a private pool in its central patio, a heated jacuzzi at 36°C on the rooftop with panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and the Koutoubia, and a private oriental hammam in marble and tadelakt.
Book at Riad Vendôme: + 212 600 608 608
After a day exploring the souks and Jemaa El-Fna, you return to the guesthouse in a few minutes and enjoy a massage, the jacuzzi under the stars or mint tea on the terrace. This is the advantage of staying in the heart of the old town rather than in a new town hotel: the authentic experience with modern comfort.
What to visit on foot from our address?
For a full guide to the sights and monuments, see our what to see in Marrakech page.
| Monument / Venue | Distance | Walking time | What you will see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Souks of the medina | 250 m | 3 min | Artisan crafts, spices, leather, carpets — the heart of Marrakech life |
| Museum of the Confluences | 150 m | 2 min | Former palace of the Pasha, contemporary art and heritage |
| Medersa Ben Youssef | 400 m | 5 min | Jewel of 16th-century Islamic architecture |
| Maison de la Photographie | 500 m | 6 min | Photos of Morocco 1870–1960, rooftop terrace with medina views |
| Place Jemaa El-Fna | 1 km | 7 min | Storytellers, musicians, food stalls — UNESCO heritage |
| Koutoubia Mosque | 800 m | 10 min | Iconic 12th-century minaret, gardens |
| Bahia Palace | 1.2 km | 15 min | 19th-century palace, gardens and zelliges |
| Saadian Tombs | 1.5 km | 18 min | 16th-century royal necropolis |
| Jardin Majorelle | 2 km | 5 min taxi | Yves Saint Laurent garden, Berber museum |
| Menara Airport | 7 km | 20 min taxi | Airport transfer organised: €15 |
Which District to Choose in the Marrakech Medina?
The medina has several neighbourhoods, each with its advantages. For a visitor who wants to see everything on foot and sleep in peace, here is a comparison:
| Area | Jemaa El-Fna | Souks | Quiet | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dar El Bacha ⭐ | 7 min | 3 min | Very quiet | Best compromise: proximity to sights + tranquillity |
| Mouassine | 5 min | 2 min | Moderate | Very touristy, noisy in the evening |
| Kasbah | 15 min | 12 min | Quiet | Remote from souks, taxi often needed |
| Mellah | 10 min | 10 min | Moderate | Historic Jewish district, less charming |
| Bab Doukkala | 12 min | 8 min | Quiet | Remote, little tourist interest around |
A Quiet Setting in the Heart of Dar El Bacha
Riad Vendôme is set back from the street in the prestigious Dar El Bacha district, with a taxi rank only 100 metres away from the riad's entrance. Calm atmosphere, pleasant patio, authentic spa and hammam — a great balance between comfort and price, away from the rush of palace-hotels. Very popular with families and couples alike: you'll enjoy the silence of the medina once inside, while remaining a 7-minute walk from Jemaa El-Fna square and 3 minutes from the souks.
How to get here from the airport
From Menara airport: 20 min by taxi (80-100 MAD, approximately €9). We arrange a private transfer for €15 — the driver waits for you with a sign and drops you off at the car park 100 metres from the riad (the medina alleyways are pedestrian).
By car: access via Bab Doukkala or Bab El Khemis. Free parking 100 m away.
Coming from a country that needs a visa? See whether you need a visa for Morocco — and how we issue your proof of accommodation in under 24 hours.
Follow us: @riadvendome on Instagram
More Than a Hotel Riad — Your Complete Medina Experience
Riad Vendôme isn't just a place to stay — it's a complete experience platform with 11 dedicated activity branches, all coordinated by Eric (owner, single point of contact since 2011). Unlike a regular hotel where you book a room and arrange activities separately, here everything is under one roof, with one quote, one contact:
- Private riad — 12 rooms, exclusive hire up to 45 guests
- Spa & hammam — oriental rituals, rooftop jacuzzi 36°C
- Cooking class with Chef Naima (5.0/5 on Google)
- Day Pass — spa + lunch + pool (no overnight needed)
- Yoga retreats — daily rooftop sessions + healthy catering
- Birthdays & milestones — 30th, 50th, 60th, 70th private celebrations
- Corporate seminars — meeting room + team building + gala
- Golf packages — 11 courses + Green Card + PGA Academy
- Hen & stag parties — exclusive hire + activities programme
- Morocco circuits — Agafay desert, Atlas, Ouarzazate, Essaouira
- Direct booking — WhatsApp Eric +212 600 608 608, free quote within 24 hours
One contact. One quote. One coordinated experience. From a last-minute 1-night booking to a 7-day customised Morocco circuit.
Can I walk to Jemaa El-Fna from the riad?
Yes, a 7-minute walk (1 km) through the souks. The route is pleasant and safe, even in the evening. You can have dinner on the square and walk back without a taxi.
Can I visit everything on foot from your guesthouse?
Yes, 95% of the sights are reachable without a taxi: the souks (3 min), Jemaa El-Fna (7 min), Ben Youssef Medersa (5 min), the Koutoubia (10 min), Bahia Palace (15 min). Only the Majorelle Garden and the airport need a vehicle.
Is there a pool at your guesthouse?
Yes, a private pool in the patio, a jacuzzi heated to 36°C on the rooftop with Atlas views, and a private marble hammam. It is one of the few places in the old town to offer all three.
Which district of the old town are you in?
The Dar El Bacha district, in the north of the old town. A quiet residential area halfway between the souks and Bab Doukkala. Close to everything, peaceful at night.
How do I get here from the airport?
20 minutes by taxi (80-100 MAD, around €9). We also arrange a private transfer for €15 — the driver waits with a sign and drops you at the car park 100 metres away.
Is the district quiet at night?
Yes, very quiet. It is a residential area with local families. The alleys are lit and calm. You are 7 minutes from the square but completely away from the noise.
Is there parking nearby?
Yes, free parking 100 metres away. Car access via Bab Doukkala or Bab El Khemis. The alleys of the old town are pedestrian, so the last stretch is on foot.
What is the exact address and GPS?
217 Derb El Halfaoui, Dar El Bacha, Medina, 40000 Marrakech. GPS: 31.63211, -7.99412. Type "Riad Vendôme Marrakech" into Google Maps for precise directions.
Can I arrive late at night, and will someone be there?
Check-in is from 3pm and check-out at 11am, but a late arrival is no problem: send your flight time on WhatsApp at +212 600 608 608 and the private transfer is arranged for €15. Eric and his team are on site and reachable 24/7, so someone is expecting you whatever time you land. The alleyway between Bab Doukkala and the riad is well-lit, residential and safe, even at night.
Will I have to drag my suitcases through the medina alleys?
No. The taxi drops you at the free car park 100 metres away, and a single wide, flat pedestrian alleyway leads to the door — no stairs, no steps, no narrow lanes to drag suitcases through. With the €15 private transfer, the driver walks those 100 metres with you and carries your luggage. Many medina riads require a 10 to 15 minute walk through tight alleys instead.
Is the route from the car park wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Dar El Bacha has the widest alleyways in the medina, and the 100 metres from the car park to the riad are flat and pothole-free, with no stairs or steps. Inside, the ground-floor Junior Suite Zagora has step-free access from the courtyard, a wide doorway and an en-suite wet room, and the pool, hammam and restaurant are all step-free. Only the rooftop and the nine first-floor rooms require stairs. Full details on our wheelchair-accessible riad page.
Is the riad comfortable in winter?
Yes. In winter we fit a transparent cover over the patio, creating a passively heated, light-filled space that keeps the riad pleasantly warm by day with very little heating — a calm, lovely time to visit Marrakech. See our eco-friendly commitment for details.
Why book Riad Vendôme rather than a regular hotel in Marrakech?
Riad Vendôme is more than accommodation — it's a complete experience platform with 11 dedicated activity branches all coordinated by Eric (owner since 2011). Unlike traditional hotels where you book a room and arrange activities separately, at Riad Vendôme you have a single interlocutor for: private riad (12 rooms, exclusive hire up to 45 guests), spa & hammam, Chef Naima cooking classes (5/5), Day Pass without overnight, yoga retreats, birthdays, corporate seminars, golf packages on 11 courses, hen & stag parties, Morocco circuits (Agafay, Atlas, Essaouira), and direct booking with no commission. One contact, one quote, one coordinated experience.
How long is the flight to Marrakech from the US and Canada?
There are no non-stop flights from the United States; from New York allow about 8 to 9 hours via Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc, which hubs there. From Canada, Royal Air Maroc runs a seasonal non-stop from Montreal to Casablanca, then a short connection to Marrakech. The riad is about 20 minutes from Marrakech-Menara airport, and US, Canadian and EU citizens do not need a visa for stays under 90 days.
How far is Bahia Palace from Riad Vendôme and how long does it take to walk?
Bahia Palace is 1.2 km from Riad Vendôme, about a 15-minute walk through the medina. Along the same route you can also reach the Koutoubia Mosque in 10 minutes and the Saadian Tombs in 18 minutes, all within walking distance of the riad.
Is a babysitter available for families staying at the riad in the medina?
Yes, a babysitter can be arranged on request for 20 euros per evening. Riad Vendôme welcomes families with kids, with an accessible pool and jacuzzi and connecting rooms suited to the whole family staying in the Dar El Bacha district.
How much does an airport transfer cost from Menara airport to the riad?
Riad Vendôme coordinates a private airport transfer for 15 euros, with the driver dropping guests at a car park 100 metres from the riad since the medina alleys are pedestrian only. A taxi alone costs around 80 to 100 MAD, about 9 euros, for the 20-minute ride from Menara airport.
How do I book, and how quickly do you reply?
You book directly with the riad, not through a platform. Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp at +212 600 608 608 and you receive a written quote within 24 hours. There is no automated booking engine: every stay is confirmed by a person, and the payment terms are set out in the quote you receive.
Can the whole riad be privatised, and for how many guests?
Yes, Riad Vendôme can be hired exclusively. The main riad has 12 rooms and goes up to 20 rooms with our second riad 100 metres away, for exclusive hire of up to 45 guests. During an exclusive hire there are no other guests: the pool, hammam, jacuzzi and rooftop are reserved for your group alone.
Do I have one single contact for the rooms, the activities and the transfers?
Yes. Éric, the owner since 2011, is your single contact from the first message to your departure. One WhatsApp number, +212 600 608 608, covers the rooms, the hammam and massage slots, the cooking class with Chef Naima, the airport transfer and the excursions, and you receive a written quote within 24 hours. There is no call centre, no platform in the middle and no reservations department to chase. Transfers and outside activities are coordinated with an approved licensed transport partner, and Éric lines up the timings so the days fit together.
How big are the rooms and what is in them?
Between 10 and 22 m², depending on the room. Tan Tan is 10 m² for 2 guests on the ground floor, the junior suites Merzouga and Asni 15 m², Zagora and Essayesra and Ouarzazate and the Marrakech Romantic suite 18 m², the Dakhla Rooftop room 16 m² with direct terrace access, and the Oukaimeden mezzanine suite 22 m² for 4 guests. Every room has an en-suite bathroom with a tadelakt shower, hot and cold air conditioning, Simmons VIP bedding, a 40" TV with international channels and fibre Wi-Fi. Full sizes, beds and rates are on the rooms and rates page.
Is there Wi-Fi in the rooms, and is it fast enough to work?
Yes, 100 Mb fibre optic, free, in the rooms and in the common areas — the patio, the Moroccan lounge with its fireplace and library, and the rooftop. It carries video calls, which is why the riad is used for small seminars and for remote workers. If you need to hold a call at a set hour, tell Éric and he will point you to the quietest corner at that time of day.
⭐ Google 4.2/5 (617 reviews) · 🏠 Booking 8.3/10 · ✈️ TripAdvisor 4.2/5 · 🎉 500+ events organised since 2013
Is Riad Vendôme suitable for a short stay in Marrakech?
Yes, Riad Vendôme is ideally suited to short stays of 2 to 4 nights in Marrakech. Its location in the Dar El Bacha medina puts Jemaa El-Fna, the souks, the Koutoubia and Bahia Palace within a few minutes' walk. Ideal for a long weekend, a bank-holiday break or a 3-day / 4-day escape to Marrakech.
What is the value for money at Riad Vendôme?
Riad Vendôme offers excellent value for money in the Marrakech medina. Boutique accommodation, private spa, traditional hammam, pool, rooftop jacuzzi and a central location for the price of a mid-to-upper-range riad, without palace costs. Affordable luxury in Marrakech, ideal for travellers looking for the best value for money.
The Riad Vendôme is classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.
Riad Vendôme welcomes families with kids: the pool and jacuzzi are accessible, connecting rooms suit the whole tribe, and a babysitter can be arranged on request (€20/evening).