Morocco Day 2 - Marrakech

 9/18/2026

More people in our group arrived in Marrakech today. We visited a couple famous spots within the medina.

We went out sketching at the famous Koutoubia Mosque. The mosque is 253 tall and was built in the 12th century. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside, but we were able to see a bit of the inside while walking by. Shade was scarce, but we were able to find a tiny sliver of shade for sketching.

We also visited Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square in the medina. There are juice stalls, vendors, and lots of activity in the square. We saw a snake charmer. If you go up to them, they'll charge you money to take photos, but I was able to watch from a distance.  We also saw a couple of men with monkeys on chains. I was really sad about this, as it was clear the monkeys were mistreated. UNESCO recognizes the square's cultural importance. The square feels like one big tourist attraction, with many people asking you to buy things when you walk by. It's easy to just ignore them though and keep walking.

Walking in the medina - you have to pay attention. There are people riding motorbikes through the streets. Somehow, none of us managed to get run over. We'd also see people with donkeys carrying carts, as well as people pushing carts of goods. We'd hug the walls when they went by.

In the evening, Chiara and I walked in the medina to do late night sketching. We have heard that people don't like to take their photos taken, but no one complained that we were standing out there sketching. Many of the souks have signs saying "No photos."

Each guest is welcomed with mint tea and cookies in our riad.
It is a sign of hospitality to pour the tea from a high height.

Sometimes we'd get an omelet for breakfast

All of the interesting old tiles in Morocco remind me of the tiles in Portugal

Walking in the medina.
I didn't take too many photos inside the medina,
because it's not polite to take photos of Moroccans without asking permission.

The first of many cat photos I took. 
Stray cats are everywhere. 
Stray dogs are not.

The entrance to our riad.

The Koutoubia Mosque in the distance. 
There are many mosques in the medina, but this one is the most famous.

Heading to the ATM in Jemaa el Fnaa, the large central square in the medina

The most famous mosque in the medina

Our mini-throwdown

There was a garden next to the mosque.
Still, very limited shade.

Lunch at a restaurant overlooking the square

We weren't sure how safe it was to eat uncooked vegetables.
All of us did and didn't get sick.

This type of bread is served at every meal in Morocco.

I felt so bad for the monkeys.

Walking inside the medina.
We had to keep aware to not get run over by motorbikes weaving between the crowds.

We saw a few souks selling pigments

Street sign in the medina.
A "Derb" is typically a dead-end street.

Our riad had a small rooftop pool.
Just large enough to cool off after being outside all day.

We ate a delicious meal inside our riad.

Looking down at our group of sketchers in our riad

Chiara and I went out for some quick night sketches in the medina.