El Fenn Sets a 16-Guest Moroccan Art Retreat for November 23 to 27

El Fenn is turning Marrakech’s contemporary art scene into a four-night hosted retreat this November, with a group capped at just 16 guests.

The Moroccan Art Retreat runs from November 23 to 27, 2026 and is hosted around El Fenn co-founder Vanessa Branson’s connections to the city’s galleries, museums, artists and creative community.

The itinerary goes beyond standard gallery visits

The programme includes MACAAL, the Montresso Art Foundation and gallery districts in both Guéliz and Sidi Ghanem, but the more unusual element is access to people working inside Marrakech’s art scene.

Art adviser and gallerist Hadia Temli is scheduled to join guests for a session on how to look at and buy art, while Moroccan contemporary artist Rita Alaoui will lead a full-day creative workshop built around her own process, colour, texture and materials gathered from the Medina.

Behind the scenes at Montresso

El Fenn says the Montresso visit will include access to resident artists’ studios and works in progress that are not normally part of a standard public visit.

The retreat also includes a hosted lunch in a contemporary gallery setting, visits to Marrakech’s gallery quarter and time in Sidi Ghanem, where a growing number of artists, makers and designers work from former industrial spaces.

A retreat for travelers who want context, not just a checklist

The strongest part of the programme is that it treats Marrakech’s art scene as a network rather than a list of places. Guests move between institutions, private foundations, studios, galleries and conversations with artists and advisers.

That makes it substantially different from simply buying museum tickets independently, and it is likely to appeal most to visitors who already care about contemporary African art, collecting, design or creative practice.

Price and what is included

El Fenn currently lists prices from €3,795, £3,339 or $4,592 per person for a large room based on joint occupancy. Single-occupancy options are also available.

The published price includes accommodation, meals, pre-dinner cocktails, wine with dinner, excursions, local transport and airport transfers. Flights and travel insurance are not included.

Practical details

Dates: November 23 to 27, 2026. Group size: maximum 16 guests. Base: El Fenn, Marrakech Medina.

The itinerary currently names Vanessa Branson, Rita Alaoui and Hadia Temli, with visits including MACAAL, Montresso Foundation, Guéliz galleries and Sidi Ghanem.

Availability can change quickly for a 16-person programme, so anyone considering the retreat should verify current places directly with El Fenn before making travel arrangements.

Photo: Laurendorman1, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.