Marrakech is a remarkable city, full of intrigue and marvel. However, it can be chaotic and intimidating when you visit for the first time.
Morocco’s Red City is a different world, so having an idea of what to expect, where to go, what to do, how to dress, how to get around and how to deal with the Medina will benefit you greatly as you begin to explore this adventure filled city.
Here are my top 10 important tips to help you prepare for the adventure that lies ahead.
#1 Wear Attire that Provides Coverage
This tip is mainly for women traveling to Marrakech. Morocco is a Muslim majority country.
In Islamic countries, women are not allowed to show their legs or waistline in public places. We recommend covering yourself as much as possible.
You do not have to cover your entire body. You can wear lightweight pants, short sleeve t-shirts and even cover your head with a scarf. Also, women should return to their riads, or small courtyard hotels, early.
Avoid telling strangers where you are staying so that you stay safe.
#2 Wear Comfy Shoes
Expect to do a lot of walking in Marrakech. Ensure that your shoes are comfortable. We recommend tennis shoes and proper insoles or even supportive orthopedics.
Last year, when I went to Marrakech with my family, we ended up walking an average of 6 miles per day. So a comfy pair of shoes or sandals are a must!
We recommend Athletic Propulsion Lab shoes if you’re looking for something comfortable and attractive.
#3 Finding Your Way around the Medina
Finding your way around the Medina (the old walled city) can be dubious, but taking a tour near the beginning of your stay will make a difference in your experience.
By day, it’s easy to ask for directions. However, at night when everyone has shut their storefronts, it becomes a little more difficult to navigate.
As you walk from your riad to Jemaa el Fna (the main square) for the first time, observe a couple of landmarks that will enable you to find your direction home. Use your breadcrumbs but beware that just like in Hansel and Gretel, the breadcrumbs may disappear by nightfall.
At night, the shops will close and get boarded up and you can’t tell them apart. Ensure your markers are fixed, obvious and that they won’t change when night falls.
As you enter the square, recall which cafes or restaurants are on each side of the street you come out of. That way you’re at least heading in the right direction when you go home.
I would avoid walking too late at night.
For mobile data, you can purchase a local SIM card (via Morocco Telecom). The signal is pretty good all over Morocco, even in the mountains. The only place it wasn’t great was in the Sahara, but that was common for many people.
I was able to find my way around the city using Google Maps just fine.
In the event that you don’t have an unlocked telephone, download MAPS.ME or a similar application to navigate the area.
#4 Finding Your Way around the Souk
Locals showed me that that the souk (market in the medina where you can buy anything and everything) is shaped like a fishbone with one main spine running through it.
From this principle road, you can basically discover your way to the various parts of the market and find your way back to the primary road.
However, there’s something fantastic about simply wandering and seeing where you end up in the market.
There are parts of the souk that specialize in specific products and you can see some of the products being made there. This includes shoes, floor coverings, lanterns and leather goods.Whereas shops on the main stretches sell more of a mix of merchandise.
If your bartering skills are good, you should definitely head to where they make the items. You may be able to get a better deal buying directly from the source as this is where other vendors get their merchandise from.
If you get lost, don’t panic! As someone once told me “that is the charm of the city, to get lost.” The souk isn’t too enormous, so you will eventually find your way out and back to Jemaa-el-Fna.
Remember that Google Maps works pretty well in the souk.
#5 Shopkeepers Are Your Friends
If you are lost and want help in navigating, the best people to ask the way are the shopkeepers or those who are working in the souk.
They will point you the correct way for the most part without wanting anything in return and they also can’t leave their shops. I generally try not to look lost, even when I am. That way someone is less likely to try to take advantage of me.
By and large, people in Morocco are very lovely and helpful, but it has been known for some (especially in the cities) to come up to you and offer to help you find your way and either take you elsewhere (to their friend’s shop) or ask you for money in return,
Good thing is that the government has clamped down on this behavior.
We had a couple of individuals offering to take us around. However, none requested payment or a tip.
We remember that a couple people did the first time we were there in 2016.
#6 Spare Some Time for Shopping and Bring Cash With You
Marrakech is a shopper’s heaven. Make some time for shopping. On my last visit, I was very steadfast with not buying anything.
But somehow each time I leave, I ended up with a jumpsuit, 7 scarves (yes 7), a pair of earrings, a bracelet, a pair of shoes, a painting and an all in one kaftan wrap. Imagine looking like Jasmine from the Aladdin movie.
My companion returned with considerably more stuff, including a rug ($400), a wooden camel, jewelry, some wooden boxes, a purse and pottery.
There is something for everyone and almost all vendors will accept only cash.
#7 Bargain as Much as Possible
Haggling is considered a national sport in Morocco. It may seem like people are scamming you with their high starting prices but it’s part of the culture to negotiate for the best deal between you and the vendor.
You will see the same merchandise in many shops and many shops will sell similar products. Do not settle for the first shop when you see an item in. Continue browsing and negotiating until you can find the best deal.
I recently purchased a pair of shoes for only 180 dirhams when the shop owner initially offered it to me for 250 dirhams! He was an elderly person so I figured he was not scamming me.
Later on, I saw the same as a pair of shoes in another shop. When I asked the value, the person said 100 dirhams. I felt scammed by the previous vendor, at first but these experiences can happen to you to if you’re too quick to make a purchase. Always shop around the find the best deals.
#8 Play the Happy Idiot
As you stroll through the business sectors, lots of people will call you and try to get you to go into their shop, buy their stuff, drink their orange juice, etc. They can be persistent.
We recommend playing the happy idiot and pretending to be oblivious to their beckoning. I usually smile and just wander around so they think that I am in my own world.
As I walk away I frequently hear “Mister, mister, excuse me, hello Mister” but I pretend that I do not hear them and just keep walking. That way I do not appear rude, but just unaware.
#9 Use this Magical Word “In-Sha-Allah”
This is my favorite phrase to use. It means “God is willing” in Arabic. It’s generally used in Morocco, for when you would like to see somebody once more, or if you’re hoping something good will happen.
Nowadays, a lot of people use it escape situations that they do not want to become involved in.
For example, a shopkeeper says “Come in and see my shop. Just look, not buy.” You will hear this lot. You truly would prefer not to, and you really don’t want to “No.”
Instead, you can say, “In-sha-allah” with a smile and continue on your way. When using this phrase, shopkeepers understand that you are not interested in what they have to offer.
#10 Getting a Taxi
This pro top will benefit you a lot. When you have to get a taxi, always ask a local or maybe the people who work at your hotel, how much a taxi will be from A to B. They will give you a rough cost so you know what to expect.
Simply know that when you go to get your taxi, the cab drivers will always quote you a higher rate. This is known as the tourist rate.
If you do not find the fare appealing, you may leave or attempt to negotiate. Some taxi drivers will reject your offer and that’s OK.
There are lots of taxi drivers over there and you will eventually find someone who will work with you on a pre-negotiated and set price.
These are just some of my top tips for traveling in and around Marrakech and we hope they were helpful. If you want to book an excursion from Marrakech to Fes desert then I highly recommend hiring a local guide to show you around.
Thanks for reading and safe travels!
Join Alex and Larry on our journey, as we find love, eat great food, and travel to beautiful destinations. #weloveeattravel