A fingertip tour of everything you need to know about Marrakech. The ultimate travel companion.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
If Africa is a peacock, then Morocco is its tail.
Welcome to my blog featuring everything you may wish to know about the historical city of Marrakech.
My aim is to help people discover the wonders of this magical city. To introduce them to it’s charm and allure. I would like to share my own experiences and adventures with you. Hopefully, it will be a useful guide for first-time visitors and perhaps even seasoned travellers. Being a solo female traveller, for women travelling to Marrakech alone, this blog is also for you.
I always feel safe visiting Marrakech. The locals are very hospitable. They always have huge smiles on their faces, and nothing is too much trouble for them. For me, this is what makes Marrakech such a special place.
I have found my ‘happy place’ in the sunshine. The fragrant orange blossom, the vibrant colours, and the magical sights and sounds of Jamaa El Fna are like nowhere else on earth.
Marrakech is a diverse city, steeped in history and culture. From its intricate Islamic architecture to traditional culinary delights. From skilled craftsmanship to the colourful items for sale in the souks. There is something to tempt your senses around every corner. I never get tired of exploring this captivating part of our planet. There is always something new to see, and it’s full of surprises.
The sound of the souks stays with you a lifetime. The friendly banter from the vendors, donkeys naying, tuk-tuks, and motorcycles rattling through the narrow alleyways. The sound of street food sizzling as the call to prayer echos across the city. This experience stays firmly imprinted in your memory. I love the energy of Marrakech. It’s an assault on the senses.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
This blog will transport you to North Africa. To the famous red city of Marrakech. To the home of one of the oldest indigenous people in the world, the Amazigh.
My focus is on the medina, the ancient walled city, including the kasbah and the mellah. Together, we will explore the main square called Jamaa El Fnaa, the heartbeat of Marrakech. For first-time visitors, it can feel a little bit daunting. Marrakesh can be overwhelming. This was my inspiration for writing this blog.
I begin by touching on the history and culture of Marrakech. Knowing something about the place you’re visiting gives you a better idea of what to expect.
I give valuable tips, including ways you can travel to Marrakech on a budget. How to stay safe, ways to get around, scams to avoid, and many more.
I suggest ideas on how you can spend your time in Marrakech. This includes popular excursions, popular activities, and day trips.
There is a section featuring riads in the medina. This is accommodation I have stayed in, including luxury and budget friendly riads.
Next, I will share some of the best places to eat, including vegetarian and vegan options. I will also tell you where to find cool bars that serve alcohol in the medina.
Finally, there are a few articles highlighting things that might interest you about Marrakech. This includes customs and traditions.
Keep my blog close to hand. Use it as a reference guide before and during your visit to this UNESCO world heritage site. I hope you will find it helpful when planning your own visit to Marrakech.
Now that I’ve given you an outline of my blog, it’s time to buckle your seatbelts. Come and join me on a mind-blowing trip of a lifetime. Let me introduce you to the sights, sounds, and tastes of Marrakech. Every one of them perfectly entwined to create a little piece of heaven here on earth.
For first-time visitors to the red city, there are a few scams to be aware of.
I have compiled a list of potential scams that you may encounter during your travels to Marrakech. These are simply opportunists trying to make a few dirhams from unsuspecting tourists who may be first-time visitors to the city. Once you become aware of these popular tricks, you will know how to avoid getting fleeced and what to do in the event of being approached by someone hoping to take advantage of you.
1.
The road is closed.
This is a regular scam that can leave tourists confused.You’re trying to locate your riad or a point of interest, and someone (usually a young male) tells you that the road ahead is closed.He asks you your destination and offers to escort you via an alternative route.Before you know it, you’re wandering endlessly through the souks until you arrive at his friends shop.You’re still lost, and now you’re being offered mint tea whilst his friend brings out a multitude of exotic spices or rugs.The male who took you there gets a commission for safely delivering you there. Slightly more if you buy.
If you’re approached in this way, a firm no thank you or La shoukran usually does the trick. If he is very persistent, head to a nearest trader, and ask their advice about whether the road is closed or not.Make your boundaries clear but remain polite and try not to get too impatient.It can be difficult if you’re tired or overwhelmed, but showing your weakness will only show how vulnerable you are feeling, and you may become a target for more opportunists.
2.
I can take you to your riad.
When you first arrive in the medina, you are faced with a maze of alleyways and tunnels. Often, your riad will be tucked away inside the souks or down one of these alleyways, hidden from view. A tourist who looks as though they’re lost will invite the so-called ‘ helpful guide’ to your side who can show you exactly where you need to go. He will escort you, taking the long route to your riad, and then demand a payment from you.He may become quite persistent and insult you if you refuse to cough up.
I was taken off guard seconds away from my riad. A young male basically nudged me along the narrow alleyway shoulder to shoulder. He demanded a payment, holding his hand out as I knocked on the door of my riad.I told him I wasn’t lost and knew where I was going and that I hadn’t requested his help. I stood my ground and ignored him until, eventually, the door opened, and I was let inside my riad.This can feel somewhat intimidating, but don’t give in. If you didn’t ask for help, you don’t need to give anyone any money.
There are occasions when friendly locals really do want to genuinely help you find your way, and you will be grateful for their knowledge of the area,especially after a long flight.However, this is a common problem and can become irritating, to say the least, if you have luggage with you. Marrakech has a strong police presence, and all you need to do is remind pests about it. That often does the trick, and they soon back off.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
3.
Over inflated prices for tourists.
There is a price for the attractions around the medina for tourists and a price for Moroccan residents. This happens in many countries nowadays and you can’t protest much about it. On the other hand, prices for street food and things you might wish to purchase in the souks are often much higher than they should be. Learn to bargain with the vendors and try dropping the asked price to around 25% to begin with. Eventually, the pair of you will reach a price you’re both happy with.Haggling is an art form, and it takes time to feel confident, but it’s a way of life in Marrakesh and can be quite a rewarding experience when you manage to buy something for a fair price. If you’re not happy, shop around. There are plenty of places selling exactly the same goods around the souks. There is also a fixed price store called Dar Bouchaib in the kasbah and Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex near Cyber Park.
4.
Gambling games in Jamaa El Fna.
During the evening, when the square comes to life, there are a few pockets of entertainment where gambling games take place. These are scams that involve winners working with the person in charge of the game.They impersonate curious onlookers and ask to take part. They obviously win, and a prize is exchanged. These are not genuine participants, and the likelihood of you winning a cash prize is virtually nil.
5.
Unofficial tour guides.
Some tourists mentioned being approached by unofficial tour guides whilst visiting some of the attractions around the medina. Males who begin by asking where you’re from, then following you around telling you a brief history about attraction you’re visiting.After some time, they will ask you for a fee for their time and knowledge. If you want a genuine tour guide, check the website of the attraction you’re visiting or consider booking an activity through Get Your Guide or Booking.com, ayment is upfront, and the guides are registered and you also reserve the right to cancel. Your accommodation can also help you to book tours and activities.
6.
Overinflated taxi fares.
A common scam that tourists mention is taxi drivers charging far too much. It’s a good idea to check with your accommodation how much you should be expected to pay and don’t accept the first price a driver offers you. Be prepared to bargain with him and try a different taxi driver if you’re still not happy. Grand taxis are shared taxis and much cheaper. If you are going further than Gueliz or back to the medina, consider a grand taxi instead. There is no Uber in Marrakech, and although they do have In Drive, you still have to bargain online with the driver, and more importantly, it’s actually illegal to use In Drive.
I’ve covered all of the scams I’ve come across, but new ones may pop up as tourism continues to grow. Marrakech is an amazing destination with so much to see and do, and you may not experience any of the things I have mentioned.
I have been incredibly lucky with taxi drivers. I have had positive experiences with and felt very safe whilst travelling back to my hotel in a remote area several times. The drivers have been very friendly and driven me straight through the gates so that I’ve not had to walk alone in the dark.
As a rule, the locals in Marrakech are very friendly towards tourists, and they are made to feel very welcome. However, poverty exists, and some people see tourists being much better off financially than they are and an easy target for extracting a few dirhams out of. My advice would be to make your boundaries clear from the beginning, get yourself some data by buying an Orange SIM for negotiating your way around the medina, and learn a few words of Arabic or French to help you to say no thank you.
Like anywhere else in the world, keep your wits about you in crowded places, and try to stay patient, and you will have an incredible time in Marrakesh.
The Palmerai is a 54 square mile palm oasis on the northeast edge of Marrakech. It’s a 20-minute drive from the city centre and is well known for its lush landscape, high-end resorts, and popular activities.
I needed to take a break from the manic pace of life in the medina, so I decided to visit the Palmerai for a camel ride at sunset. I booked the activity through Get Your Guide, and I was picked up at 4.00pm next to the Islane Hotel. I was part of a small group, and we were taken to our destination in a small air-conditioned van.
After a short drive, the scenery began to change into open roads landscaped with thousands of palm trees. There were camels sitting at the sides of the road wearing colourfully decorated seats, waiting to take tourists for a ride around the scenic area.
Once we had arrived at our destination, I was dressed in traditional blue Tuareg clothing and helped onto my camel by a friendly camel driver.
Video taken by our guide Mohammed.
Soon afterwards, we set off trekking through the palm groves as the sun began to set. The trek lasted for around 40 minutes across a stretch of gravelly ground.
I have every respect for the Tuareg, who would spend months on the back of a camel in search of salt mines. However, they are not the most comfortable creatures, and 40 minutes was more than enough for me.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
It was late March when I went. Therefore, I imagine the sunset would be more spectacular during the summer months. It was still nice and peaceful, even if I didn’t get the wow factor I was hoping for.
The camel drivers were entertaining, singing songs along the way and making little camels for us by plaiting the grass they picked along our route.
Back at the vehicle, the camel drivers prepared a pot of mint tea for us all. After drinking it, we got back into the van and were soon heading back into Marrakech.
My thoughts on the activity are mixed. It was good to get out of the busy city for a short while, and the scenery was nice. I enjoyed seeing another side of Marrakech, but I didn’t really get the experience I was hoping for. Perhaps it was the overcast sky spoiling my expectations of a dramatic sunset or how swiftly the event seemed to come to an end.
In terms of value for money, I think that quad biking may have been the better option. On a positive note, our guide was lovely. He took videos and photographs for me and helped me into my headscarf.
If I return to this part of Marrakech, I will try another activity. The Palmerai hosts balloon rides, which are available through Paradise Ballooning and Marrakech Balloon. There are several golf courses in the area also.
For people who want to experience riding a camel, the Palmerai is ideal due to its close proximity to Marrakech.
Les Bains Kenaria has been revived to become a sanctuary in the medina. It’s over 400 years old and has been beautifully preserved and restored. The hammam still uses the ancient Moroccan tradition of heating using the wood fired method.
Services include newly added thermal rooms, warm baths, cold baths, a jacuzzi style pool, and a massage.
Les Bains Kenaria is also a rooftop cafe, and this is where my experience here began. I was lured in by the lush tropical plants that spoke to me from the intricately crafted doorway.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
I made my way upstairs onto the pretty rooftop and was seated on a colourful couch. The staff were really friendly and courteous, and helped me to choose a vegetarian option from the menu.
I had one of the most delicious tagines I’ve had in Marrakech.The fresh vegetables included fava beans and olives and tasted absolutely sumptuous. I chose a beet smoothie for the first time. It was quite different from anything I’d had before, and I couldn’t decide if I liked it or not.
I watched the sun setting as I ate. I could hear the lively sounds of the souk below. It was a lovely atmosphere, and I could see everyday life taking place on the adjacent rooftops.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The setting was peaceful, despite it being in the busy medina. There were tourists shopping in the street below. I was still able to enjoy my meal feeling relaxed and stressfree. I took my time and didn’t feel rushed.
Dining on the rooftop terrace of Les Bains Kenaria was a lovely experience. The food is traditional Morroccan cuisine, and prices are very competitive. There is plenty of choice for lunch and dinner on the menu, and breakfast is also available. The lush plants and comfortable surroundings made it extra special. It was a contrast from the manic rhythm of the street below. This is definitely a place I will visit regularly.
The opening hours are 9.00 am until 8.00pm daily. The address is Bain Maure, N 132,Marrakech 40040, Morocco.
The Sound Of The Souks 