Tag: things I love and hate about Marrakech

A list of my favourite and more challenging things in Marrakech.

Marrakech is ‘my happy place’. It’s a city of contrasts, from the ancient walls of the medina to the plush bars and clubs of Hivernage in the new part of the city.

Visitors may find the experience to be an assault on the senses.

The lively sounds, sights, and smells can be a complete overload on the senses and somewhat overwhelming to the most seasoned traveller.

However, don’t let that put you off coming to Marrakech.

You do become accustomed to it, and it’s part of the charm of Marrakech.

I have made a list of the 5 things that I myself love and hate about this fascinating city to help you get the most out of your visit.

Here are the 5 things I hate about Marrakech.

1.

If you’re an animal lover, you might find the hustlers in the main square too much to cope with.

The monkeys on chains and the snakes (which you are encouraged to have a photo taken with) are difficult to accept.

Don’t encourage this.

The monkies have been brought down from the Atlas mountains, and although people need to make a living, they clearly don’t want to be there.

Then there are the horses, taking tourists through busy traffic and the donkeys pulling carts through narrow alleyways full of motorbikes and tourists.

The horses seem to be looked after, but the traffic is horrendous, and I’ve witnessed accidents where they’ve been clipped by passing motorists.

The donkeys look overworked and neglected.

It’s the culture of the city, but very different from what I’m used to.

I avoided eye contact with the  snake charmers and monkeys in the square, and they stopped approaching me eventually.

There are a lot of stray dogs and cats, but they are looked after by the locals, and many of the cats have been rehomed by the owners of the riads.

They are regularly fed, and the people in Marrakesh are kind and caring as a rule.

If you are an animal lover, you may find Marrakech a bit of a culture shock to begin with.

I joined Brooke, a sanctuary, for working animals abroad when I arrived home.

I can’t change how people earn their money, but I can help to educate them.

2.

Queueing at the airport.

Be prepared to stand in line for up to 2 hours on arrival. The process is slow, so get used to it.

Take a snack and keep a drink readily available. You will most likely need it.

You can pay extra for the fast- track service, but it may cost you around €230 for the first person and €190 for the second person.

Tip: Try to visit the bathroom before the plane lands and consider choosing a seat near the exit.

Get off the plane and boot it to passport control as quickly as you can.

3.

Marrakech is touristy.

The narrow alleys of the Souks can be very crowded most of the time.

Don’t expect to get anywhere quickly because you and hundreds of other tourists will be browsing around the shops at the same time.

Marrakech is one of the most popular tourist destinations, and it will certainly feel as though they’re all there at the same time as you.

Tip: Plan to visit in January or November to avoid the crowds.

It is still sunny but much cooler than during the summer months.

There are fewer people around the tourist attractions, so you will get that perfect photo opportunity.

Tip: Don’t try taking photographs of the local people or vendors. They don’t feel comfortable about it and may even expect a payment from you.

4.

The smell of fumes from the motorcycles in the souks.

Everyone in Marrakech seems to own a motorcycle, and they all appear to be riding them at the same time.

The souks are full of motorcycles and tuk-tuks, giving off clouds of fumes as they hurtle past.

This can get stuck in the back of your throat, causing you to feel a little bit nauseous occasionally.

There is little you can do to change this, but I recommend doing your shopping in the souks early in the morning before they get busy.

Around 9.00 is an ideal time.

There are a lot of vehicles on the roads, and it can be chaotic at times.

Pollution is fairly bad, so just be aware of this if you struggle with asthma or other breathing issues.

5.

The street vendors in the main square can be rather persistent.

During the evening, the main square opens up becoming a meeting place for thousands of people.

This includes the locals and tourists alike, and it gets incredibly busy.

The food stalls are all in competition with each other, and vendors can follow you persistently with a menu to get your custom.

Some of them can be very persuasive, even pushing the boundaries of what’s considered to be harassment

It can be very overwhelming, and it’s often difficult to remain calm in those kinds of situations

The henna ladies are also demanding your custom.

It’s not uncommon for them to take hold of your hand and begin applying henna on them without your consent.

Tip: If you’re not interested, try not to make eye contact with any of the vendors.

Saying “ La Shukran” which means no thank you in Arabic, is a helpful way to discourage unwanted attention.

It’s important to remember, every one is simply trying to make a living.

Marrakech was badly affected by the devastating earthquake in 2023, and many people have lost their livelihoods and homes.

Whilst it’s difficult to cope with the constant barage of vendors vying for your custom, it’s worth remembering their own struggle to survive.

Marrakech is certainly a different way of life from what you may be used to and a culture shock to many first-time visitors.

So now I’ve told you about a few of the things I find challenging in Marrakech, I would like to tell you about what keeps me going back time and time again…

Marrakech is definitely my ‘happy place’

I am absolutely in love with this city.

Here’s why…

1.

The people are wonderful.

You can expect to encounter the friendliest and most welcoming people you have ever met.

They are constantly smiling and can’t wait to tell you all about their beautiful city.

They are multi-lingual, and many people speak up to 5 different languages.

They love to teach you about the Amazigh culture, the indigenous tribes of North Africa.

It’s absolutely fascinating, and it’s possible to stay with Amazigh people in the Atlas mountains during your trip.

The level of service in restaurants is astonishing, and the riad owners go out of their way to make sure that your stay is nothing short of perfect.

I highly recommend staying in a riad at least once.

They are traditional Moroccan houses with a central indoor garden or courtyard. The views over the rooftops of the medina are stunning, and listening to the birds singing in the morning is delightful.

They are a haven of peace and tranquillity after the exhilaration outside.

NB: I have a separate post about staying in a traditional riad.

2.

The vibrant colours and wonderful craftsmanship.

If, like myself, you are drawn to beautiful colours and intricate designs, you will be in paradise in the Souks.

You will find an assortment of fine jewellery, inticately designed Berber rugs, wood carvings, and a vast array of other wonderfully crafted products

You will be blown away by the artisans, creating wonderfully curated pieces of work in front of you, and the displays of various items at a decent price.

Wherever you look, you will notice something that catches your eye.

Just be prepared to barter.

3.

The food is delicious.

There are some amazing places to dine in Marrakech, and the food is of an incredibly high standard.

There are good quality vegetarian restaurants and cafes, and many cater for vegans and people with gluten intolerance.

The food in Marrakech is diverse, and you can find dishes to suit everyone’s palate from all over the world.

I found delicious Italian restaurants that made the most wonderful pizzas and pasta dishes.

The signature dish of Marrakech is Tagine.

Tagine is the name of the clay pot used to cook the dish in

It’s cooked very slowly, resulting in the most decadent, mouthwatering flavours.

Choose from meat or vegetable tagine, you won’t be disappointed.

There are some more unusual options, such as sheep’s head and snails found around the square.

This seemed to be more popular amongst curious tourists and locals than those people who prefer fine dining.

Overall, I was very impressed with the amount of variety on offer and the stunning restaurant settings.

I also recommend visiting Bacha Coffee ( see my separate post)

There are hundreds of different coffees to choose from and a nice selection of cakes, pastries, and other light snacks.

You do have to wait for a table, but you get to look around the museum and enjoy the lush garden whilst waiting.

4.

The architecture is absolutely stunning.

There are so many interesting places to visit, and the intricacy of the tile work is absolutely astonishing.

Islamic craftsmanship with its symmetry and attention to detail is beautiful, and I was spellbound.

The lush gardens are also breathtaking and a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the Souks.

I recommend visiting these places to get an idea of how exceptional everything truly is,

. Bahia Palace.

. Madrasa Ben Youssef.

. The saadian Tombs.

. The Koutoubia Mosque.

. The Secret Garden.

. Bacha Museum.

Marrakech is steeped in history, and there is something exciting to see for every visitor.

5.

Marrakech is a great starting place for visiting other places

I took a wonderful trip out to the Agafay desert, and it was absolutely magical.

I had dinner in the desert watching the sunset it was unforgettable..

There are trips to Ouzoud to see the second largest waterfall in North Africa and experience the monkeys.

You can also take a train to Casablanca or visit Essaouira for the day.

If you wish, you can venture into the Sahara desert if you have about 3 days to spare. It’s a very popular destination amongst tourists.

Tours are very well organised, and the tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. They go out of their way to make sure you have the best experience.

Riads or hotels are happy to help you organise your trip, but you can also check other popular online sights for price comparison.

There are many different reasons why I love Marrakech, I have listed only a few.

Here are a few other things to take into consideration..

Marrakech is a safe place to visit, especially for solo female travellers.

Although it is mainly an Islamic city, it is relatively liberal.

I would always encourage showing a little bit of respect regarding your dress code. Wearing a loose cover around your shoulders when visiting religious sites is advisable.

Marrakech can reach temperatures of 50° in the summer, which is incredibly hot, so bare that in mind when choosing when to go.

Riads and hotels have places for you to sunbathe, and it is acceptable to wear shorts and bathing suits there..

If you’re looking for a place that is a combination of many different things, from the ancient to modernity,

A place that is diverse and can often feel like an organised chaos, yet  perfectly functional,

A place that will transport you to the world of 1001 Nights,

Then Marrakech is for you.

I would recommend doing your research before visiting. Watch YouTube videos and read travel blogs.

Arm yourself with plenty of knowledge before you arrive so that you will know what to expect.

That way, you will have an unforgettable experience and come away with memories of places and people that will stay with you forever.

Continue reading for more information about the places mentioned in this post..

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