To ask how to fill 3 days in marrakech?

[Singingwiththepain]

Once travel restrictions allow and Morocco opens up again, I'm tempted to pay for my parents to visit Marrakech. They've talked about it for a while and I've found a deal with a fabulous riad for 3 nights.

I visited Marrakech a few years ago and really wasn't keen but they want to go. I spent most afternoons at the hotel pool due to the heat, but this riad doesn't have one.

So is there enough to do/see for 3 days? My dad is mid 70s so can't do loads of walking or visit a really hilly place.

Thanks!

I haven’t been but my DH went with work. He described it as absolute hell on earth! Smelly, food disgusting, kids surrounding you and pestering for money etc etc. Three days there was three days too long as far as he was concerned.

A riad in medina? If it is I'd advise against staying there.

Not particularly a fan of Marrakech, I've been twice once just as a stop before walking the atlas mountains. Decided to go back and see it properly, didn't like it at all. Genuinely think people say it's nice as they feel they have to

Forget Marrakesh and send them to essaouira instead. Beautiful, chilled, walkable, hassle free.

Stay here www.5-columns.com/

The owners can arrange for you to have a day here jardindesdouars.com/en/ having a massage, using pool and having an amazing bbq lunch

The rest of the time they can stroll, shop and mooch.

You can do a camel ride or a four wheel buggy ride into the local countryside. There is usually a stop for a drink
We stayed in a hotel a couple of miles from the walled Market. We visited in April, the hotel pool was unheated & very cold.

My parents hated Marrakech but absolutely loved Malta

Marrakech is the only place I have visited I have felt really uncomfortable and would not want to go back. It is interesting to read the variety of impressions, I wonder why some people are getting really hassled and others are not.

I visited with my husband and everyone we encountered outside the Riad was very unfriendly and rude. People seemed to be actively trying to con us all the time e.g. we were given false directions and made to get lost and then cornered and asked to hand over money. I have travelled quite extensively and have never been to anywhere that felt quite so unpleasant.

I think I would get your parents a local tour guide and book them on a few organised excursions outside the city if they are really keen on going.

I have to agree with the posters who had a bad time, it was one of my least enjoyable holidays. We stayed in the new area of the city which was a saving grace as our hotel had a pool, we went the very end of September 36-42 degrees every day and the day we left the hotel turned off the aircon for the winter

I can’t say I even enjoyed the souks, found a lot of it to be knock off designer tat mixed amongst the spices and hand made crafts. The constant being dropped off at the taxi drivers brothers spice shop as well was very very irritating. I’ll not even go into the state the cars were kept in.

I really don’t know if I would recommend for an older couple to go there. I was with my partner and he’s quite a formidable size and that didn’t stop me from being harassed by groups of men. You have to be very very firm with regards to money and tipping too. I wouldn’t go back.

I have to agree with pp, it could be so amazing but the people ruined it for me. Horrible sleazy rapey men, everyone trying to fleece you, total pricks to donkeys and other animals. It’s a beautiful place but I’ll never go back. Istanbul is a good alternative.

There's tons to do in Marrakesh, I filled 5 days (from dawn til dusk) and still have things I need to go back to see.
I would a) definitely go out of season when it's not hot! b) make sure they stay relatively central but probably better in a hotel rather than a riad if your dad has mobility issues. c) check tripadvisor for the types of things they'd like to see and check opening times (will everywhere be open following COVID?) The palace, YSL gardens, the photography museum, the monk's school (I think that's what it was) , the jewish quarters, the mosques, the cookery schools, the bellydancing nights, square of the dead market days, the tannery... take your pick. That's just central, aside from days to the Sahara, Essoira, etc.

The souks btw are very uneven and can be difficult to walk around.

I really felt uncomfortable in Marrakech. Constantly being hassled in the market and felt like everyone was out to rip us off. There are some nice places (the majorelle garden is beautiful) but I don’t think I’d recommend Marrakech to anyone.

Went with young children and loved it. I would suggest a pool if they can. You can spend a whole afternoon just people watching in the square. A trip to the mountains was also a highlight as are the YSL gardens. The can always go to one of the more upmarket hotels for a drink. It is a real experience.