Going to Marrakech!( not on a train though). Please experienced give me your best advice!

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I've never been before.
I am going in August, staying in the centre for a week in a Riad with my 2 teenage boys.
Please can you give me any tips/ warnings/ advice/ recommendations for things to do, buy, bring back?
I have no idea about tip etiquette, best places to eat, exchange money, things to avoid.Very excited though!
I all I can gather is that it will be stinking hot ( like turkey?) and overwhelming to the senses.
ta

I'll lurk here, because im planning to go next year.

We went in April with our two children and I loved it so much that DH and I are going back in September!

Yes, August will be ridiculously hot but your riad should offer an escape during the worst heat of the day. If you do a day trip to the Atlas Mountains it will be cooler up there as well. My children are younger than yours but they absolutely loved the hike we did!

Be sure to find Mechoui Alley. It's in a little lane behind the olive stands to the left of the main entrance to the Souks. It is really only open at lunchtime - they cook whole lambs in underground ovens and then serve them up with bread. You'll know you are in the right place when you see the roast lamb heads on display!

Hello :) we are off to marrakech just after Ramadan, end of July, first week in August. Can't wait:) we've booked an all inclusive hotel for the first couple of nights to get used to the place, then a Riad for the last four nights.

Am leaving my younger kids at home though with my ex! So I'm more excited about having a grown up holiday! Lol however, I've bought a few guidebooks, but have been reading the trip advisor forums on marrakech which have a lot of useful info in :) x

We are in the medina all week. I am ever so slightly terrified!

Oh no, don't be terrified, it's simply marvellous! It's crazy hustle and bustle and lots of mopeds whizzing by and donkeys meandering about but your riad will give the perfect escape when you need it. We stayed (and are staying again in Sept) at the Riad Noos Noos in the Mellah within the Medina and it was fantastic- off a dusty spice alley and into this beautiful tranquil space. It's such a city of contrasts!

The street food is so much fun as well. Young boys wander around with trays of pastries baked in their mother's kitchens and you can buy one for a few pennies. This time we're going to do the Tangia tour by the Marrakech Henna Art Cafe. My daughter had henna done there in April and they do a tour where they take you to the market to buy ingredients for your Tangia and then it's left at the communal ovens to bake. You go back later and bring it to the cafe where they lay out a meal.

Are you doing any day tours? It's a city for pottering about in and having a good wander, but if you are there for a week there are lots of day tours you could do.

taz thank you so much. That has made me feel a little better! I would love to do day tours. The boys want to do desert/mountain day trips. I have no idea where is best to book. Here or once I'm there? Also have no idea what to pack. I am useless. In Turkey it was easy!!