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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Is Marrakesh nice? Or will I be constantly harassed?

38 replies

Polarbearflavour · 27/05/2019 20:31

Thinking of a week in Marrakesh with DH in January.

Just worried I’ll be constantly hassled walking around the souks? I plan to wear maxi dresses and scarves / pashminas to cover up.

OP posts:
TheAngryLlama · 27/05/2019 20:34

Yes it is nice and no I don’t think you will be constantly harassed. Yes in the souks you get hassled by people wanting to sell you stuff. But the Moroccan people are some of the loveliest and friendliest of any place I’ve been.
When I was in Marrakesh last a street seller made me take a bangle for free because I am English and she loves English people. Not something you find in many places!

TheAngryLlama · 27/05/2019 20:35

I wouldn’t go in jan tho. It is cold then. Wait til spring to enjoy it at its best.

Original poster
Polarbearflavour · 27/05/2019 20:35

Thanks, I’ve read such mixed reviews online!

OP posts:
NancyJoan · 27/05/2019 20:37

You’ll be fine with your DH, and Jan is cold, so you’ll be covered up so I don’t need to suggest sleeves, no cleavage/shorts etc.

TheAngryLlama · 27/05/2019 20:38

I’ve been in my 20s, 30s and 40s. Loved it every time. Just dress sensibly, no need to ostentatiously wrapping scarves round you. They don’t expect it and they are very very used to seeing foreigners. They know not everyone is like them and provided you don’t offensively flout their norms they are cool with that.

EssentialHummus · 27/05/2019 20:39

I didn’t enjoy it and did feel harassed. Much preferred Essaouria on the coast (I think easyJet now flies there directly too).

Redtartanshoes · 27/05/2019 20:39

My best friend and I went.

It absolutely beautiful and we felt 100% safe all of the time. In the souks they do hassle you to come and look st their stuff but a “no thank you” is enough. They are totally respectful and courteous. As there is very little alcohol and such strict laws there is very little crime, it’s Truly an amazing city. Agree though don’t go in January. May or Sept to see it in it’s full beauty

CodenameVillanelle · 27/05/2019 20:39

No you won't. I've travelled there as a 21 year old with female friends and we were harassed (but we also went out in somewhat dodgy areas in the evenings) but I've been again with my ex in my 30s and never treated anything but respectfully. Sad to say being with a man helps and being middle aged not in the flush of youth

TheAngryLlama · 27/05/2019 20:41

Tbh the average Marrakshi is probably quite a lot more cosmopolitan and comfortable with cultural difference than many people here. It has been so heavily touristed for so long.

Hefzi · 27/05/2019 20:48

It's a place generally hated on MN judging by threads, but the only thing I can assume is that people who aren't used to bazaar culture shopping in the souk interpreting that as harassment. I've been as a single woman and had no bother walking around, even in the evening, walking back and forth along the main road to Menara, shopping alone etc. I've also been with a female friend, and we tended to walk the three miles between our hotel and town - again, zero issue.

As a matter of courtesy and cultural sensitivity, I personally wouldn't wear shorts (as a man or woman tbh) vest tops or a boob tube - but I've also seen women dressed like that with apparent impunity: as PP says, I expect as they've been a real tourist hot spot for a few generations now, they're much more relaxed than we are.

aimingfor2019 · 27/05/2019 20:53

It's the least favourite place I've been. I didn't feel safe, people were constantly trying to con or harass you.

We got caught out by 2 quite scary cons which put us off of going out for the rest of the holiday.

We got a registered taxi from a rank, told the driver it had to be metered (as per guidance) the taxi then took us miles away from where we'd asked to go, to a shady location and insisted we paid him a lot of money. Trying to then find out way back out of this area a lad who was very friendly offered to show us to the main road. Anyway after getting into more and more shady alleyways I told my husband I had a very bad feeling and we made a hasty exit without a clue where we were. Later googling proved that my gut was right and he was likely going to take us to be robbed.

That said I know people who have been on organised trips with a full time guide that takes you everywhere and enjoyed it. If I was to go again I'd 100% get a local guide.

In comparison between us we've travelled in to Kenya, Egypt and Turkey, all of which were full on but nothing in comparison to Marrakech.

Original poster
Polarbearflavour · 27/05/2019 20:53

I lived in Amman over a decade ago and got harassed sometimes, not sure if that would have changed these days. I always wore loose, long trousers and covered my shoulders. One day, myself and a colleague were surrounded by gang of a dozen youths trying to grope us! I really don’t want to go somewhere like that again.

OP posts:
TheAngryLlama · 27/05/2019 20:55

They love children too. When I was last there the guy who ran the riad was constantly bringing and making little treats for my kids. Especially those yummy flaky pancakes whose name I forget.

neversleepagain · 27/05/2019 20:56

I went with a female friend when we were in our late 20s, it was awful. We were harassed almost constantly. Men stopping to stare, hooting, following us on motorbikes it really was dreadful.

Just to add, we are just ordinary looking women nothing to get all hot and bothered over. The fact that we were going and without a male is what I presumed caused it.

StrumpersPlunkett · 27/05/2019 20:58

Went in November I loved it.
We had people playing the game in the souks but it wasn’t harassment.
V warm generous people.
Not sure about weather in January.

neversleepagain · 27/05/2019 20:59

Young not going!

EssentialHummus · 27/05/2019 20:59

llama - msemmen?

TheAngryLlama · 27/05/2019 21:00

I’ve had that happen but not in Morocco. Italy especially Rome is the worst. Only place I’ve ever felt genuinely afraid for my safety. Apart from Manchester of course, but that goes without saying

Fannyfanakerpants · 27/05/2019 21:00

I loved it. I felt safe walking around on my own, but I quite like the bartering culture and being in completely foreign places where i can get lost. However, my dh hated it and really felt harassed. I wouldn't reccomend more than a few day there but go and see the atlas mountains or the coast. It's a beautiful country.

TheAngryLlama · 27/05/2019 21:01

They’re the fellas thank you hummus.
I have a recipe in fact. But it’s quite involved and I am lazy.

Pipandmum · 27/05/2019 21:01

You can always hire a guide to escort you. Sure they will take you to their ‘uncles’ shop but if you arrange it in advance you can get a reputable one.
It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go but I’m too nervous to go on my own!

userxx · 27/05/2019 21:05

I've never been but have hard stories of being harassed. Think I'd steer clear and that's from someone who doesn't find Manchester unsafe 👍

kiwiblue · 27/05/2019 21:06

I also went in November for the first time with DH and toddler. Had read really mixed reviews and expected harassment but found it fine. The people were lovely. Even in the souks we didn't get hassled at all, we were surprised. We've travelled in India though where the cons and harassment is really bad. But I think it was maybe that we're in our 30s with a little child.

Someone mentioned Essaouira and direct flights, I believe easyJet has stopped their direct flights there, as I looked into that.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 27/05/2019 21:06

I went when I was mid 20's with a group of 10 girls. It was lovely.

We were harassed to buy stuff but that was it. Felt very safe.

EarlyBird123 · 27/05/2019 21:17

I went in March with a female friend and we had no issues at all. Loved it there in fact, even though i read loads of bad reviews too!