Marrakesh with a teenager

[surlycurly]

Hi all, I'd love some of your experiences to help me decide if I should take DS 16 to Marrakesh in the summer holidays. I'm a single parent and am pretty well travelled but am aware of the obvious issues around woman in Morocco. I know it won't bother me particularly, after some colourful experiences in Istanbul a few years ago, but I don't know if DS will be ok with it. I'd love to hear of your recent experiences there. I'd also love any recommendations for trips/ accommodation etc. We won't have a big budget. Thanks in advance xx

I was due to visit with teen DD. I actually cancelled it after a friend's recent visit. The hassle she got was horrible. 55 year old woman, dressed appropriately, she had a dreadful time. I decided I just couldn't be bothered with it.

Thinking of going to Jordan instead.

I'd love to go to Jordan but the advice was to avoid it for a while was it not? I know it's a bit more stable now though. I'd love to do Jordan. Thank you @AlanisInMorissons

I don’t know @surlycurly, we’ll go with Exodus when we go, their trips to Jordan are live.

Why not just go to Dubai or somewhere vaguely more.... accepting, shall we say. I'd say your 16 year old would like that! Some nice night life and the beaches and stuff too. Although not sure how expensive it is etc.

I went with my husband years ago and the behaviour of local men was absolutely awful. I was happy to ignore but they did not appreciate this tactic and became aggressive and threatening at times towards both myself and my dh. Not somewhere I would go again particularly without an adult male if traveling into the markets etc

We went with kids aged 11 and 8, and had a fantastic time. Loved visiting the souk and didn't experience any of the trouble other posters are describing.

I went with DH and a 4 and 6 year old in 2018 and like a PP had no hassle. People trying to sell to us of course but nothing female specific. We had a great time.

I don’t think I’d go in the summer holidays though - too hot. We went in December and it was lovely and sunny if chilly at the start and end of the day. I’ve also been in October which was perfect.

I was in Marrakech recently, few mid 40s women.
No hassle at all. I think would be great with a teen. As there are no bars possibly would feel safer for a teenager than many cities which would have drunk people in evenings.
Even the market sellers were not over pushy. Lots of European families there on holidays.

@853ax that's really helpful- thank you!!

I went with intrepid and loved it. Kids 16 and 14. No hassle from anyone. Felt quite safe but we were with Intrepid guide. We stayed a few days by ourselves and loved that too.

You will get a very mixed bag of responses here OP.

I have visited Morocco several times over the last twenty years. Things have changed massively from my first visit. I think the main difference was the introduction of the tourist police who really clamped down on street harassment, faux guides and petty criminals. This was in response to numerous negative surveys from tourists. It is not perfect but way better then places like Egypt. Marrakesh is also very different from it's backpacker heyday and now boasts top hotels, boutique riads, top end food as well as bars and clubs. The place is pretty child/teen friendly. If you are unsure about wandering about the souks on your own hire a guide for the day, they are not expensive at all and your hotel can arrange one. There is probably about three or four days worth of sights in Marrakesh, after that you can look at day trips to Todra Gorge, Draa Valley, dune fields at Erfond and the coastal town of Essaouira. If you are more sporty there are loads of great treks in the Atlas mountains. If you don't fancy day trips I have done a few cooking courses which were great fun. This place amalnonprofit.org is a non-profit association dedicated to the empowerment of disadvantaged women through restaurant training and job placement. I have knocked out a few tagine there!

@DanseAvecLesLoup think you for your response. I'm thinking three or four days in Marrakesh then over to Essaouira for maybe four or five, then back to Marrakesh. Ten days in total. I think we'll be doing Airbnb's rather than hotels too. They're cheaper and we'd get more space for our money (not having to share a room). I've not booked it yet but I'm nearly convinced

we went recently with blond female teens. One also went for a school trip one spring. We all loved it and had no hassle at all. It’s an amazing place. The summer would be far too hot though.

We have been a couple of times with both dc. You do get hassle but we found it ok. Eating in the evening in the square is fabulous and cheap. I would go again and eldest ds is going with his girlfriend this summer. Make sure you get a riad with a pool as it will be hot!

I think Dubai would be far too hot in the summer holidays.

We have been recently and had no issues, people were lovely and lots of police visible in Marrakesh making you feel safe.

Just to say we went to Jordan recently. It is absolutely fab and perfectly safe, we'd really recommend.

Ive been to Marrakesh a few times alone previous to the pandemic. I really enjoyed it, felt safe. no harassment either. I definitely would be happy to take my teenage grandson,

Morocco is cheap, hence why we're going there. I couldn't afford an organised trip or to somewhere like Dubai. I think he'll be ok based on what I've been hearing. The heat does worry me but we usually go to our family place in the south of Spain for July so he should be used to it. Anyone been to Essaouira as it looks brilll but apparently it's super windy...?

Jordan and Marrakesh are wonderful, but I wouldn't go back to Egypt if you paid me (and I was there with DH)! Went to Jordan alone stayed in Madaba and visited lots of sights from there, then down to Wadi Rum and Petra it was easy (the country is so small I got around by taxi) and everyone was lovely.

In Marrakesh we stayed in Le Riad Jasmine, gorgeous and owned by a French couple - and we ate at the beautiful Limoni. I have to agree that in recent years the tourist police have really cracked down. The henna ladies stayed sat on their stools and the bloke with the monkey never tried to attach it to us, even the shop keepers in the souks didn't do any more than politely ask us if we'd like to take a look - we were really surprised at the lack of hassle! We did a tour with Merzouga Journeys which was absolutely amazing.

Just back and we had 3 days in a resort complex and then in a Riad.

booked a few tours and lots of wondering around by ourselves.

little hassle & felt very safe.