Welcoming your experiences of Marrakech. Thinking about booking a last minute holiday.

[SydneyJKL]

Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.

Enjoy! When are you going? Would suggest somewhere central with a pool.

There is a shortage of the rabies vaccine. You might not be able to get all the vaccinations before you go if it’s very last minute.

I have been to Marrakech and don't remember having any vaccinations, although I might have just forgotten. Definitely never had a rabies vaccine.

Shit for women, and you may as well have a “Fuck me over I’m a foreigner” sign on your forehead if you go into the souk.

Book a lovely riad. I did not go on my own.

First, you don’t need vaccines
Second, you will be very safe as a woman
third, it’s very very hot at this time of year!

Go in Autumn or Spring instead, it’s a beautiful place

Nice enough place but as others have said not great for women. I was touched quite a bit by men (someone on a motorcycle smacked my bum). I would only go if traveling with other males.

There are servers vaccines you really should get before you go. They aren’t mandatory but you really really should get them, as recommended by WHO.

I agree with the previous poster. Book a rhiad not a hotel. I loved it. I recommend going to the Atlas Mountains though, not just the souks. Be aware that if you get lost children will miraculously appear offering to show you the way for money. You’ll get taken to their relatives shop. There are some very scary feral children who will virtually attack you for money . Be prepared to haggle. Have fun.

I didn’t have any vaccines.

•Book a riad.
•No vaccinations necessary.
•Don't pay for a guide in the souk - you don't need one
•Don't expect to be able to buy alcohol easily
•have a tagine at least once.

Yes, the Atlas Mountains should not be missed, that was the best part of our holiday.

Regarding children showing you the way - it’s not only children btw! - they will not tell you in advance that they expect you to pay for this gesture! Also do not let anyone offer to take a picture of you with the water bearers in the square - they will also want money!

Yes agree it’s adults and children, also agree about the pictures.

I hated it. But if you do go, bring tampons, they’re hard to get hold of.

It looks stunning but the widespread shocking treatment of animals there would put me off.

I quite liked it and didn't have any vaccines going there. I'd also recommend going up and over the mountains, maybe taking in Air Ben Haddou. It might be a bit of a tourist hell hole after GoT etc being filmed there though.

Don't go alone. It felt really insane as a woman for me. I had an okay ish time. I enjoyed the spa we visited and the hamam baths were great.

And avoid the women trying to henna your hands in Jemma-el-Fnaa. There are lots of lovely riads, perfect to retreat to from the noise and hassle outside.

Morocco is a fascinating country and together the best experience, I’d go on a tour holiday. You will be safe and have lots of information about the places you visit.
When we went we fortunately had an official guide and driver, very lucky I know and toured the major cities, countryside and then spent a week in Essaouira.
Morocco has poor sanitation, especially in the more rural areas, so hepatitis, Typhoid and tetanus vaccines are advisable, but loads of people go there without having them. It is mostly a poor country and you will be hassled by people selling items for money or just begging. Guides are supposed to be licensed by the authorities, so be very wary of accepting help from anyone who does not have a tourist guide license.

Thank you, lots to think about.

What are the benefits of a Rhiad rather than hotel? Is it only about the character of the property?

Any recommendations for places to stay?

I was treated very unpleasantly there by the local men. Its not somewhere I'd ever go back to.

I have mixed feelings about Marrakech. I've been a couple of times and am really glad I've been, but I found it overwhelming and exhausting as a female traveller, travelling both with friends and other times with my husband. As several PPs have commented, foreign women can receive a lot of unwanted attention (it's great that you've clearly never had an negative experiences there, @Soontobe60, but clearly a lot of other women have).

It's also a fascinating, beautiful place with an incredibly rich cultural history and so much to see and learn. I think it very much depends what kind of holiday you're looking for!

Essaouira has quite a different (more relaxed) vibe - might be worth a look?

I went with DH many years ago and again with DH and kids more recently (2019?) and both times had no problems. One or two persistent would be guides with DH - but always polite and gave up fairly quickly - but nothing at all when with DC. We really enjoyed it.

As a couple I would stay in a riad in the medina. Not just character but also means you can walk to restaurants in the old town in the evenings - taxis can’t get into quite a few streets. As a family I would stay outside Marrakech medina and get taxis for day trips to the medina, the Palmeraie, the Atlas etc.

It is the closest option if you want a totally different culture from Europe.

When you say last minute holiday though - do you mean August? Marrakech will be boiling hot, 40+ so definitely wouldn’t go then. It’s a lovely option for October-December IME.

I went on my own and loved it. I've got dark hair and eyes though and I wore loose trousers and long skirts and wrapped a light scarf around my head. I was pretty much left alone. It was the busiest most chaotic wonderful place ever and I've been back since. I had to be rescued by the tourist police from the henna ladies though... they were much more of a problem than the men!

henna your own hands before you go !