Morrocco with 20 year old and 16 year old DDs - advice for first time visitors!

[newnamenellie]

We're looking to plan our summer holiday and we're considering Morocco.

Having never been before, I know very little so would welcome any advice about location, dos and don'ts etc... We're looking at end of June/early July before the schools break up but after DD2 has finished her GCSEs.

What could we expect with two tall blonde European-looking daughters in tow? Is it likely they'll be hassled much?

I have said this on these threads before. I’ve travelled all around the world and am definitely a traveller not a ‘holiday’ type of person. I engage with everyone and do what I’m supposed to do, I dressed very modestly in Morrocco and was harassed and intimidated constantly. Food was gross shit. I’m sure the recipes themselves weren’t, as in I’m not insulting their food culture, I just couldn’t find anywhere that was decent quality. All the meat was grey and grisly, veg limp and most restaurants looked grubby.

Every single thing I did was a gauntlet run of stress and confusion. I wasn’t on my own, all dressed covered up, but definitely western and blonde/fair. Every other person even at the hotel, was constantly physically grabbing us or tricking us in some way. Got sick of getting taxis that took us to disgusting tanneries that we couldn’t leave unless we gave them more money, that or be taken to the middle of nowhere and told more money. Stinking alleys and animals that looked half dead everywhere. Can’t say no to anyone or leave a shop without being called names and sworn at, cursed and threatened. So whilst I obviously believe the people above who didn’t have that experience, so many people do. I’m not sure it’s ever worth the roll of the dice. There are other more beautiful places in the world where the risk of harassment and abuse is tiny.

Worst olave ive been too. Police officera woukdnt acknowledge me? No queue system, sont touxh st food, no women oit after 9pm, constant hissing from men. So many kids begging, grabbing my jewelery and marking my hands with henna for money. That was 20 yrs ago though...

I went on a cruise with a school friend and her family when I was 17. We stopped off in Tangiers. It was dreadful. Constant harassment from the moment we stepped off the ship to the moment we got back on - and we were with 2 adult couples. I still remember it now and have never been back to North Africa even though I'm now the wrong side of 60! Doesn't sound like things have changed much in all those years.

I have visited Marrakech, Morocco many times – including with my daughters, and a female friend. All of us blonde!!
I have never had an issue – other than a woman tutting at my friends shorts in the centre of Marrakech.
I have stayed at the Club Med in the Palmeraie, very french, all inclusive – rode Barb stallions every day. Recently we stayed at a small hotel near to Jardin Majorelle and at an Airbnb in the Palmeraie (the best Airbnb I have stayed at anywhere!). I’ve also had an amazing trip to Imlil in the Atlas mountains where we stayed at the Berber run Kasbah du Toubkal at the foot of the highest peak in North Africa. We had guides (and a mule) to take us on our treks and cooks who travelled to the top to cook our lunch. Just wonderful.
It is a poor country so there are some people begging, there are scruffy areas and the stall holders in the souks want to barter – that’s their way of doing business. The central square is a UNESCO world heritage site – mad, bustling and full of rich customs and culture. I find it fascinating and have never felt unsafe. There are some great cafes and restaurants around the square. Many don’t serve alcohol. I have never eaten at the stalls on there.
There is a strong French presence in the city and a big French quarter called Gueliz with many European style restaurants. I know French people with second homes there.
There are many great things to see – The Yves San Laurent garden, the Secret garden, the Bahria Palace and others. Winston Churchill’s favourite hotel is there – La Mamounia – it has wonderful grounds and an art deco cocktail bar. You don’t need to be a guest to go in but dress smartly.
They had a devastating earthquake in 2023 and the country is still struggling to rebuild in the poorer rural areas.
I would highly recommend Marrakech and the Atlas mountains. I am shocked at people’s descriptions which bear no relation to what I have experienced on my 4 or 5 visits there. Please go and experience something a bit exotic and different!

I would probably avoid Marrakech and anywhere port-like such as Tangiers. But I definitely wouldn't agree with the PPs. I would go to Essaouira which is beautiful with a great beach and relaxed friendly atmosphere. Maybe Agadir if they like surfing.

I forgot to mention the carpet shop incident....was actually interested but the hard sell was awful and high prices, tried to leave and they locked the door so i had to pull out a carrier bag and pretend i was vomitting etc and then door was unlocked!!

don't subject your DDs and yourself to the constant harassment

I wouldn't subject teenagers or young women to Morocco. There are less stressful holiday destinations. We also got food poisoning.

We met some lovely people, but did also have a lot of hassle. It was mostly an endurance test.

Horrible place. Worst holiday we've ever been on. No regard for traffic laws, if there's any laws in Marrakesh! Animal cruelty. And the behaviour of men was disgraceful. No way would I subject a daughter to this.

Echoing what many others have said on this thread - visited Marrakech about 10 years ago, travelled with a male friend and dressed appropriately, but was still subjected to sexual harrassment, staring, hissing, swearing and grabbing every time I went out. It was relentless. I've travelled a lot and it's the one place I would never go back to, we spent the whole time just wanting to leave.

I've been twice and didn't get this. My adult daughter went a couple of years ago and loved it. She commented how safe she felt.

You'll be fine. I'm a single parent, blonde, with a blonde, blue eyed young daughter. No issues whatsoever.

Im so glad I didn't read this thread before travelling to Marrakech as I certainly wouldnt have gone! It was such an interesting place to visit, the architecture was beautiful. Didn't get sick but only drank bottled water. People could be a bit "in your face" but from what I have heard there are a lot of undercover police in the center nowadays to prevent tourists getting harassed. You have to brush off the hard sell though and have your wits about you to dodge the mopeds.

I went with my husband. We could pass as Marrocan. I didn't have any sexual harassment or feel uncomfortable ever but I was always with my husband. It's an overwhelming place.. the sights, smells and bustle is all intense. I don't think it's somewhere I would travel with my girls. They would find it a bit much. Its more intense fhan say Camden on a weekend in the summer..I wouldn't take then there either.

Thank you all, it’s been really helpful reading your insights and kind of backs up what I originally thought.

Think we’ll look elsewhere!

I loved Marrakech when I visited and it was much harder to get to none of these budget airline flights, we are talking 25 years ago, when I was a similar age to your daughters. People try and give you the hard sell, but I certainly wasn't spat at or touched, it is one of my favourite cities. I'd love to take my own kids.