Marrakech - Solo?

[therockingbird]

My teens are off to Spain with their dad for Easter for 10 nights.. this is the first time in 15 years I’ll be alone (single parent) and I’m thinking it’s a good opportunity to head off somewhere myself. I’ve gone down various rabbit holes and discovered Marrakech. It’s warm, not too far away and something completely different. Would you consider this a safe solo holiday? I’m getting mixed signals on reviews. I won’t be laying on a sun lounger reading a book - more walking about taking in the culture and practicing my photography skills.

I think if you want a walking about/ exploring holiday then pick somewhere else. Sad to say it, but you will be bothered incessantly walking around on your own in Marrakech!

I've been to Marrakech solo and it was really enjoyable but you do have to put up with some pushy sellers and there is the potential for unwanted attention from men at times. I chose to dress conservatively and did not go out on my own after dark (I paired up with another lady staying in the same riad for occasional evening meals and a night at a cultural show).
Marrakech is an extremely scenic city but you do have to be careful photographing people...many do not like it at all, even in crowd scenes, so that can make it tricky. Always ask permission to photograph someone of course.
A more chilled place is Essaouira on the coast of Morocco. It's very scenic and has an interesting old quarter and souk. It was more relaxing walking around there on my own than it was in Marrakech.
You can always opt to have a guide in Marrakech, that gives big advantages of keeping unwanted attention away and steering you through the labyrinth of the Medina, but make sure you get a reputable one, maybe one recommend by your accommodation.

Personally no.

I've done a fair bit of solo travelling across Europe and Australia when I was in my early and mid 20s. (Not too long ago, although it feels it!)

Marrakech is hectic and busy and I found a lot of people trying to lead tourists away from the souks in order to then extort money from them (the classic dye factory tour scam and bedouin tribe scams).

Most people were absolutely fine, the food was great and the sights were really out of this world. And I know that lots of places in the world has pickpockets, so no where is completely safe. But it just made me feel uneasy.

The only caveat would be if you stuck to a nice resort and did specific trips out via a pre-booked taxi. But personally, I enjoy wandering on holiday and I was glad to have DH with me when going out to explore the souks and local neighbourhoods.

If you do go, check out Jardin Marjorelle - it is like a beautiful dreamscape.

No. And I mean hard no.

I'm an intermittent solo traveller. I would not go to Marrakesh alone as a woman even if someone paid for the best Riad in the city.

I stick with Europe TBH and there is so much to see and do there. Some suggestions (I've been solo).

Basque country Spain and France - Bilbao, San Sebastian, Bayonne, St. Jean de Luz. Gorgeous and very easy to get around.

Padua, (Venice 30 minutes on the train and very cheap to stay), Bologna and Ravenna. Very easy to get around.

Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga. By train, very easy and gorgeous. Lots of places to wander around, and so much inspo for your photography.

Being safe and comfortable in my surroundings is No.1 for me. But maybe you are far more fearless and confident than me!

I love Marrakesh but I’m afraid it will be a real hassle as a solo woman. Maybe not dangerous as long as you stay in the tourist areas in daylight and are streetwise, but you’ll get a lot of attention. I was there as a teenager together with my parents and we had drones of men following us and talking to my dad about marrying me.

Oh good lord-doesn’t sound ideal. I’ve done solo travelling before but this sounds like my kind of hell. I’m single for a reason any sort of attention male or otherwise is absolutely not something I would want. I want to mooch, sip coffee and watch the world go by lol. Sailing in Antigua is my next plan.. I have actually done that before but many moons ago (before marriage/kids) my only worry is I’ll get there and reminisce so much I’ll never return 😆 I just don’t fancy the canaries but would like some sunshine!

Alternative:

I’ve been twice as a solo woman in a wheelchair. Locals helped me out.

the sales techniques take a bit of getting used to if you are European but they talk to everyone.

I’ve been solo, but nearly 20 years ago when I was early 20s. I had a brilliant time but also found the amount of attention from market sellers and sometimes random men very overwhelming. I felt like I had to be on high alert constantly in the medina, it’s so busy and hectic and full of people trying to get something from you, and that is quite exhausting when you’re alone. I remember at the end of one day when I was walking back to my riad, a man put his hand on my arm to get my attention and I asked him quite sharply not to touch me and almost burst into tears. It was a small thing but in that moment it felt like too much to deal with. I also got lost one night trying to find my accommodation in the maze that is the medina and was starting to get properly frightened, I honestly didn’t know what to do - there are no taxis to jump in, you don’t know who to ask for help. Having said all that, Marrakech is an incredible place, so vibrant, interesting and fascinating. I’ve been back since, but not solo. I wouldn’t tell any woman NOT to go solo, but would want to make sure they were prepared.

Malta might be a better suggestion for a solo female traveller.
English is an official language, sunny and within the EU.

I loved Marrakesh but I wouldn’t have wanted to be there without DH.

I didn’t like Marrakesh very much tbh . The only way I’d go back is for the sun only , in an exclusive hotel I didn’t need to leave and just read good books , swim and relax .

I went with some friends when I was in my 40s and I got unwanted attention from men. I even had my bum pinched. It had been a while since I’d experienced that! It’s not somewhere I’d go as a single woman. My choice would be Paris. I’ve been there solo several times and always had a great time.

No to going alone it’s not safe you’ll be harassed and spat at. Only go if with a tour group.
alone I’d do Mauritius, Caribbean, Madeira, Barcelona, Seville, Lisbon

I just got back from Marrakech with DH. I liked it there but it felt a bit sort of edgy to me. And we got very lost several times in the Medina. I’ve been to lots of places on my own but I dont think I would go there solo.

No! I've traveled all of Morocco but Marrekesh is not safe and not comfortable.
I would urge you not to.

As a solo female it’s a hard pass from me. I went with DH and felt uncomfortable at times / I was groped a few times on the street by teenagers.

I felt very safe in Italy and Copenehagen by far has been my favourite city break ever.

Yeah, I think I echo all OP here. I went last October with a female friend, both really seasoned travellers, and we are older / cover up /not wanting nightlife. And it was OK, and it was different. But I got sick of the constant hassle and noise, watching yourself all of the time, animal cruelty in the main square, pushing and shoving and actually very touristy so bringing out the worst of people trying to target tourists. There are better places that you will enjoy more xx

No, I'd personally go to Oslo or somewhere

🙄

Slightly contrary view here…

I went on a solo 4 day holiday in January and it was great. I avoided the medina (there is a lot of harassment in and around the main square) and stayed a 5 minute walk away near Bahia Palace. Totally different vibe. Again for obvious reason did not go out after sunset. I am going back in January. I have been to over 40 countries and consider myself a fairly robust traveller which may be why I felt it was fine just very different culturally.

Ive travelled solo all around Morocco, Egypt and the Gulf countries. Its true that I dressed very conservatively in the kind of long robe local women wear and covered my hair (which was bright auburn at the time). Its wonderful to be able to walk around witout getting a second look especially in the old cities.

I loved Marrakech - the soukh is wonderful. However as one poster has remarked Essouira is a nice little seaside place which is much easier to negotiate for a few days. You can stay in a romantic riad and soak up the atmosphere.

Insanity

I absolutely loved Marrakesh and often went in the square and souk alone. Would not think twice about going as a lone traveller