Please tell me about Marrakesh!

[Thingsthatgo]

We are going to Marrakesh in October. We have been given the holiday as a birthday gift from family and I am so excited! What do I need to know? (I am not widely travelled!).
Do I need to cover up? And my 12 year old DD? I think I need some jabs, and I need to sort insurance.
What else? DC’s passports run out in March, is that ok? Gives us a clear 3 months.
Tell me all the things that I might not have thought about!!

If she stays outside the city, she'll miss the whole point of Marrakech. And if she only goes into the city with a guided tour, she'll miss a lot, too.

Again I was there as a lone woman, out until midnight most days (because the nighttime buzz in the jemaa el fna is just an amazing cultural experience) and didn't have a single issue.

Thank you all for your advice. I don’t know all the details of the holiday yet - I will be going with DH and DCs as well as the person (male) who is giving us the holiday. He is an experienced traveller who gets stuck in to local culture, but also enjoys a very luxurious lifestyle. I imagine we will be staying in some swanky hotels.
I will ensure to keep an eye on DD and make sure she is flanked by two men at all times. I think we will be in Marrakesh for a couple of days and then heading out into the desert, and maybe some time on the coast.
Thank you for all of the frank advice about Marrakesh - it will be interesting to see for myself, but I am not looking for an easy, relaxing time. I want to experience something new.

I think you’ll have a great time OP.

As someone else mentioned, I had also read all the mumsnet threads and was fully prepared to be ogled at, hassled etc, and had nothing. I was really polite to vendors too, didn’t ignore anyone, just a smile and a “no thank you.” I found the people really nice and was expecting the worst so it was a good feeling. Maybe we were just lucky.

We did the long drive into the desert and it was amazing. Sunrise over the Sahara was spectacular. The year after I took my DC back to Morocco, we went to Tangiers which was much more European feeling.

We've just got back from 4 days in Marrakech. Best four days I've spent with my family. We all loved it. One tip - if you have ear probs or sinus issues be aware that the descent into Marrakech is quick and can cause ear / nerve pain. We had tetanus and typhoid jabs. If you get scratched by a cat whilst there get your rabies jab at a medical centre. We got insurance through StaySure and they got us a GP whilst there for a minor illness but we were super happy with the simplicity of it and the medical care.

Walking through the main square my 15yr old son commented on how polite people were compared to home. But the square is chaotic and if there are pickpockets this is where they'll be. Make sure you get a fresh juice from the square - they use bagged ice so it's safe. Don't take photos of the snake charmers if you're not going to give them money. It's their job and we viewed it in the same way as the performers in convent garden. On the whole the Moroccans are pretty chill and relaxed and super helpful. Be kind and don't be rude to the shop owners. We heard some tourists being quite rude when bartering. This is someone's business at the end of the day and they have a pride in their goods.

If someone wants to show u through the Medina say no thank you - they'll walk away. Get cash from cash points as you come out of arrivals at the airport. 2000 MAD is the most you can withdraw. Taxis will take euro notes. My husband had difficulty using his Lloyds debit card so we used my Monzo instead. I transferred money to the Monzo as I needed it and used that for extra security just incase we lost the card. I was mugged in Rabat years ago so was cautious. Cash points in the square were safe and well used. And the police van is positioned near it.

We booked a guide for the first day which was super interesting. A firm no thank you is sufficient for the henna women. When bartering I came in too low and quickly figured it was a bit insulting - trick is to reach a price you're both happy with. I downloaded an MAD to £ converter app which helped when haggling. Be upfront that you want to compare prices or would prefer to browse - most shop keepers respected this. Go deeper into the Medina for a better price. Bring bubble wrap if you want to buy ceramics. Leave space in your suitcase for shopping. The sounds, smells, experience is something else. And the sound of the call to prayer drifting across the Medina rooftops is magical. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

It is a fantastic place and a real opportunity to see so many different things. We have been a number of times and yes it is busy, yes you need to keep your wits about you but there are so many wonderful things to see and do. A trip into the Atlas Mountains is also amazing and the scenery is stunning. Brave the souk, just be firm but friendly and they will let you walk by. Our dc loved it.

@Thingsthatgoits a closed currency so you can’t take money in or out - I think you can get a small amount of Dirhams in the uk but otherwise you need to get them in Morocco.

do not get them in the airport - absolute rip off. See also tourist tax when you arrive.

on departure, make sure you’ve spent your dirhams as most shops in the airport (it duty free, gift shorts) won’t take them / they want euros or dollars. Smaller cafe/sweet shops take them. I ended up giving mine to the woman cleaning the toilets! Also if it matters to you - it’s a dry airport so no pre-flight alcoholic drinks.

Marrakesh itself is ok - seen better, seen worse. I just cba with haggling so I didn’t buy much. Decent restaurants. Felt safe enough. Don’t bother with the palace - it’s a dump!!’

Have been several times and loved it. I would not even say its off the beaten track these days as the tourist industry has taken off with loads of modern new hotels outside the medina. The introduction of the tourist police has massively reduced the levels of street hassle. You will still get offered tour guide services, cheap hotel offers, hashish, camel rides etc when you are walking about but they soon move on if you if you just say 'no thanks' and just ignore them after that. The Medina has changed massively with dozens of roof top bars and restaurants now on offer, alcohol used to be largely forbidden within the city walls.

I went in 2007 appreciate that’s a long time ago. It was good but we did sort of get tricked into buying a £100 tea set! My colleague who is Moroccan found this amusing when I told her and it was entirely our fault! We went as part of a tour from a holiday to Agadir. We didn’t get made to pay any money or anything. I liked it

I went recently on a girls trip. It as absolutely hideous. Couldn’t drink anywhere, it was a shithole, and we were all very anxious when out and about - ages from 16-85 as well in our group. We couldn’t wait to get home. Never ever again. I’ve travelled all over and I’ve never said that about anywhere

Im fortunate enough to live in Manchester where you can easily buy hijab and modest dress. I bought two long plain neck to ankle gowns with matching headscarf when I visited Iran and wore them all over the Middle East. Although the details of women's dress differ slightly from one country to another I was hardly given a second glance when I went out in public It was not until I entered a shop and began talking that the owner recognised i was not "of the place". Its like wearing a form of disguise that renders you invisible. and gives you a feeling of power.

The souk is a tourist trap.

Don't take anything from anyone that is offered to you - especially street performers trying to give you a monkey or a snake to hold. It is a scam to try to get money out of you. Aggressive men surround you and start demanding money for holding it or for anyone you are with who took a photograph.

Do not give any of the begging children money as you will become like a pied piper with masses of them swarming after you once they know you are a soft touch for cash and they will be tugging at your clothes.

Research restaurants before you go and ask at the hotel where you are staying for recommendations. There are some fantastic restaurants but some are tricky to find - down winding passages -so you many need a guide to take you there. A guide (a recommended one not one you pick up at random) can be useful as they can help keep the scammers away from you.

I disagree with PP who said that people who say its a hole haven't traveled or must be wanting anodyne USA vanilla travel. It is a hole - a hell hole of unpleasant and aggressive beggars and scam artists. Other parts of Morocco are much better. If it isn't too late, I'd tag on another city like Fez or Casablanca which are more authentic and less of a tourist trap.

Go with low expectations and you may be pleasantly surprised. If you are overly excited, you are likely to be disappointed. I wouldn't go there again if you paid me.

Another thing I've remembered - if you are paying with cash in a taxi, when you hand over the note say loudly and clearly the domination of the note as you hand it over.

It's a common scam to claim you paid with a lower value note and try to scam you out of half of your change.

I found it incredible. Yes you get hassled but for me that's all part of it. You quickly learn how to avoid eye contact it's just sales patter , wear maxi dresses to feel comfortable yes to a Hammen :)

Just to echo PPs. Make sure you get rabies jabs before you go. Not wanting to scare you but a British woman died of rabies a couple of years ago after being scratched by a puppy in Morocco.

@WhyReindeer

I would not call the souk a tourist trap as such, its a pretty unique and atmospheric place. The Tower of London is a tourist trap but its still a fascinating place to visit despite the coach loads of tourists. Sure, you will not pay 'local' rates and you have the whole theatre of haggling but there is a lot of very unique stuff that will cost a fraction of what it would in Europe. I picked up a few funky lampshades for my hallway. I knew they were probably made the previous week in the workshop out the back so did not buy into the whole 'its an authentic berber original' sales talk but they look great and bought them. Also bought some lovely huge hand painted salad bowls and a few bags of ras el hanout that tastes a hell of lot better then the equivalent down tescos.

I'm surprised that some people are surprised alcohol isn't available everywhere. It is a predominantly Muslim country after all.
If you want pool and cocktails try Benidorm.

Hated it. Horrible area and men who pester you constantly. One even decided to join me and partner at the dinner table.

I was there in April this year and loved it. It’s noisy, crowded, hot… but great fun. We weren’t hassled at all but we’re advised to not make eye contact if we weren’t interested and to keep walking. It worked perfectly and I never felt unsafe. We stayed in a riad in the mefina and it was beautiful. The staff were very helpful and friendly. No jabs, I would have 6 months on the passport
we travelled all around Morocco with a car rental and had a lovely time

Exactly! Somewhere can be touristy but still unique and amazing. There are many places in the world that would be in that category.

Just to add, it is North Africa and it is Muslim so yes, it’s very different and jarring if you’re not expecting it.

I forget to add that even my Tunisian friends and an Algerian friend also went and had to beat off the scammers and lads selling hash etc..And they speak the languages and dialects....!! .I felt like i needed a holiday when i came back...essaouria is so much nicer, have heard good things about rabat also....we found the whole thing totally exhausting....friends who had no hassle at all are a very hefty lesbian couple who wear leather biker clothing, tattoos, shaved heads etc....no hassle at all !!

Marrakech is fascinating and intense. It is not a 'hole' but it will be challenging in parts. That is part of experiencing such a different culture.If you are staying in a nice riad or hotel, that will be your peaceful sanctuary.

• Do dress reasonably modestly
• Avoid henna women in the square, one tried to grab my arm and put henna on me. My fella had to step in to make her back off. Our riad owner warned us about this.
• A performance monkey also grabbed me in the square! It was slightly alarming but a funny experience.
• You will get lost when wandering around the medina but don't be afraid, it is part of it. All roads eventually lead back to the main square.
• Get cash at the airport as the atms in the square were empty when we were there.
• Watch out for scooters, they are flying everywhere even the narrow streets
• Try a lovely Tagine
• If possible go to your rooftop when call to prayer happens on an evening-- you can hear them from 360 degrees all over the city and it is stunning.
• Have sweet mint tea- it is totally reviving in the chaos and the heat
• I wish I had tried a hamman
• If I went again I would get a guide to show me around for some of it. I noticed that when we were with the Riad owner, people left us alone.
• I would also consider a day trip to Essaouria or the Atlas Mountains but would probably go with a tour group.

I would also consider a day trip to Essaouria or the Atlas Mountains but would probably go with a tour group.

I split my trip between Marrakech and Essaouira. I got the bus between them, which was cheap, very comfortable, and made a lunch stop on the way. It was very civilised. No need for a tour group at all for that trip.

It is horrible

This thread shows very clearly, that Marrakech is like Marmite. You love it or hate it (though there really is less reason to hate it since the tourism police were installed). I also think it's ridiculous to call it a hole. It isn't grubby or unclean in any way.

Fundamentally, if you travel to experience difference; different culture, different food, different architecture, different buzz - you'll enjoy it.
If you travel to relax and chill, you might find it challenging and not to your taste.