13 Things to Know Before Visiting Marrakech
If you’re planning a trip to Marrakech, you might be wondering what things you’ll need to know before visiting.
The pink city of Marrakech is one of those special places that is unique in its own way. The chaotic busy streets within the Medina walls will have you dodging people and donkey carts, bikes whizz past you and the aroma of frying spices fills the air.
Honestly, it can all seem very overwhelming at first, and the chaos can catch you off guard unless you know what to expect while visiting Marrakech.
Things To Know Before Visiting Marrakech
The city can be pretty intense but personally, I love Marrakech and think there is a lot of beauty in the madness. The sound of calls to prayer that ring through the city, the intricate architecture that holds so much history, the Atlas Mountains painted on the horizon and the rich Moroccan culture.
Before visiting Marrakech for the first time, there are a few things that you should know to make your visit as stress-free as possible!
1. Location Matters
Believe it or not, where you choose to stay in Marrakech will make a big difference on your experience there!
Inside the Medina’s pink walls is where you’ll find the most chaotic part of the city. The narrow streets are sprawled out like a labyrinth and the hustle and bustle is in full swing here. Although the Medina can be very full on, I really enjoyed staying here although I understand it may not be for everyone!
Inside the Medina is where you’ll find the authentic Moroccan riads which typically have a small courtyard and sometimes a pool. These are great places to stay and can be very reasonably priced!
Many of the roads are too small for cars to drive down and you’ll need to walk to most accommodations from a drop-off point.
Outside the Medina, some areas will still offer traditional accommodation but if you stay in an area like Gueliz, then you’ll find more modern and upscale hotels.
Gueliz is known for its shopping, trendy cafes and nightlife. It is completely different from the old part of town.
2. Always Have Some Cash On You
Working on a cash-only basis seems to be the norm for a lot of places inside the Medina. You will find some places do take card, but to be honest, it’s best to have some cash with you at all times.
Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency, meaning that you won’t be able to change any money before entering the country. Once you’ve landed in Marrakech, there are a few currency exchange desks and ATMs at the airport and this will be the best point to get some cash.
Once you’re in the Medina, there are a few ATMs, but they are all spread out, and really there aren’t that many. They can often be a bit temperamental too!
We used two during our visit to Marrakech. The first one is here, it did have a long queue, which took a while but I read this is one of the more reliable ATMs, as they sometimes run out of cash.
The other is next to Jemaa el-Fna which is here. Both of these worked fine for us but be aware that both charge a small fee.
You can certainly find more dotted around the city. You’ll be able to find these on maps or you can ask your riad/hotel for the closest one to you.
3. What To Wear
Before visiting Marrakech, it’s worth keeping in mind that Morocco is predominantly a Muslim country, meaning women tend to dress more conservatively.
Most locals are fairly used to tourism and seeing visitors wearing shorter dresses and strappy tops, but it is always best to be respectful of local customs when visiting other countries.
It’s best to wear clothing that covers your chest, shoulders, above the knees and stomach. (Although I don’t necessarily agree that women should have to dress modestly anywhere in the world).
In the hotter summer months, I recommend flowy items such as maxi/midi skirts and dresses, loose trousers and tops/blouses that are comfortable.
In the winter months, bring a mix of flowy items but also some jeans, jumpers and a jacket as the weather can vary during this time of the year. This way you’re respecting Moroccan culture and customs, and you will also avoid attracting any unwanted attention.
Carrying a light scarf of some sort is also handy if you’re planning on visiting religious sites.
4. Download Google Maps Offline
Honestly, this made our lives so much easier!
Before visiting Marrakech, we already knew the streets were a bit of a maze but we didn’t realise just how much until we actually saw it for ourselves. After a few outings, you’ll start to recognise shops or landmarks that should lead you back to your riad. Having maps offline does take the stress away should you make a wrong turn or lose your bearings.
When exploring Marrakech one thing you should watch out for is people approaching you to offer directions. More often than not if you take them up on their seemingly nice offer they will demand payment at the end. It is best to politely say no thank you from the get-go to avoid any uncomfortable situations.
Another thing that you may come across, is someone telling you that a road is closed and then showing you another route. Quite often this person will lead you to a friend or family member’s shop in an attempt to sell you something.
5. Languages Spoken
In Marrakech, the main languages spoken are Arabic and French but you can also get by in most places with English.
If you remember any French from school, now is the time to put it into practice! Although English is widely spoken in tourist spots, it never goes a miss to try speaking in one of the local languages.
The below words in Arabic are good to know;
Shukran – Thank you
Salaam – Greeting/hello
La – No (often said as ‘la la la’)
6. Don’t Drink The Tap Water
Although the locals do drink the tap water for the most part and it is classed as safe to drink, it’s really not worth the risk during your trip.
Drinking bottled or filtered water is the best option if you don’t fancy picking up a stomach bug! That goes for brushing your teeth too!
If you’re like me and hate single-use plastic, you’ll be pleased to know that many accommodations do offer filtered water. This means you can fill up your bottles for the day and take them with you!
7. You’ll Become A Pro At Haggling
Ok so maybe you won’t become a pro! But it is definitely something you will come across if you intend to buy anything in Marrakech.
I won’t lie, I really don’t enjoy haggling. It’s definitely a battle of wills, and it’s just not something I relish in! But if you do want to buy something in Marrakech, here are a few tips to help you get the best price.
Never Seem Too Interested
If you see something you really like, don’t seem too enthusiastic as this can make the starting price even higher.
Start Low
This may go against every fibre of your being (or it may not) but you should start your offer low, usually at about 25% of the price they give you.
You know that’s not the price you’ll pay, and so does the seller, but it’s all part of the game. Eventually, you should meet somewhere at a price you’re both happy with.
Don’t Be Afraid To Say No
If after a bit of back and forth, you feel like the price is still too high, then simply say no thank you and move on. The great thing is that most items can be found in many of the shops so you can try again elsewhere.
8. You Only Need A Few Days
One of the things to know before visiting Marrakech is, you don’t need a ton of time here.
I wouldn’t go booking a full 7-day trip as any more than a few days can be exhausting! You can definitely see all the sights in 2-3 days.
When we visited, we booked a 4-day trip, which included a full day and overnight stay away from the city in the Agafay desert. This was a good amount of time for us.
9. Be Respectful When Taking Photos
Something that caught my eye when we were wandering the markets were these big signs with drawings of cameras with huge red crosses through them with the caption ‘NO PHOTO!’.
My guess is that visitors will go into certain shops to snap that Insta-worthy photo and then leave once the photoshoot is done without buying anything.
I mean I totally get it, who wouldn’t want to take photos with the vibrant mountains of spice or the ornate lanterns, but I can understand the frustration of the shop owners too. Especially if they have dozens of tourists do this each day.
If you do want to take some photos in someone’s shop it’s best to be mindful and ask first. Some shop owners may say no and that’s fine, some may say yes and some may say yes but for a few dirham which isn’t an unusual custom.
This would also apply if you are taking photos of people, always ask permission first.
10. When To Visit
As I mentioned earlier, Morocco is a Muslim country, and if you choose to visit during the month of Ramadan, there are a few things to keep in mind.
During the daytime, Marrakech will be quieter as many locals will be fasting. There may be some changes in business hours and restaurant availability during the daytime.
That being said Marrakech comes to life at night, and exploring Marrakech’s lively nightlife during Ramadan can be very a unique experience.
Prepare for the weather!
That probably sounds way more dramatic than it needs to be! But it is one of the things you will need to think about before visiting Marrakech!
Honestly, it’s quite surprising just how hot it can get here in the summer months and how much it can cool down during the winter months.
The summer months (June – August) can be extremely hot, especially when wandering through the bustling streets of the Medina or exploring the nearby Agafay desert. Most riads will have pools that you can cool off in, but you can’t spend the whole day in these (or can you?).
During these warmer months, I definitely recommend packing light and loose clothing to help with the heat. But if really high temperatures are not your thing, consider visiting outside of the summer months, especially July & August.
The winter months (December – February) are still relatively warm during the day and usually range somewhere between 18 – 22 degrees Celsius. But the evenings can get quite chilly so bringing a few things to layer up with is a good idea!
March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn) are months when the weather tends to be warm but not scorching hot.
11. Alcohol
Another thing to know before visiting Marrakech is that Morocco is mostly a dry country.
So obviously having a drink isn’t the be-all and end-all, but if you do drink alcohol you may look forward to a drink or two while on holiday!
Most restaurants and cafes in Marrakech don’t actually sell alcohol if you are within the Medina walls, but it isn’t that hard to come by if you know where to look.
A lot of the riads sell alcohol such as wine or beer and the fact that most of the accommodations have rooftops or pools, this can be quite a nice spot to enjoy a drink anyway.
Some places we came across that do serve alcohol in the Medina are;
- Café Árabe (reallyyyyyy good cocktails here!)
- Le Marrakchi
- Le Salama
If you are outside the Medina in New Marrakesh (Gueliz), you’re a bit more spoilt for choice and will even come across bars and clubs to have a fancy cocktail in.
No supermarkets sell alcohol within the Medina. Unsurprisingly though, some supermarkets have been strategically placed near the Medina gates so you don’t need to wander too far!
The Carrefour and Champion supermarkets have a selection of beers, wines and spirits.
12. The Queues Are Huge At The Airport
Let’s face it, airports are never really much fun!
But something you should know before visiting Marrakech is the queues when you arrive at the airport are something else. You can be in the line for border control for at least an hour, sometimes two!
Not only that but when you are leaving the country, you will need to go to the check-in desk even if you have your boarding pass and no luggage to drop off.
13. Where To Stay In Marrakech
There are tons of amazing places to stay in the city! But in my opinion, the best type of accommodation in Marrakech is a traditional riad.
Riad Be
Whenever I think of Moroccan architecture I picture somewhere like Riad Be.
Nestled in the Medina, Riad Be’s roof terrace is the perfect place to enjoy some breakfast in the morning and the pool is the perfect place to cool down in the evening.
Riad L’Atelier
I mean all you have to do is look at the photos of Riad L’Atelier to see that this is a peaceful oasis tucked away in the madness of the Medina.
Each room has been designed beautifully and the courtyard is the perfect place to relax after a busy day of exploring. The breakfast here is great also!
Riad El Hara
If you’re looking to stay outside the Medina, Riad El Hara is just a few minutes walk from the city’s pink walls.
This accommodation has everything you’d expect from a traditional riad but there is also a bar onsite.
Hostel Riad Marrakech Rouge
If you prefer a more social vibe or are travelling on a budget then Hostel Riad Marrakech Rouge is a great option.
This is the perfect place to meet other travellers and is in a good location to explore the city.
Final Thoughts: 13 Things To Know Before Visiting Marrakech
These 13 things you should know before visiting Marrakech really helped us have a stress-free trip and I hope they will help you too.
Visiting this beautiful city can certainly be an attack on the senses, but it is an amazing place that is rich in culture and well worth the visit.
Marrakech is a great place to kick off any trip around Morocco but it’s also perfect if you want to get away for just a few days, especially if you’re travelling from Europe!
