There is a lot going on in Marrakesh.
This is the sentence what I will always remember when Mike, a fellow Canadian from Toronto said when we asked him what he thought about Marrakesh. We met during our Marrakesh to Fez desert tour, and it was our first dinner together.
An afternoon at Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh
When it was my turn to answer this question about how I liked Marrakesh, the only thing that came on my mind was how hot this place was. Literally burning, we stayed in Morocco under 47 degrees C. I used to prefer hot versus cold, now I do prefer the reverse after having a taste of the scorching hot weather.
Marrakesh was a place on my mind where all things happen very quick, I will never forget Mohammed, our in-Drive (uber of Morocco) driver who took me to a place late night to help me find vegetarian food. His wife and children were in the back seat, it felt so wholesome to see his family being with him late night at work.
The most beautiful thing I liked about Marrakesh is that it is vibrant. There is always something happening. Just to give some context, I went to Marrakesh for my friend Kelly’s birthday, we were a group of 11 in total. I arrived one day earlier so I stayed in a riad (typical moroccan hotel) by myself then we went to a villa we booked for the bday stay. I stayed in Marrakesh for 4 days.
Some words nice to know in Morocco. They speak arabic and amazigh (70% of people are berbere who speak Amazigh)
Hi - Salam in Arabic or Azul in Amazigh
Choukrane - Thank you
Bisllemah - Bye
6 Best Things to Do in Marrakesh
Here are the few things I suggest you do!
Stay in a Riad
This is what makes Morocco so special! Indulge in a special experience made in Morocco by staying in a Riad
Relaxing at the Riad lobby at my arrival in Marrakesh
Stay in one located in the Medina to be close to the action! Read reviews when picking the Riad. There are usually less expensive than Europe!
View from the second floor of the main Riad building
Visit a Hammam
This was one of the top things I wanted to do in Marrakesh. Knowing that it originates from Morocco, and that I love all kind of relaxation, I was ready to remove all those dead skin from the skin I was born with. I liked the one I visited, however I think you can find better. Based on Google reviews, here are 2 I would recommend and that I wish I could have done
Les Bains d’Orient
Les Bains de Kasbah
We were supposed to go as a group but seeing that I was shorter on time in Marrakesh than others (had to leave earlier for the sahara excursion) I did not have to get a spot there. I highly recommend you reserve (either by email or whatsapp). You can even visit souks, and when you are done, walk your way there to relax and then get to dinner :)
Enjoy Moroccan Food
I am a vegetarian. I have to say it was not easy at all for me to find food. It was actually a headache. One thing I had to understand is that no traditional restaurant would offer vegetarian food. I had to go to modern restaurants even though I wanted the traditional feel. Here are some food you can enjoy as a vegetarian
Mint Tea - are you even in Morocco if you don’t drink mint tea?
Mint tea and cookies at my arrival in my Riad
Freshly squeezed orange juice - the best. No other countries compares to a freshly squeezed orange juice from Morocco, their oranges are something else. I am surprised no one talks about it. I went to Spain and Portugal after, and it was not the same.
Tajine & Couscous - the vegetarian version has vegetables. Sadly, there are no protein replacement.
Vegetable Pastilla - I was surprised to find it in a restaurant as I have never heard of it, and was happy to try a vegetarian take of this famous dish.
Berbere Omelette - this was my best meal in Morocco. I had it in the Sahara desert, it was very simple with tomato and cheese, so fresh!
Msemen - flatbread we had every morning at breakfast. get it with cheese and honey for a typical moroccan feel
Msemen - one of my favourite Moroccan pastry. Add some cheese and honey. Simple and yum!
Chebakia - a pastry typically from Morocco, I only bought one because I found it quite sweet.
food i wanted to try but did not find because short on time: makouda - deep fried potato bowl, zaalouk - eggplant dip, bessara - fava bean soup for workers - 5 MAD or 1 euro
For meat eaters, you can enjoy the famous Beef Tangia
Visit Jardin Majorelle and Berbere Museum
I really liked this stop at Jardin Majorelle, maybe it was because we were a lovely group and that I am crazy about plants and trees haha it was one of my highlights in Marrakesh, I will never ever forget the Majorelle blue. It is pretty small but if you have YSL museum it takes around 1-2 hours. YSL museum is nice too especially if you like fashion.
Most instagrammable place in Marrakesh = Jardin Majorelle
The price is 30 euros for tourist for the combined ticket, apparently you can click on the website that you are moroccan and pay 10 euros (that’s what the guard said lol)
Impressive flora at Jardin Majorelle
Check out Place Jemmaa El-Fnaa at night
That’s where the fun is. It was my first night in Morocco, I was all by myself and I will always remember how it was so crowded, how I sat on the streets of a very busy street and drank my Harira soup while chatting with the owner about the recipe lol. The place is so vibrant with the shows (dancing, singing, instruments playing…), sellers, tourist, music, food… it felt like a movie.
Panaché, a mix of different fruit smoothie at Jema-El-Fnaa square
Go to a Soukh
You can’t go to Marrakesh without visiting a soukh. I loved my experience there as I saw so many cool items and also got myself some decorative things. Again divide the price by 3 and don’t be afraid to bargain!
I tried not to take pictures blatantly because I have heard that if you take pictures of stores or with animals, the owner will ask you to pay.
Soukh in Marrakesh
Extra Tips
Get a SIM card 20 euros for 20GB, 30 euros for 30GB, 40 euros to 40 GB. Maroc Telecom is the local one with best wifi in villas, Orange and Inwi work just as fine
Change money at Hotel Ali - they got the best rates
Stay in a riad in the medina for a dive-in experience. Read riad reviews to ensure it is not too noisy if you are looking for somewhere calm.
Honorable Mentions
Visit Agafay desert - I was visiting the Sahara which was further and a real desert, but if you don’t have time and would like to see one that resembles it, Agafay is the closest desert to Marrakesh. That’s really if you don’t have time, but I highly recommend you see the Sahara!
Bahia Palace - Have not been but only heard good thing about it
Quad - we did quad in group and I found it ok. If you have never done quad, it might be interesting. I did one in Lac Rose in Senegal and it was better than this one with an amazing landscape (we got to drive near the sea). We did the quad at La Palmeraie and there were not that many palm trees, it was very hot, very lengthy (I know usually we don’t want it to end but I was done with the weather lol). Maybe a better weather would have made it more enjoyable in my opinion.
Hospitality in Marrakesh cannot be equaled. I have to admit sometimes I wondered if they were expecting for tips as I have seen some warnings online, nevertheless the people working at the riad will try their best to help you.
Things I would not do in Marrakesh
Go in August when it is 47 deg C
Where to stay in Marrakesh?
In the Medina, that is where all the things happen.
Usually the riads are located deep inside, so you will not hear any noise from the crowds, it is usually pretty quiet in there.
Is Marrakesh expensive?
It depends. The riads are cheaper than any other countries I have been, however the activities’ costs are the same as home. For the food, it depends on your level of fanciness. The prettier the decor, the more you will have to pay. I recommend getting food at simple cafés, they apparently make good food at a good price. You can get away well as long as you don’t care about fancy decor.
How long should you stay in Marrakesh?
5 days should be enough. I stayed 4 days and that included few bday activities, adding one more day would have allowed me to do things in less of a rush, therefore 5 days should be alright for you!
Is it safe?
Yes it is safe. I landed and stayed at a riad solo for one night. That same night I wandered around Jemma El-Fnaa at night in the most vibrant place of all Marrakesh before moving to a villa the day after with my friends. I walked by myself at night and no one tried to take something away from me or harass me. They might be pressing with their words when they want you to buy something.
If it gets dark, and there are less people you can call a cab or to walk you home. Nevertheless, keep your common sense and nothing crazy will happen :)
Tourist Price vs Local Price
Note that the price you will be given will be a tourist price. You need to divide by 3 each price they give you, especially at the souks (markets) since there are no price tags. I know for some it might be daunting to have to negotiate price, I know some find it fun to dive in the culture lol.
As for me, I took the time to visit different places with the item I wanted (rule of thumb never buy something you like the first time you see it, you will see it again, bargain the price at different places to see what’s the good value if you have time lol) I was aware when the price was a slightly higher, and I was happy to support local.
How to get around Marrakesh?
I recommend taxis.
The price of taxis should never exceed 150 MAD. If you are around the centre of Marrakesh, the maximum is 50 MAD no matter how many you are. When the taxi driver sees that you are a tourist, he will ask for 150 MAD, you will have to bargain. Do not be afraid to walk away.
The app In-Drive will tell you the exact price. If you stay at La Palmeraie, it is better to call a cab with the app as there are no taxis coming by unlike at the centre. Beware that the relationship between taxis and drivers from apps is very shaky, sometimes there are blockades wheen taxis realize drivers from apps took their customers, the taxis would call their colleagues and it can turn sour.
What about food intoxication?
I had some street food, and did not have any. All bellies were not created equal, and I know some people whose tummies did not take it well.
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