we’ll cover all you need to know before traveling to Marrakech, including transportation, where to stay, best city views, apps, most amazing experiences, and day trips and much more. We want to thank Ceptics, a number one choice for travel adapters on Amazon, for sponsoring this article.
Here are 15 essential tips:
NUMBER 15: THE MAP OF MARRAKECH
Located just north of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is one of the main cities of the Kingdom of Morocco and was one of Morocco’s Imperial Cities.
Like many other large settlements in the kingdom, it has a Medina, which is an old walled district full of street vendors.
In fact, the Medina of Marrakech is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For orientation, let’s start with the Jemaa el-Fna Square, a square and marketplace in Marrakech’s Medina, located just outside the square is Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in the city. Souks or traditional marketplaces are spread throughout the Medina, while tanneries are located in its eastern part.
Located in the central part you’ll find The Son of Joseph School, Almoravid Koubba, and Musée de Marrakech. Close to these attractions is Le Jardin Secret.
Another garden, Jardin Majorelle, famous for its villa painted Majorelle Blue, is located close to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
The Menara Gardens are located close to the Oliveraie southwest of the Medina, while Jardins de l’Agdal is located in the south. One of the 19 gates to Marrakech, Bab Agnaou, was built in the 12th century and provided entrance to the royal kasbah. It is located close to Saadian’s Tombs, where over 60 members of a former royal dynasty were buried.
If you are in the neighborhood, don’t miss Place des Ferblantiers, one of the many impressive squares in Marrakech.
Marrakech has impressive palaces, such as El Badii Palace, a ruined palace constructed in the late 16th century, and Bahia Palace built in the 19th century.
The Mellah, the Jewish quarter, features the Miara Jewish Cemetery.
Usually, you will arrive in Marrakech at Marrakech Menara Airport, which is located close to the city. If you are traveling from other Moroccan cities by train, you’ll arrive at Marrakech’s only train station which is located in the western part of the city.
To get a better sense of distances, a 0.7 mile or 1.1 km walk from the Jemaa el-Fna Square to Saadien’s Tombs takes about 15 minutes, while a 1.6 mile or 2.6 km walk from the Koutoubia Mosque to Jardin Majorelle takes about 35 minutes.
NUMBER 14: WEATHER & CLIMATE
Marrakech has a hot, semi-arid climate, or in other words, there’s a lot of sunshine all year round. Winters are mild to cold and relatively wet, with temperatures ranging between 43 and 69 °F or 6 and 20°C.
Summers are very hot and dry.
Temperatures range between 63 and 99 °F or 17 and 37 °C.
In spring and fall, the weather is mild, ranging from between cool and warm.
91 °F or 11 and 33 °C in the fall.
However, these are all just averages.
The weather and temperature can be different at the time of your visit, so remember to always check the weather forecast before you travel.
NUMBER 13: BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best times to visit Marrakech is in spring, especially in March and April, and in the fall from September to November, when the weather is most pleasant, and the tourist crowds are relatively small.
Early December, January, and February are the cheapest months to visit.
Probably the worst time to visit is July, the hottest month in Marrakech.
But don’t worry – there are a lot of things to see and do in this enchanting city throughout the year, you’ll have a great time regardless of the season. And how can you find the greatest moments, days and hours to discover the attractions?
Easy Google is your tool to discover how crowded the location is at the exact time of the day. Absolutely , we suggest going as early as possible in the morning and/or during the week.
We recommend staying in Marrakech for at least three days.
This way, you’ll be able to see most of its major attractions and even take a day trip outside the city.
NUMBER 12: WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT IS THE COST OF ACCOMMODATIONS
If this is your first time in the city and you want to experience Marrakech’s vibrant atmosphere, choose to stay in the Medina. If you’re looking for nightlife or a cool place to stay, then Gueliz or Hivernage is the place for you. If you want peace and quiet and don’t mind spending more on accommodations, stay further away from the city center. Chrifia is a good neighborhood for families.
On average, a mid-range hotel double room in Marrakech costs around 740 MAD. For budget hotels, the average is about 260 Dirhams.
Again, these are all just average prices, and the ranges for different hotel categories are quite wide. With a little research online, you can get good deals, especially if your dates are flexible, and you don’t travel in peak season.
NUMBER 11: TRANSPORTATION
FROM AND TO THE AIRPORT To get to and from Marrakech Menara Airport, you can use: Bus, Taxis, Car rental or Private transfers organized in advance by your hotel or host in Marrakech.
(btw, this is the type of transpiration we suggest the most because it is usually most reliable and not subject to bargaining)
GETTING AROUND THE CITY
Since Marrakech is not that big, walking will probably be the main part of getting around the city, especially when you’re in Medina. So remember to always wear comfortable shoes. Other options for getting around include Taxis: You can take either a Grand Taxi, which carries 6 to 8 passengers for a fixed price, or a metered Petit Taxi for three passengers.
Not all drivers use their meters though, so be sure to ask the driver to turn it on or agree on a price before you hop in.
Buses: Marrakech’s bus service includes public buses and tourist buses.
While a one-way public bus ticket costs just 3 or 4 dirhams, the buses can get crowded and are mostly used by locals, so it is much more convenient to use the tourist buses, tickets for which cost between 145 to 165 dirhams. Hop On Hop Off Busses Calèches or green horse-drawn carriages mostly at the Jemaa El Fna Square. Of course, you can always rent a car, but we do not recommend this option.
Check out our travel guide for additional information.
NUMBER 10: CURRENCY, EXCHANGE OFFICE, ATMs, and CASH
The currency used in Morocco is the Dirham.
At the time of the making of this article, 1 US dollar is worth roughly 10 Moroccan Dirhams. 1 EUR is worth approximately 11 Dirhams.
Euros are also accepted at several locations in Marrakech.
While credit cards are accepted at some locations, especially at hotels and some restaurants, you must have the cash to pay at most places. There are many ATM’s in the Jemaa e-Fna square and throughout the city. Of course, you can also exchange money at exchange offices. Head to the city center for the best rates, and make sure to get small bills and coins. However, be careful when using the ATMs as so-called ATM scams are common in Marrakech.
NUMBER 9: GENERAL INFORMATION
Let’s look at some other things you should know to make the most of your stay in Marrakech: Travel Adapters Depending on where you’re coming from, you will probably need a travel adapter to charge your phone and other devices in Morocco.
Morocco uses European power plugs and outlet styles. This is what European power plugs look like.
If you travel a lot, consider buying a universal travel adapter that you can use in other countries too. Sometimes charging goes nowhere, and when you’re traveling, you need your devices ready to go fast. Ceptics just released a brand-new travel adapter designed to charge your devices more quickly. , Considering most hotel rooms only have a few outlets, With multiple attachments, it allows us to charge up to four devices at once, which is convenient.
Visit Ceptics’s user-friendly website to find adapters that fit your needs. And check out their articles with travel advice articles.
Dress Appropriately While there is no official dress code, it is wise to show respect for the local culture by dressing modestly. Keep your chest, shoulders, and stomach covered, and wear pants or knee-length shorts, skirts, or dresses. Drinking Alcohol You can legally buy alcohol in Marrakech when you’re at least 18.
It’s available at restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets, and liquor stores. Also, keep in mind that Moroccans frown upon drinking in public places. Crowds & Lines Marrakech is Morocco’s most visited city, so expect crowded streets and cramped marketplaces.
Even if you can’t avoid all the crowds, you can do some things to make your trip to Marrakech a much more pleasant experience.
You can, for example, avoid peak seasons, get up early in the morning to explore the city without the crowds or use Google Maps or similar apps to check how crowded a specific location is at a particular time of day.
Drinking-Water Tap water in Morocco has relatively high levels of minerals, so avoid drinking it, even at hotels. The locals are used to it, but as a tourist, you’d better off drinking bottled water. Toilets While there are public toilets in Marrakech,
most of them have squat toilets and do not have toilet paper. You can find sitting toilets in mid-range and luxury hotels and restaurants.
Carry Tissues & Hand Sanitizer Often, there’s no toilet paper at public restrooms, so it’s best to bring your own. There are also restrooms without sinks and soap, so bring some hand sanitizer too.
Free WiFi Free WiFi is available for guests and customers at many hotels, riads, guesthouses, restaurants, and upscale cafes. You can also get free WiFi at Marrakech Cyber Park.
Prepaid SIM card and Pocket WiFi You can purchase a prepaid SIM card to access the internet on your phone. The local carriers include Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange. See our travel guide for more information.
If you’re from the US and travel a lot, consider using Google Fi.
Visa If you are a citizen of the UK, United States, Australia, member states of the European Union, or Canada, you will not need a visa to travel to Marrakech. If you are coming from other countries, just check with your government what the requirements are.
Wheelchair Access While some modern infrastructure is wheelchair-friendly, you might find it difficult to access more historical places in Medina and elsewhere, especially because there’s a lot of uneven ground and steps.
While some places are wheelchair-friendly, the standards are not the same as in the US or Europe.
NUMBER 8: INTERESTING EXPERIENCES
Here are some experiences you should not miss: Try their traditional mint tea. Their mint tea is just green tea infused with mint leaves and sugar. Grab a cup of this sweet drink to start your day off, and to relax before sundown. And there are delicious things you can try like their desserts, argan oil, juice and more.
Stay in a riad, which is a traditional Moroccan house or a palace with an interior garden or courtyard. Charming, historical, and atmospheric riads are the ideal places to stay in Morocco, and you’ll certainly find one that fits your budget.
Enjoy breakfast on your riad’s inner patio or a rooftop terrace and cool off in its plunge pool. Get lost in souks & try bargaining In Marrakech’s Jemma el-Fnaa square, you’ll see donkey carts, Berber dancers, and large tourist groups; smell exotic spices and fresh orange juice, and hear the sounds of snake charmers with the cries of vendors selling their wares.
All these experiences make Marrakech an enchanting feast for the senses. Around the square, you’ll find the entrance to the souks, which are full of shops of all types and sizes. Prices in the souks vary wildly, and you will be expected to bargain. Generally, you should aim for about 30 percent of the initial asking price, and pay about 50 percent. Try a hammam You can visit a hammam, which is similar to a Turkish bath. Marrakech offers both luxury hammams to hammams used mostly by locals.
NUMBER 7: SAFETY & SCAMS
Marrakech is, unfortunately, also known for scams aimed at tourists, especially in Medina. There are many different scams, from so-called friendly strangers scams, scams at the tanneries, taxi scams, and many others.
Overall, our number one recommendation is to avoid being an easy victim. Act smartly so you won’t seem easy to take advantage of. For sure, a helpful stranger will approach you in no time if you look confused while checking a city map.
Check out our travel guide to see what types of scams exist in Marrakech and how to avoid them. While scams are common, Marrakech is actually a relatively safe destination for tourists, and crime is relatively low. It usually involves pickpocketing, purse snatching, and similar. Of course, try to avoid non-touristy areas, especially at night, and use common sense.
NUMBER 6: BEST APPS TO USE IN MARRAKECH
Here is a list of useful apps: Marrakech Riad Travel Guide for information on riads, as well as tips and an offline map for navigation.
Marrakech Guide Civitatis for information on sites and restaurants, transfers and tour bookings. TripAdvisor for restaurants, Tours, hotels, museums, and Riads.
Withlocals for finding local guides for unique tours and food experiences.
Google Maps or Apple Maps for navigation around the city.
Google Maps also lets you download maps, which is a great option if you don’t want to roam. WiFi Map or WiFi finder, which helps you find WiFi throughout Marrakech. Google Translate for translating languages into Arabic or French, and vice versa. Check out our travel guide for links to download these apps on iOS and Android and for more app suggestions.
NUMBER 5: LANGUAGE
Arabic and Tamazight (the Berber language)
are the two official languages of Morocco.
Around 90% of Moroccans speak Arabic, while about half speak a Berber dialect. Aside from Arabic and Tamazight, French is considered a major official language.
It is important to know that English is not widely spoken in Morocco. However, they will probably understand enough, so you’ll be just fine.
NUMBER 4: FREE CITY TOURS
Walking tours are organized by local guides who know a great deal about the city’s fascinating history and culture. See our travel guide for guided tours and other interesting tours of Marrakech and Morocco.
NUMBER 3: FOOD, PRICES, AND TIPPING
FOOD PRICES: You can find cheap and authentic food at street stalls and local eateries. We suggest using TripAdvisor to find nearby places with good reviews.
An inexpensive restaurant meal ranges from 30 to 70 Dirhams for lunch and 50 and 120 Dirhams for dinner. A bowl of Harira soup costs anywhere from 3 to 30 Dirham, and a serving of tagine from 25 to 80 Dirham depending on how touristy the place is.
For sweets, you’ll pay about 5 Dirham for a serving of Chebakia, traditional Morrocan cookies. As for drinks, a coffee costs about 10 Dirham, a 1-liter bottle of water between 5 to 10 Dirham, a can of soda from 3 to 7 Dirham and a pint of beer between 18 and 30 Dirham. A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice is about 10 Dirham, and a pot of mint tea from
5 to 20 Dirham. TIPPING You should tip anyone that provides you with good service. Round up to the nearest whole number for the small bills.
For example, if your restaurant bill is 174 Dirhams, pay 200 Dirhams for good service. At high-end restaurants, a 10% tip is a standard. GROCERY STORES Aside from supermarkets, there are some small local shops where you can buy some basic things.
NUMBER 2: BEST VIEWS OF THE CITY
You can enjoy amazing views of Marrakech from the rooftop terraces of El Badi Palace Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier or any other bar in the Jemaa el-Fna Square Cafe Des Épices or any other restaurant in the Medina From your riad or any other accommodations in the Medina or La Maison de la Photographie.
NUMBER 1: BEST DAY TRIPS FROM MARRAKECH
For the ultimate experience, take at least one trip to some other places outside Marrakech, for example, a trip to Essaouira, a serene coastal city with 16th-century walls and ramparts offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Formerly called Mogador by Portuguese colonists, Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known not only for its rich history but also for its beach vibe and artistic atmosphere. Also, check out the argan oil cooperatives and three goats on your way to the city.
There are many other great day trips and other activities that you can experience in Marrakech and in Morocco check our suggested tours here.
