Morocco
6 Travel tips for those who want to go to Marrakech
Travel tips for
Marrakech
Marrakech is a great city in Morocco with a lot to see and do. However, there are a number of things that you should pay more attention to when you visit this city. We give you 6 practical travel tips for Marrakech to keep in mind. This way you are better prepared for a visit to beautiful Marrakech.
1 Difference man and woman
In some countries it is simply the case that women and men are not equal and/or have other obligations (for example, based on religious convictions). In Morocco there is also a difference between men and women. We cannot say that men and women are not equal here, but in Marrakech (and perhaps in the rest of Morocco) there is a clear dividing line between men and women. Both men and women each have their own tasks, rituals, costumes, access to certain public places,… It is better that you are prepared for this and just go along with it.
It doesn’t make sense to lie sideways, so accept this culture as it is. That’s why you don’t have to support them yet, but have respect for their ideology and religion. Because religion, especially Islam, is very important to most Moroccans and you will also notice that in Marrakech. Try to be discreet with your loved one in public, don’t wear shorts or skirts near mosques, and don’t photograph unknown women on the street without asking if it’s okay. You’ve come a long way with this.
2 Practice your French
In addition to Arabic, most of the inhabitants of Marrakech also speak French. This is their second language, just like ours in Belgium. Road signs, posters, place names, etc. are also always written in two languages. It is therefore recommended to practice your French. English is also fairly smooth with the Moroccan population in the tourist areas, but French will help you more on your way.
3 Correct bidding
We haven’t quite figured out how much the vendors in Marrakech charge extra from tourists compared to what they charge a resident for the same product, but you can be sure that this minimum is three times the original price. In the souks there are almost no prices for the products they sell, so the sellers adjust this price depending on who is buying. Also in some stores there are no prices. So be on your guard and dare to bid here. Tourists will undoubtedly pay more than a local resident, so it is good if you learn to bid correctly. Discuss in advance how much you want to spend on something and don’t deviate from it (unless it is a very low amount of course, which comes across as disrespectful). Usually you can also get the product for the price that you had in mind in advance and you may be far above the amount that someone else pays.
4 Plan rest days
Marrakech can be an overwhelming city for many. There is so much to see and do and so many impressions. Many smells, colours, people and sounds fill the streets. If you are someone who is (quickly) impressed by that, then you better plan a few rest days during your stay in Marrakech. Don’t come to the busy city area on these days, but stay at your hotel by the pool or go on a trip to visit a quieter city. It will not only make you happy, but you can also enjoy the charms of Marrakech more when you are in the busy center.
5 Be patient
You will notice it immediately when you land at the airport of Marrakech. Everything is slow here. And sometimes this is just excruciatingly slow and extremely annoying. For example, at the passport controls in the airport you can quickly queue for an hour. If you don’t have a lot of patience, this can be a tough ordeal. We found this to be a huge drawback to our trip as it wasn’t exactly a relaxing start and end. You also often have to be patient at a restaurant or at the cash register in the store. Keep this in mind.
6 Food and drink
A final tip that you should pay attention to is to take into account a completely different kitchen than ours. Of course you know that you will see different dishes on the menu in Marrakech than in Belgium, but also know that they use completely different spices here. It is therefore possible that you are allergic or sensitive to one of those herbs (or another ingredient that you do not know). You can ask at the restaurant to season the food less or you can opt for well-known dishes/ingredients at the hotel and taste the rest first. Because not getting acquainted with Moroccan cuisine at all is a shame! Definitely try something new every now and then. Their desserts are especially delicious!
Do you want to go to magical Marrakech?
Hopefully we have not deterred you from going to Marrakech with this list. Because it is and remains a really beautiful destination! We hope that with our travel tips for Marrakech you can only enjoy yourself even more by preparing for your trip.
Are you planning to ever go to Marrakech? And were our tips helpful? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page ! This week you will receive an extensive report of our week in Marrakech and what you should see there. The ideal (small) travel guide for when you travel there.