MARRAKECH, MOROCCO | TRAVEL GUIDE | 2019
This city is as vibrant and dynamic as I remember. The dusty pink walls of the king’s castle and Médina wrap up a maze of winding little streets that are filled with treasures and surprises. Every corner is more inspiring and aesthetically pleasing than the next. I don’t think I put my camera down the entire 4 days I was there.
I WANTED TO USE THIS POST AS A GUIDE FOR SOME TIPS AND GOOD THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE AND WHEN TRAVELING IN MARRAKECH, AS IT CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING WITHOUT HAVING ANY INSIGHT.
Just so you know, as a woman, although I am traveling with a man, I have felt incredibly safe and welcome the entire time I have been here. The people are hospitable and warm, and if you are aware of yourself and your surroundings, you will have only the best and most inspiring experience here!
ON ARRIVAL: Arrange transportation ahead of time, have your Riad (typical Moroccan guesthouse) or hotel arrange a pickup for you at the airport, so that they can take you straight to where you are staying. It can be confusing navigating the streets of the Médina, and I’m sure you won’t want to haggle a taxi driver first thing upon landing.
STAY CONNECTED: Get a SIM card at the airport! We used Orange and it was inexpensive and worked great all over Morocco. The SIM card itself is free, and you just have to charge it up when you get there. It is about 10 Dirham per gig, which is about $1 USD. Having a SIM card means you can use Google Maps (which if you don’t have, I highly recommend using to navigate through all of your travels.)
PACK LIGHT: You don’t need much, and there is a lot to see (& shop for) here in Morocco. If you travel like me, you want to make the most of one place, and I end up hopping around from place to place. It was so crucial to only have a carry on bag, and made moving from Riad to Riad exponentially easier.
WHAT TO PACK: comfortable shoes for exploring the Médina, light, loose clothing as it is the desert and hot during the day. A scarf, versatile for covering yourself for modesty, or when the breeze picks up at night. No short shorts, or tube tops, or revealing clothing. This is a Muslim country, and while you do see (uneducated) tourists wearing ridiculously tight and short clothing, most of the women are covered from head to toe, and I believe it is important to respect the customs of the country that you are visiting. All of the electrical plugs are Europena, two prong - make sure you have an adaptor!
CASH IS KING: while some places take card, it is recommended that you have cash with you for shops and restaurants. Remember - you can’t leave the country with any Moroccan money (they will check at the airport) so make sure you exchange it back before you leave!
KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING: Have a loose plan of where you are headed as soon as you step out into the streets. The number one scam here is locals praying on lost tourists. It is mostly harmless, but if you look lost, someone will try and offer to take you back to your Riad, or point out the directions to a nearby attraction, but not for free - they will harass you for money in exchange, and often try to get more out of you than you give them. It is an unpleasant exchange, and can be avoided if you at least look like you know where you are going.
EAT ALL THE LOCAL FOODS: Moroccan food is delicious, and I highly recommend you try all of the local dishes. You will find Msemen bread for breakfast (my personal favorite), tajine of all kinds, with preserved lemons, olives vegetables and couscous, and never a day without mint tea. Moroccans are heavy handed on the sugar, so if you don’t want any, make sure to specify beforehand.
BE A TOURIST, ITS WORTH IT: I don’t usually enjoy tourist attractions, but every palace and museum I have visited in Morocco has always been worth the visit. I recommend the Bahia Palace, Jardines Majorelle, the YSL museum, Saadian Tombs, and of course, walking around the souk. You can walk around on your own, but I enjoy walking with a guide who knows the ins and outs and where the best quality items are, and will help you avoid getting lost!
TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS: It is fine to take photographs of the general areas, or architecture, but avoid taking photos of people without asking their permission first. They may get offended and ask for money, and it is not worth the hassle, unless you have a rapport with someone, or are planning on buying something from their shop.
LANGUAGE: Learn a few words in French or Arabic, those are the main languages spoken here, although most people do speak English. It is always nice to know how to say thank you (Chokran) in the native tongue. I think it shows a lot of respect!
PRO TIP: Leave room in your suitcase! This is a shopping heaven - from rugs to kaftans to lanterns to bags and slippers - honestly I could go on and on. Don’t forget to brush up on your bargaining skills, as it is a crucial part of the shopping experience.
Most of all, leave room for magic.
