What to know before going to Marrakesh, Morocco
When we first decided to go to Marrakesh we did it out of ignorant reasons: cheap flights, affordable accommodation, just another destination to stripe out of our bucket list. What we didn’t realise by that time was this trip would teach us so much about cultural diversity. Travelling to a new country feeds your spirit, opens your mind and helps you understand how different from one another we are as humans. Here is our personal guide on what to know before going to Marrakesh.
Morocco was the first time we ventured outside Europe. Everything we’ve lived there has had a huge impact on the way we later perceived other cultures. Let’s throw an eye upon our long ago trip to Marrakesh!
Table of Contents
When to visit Marrakesh?
Morocco is the perfect destination if you are keen on having sun and palm trees in the bleak mid-winter (pun intended) but don’t really afford an exotic trip. We visited in February 2018 and the weather was great, with temperatures over 20C. However, you should be aware that it can get quite chilly overnight. The best thing when visiting such an arid place – you don’t have to worry about the rain AT ALL!
Plane tickets
You should know this about Marrakesh. Even if we talk about flying outside Europe, it is definitely one of the most affordable African destinations as far as plane tickets are concerned. We found a great deal with a Ryanair operated return flight at only 106€, with one short layover in Milan on our departure and a more extensive 8-hours long stop in Rome on our way back – tickets bought separately. The longer layover didn’t bother us – we had a great time spending one day in beautiful Rome walking around and eating loads of pizza, pasta and gelato.
Visa and immigration policy
Romanian citizens visiting Morocco for tourism purposes are entitled to 90 days of legal stay within its borders and DO NOT need a visa. You just have to fill in a form after landing (we were given the pieces of paper while on board). In order to enter the territory of the Moroccan state, your passport must be valid for at least a further 3 months since your expected date of leaving the country.
Currency in Morocco
The local currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD).
As per January 2020: 10.63 MAD = 1€
The MAD is a closed circuit currency, meaning that it can only be traded in Morocco.
We exchanged € for dirhams at the airport – we most likely didn’t take advantage of the best exchange rates, but we thought the airport would be the safest place to do that. We were only allowed to receive 2000 MAD in cash and were handed the remaining amount on a card which we could use to withdraw money any time we wanted. There is a tax to pay for the card, though if you take it back to the exchange office before leaving the country, they will refund you both the tax and any money left on the card. Honestly, we never tried to pay anything using our own cards. Revolut was not that common back in the day, but maybe now you can give it a try.
Where to stay in Marrakesh?
The Medina is the old, historic part of the city, with narrow, easy-to-get-lost-in streets and tall stone walls. Here life unfolds differently as compared to outside the fortress walls. You might feel like you went back in time. This is by far the best place to really taste and sense this city. There is no digital content that can capture its melting-pot like atmosphere.
We stayed inside the Medina, in a beautiful Riad – a traditional Moroccan house – with a nice patio and a tiny garden pool. We found it on Booking for the unreal price of 100€/4nights/2p, breakfast included – link here. The place is very good value for money and the breakfast was also lit. We had eggs, all kinds of traditional pastry, fresh fruits, coffee and juices. Although the owner only speaks French, we somehow managed to communicate. He was very kind and willing to help us with anything we needed.
Now that I stated what we did like about this place, it’s time for the downsides. Although Riad Alwane, our accommodation, was only 3km away from the main square Djemaa El- Fna, walking there especially while looking like a lost tourist might not be the best idea. As well as that, there was only a confusing sign on the wall indicating the entrance to the Riad, so we had a really difficult time finding it.
How to get around in Marrakesh?
One of the most important things to know before going to Marrakesh: the public transportation is really not for tourists. Buses are PACKED and trust me, once you see those buses you won’t step a foot inside. Our tip: don’t go by foot while looking lost, take a cab. They are safe and cheap if you are up to a little bargaining.
What to eat in Marrakesh?
Before food, let’s talk about water. Another important thing to know before visiting Marrakesh is to only drink bottled water. I couldn’t say whether tap water is drinkable, we didn’t take the risk trying it. Apart from that, Marrakesh is the paradise of fresh fruit. You will see many locals with their little stalls selling strawberries, oranges, pomegranates and I encourage you to taste them all. They are so ripe and delicious! Maybe stay away from the freshly pressed juices. We read a lot of stories about food poisoning from these juices as they are made with tap water.
Food in Marrakesh is tasty, as long as you stick to traditional dishes. Don’t try any kind of pizza, trust me, we did and it was a total fail. One thing you should definitely try out during your stay is Tajine. It is a traditional slow cooked oven meal with meat (either chicken or lamb), vegetables, fruit confit and rich in strong flavours such as turmeric, cinammon or coriander. Pretty all tajines we had were delicious, but the best one was at Le Markech, next to the Koutubia Mosque. Our experience there was great and we definitely recommend it.
If you are in the mood for a drink while marveling at the landscape, we suggest The Perl Marrakesh. It’s a fancy rooftop where you can sip a cocktail with a glimpse of the Atlas mountains in the distance.
Tips and tricks
- Don’t choose to walk to and from your accommodation on fishy streets. Better take a cab, they are safe and cheap. Ask your riad’s staff about how much it should cost and where the pickup points are. You can even arrange an airport transfer with the taxi drivers and get a good deal in advance.
- Don’t freak out when intimidating looking people approach you. Just refuse them firmly and ignore them. They will go away eventually.
- Be careful with your camera. Taking pictures of the colourful merchandise in the Souk will be very tempting, but vendors will pretend money from you in exchange. Same advice when taking pictures of snake charmers, singers and dancers in the main square.
- Bring up your bargaining skills. Everywhere.
You are now aware of the most important things to know before going to Marrakesh! If you decided Morocco is your next destination, make sure you check out our 4 days itinerary in Marrakesh. Enjoy!
