If you’re anything like me, then you like to be prepared when traveling to a new country. In this article, we’re sharing 12 tips that we know you’ll find helpful when exploring Marrakesh! If you’re looking for an itinerary for your trip to Morocco, we got you covered here!
1. Official & Unofficial Languages
Arabic and Berber are Morocco’s two official languages, but French is also spoken by some locals. While Kevin can speak a touch of French, we found that we had no difficulty communicating in English while in Marrakesh. However, it became more difficult as we headed out of the city. Our tour guide came in handy while outside of Marrakesh to assist in communicating with locals in the smaller towns.
2. Money & Morocco
The currency used in Morocco is the Dirham, and Morocco has a closed currency system. In simple terms, that means you can only trade Dirhams within Morocco. So you’ll need to exchange money at the airport when you arrive, and you’ll want to spend it all before you leave. That or be ready to change it out again before leaving!
Also, have plenty of cash on hand! While we were able to use credit cards in some places, cash was the only option at several places.
3. Be prepared to barter!
Shopping in the souks of Marrakesh was a new experience for us. We’re used to paying the price listed on the tag, but you’re expected to barter with the shopkeeper. If you pay the initial asking price, you can be certain you’ve paid too much. It can feel awkward initially, but you’ll soon get the hang of it!
4. Dress appropriately.
This tip is mostly geared toward females traveling to Morocco. It’s important to note that Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. You’ll be thanking yourself for bringing long skirts, lightweight pants, and shirts with sleeves. Also, a shawl should be on any packing list for Morocco because of its versatility!
5. Bring sunscreen.
It can be incredibly hot with lots of sunshine. So bring your sunscreen! We went in April, and it was almost unbearably hot during the middle of the day. We’re from Louisiana in the U.S., so we’re pretty good judges of what “hot” means. We found that exploring in the morning and early evening provided cooler temperatures.
6. Avoid hotels and stay in a riad.
You’ll enjoy the beautiful architecture, wonderful staff, and more intimate setting much more than a standard hotel room! Just like a hotel, your riad can assist with setting up tours and transportation to/from the airport.
7. Transportation to/from the airport.
As with shopping, you’ll want to negotiate the cost of your cab ride; otherwise, you may end up with a huge bill. Your best bet will be to check with your accommodations to see if they can arrange transport for you.
8. Get your bearings.
Take a walking tour of old town on your first day in the larger cities. We took a walking tour in Marrakesh, and it was incredibly helpful for the remainder of our trip as it helped us get our bearings as to where our riad was located and where the main shopping areas were. Plus, it’s always nice to learn about the area from someone with experience!
9. Get out of the city and take day trips when possible.
Morocco isn’t a small country, so you’ll need to plan what sites you want to see most. For us, we added on a day trip to Essaouira and a 3 day trip to the Sahara Desert via the Atlas Mountains. It was a simple way to allow more exploration in the country. Of course, you can’t day trip everywhere.
If you’re staying in a riad or hotel, then there will likely be someone who can make recommendations on trusted day tours and tour guides.
10. Photography
When in Marrakesh, you’ll be itching to photograph everything. Be aware that some locals don’t want to be photographed, and other locals only want to be photographed if you pay them. We found that locals were happy to take a photo with us (and some even brought up the idea of a photo with us!) when we were shopping with them. For the musicians on the street, a tip was very appreciated. For the performers in the square, be prepared to negotiate for a photo because they’re solely there for the income off photos.
BONUS TIP:
If you’re making a connecting flight in Casablanca on your return home, be prepared to be stuck in no-man’s-land for a bit. When we were heading home, we flew from Marrakesh to Casablanca before our flight to Atlanta. When we arrived in Casablanca, we were stalled in a waiting area before being allowed into the international departure gates.
I can be a bit of a nervous traveler, so, when we were an hour from our departure time, I was having a nervous melt down. Eventually, someone from our airline company came to the area to check all of us in to our flight. Once the agent checked us in, we were allowed to go through to our gate. As we found out when we returned home, our friends had the same issue the day before, so this seems to be their normal operating procedure.