[UPDATED NOVEMBER 2024]
Marrakech may be a charming city (and it is!), but it doesn’t suit everyone. For visitors coming from Europe, Marrakech can feel intense. The bustling souks, crowded Jemaa el-Fna Square, and the ever-present hum of scooters zipping through narrow alleys are all part of its charm. But without the right expectations, it might also feel overwhelming.
When you see photos of Marrakech, it’s easy to be drawn in by images of flowing dresses, serene riads, and the iconic Majorelle Garden. And while these dreamy spots exist, the city is so much more than a perfect Instagram picture.
Marrakech is a city like no other – vibrant, chaotic, and absolutely unforgettable. If you’re asking yourself “what is Marrakech like?”, the answer might surprise you.
Marrakech is raw, beautiful, and a little messy. It’s a city that will challenge and amaze you at the same time.
To help you prepare, I’ve compiled this guide on the things to know before visiting Marrakech. From cultural tips to practical advice, this post will make sure you’re ready to embrace all that Marrakech has to offer.
Things to know before visiting Marrakech
01 | You’ll get lost in the medina
One of the most essential things to know before going to Marrakech is this: you will get lost in the medina. Its winding alleys form a chaotic labyrinth of vibrant souks, hidden riads, and unexpected dead ends.
Instead of fighting the confusion, let yourself wander and soak in the sensory overload – the colours, the spices, the sounds. The medina isn’t just a place; it’s an experience.
When navigating the medina, landmarks like Jemaa el-Fnaa Square or the towering Koutoubia Mosque can become your best friends.
If all else fails, don’t hesitate to ask for help – but be mindful of “helpful locals” who may expect a fee in return. We’ll get to that in a second!
02 | Stay in a riad for an authentic experience
One of the best Marrakech travel tips is staying in a riad, a traditional Moroccan house built around a serene courtyard. These riads are often decorated with intricate tiles, lush greenery, and even small fountains.
The best part? Many are surprisingly affordable, offering a luxurious yet authentic stay in the heart of the city.
However, be aware that most riads are located within the medina. This area is the most vibrant – and chaotic – part of the city, with narrow alleyways that can feel like an intricate maze. While this adds to the charm, navigating the medina can be tricky, especially at night. Choose a riad close to a main gate or landmark like Jemaa el-Fnaa for easier access.
I stayed in a riad (L’Emeraude de la Médina) about a 15-minute walk from El Fna square and although it was located in the medina, it was in a quieter part. The accommodation was modest and with some opportunities for improvement, but it was just fine for 3 nights. Plus, it was rather cheap.
03 | Have in mind where your accommodation is located
Staying in a riad when visiting Marrakech is a top experience! However, most riads are located inside the medina. Remember this is the most chaotic part of the city. Streets are narrow and there are a lot of alleyways. It often feels like a maze.
Although I felt safe inside the medina (even at night!), I recommend reading the comments on the accommodation booking platform carefully, especially concerning its location. There’s no better way to understand what the street is like where a particular riad is located.
Choosing a riad that is in a part of the medina where we feel safer can be quite important to make the whole trip more enjoyable.
Most of the hotels of the major hotel chains are located outside the medina. For those who want to avoid the medina at all, this is an excellent option. However, in this case, you will always have to walk a bit more (or even take a taxi) to get to the medina, where most of the city’s points of interest are located.
04 | It’s a pretty much cash-based city
Another item on the list of things to know before visiting Marrakech is that many of the places in the city only accept cash. This is especially true inside the medina.
Therefore, I strongly recommend withdrawing money as soon as possible from one of the many ATMs in town. You can use your Revolut card to ensure that you do not pay fees for withdrawals in a currency other than your own.
💡 EXTRA TIP: Although the Revolut card allows you not to pay fees with withdrawals/payments, it still does not avoid paying fees from local banks. So, I recommend using Al Barid Bank, where I didn’t pay any fees to withdraw money.
05 | Don’t accept help from strangers
Apart from the vendors inside the medina, it is very common for locals to approach us while we are walking through the streets. Generally, the speech is always the same: the place we’re looking for is closed or it’s not located where we are heading. However, those who tell us this always have an alternative solution: they can show us the right way or they know someone who will let us in.
The problem is they are, generally, lying. The aim is to take you to another part of the medina, where they have some shop or know someone who does, to try to sell you something.
Although in most cases nothing will happen if we simply refuse and walk away, it is best not to let the situation get to that point. So, my recommendation is not to accept any suggestions as soon as we are approached. A simple thank you in French or Arabic and walking away is more than enough to stay out of trouble.
06 | Expect to walk several kilometres a day
Most points of interest in Marrakech are located in the medina, where there are hardly any cars. So, the easiest way of transport between the various places is on foot, as there is no major public transport to use.
The streets are so chaotic (people, motorbikes, bicycles, wheelbarrows, donkeys) that the best solution is to just walk!
07 | Haggling is the keyword on this trip
One of the key things to know before visiting Marrakech is that Moroccan culture is renowned for its extraordinary bargaining skills. If you’re planning to shop in the medina, be ready to haggle—it’s all part of the experience!
But bargaining doesn’t stop at the small shops inside the medina. If you are considering using the city’s taxis, find out the basic fares for the route you intend to take, because even in taxis you have to haggle.
In fact, the advice to research the “normal” price of products/services in advance can be useful for anything you are thinking of buying in Marrakech.
08 | Avoid scams: Be prepared to say ‘no’
One of the most crucial things to know before visiting Marrakech is how to avoid scams. Walking through the medina means being approached every few minutes to visit a shop, try a product, or accept “help.” Common scams include unsolicited “guides” who offer directions or tours but demand payment afterwards, and people claiming something is “free” only to expect money later.
If you’re not interested, politely decline by nodding or saying “no, merci” (in French) or “la, choukran” (in Arabic). Then, keep walking confidently. While this won’t stop the next offer a few metres ahead, staying firm and polite is the best way to navigate the medina without falling for unnecessary charges.
09 | Avoid visiting during Ramadan
One of the essential tips for visiting Marrakech is to plan your trip outside of Ramadan, the holy month observed by Muslims. During this time, locals fast from sunrise to sunset, which can significantly impact your travel experience.
Many restaurants, shops, and attractions operate on reduced hours or remain closed during the day. This will make it harder to enjoy the city’s usual vibrancy.
While the evenings during Ramadan come alive with communal meals and celebrations, the daytime pace slows down considerably. If you visit during this time, it’s important to be mindful of local customs by refraining from eating or drinking in public during fasting hours.
10 | Street food can be quite delicious
There are hundreds of street food stalls and some of them with very delicious food. It can seem a little scary to try street food because we may be afraid of possible food poisoning.
So my recommendation is to try a food tour with a local guide, who will take you to the best (and also safe!) places.
💡 EXTRA TIP: When I was in Marrakech, I took a food tour and I really enjoyed the experience. Find out everything about my food tour in Marrakech.
11 | Don’t take photographs without permission
I know that all the colours and confusion of the medina are very tempting to photograph! However, the vendors in the souks (markets) don’t like us to photograph their shops without buying anything or even being photographed without permission.
There are many cute shops (for example, spices, pottery and lamp shops), but unless it is a very discreet photo (like all the ones I took during the trip), ask permission to take it. This advice is even more valid if you intend to photograph the vendors.
Another useful tip regarding photographs is: if you accept that they put something on your body (e.g. monkeys/ snakes on the shoulder, turbans, scarves, …), expect to pay if you are going to take a photo with it. The best thing is to refuse in advance that they put something on you.
12 | Beware of motorbikes
The motorbike is a very common means of transport inside the medina. This is also true even if the street is very narrow and crowded. Motorbikes are everywhere, they come when you least expect them, and some are faster than others.
Although I haven’t seen any motorbike accidents (which is quite unbelievable!), be careful when walking through the medina streets. Drivers try to respect the supposed side of driving, but it’s not always true!
13 | Know a few basic expressions to interact with locals
Another great piece of advice for Marrakech is to learn a few basic expressions in Arabic or French. Phrases like “Salam Alaikum” (peace be upon you) or “La, shukran” (no, thank you) show respect and make interactions smoother.
In the souks, simple French like “Combien ça coûte?” (how much does it cost?) or “Merci” (thank you) can also be incredibly helpful.
Locals appreciate the effort and often respond more warmly when visitors try their language. It’s a small step that can lead to better connections and a more enjoyable experience in Marrakech.
14 | Don’t drink tap water (or ice)
One of the things to avoid in Marrakech is drinking tap water or even brushing your teeth with tap water! Try to always use bottled water (and make sure the water is sealed before opening it) for drinking and brushing your teeth.
Additionally, be careful with drinks with ice, as most ice will be made from tap water. In high-end restaurants and hotels, it will be less risky to have drinks with ice, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry 😉.
15 | The city is mostly dirty
Is Marrakech dirty? Let’s be completely honest: it is!
Don’t expect spotless streets (especially inside the medina). Shopkeepers and locals have a habit of littering the ground, accumulating throughout the day.
It’s a sad reality to watch, but unfortunately, there’s not much we can do! Let’s simply try not to contribute with even more rubbish. From what I noticed, there are very few rubbish bins in the city, which certainly doesn’t help with this problem.
16 | Morning prayers
Another thing to know before visiting Marrakech is that staying in the medina may mean staying near a mosque. And, depending on the sound insulation of your room, in this case, you may hear the call to morning prayer. In the riad I stayed in, for example, I heard the call every day around 7 am.
There are more throughout the day, but the one that occurs early in the day can be the most bothering because it occurs so early in the morning.
17 | It’s not always hot
Many people associate Morocco with warm weather, and although the summers are unbearably hot, it’s not hot all year round.
If you choose to visit Marrakech in winter (and even at other times of the year when it’s not too hot), I recommend wearing warm clothing, as it can be quite cold. For example, I visited Marrakech in January and I experienced 2 °C.
💡 EXTRA TIP: The best time to visit Marrakech and when the temperatures are milder is from March to May or October to November. Check out the perfect Marrakech itinerary.
18 | Allow enough time for the airport
If you are flying out of Marrakech airport, make sure you get there with plenty of time. Besides border and security control (where queues can be quite long), you have to go through the check-in counter even if you don’t have a suitcase to check in.
Therefore, and to avoid missing flights, I suggest you go with a bit more time than usual.
19 | (After all) Google Maps works
Does Google Maps work in Marrakech? I’ve read everywhere online that it doesn’t work that well. However, I found it to be different.
During my trip to Marrakech is that Google Maps works surprisingly well in the city (including in the medina).
It is indeed easy to get lost in the maze that is the medina, but I found that Google Maps works quite well, given the number of small streets and alleys there are.
20 | Dress Modestly
One important tip for visiting Marrakech is to dress modestly. This is especially true for women, to respect the local culture and avoid unwanted attention.
While you may see some tourists wearing short shorts or small dresses and most locals are used to it, I wouldn’t do it since it doesn’t meet the local customs. Instead, opt for clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, such as loose-fitting dresses, trousers, or long skirts.
Dressing conservatively isn’t just about respect. It can also lead to more positive interactions with locals, especially in traditional areas like the medina.
21 | Go on a day trip from Marrakech
One of the most exciting things to know about Marrakech is that it’s a gateway to incredible day trips. From the Atlas Mountains to Essaouira and Ouzoud Waterfalls, you can explore so much beyond the city.
I visited Ouzoud Waterfalls and loved the peaceful escape. The towering waterfalls, playful monkeys, and lush scenery were a refreshing change from the medina’s chaos. These trips are perfect for adding variety to your Marrakech adventure.
💡 EXTRA TIP: Check out my guide to Ouzoud Waterfalls for more details on this stunning escape.
22 | Avoid certain vendors at Jemaa el-Fnaa Square
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the vibrant heart of Marrakech, but it can be overwhelming. Avoid interacting with individuals showcasing snakes, monkeys, or other animals. These practices often involve exploitation and abuse. Instead, focus on the live music, storytelling, and traditional performers that bring the square to life.
To make the most of your visit, agree on prices upfront for any activities or food to avoid surprises.
Final Thoughts on What to Expect in Marrakech
What is Marrakech like? I hope that after reading this post, you feel better equipped to embrace this city’s unique charm and avoid any surprises along the way. By keeping these things to know about Marrakech in mind, I’m sure you’ll have a stress-free trip.
Whether it’s choosing the right time to visit, dressing modestly, or exploring nearby day trips, a little planning goes a long way in making your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! What was your favourite part of Marrakech? Did you experience anything unexpected? Share your tips or ask your questions below.
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