After what seemed like a lifetime a friend and I boarded that plane and never looked back, we were on our way to an experience of a lifetime. Welcome to Morocco, Marrakech.
Dramatic, I know but we had spent 4 years sending each other pictures of various places in Marrakech and saying “one day”, so when we finally touched down and made the decision to book, it was worth the wait. Marrakech is what you call a melting pot; there’s culture, food, sights, and of course the tourist traps.
We touched down in Morocco early Saturday morning and managed to squeeze in 3 whole days of adventure, we left knowing we needed to come back. In a place such as Marrakech, there is never enough time, each new place offers a glimpse of what’s to come and before you know it you’re deep into the city streets. There were so many experiences we hadn’t had the chance to delve into, which have been added onto a list ready for part 2. Despite spending only 3 days there, we were able to enjoy 2 riads, numerous culinary delights and most of the places on our list.
At the end of this post, I will share with you 4 tips to ensure that you have a memorable time whilst in Marrakech.
Proceed with caution
If you’ve done your research on Marrakech, I’m sure you’ve heard of the overly helpful chaperones that linger on street corners waiting to “guide” you. I was determined to not fall for this trap but we willingly did in the end and I’m glad. As a result, we were able to see beyond the tourist souks and instead were led into deeply hidden gems which we probably would not have discovered had it not been for our guide.
We were privileged to be able to watch the making of almond oil, given the best shoulder and neck massage, and tried on the finest jewellery. We took a risk and were greatly rewarded. Although our guide insisted he wanted to help us for free, we felt indebted to him following our intimate tour.
During our trip, there was a lot of unsolicited advice in an attempt to direct us. These attempts mostly came at a hidden cost, so do proceed with caution. There are various things to look out for when deciding who to trust. We found that overzealous kids on street corners offering to give directions more often than not want your money. If you want to keep it official there are local guides on the square with badges, although we didn’t use them they are often a safe bet. If you aren’t much of a risk-taker but still want that authentic experience, this is a good alternative. When it comes to deciding who to accept help from it is best to exercise wisdom. If in doubt, just refuse.
The winding and almost identical roads in Marrakech, in particular within the Souks, means it is very easy to get lost. One night we were lost for over an hour trying to find our way back to our abode.
Give me the tea
All of my friends and family know that I love me some tea, Marrakech delivered all of that and more! Hospitality comes in the form of a piping hot cup of mint tea, and to that, I say “more, please!”
Another thing I loved about my time in Morocco was the food! Breakfast was a mini feast filled with pastries, bread, fruits and fresh juices. Lunch could be a Tagine, with meat so tender it was sliding off the bone, and you’d end the night with a mixed grill served up so big you’d be crawling out the restaurant. As with all things in life, there were some bad food experiences too, which I will discuss in my food diary.
Beyonce, Beyonce
If you want to feel like a celebrity, go to Morocco. I have never had my attention sought after in the way that I did there. Walking through the souks can be marvellous but it can also be a headache. There are so many market stalls, many of which are selling similar things, and they all want you to buy from them. So what do you do?
Firstly, do not feel pressured to buy or do anything you do not want to do. As soon as they know you’re not interested, they’ll be screaming for the next customer.
Secondly, take your time. As I mentioned previously, many places sell similar items, so there is no harm in looking and circling back once you’ve made up your mind.
Thirdly, name your price! There is definitely a bit of extortion happening when you walk through the main souks, as this is where the tourists shop. Master haggling, but do so within reason, as they also have to make a living from these sales.
For a quieter and more authentic shopping experience, head to the Berber markets or markets further out from the main square. It’s where you’ll find the locals and much more reasonable prices.
Out of all the places I’ve visited Marrakech has some of the most beautiful homeware, with such unique designs. I actually bought some amazing tea glasses. I’m sure I will return to get some other plates and bowls soon.
Honey, I’m home
Nothing beats authenticity like staying in a riad. These are traditional Moroccan houses with an interior garden or courtyard and are usually spread over two or more floors. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay in two different riads, both centrally located. Although both were beautiful in their design Riad Dar Najat was my favourite, due to the hospitality we received. The host offered recommendations, gave us the warmest welcome and even invited us to be a part of their evening meals.
The second riad: Riad Chofra offered the best rooftop, where you could hear the prayer call as the sun went down. Does it get any better than that?
Travellers Tips
- Try to identify unique markers or checkpoints when out exploring – this will make finding your way back easier.
- Don’t fall for the trick that the Berber market is there for one more day only. It’s always there and they often say that to pull you in.
- If you want to keep costs down the best thing to do is to stay in a riad as they often include breakfast and are much cheaper than hotels.
- If you decide to go for a guide or get help from someone offering whilst you’re out exercise wisdom. We paid approximately 40 dirhams for 3 hours of exploring, for what we did and discovered it was worth it!
Final thoughts
Overall my time in Marrakech was a good experience. There were some questionable moments, but others that made visiting worth the wait. I definitely plan to return and to make my visit complete by including a visit to the desert and indulging in a traditional hammam spa day. I would say that 5 days would be more than enough to fully experience all Marrakech has to offer.
