Marrakech

Energetic and full of life

This was my first and final destination when I visited Morocco in 2024.

The tourist heart of this North African country didn’t disappoint me and I am glad I did some research beforehand.

The city is exciting and interesting but there are some traps you should avoid.

Marrakech, that means something like “walk fast”, has so much to offer.

From the buzling Jemaa el-Fnaa (the big square), the crowded streets and alleys of the Medina, the historical palaces, the flourishing gardens to the modern shopping and business areas. This red city has it all.

What to see and do in Marrakech

Jemaa el-Fnaa - This giant square is impossible to avoid, and you shouldn’t. This will probably be your first discovery of the city. You will be greeted by thousands of people, a huge amount of restaurants and coffee shops, multiple juice stands, great street food in the evening, entertainers, buskers, snake charmers and more. Further down I will explain why you should be cautious with the entertainers, especially the ones with animals.
The Medina - Stroll through the narrow streets and alleys in the old city center. Eat some street food, have a coffee or some mint tea. Or buy something from the endless amount of small shops in the area but don’t forget to haggle. Remember to check if it’s the real thing you’re buying, this is most important if buy expensive things like carpets.

Koutoubia Mosque, close to Jemaa el-Fnaa

Visit a palace - Like the Bahia palace or the Saadian tombs. Take a guided tour if you really want to dig in to Marrakech’s history.
Stroll through a garden - The red city have plenty of nice flourishing gardens like the 9000m2 Majorelle garden
Hot air balloon - You can book a 1h morning flight in a hot air balloon and see the sunset over Marrakech. It includes a traditional Berber breakfast as well.
Visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls - I took this day trip and further down I will tell you how it was.
Agafay Desert - Spend an afternoon and evening in driving a quad bike, riding a camel, have dinner and listen to Berber music in the sunset.
Sahara - Take a three or for day trip to the Sahara desert. I did that and you can read about it here.

Saadian tombs

Day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls

What to expect from a day trip in Morocco

Booking and travel

When you book a trip on GetYourGuide, you get a confirmation and the question whether you want to pay immediately or if you just want to book a place and pay 48 hours before your trip (in case you want to regret it)

The day before, you will receive all the information you need via WhatsApp or the GetYourGuide app. (it's a good idea to have a local SIM card)

When you go to Ouzoud, they pick you up around 08:00 in a small bus, 15-20 seats, somewhere within walking distance of your accommodation. It is about a three hour drive and the driver will make a 15 minute stop on the way for coffee, toilet etc.

Destination

When you arrive you will be met by your guide who will show you around the area. A short walk from the bus will take you to the top of the 120 meter high waterfalls and you will have a fantastic view of the area.

Then a longer, 20 minute or so, walk follows through the vegetation of olive trees to get down to the bottom of the falls and the small lake below.

Everything goes quite fast and I would have liked a little more time to look at and take pictures of the falls but there was almost no time to look for the right angles and composition. I managed to get some decent shots anyway just because my gear is so travel friendly and easy to handle.

Then you have the opportunity to go on a short, maybe 15-minute boat ride and see the falls from a very close distance for around €2. I didn't because I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my camera.

You will have a few minutes to admire the falls until it is time for lunch. The restaurants are on the mountain side opposite the falls and they serve surprisingly good food. The cost of food is ok, not cheap and not expensive for being in Morocco, you will get three courses for about 12€ plus beverages, and there is a great view of the waterfalls.

Monkeys

You have probably already seen some but after lunch the guide will take you to a place where there are many wild monkeys. These animals are very used to people, they know they will get food and water from the tourists but they can become aggressive and there have been times when people have been bitten.

If you let the monkey take the initiative, it shouldn't be a problem. Show the food or water and let the monkey come to you and don't try to pet them.

The journey back

Exactly the same as the journey to the falls. Three-hour drive with a 15-minute break. The driver will ask where you want to be dropped off and you will return to Marrakech between 5pm and 6.30pm.

Where to stay in Marrakech

This doesn’t have an obvious answer. It depends on what you want to do and if you are traveling to other parts of Morocco.

If you want to be in the action you should stay in the Medina but it can be quite noisy. Another alternative is to stay close to the Medina but not in it. The third option is to stay close to the train station, then you will have 20-25min to walk to get to the Medina but you don’t need to grab a taxi for you and your bags to get to the train station.

I book my accommodation either on Booking or Agoda And I often compare prices and read reviews on both sites.

In Marrakech I stayed in three different places. Two of them were close to the train station and one was in the Medina. For the price they worked for me but I wouldn’t recommend any of them if you stay longer than two nights.

Scammer stories from Marrakech

Moroccan people are very friendly, the problem is - so are the scammers.

Scammer 1

A friendly and polite man approaches you and says he can show you the way to some place. He will probably also say hello to a few people around him to give you the impression that he is well known and that people like him.

He will walk with you for a few minutes and tell you stories from and about Marrakech until he drops you off at a con shop. Mostly fake carpets or maybe jewelry.

He then asks, or demands, a tip to show you the way. It could be something like €20.

Scammer 2

Some men display animals in the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa. A thing that should be illegal worldwide in my opinion. It can be snakes, monkeys or exotic birds.

If you stop for just a second to look at the animals, they will approach you and ask if you want to take a picture, either of the animal or they will put the animal on you or your child.

After the picture is taken, they ask, or demand, a tip. It could be something like €20.

Scammer 3

Similar to scammer 2.

Men, it always seams to be men, dress up in traditional, often colourful, clothes.

If you walk passed them they will pose for you, standing proud and smiling, so that you can take a picture.

Same story here: After the picture is taken, they ask, or demand, a tip. It could be something like €20.

One more thing. Always negotiate the rate before getting in a taxi. I did one small mistake with this.

I was going to the airport and stopped a taxi on the street. I know that a taxi from the airport to the city costs approximately 9€ so I offered the driver 10€. He said 13€ and I didn’t argue, my bags was already in the car, but I could have had the ride for 10€ if I negotiated before the bags went in to the car. This time it was only 3€ but it could have been more.

How to get to Marrakech

Rabat

Multiple countries have a direct flight to Marrakech.

If you need to rent a car I highly recommend Rentalcars.com to get the best deal.