The tips you need to know to plan your trip to Marrakech in the best way.
Traveling to Marrakesh is an intense and enriching experience. With a culture completely different from Europe, Marrakesh is the city in Morocco that receives the largest number of visitors.
Today we are going to share with you some useful information that can help you plan your trip and make your visit even more enjoyable.
See also: What to do In Marrakech |
See also: Experiences you can't miss in Marrakech |
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Useful information for visiting Marrakech:
1. Visas and Documents
As a country outside the European Union, a passport is mandatory. Make sure you have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry into the country.
Before you leave, research the visa requirements for entering Morocco, depending on your nationality.
2. Health
There is no mandatory vaccine to enter Morocco, just a few recommended ones, such as hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever.
We recommend that you take a first aid kit and some medicines, such as antidiarrheals, paracetamol, and ibuprofen.
You should also take some precautions, such as avoiding eating raw foods and drinking only bottled water. In the latter case, we do not include boiled water. We drink a lot of mint teas and never have any problems.
3. Language
The official language is Arabic, but many people also speak French. English is spoken in most touristic places.
Some common Arabic words that may be useful:
- Hello/ As-salamu Alaikum
- Thank you/ Choukran
- Goodbye/ Wada'an
- Please/ Min fadlak
- Yes/ Naam
- No/ La
4. Currency
The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 10 MAD corresponds to 0.91€.
Whenever we travel, we use the Revolut Card, it's safe and we don't pay exchange fees. You can join online, and it only costs 7.5€.
You may eventually have to pay withdrawal fees from the local bank, but in Morocco, at Al Barid Bank we do not pay these fees. Look for these ATMs and save some money.
5. Culture
Morocco is a Muslim country with a culture very different from Europe. As such, you should respect local traditions, avoid public gestures of affection, and wear appropriate clothing. Long skirts and shirts are ideal, or bring a scarf to cover your shoulders.
Additionally, avoid photographing people without permission.
6. Climate and Clothing
Marrakech is an excellent destination to visit all year round. However, summer (July and August) are very hot months, and temperatures easily reach 45º Celsius.
I visited Morocco in August and December, and I can say that December was much more pleasant. It was sunny days and it was an ideal temperature for exploring the city.
7. Accommodation
Marrakech offers a huge variety of accommodation options, from traditional riads to modern hotels. To have a more authentic experience, you should stay in a Riad.
Riads are typical Moroccan houses usually located inside the medina. The architecture of riads is different from what we are used to, with a central courtyard and generally few rooms.
There are riads for all tastes and budgets, look for the one that best suits your type of trip. If you visit in the summer, we recommend choosing one with a pool to make your stay more refreshing and enjoyable.
8. Transportation
The best way to get to Marrakesh is by plane. The airport is not far from the city center, and there are several ways to get there. You can choose to take a taxi or go by bus, which is what we did.
The L19 bus runs from the airport to the city center and leaves every 30 minutes. It costs 30 DH (about 3€) and the same ticket can be used for the return trip. You can check the bus timetable here.
During the day, the best way to get to know Marrakesh is, without a doubt, on foot. The city is not very big, and it is possible to reach the main attractions on foot.
However, at night, we recommend that you return to the hotel/riad by taxi, especially after 9 pm, as some streets in the medina close and become very dark, making it easy to get lost. Before getting into the taxi, always negotiate the price.
9. Negotiate
Negotiating is part of Moroccan culture. In local markets and stores, most items do not have a fixed price, so be prepared to negotiate.
If you see a piece you really want, consider how much it might cost before asking the price. They will probably say a crazy initial value, but negotiate until they reach a fair and comfortable value for both of you.
10. Security
As in any very touristy city, you need to take some precautions, such as paying attention to your belongings, especially in busy places.
Unfortunately, scams are becoming a very common practice in Marrakesh, and we have experienced some of them.
Firstly, never accept help from strangers who want to tell you how to get somewhere, because, in the end, they will demand payment for their services. We constantly heard that a certain street was closed when, in fact, it wasn't, and they just wanted us to go down another street to show us the way. Follow your path and pretend it's nothing to do with you.
11. Tourist Attractions
There are some attractions that you cannot miss when visiting Marrakesh, such as Jemaa el-Fna Square, the Majorelle Gardens, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa, among others. To find out in detail all the things you can't miss in Marrakech, we have this guide for you.
These are the tips we can give you to make your visit to Marrakech even better.
Always remember to check the latest information before traveling, as conditions and regulations may change.
Have a great trip!
Staying Connected
If you plan to visit Morocco, don't forget that mobile data does not work outside the European Union! The best solution to stay connected to the Internet is to buy an eSIM. That's what we did, and it was super quick, cheap, and intuitive. We bought it from Airalo, and it always worked well. Just have a phone compatible with eSIM and buy the card through the Airalo app. It's very easy!
Get Travel Insurance
It is essential to be prepared for any trip you take, especially outside of Europe. Unexpected events happen, and no one wants to come back from vacation with a huge hospital bill to pay. That's where travel insurance comes in, an indispensable ally to ensure tranquility and safety for your holidays.
IATI offers numerous types of travel insurance depending on your type of trip and various coverages. Moreover, by purchasing insurance through our link, you get a special 5% discount.
Don't let unforeseen events ruin your adventure!
Click here to get your discount.
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