Marrakech

Im going to follow along as we just started researching morocco for September 2027.

MUST DO

• stay in a riad in the Medina. We chose Riad Les Oliviers & Spa due to the rooftop pool, and found the restaurant great and the location convenient (not too far a walk to a parking/taxi spot).
• visit la Nouvelle Ville. While the Medina is traditional Morocco, the new town is actual Morocco. Shopping, bars, restaurants. Chic and modern.
• the gardens are nice - the Secret Garden in the Medina, and Jardin Majorelle in Nouvelle Ville.
• Djemaa el Fnaa, at daytime and again at night. Totally different vibe. Try the street food.
• shopping in the souks of the Medina, especially at night. Try to barter. Even if you "overpay" you are still getting what you want at a price you want.

MUST NOT DO

• over-plan. Don't micromanage your schedule to see this palace or that madrasa. Allow yourself to get lost in the medina. Follow the crowds (or your GPS) and you will eventually get back to Djemaa el Fnaa.

When are you going?

Marrakech is a fantastic first trip, here's what stuck with me:

Must-dos: Hit Jemaa el-Fnaa twice, once in the quieter morning, then again after sunset when it turns into a whole scene of food stalls, musicians, and storytellers. Grab dinner at one of the rooftop cafés overlooking the square are good for the view. Give yourself at least an hour to just wander the souks without a map or destination, honestly half the fun. We used Morocco Family Vacation for our trip, and they arranged a guide for us, but even without one you can always use GPS to find your way back if you want to strike out on your own for a bit. Jardin Majorelle is worth it, but go right at 8am opening to beat the heat and crowds. Bahia Palace and El Badi Palace are both great for architecture without the souk-level chaos. And don't skip a hammam, or a nicer spa if you want something more comfortable for a first go.

Must-avoid: Politely ignore anyone who approaches offering to "guide" you somewhere, it's one of the most common tourist hassles in the medina, and a firm no and keep-walking works fine. Be careful with cameras around the snake charmers and monkey handlers in the square, point a lens their way and they'll expect payment, sometimes insistently. Skip the tap water. And don't feel awkward about haggling in the souks, it's expected, not rude. I'd counter around a third to half of the first price and go from there.

Hidden gems: Le Jardin Secret is a gorgeous restored garden riad in the medina that gets a fraction of Majorelle's crowds, with a nice rooftop café. Maison de la Photographie is a small photography museum with a lovely terrace and mint tea included in admission. And book a riad rather than a hotel for at least part of your stay, the courtyard architecture and rooftop terraces are a real part of the experience.

A couple practical tips: snap a photo of your riad's business card when you check in, the medina alleys all look alike and it makes getting a taxi back painless. And negotiate taxi fares before you get in, since meters basically aren't a thing for tourists.

Have a wonderful trip!

Very helpful. Thank you. Going in Nov.

We did a nice food tour that had a really interesting variety of tastings and visits to see where food is prepared in the Medina. I really enjoyed it. The provider was A Chef’s Tour. Excellent guide with a good amount of background information about the various foods and preparation. Nice leisurely pace. Best to make sure you are hungry if you decide to do this tour.

Ditto "A Chef's Tour." We really enjoyed that.

Thanks for all of this information, everyone. I think I will go to Marrakech for one week before my stay in Andalucia....so this is all helpful....I would like to stay at La Mamounia..not in the Medina but at the edge, I think...

I was there at the beginning of May and agree with all of this!

Other tips:
-be ready to spend cash vs card--while you may get lucky, people wanted cash for the most part. The ATMs ran out of cash by the square on a Saturday morning (Friday was a holiday), so try not to get caught out with nothing.

-if you don't travel with an Imodium style medicine usually, I would do so. I did not drink tap water and yet still got unlucky. Even our medina tour guide suggested being prepared.

-consider a day trip outside of the city if you have time!

You have a lot of great tips. Here are a few more:

• Dinner at Terrasse des Épices
• Musée de Marrakech, in a beautifully restored palace
• I second KnightRd on the Maison de la Photographie, and don't miss the rooftop terrace, with spectacular views.

Fabulous advice from tho who know. Noting all with thanks.

I am a museum person. I will certainly examine souks but am not a carpet buyer or a souvenir shopper. I am likely to avoid street food so welcome cafe, restaurant suggestions. I am interested in seeing schools, religious buildings rather than ruins. I will take photos, cash, Immodium, wash cloths, I am not going to dress up…can I still peek at Mamounia? I want to see gardens, courtyards, etc.

I am expecting a cross between Istanbul and Seville. Am I all wet? Can’t wait.

I was in Morocco last October and loved it!

For Marrakech, I think a stay at a Riad is a must, as well as a visit to Ben Youssef Madrasa and Bahia Palace, both early in the morning when it opens to avoid crowds.

Google maps worked really well for me and I was able to explore the medina and souks on my own.
As others said, cash is key in most places though some restaurants like DarDar accepted card (and sold tasty alcohol drinks).

As for restaurants in Marrakech, I found a very good and very reasonably priced one near the southern section of Medina called Dar L'hssira (toward the south part of the medina).

For a more upscale lunch, I enjoyed Le Jardin Marrakech (near Le Jardin Secret) toward the northern part of the Medina. They have organic, healthy options, under shaded trees, very peaceful and a good respite from the heat.

But my favorite was dinner at DarDar rooftop. I booked way in advance for sunset hour, and so worthy it. The view, ambience and food were amazing. Rooftop gets booked fast especially for sunset hour so check their website and hour for sunset when you will be there, and book about 30min before.

"..I would like to stay at La Mamounia..not in the Medina but at the edge, I think..."

Depends what sort of hotel you like. La Mamounia is a bit like an upscale museum, with greeters on the door to make sure no tourist riff raff gets in.
Worth it for a drink, but have a look at other newer hotels in the same area.

One of the reasons I'm looking at the Mamounia is the pool.....I don't care about all the stuffy minions.....I just go about my business...for me, and I'm just an interrupter on this thread, I won't be out and about all day long.....want do do some meandering about, but also relax and swim!!! I should add that I have been to Marrakech before but not in at least 20 years..maybe more..

I have to begin another thread about the best way to get from Marrakech to Sevilla......

Hot air balloon ride to see the High Atlas Mountains at sunrise! The best.

Did everyone change money to Dirham before leaving home, at airport, etc.?

Hi Debbie,

I used ATM at the airport in Marrakech to get Dirham. Then again in town.
I experienced a few ATMs without cash in Marrakech, and big lines by the ones near the main square. But if you turned the corner, there were more on the other side. Someone had to use one of the money exchange places at the square because by the time they reached the ATM, it had no money.

My advice is to take some Dollars or Euros in cash for emergency exchange, but plan on using ATM to withdraw Dirham.

Did everyone change money to Dirham before leaving home

You can't get dirhams before you go, or exchange them after you get home. Dirhams are one of those closed currencies that have no value outside the country. In fact, its technically illegal to leave the country with them.

Some people will let you pay in Euros (in bigger cities) if you are short dirham!

I'm bringing this up again because I am about to book my hotel in Marrakech for about 6 days. From there I will fly to Sevilla and spend three weeks in the province of Cadiz, in Andalucia.

Interested in any food tours and any neighborhoods that are good to wander alone, besides the Medina...

I would also like tips on restaurants--any type as long as the food is great...can be fancy or rustic..I care only about the food...one dish I adore is bistilla. I believe there are bakeries with seating that offer this. Second dish I want to eat is mechoui--lamb baked in a pit.....are there any places that excell with this?

Are there any sites that I need to book ahead of my stay in March? Jardin Majorelle?

Anything else I need to know? I've been before but my visits were many years ago so it will be a bit of a new experience for me..

Also very important for me: I am looking for serious food guides to the city; so far I've come up only with the one. Has anyone used this for reference and car to vouch for its' contents???

Needless to mention, there is no Michelin or Gault Millau in Morocco.

https://www.bestrestaurantsmaroc.com/fr/recherche/ville/marrakech.html

Of some help:

https://www.seriouseats.com/travel-guide-marrakesh-morocco-11700964

one dish I adore is bistilla

I think these are the same but most places I saw it spelled as "pastilla". I had a fantastic one at DarDar rooftop restaurant (and fantastic view). I recommend reservation especially if you want to time it with sunset.

I am planning a trip for March 2027 and had some anxiety due to the current problems in the middle east; however i am feeling enough people have decided to make a trip there regardless so I am hoping to do the same.

For those planning a March trip, just keep in mind that Ramadan goes until March 8.

Thanks, Joy!

I've seen it spelled "bisteeya," "pastilla," and a few other ways. I have put DAR DAR ROOFTOP on my list. From what I've read so far, bakeries are also good place to find this dish. Did you find it with pigeon or only with chicken, do you recall? But id there loud "international" music while you dine?

I think I will arrive towards the end of Ramadan but I'm not sure that holiday would affect me much in such an international city...anything I ought to be aware of during Ramadan in Marrakech?

Besides walking through the medina, I'd like to wander around Gueliz and, maybe, Hivernage...

The last thing I need are more arts and crafts for my shelves but I do like to window shop....thinking of maybe having a couple of caftans made, do if anyone has a good address for this, do let me know....natural fabrics would be best.. I assume that this should be one of my first stops in the city, to give the tailor enough time for fittings..(???)

I also love those boxed made from Thuya wood, which I think are made near Essaouria but surely I can find a few in Marrakech...(??)

Tell me what you've all bought there and did not regret!!! And what you wish you had not bought!!