Marrakech People & Culture

Marrakech, especially the Medina, the old city is very exotic. Narrow streets and very easy to get lost but also very easy to get help from the locals, even if you might not speak arabic or french. Important to have pre-hand given tips or to hire a guide in order to find what is hidden behind the beautiful big, wooden doors. Friendly people, good food and shopping and many ways to relax in a hammam or a country club a bit outside the city.

What do you say about Morocco? its the land of Ali Baba.. and Marrakech is his hometown.. You expect to see that dude come out of every stall you pass. There is almost something mythical about that place. I was there many many years ago. The berber culture is a proud culture, strange people. You keep your stuff CLOSE to you! forget a wallet in your back pocket.. thats FOOLISH! you put you money in your shoe.. anywhere thats not easy to get to. Especially the kids, they start crowding around you..thats how they do it first.. the others are the one that bump you hard.. You just got to keep away from people and hold your SHIT! Other than the thieves you can find all kinds of stuff here. but you have to know how to haggle..and haggle you will. All the stalls within the town walls of Marrakech are a bazzar of everything you can think of.. clothing, pots, pans, jewlry...anything. And Hot.. did I mention its HOT... I mean beat satan out of Hell HOT. take your breath away hot. But, thats the desert for you ... careful with the water.. only drink bottled water or soda.. There was no bottled water when I was there so I drank beer and soda. Also careful with the spices on the food.. itll eat you up too. But if you want to feel like you are in a Mythical Land - you are in Marrakech. Women - be careful.. men are very dominant.

Avoid the touts and ripoff merchants of the Djma el Fna by going into shops that only locals would use. The people are friendly and interesting, and on one occassion I met the most excellent local man (who happened to work in the shop next door) by wandering into a herb and spice shop and saying hello to the guys chilling down the back drinking tea. I ended up staying for ages and chatting, met all his friends later on, then was treated to a beautiful meal with his family the following night at his house. Just at a time when I was beginning to think Morocco was full of thieves and liars, this man and his family and friends proved how wrong I was. Not your typical tourist experience.

I went to Marakech quite recently and I stayed quite near a main square and a mosque. Now the only problem with this is at certain hours every day the mosque rings a bell and calls people to prayers. This wouldn't be a problem except the bell was REALLY loud. But apart from that there are orange trees growing everywhere and many people trying to sell you things out in the streets and if you don't want to buy anything they take you to their 100 different friends who will all try to sell you something as well!!!

Someone will definately try and rob you. Someone will definately ask you for money. Do not take photos of things if you don't want to pay for the priveledge. Just take note of the chickens running around the Souqs, they actually belong to the butchers and if you ask for a chicken you KNOW it will be fresh. You WILL get a bad tummy. Take some toilet roll, they don't have it and if you buy it there you'll have to re-mortgage your home. Don't buy alcohol - see above point. All above points are based on the fact I had a 50 pound budget for 2 weeks and had hitched there - it may be different in a nice hotel with a running shower that doesn't involve cockroaches or a window to the world whilst you wash. Barter! Try mint tea but don't expect to like it. Listen to an arabic storyteller, its amazing how involved you get even if you don't speak arabic. Visit the Ben Yousef Museum, the art is stunning. Embrace the call to prayer coz there is nothing you can do to block out the noise. Walk round the square at night, the entertainment is incredible (occassionally inappropriate mind.) Walk round the square in the day and drink orange juice. Have you ever played a game where you squeeze as many people as possible into your mates tiny car? Well in Marrakech they're called taxis - take one. Last one, get a good spot in a cafe and just watch the city.

What do you say about Morocco? its the land of Ali Baba.. and Marrakech is his hometown.. You expect to see that dude come out of every stall you pass. There is almost something mythical about that place. I was there many many years ago. The berber culture is a proud culture, strange people. You keep your stuff CLOSE to you! forget a wallet in your back pocket.. thats FOOLISH! you put you money in your shoe.. anywhere thats not easy to get to. Especially the kids, they start crowding around you..thats how they do it first.. the others are the one that bump you hard.. You just got to keep away from people and hold your SHIT! Other than the thieves you can find all kinds of stuff here. but you have to know how to haggle..and haggle you will. All the stalls within the town walls of Marrakech are a bazzar of everything you can think of.. clothing, pots, pans, jewlry...anything. And Hot.. did I mention its HOT... I mean beat satan out of Hell HOT. take your breath away hot. But, thats the desert for you ... careful with the water.. only drink bottled water or soda.. There was no bottled water when I was there so I drank beer and soda. Also careful with the spices on the food.. itll eat you up too. But if you want to feel like you are in a Mythical Land - you are in Marrakech. Women - be careful.. men are very dominant.

the hotels are really swish and have spa facilities etc ... but if you were planning on sitting in the street cafes and watching the world go by then think again... its prodominantly a male culture.

Beautiful and fascinating! So much to see! Take alot of photos but be careful about getting your camera out. Pick pockets are everywhere!!! Even though its very hot try to cover up, its a culture that doesnt appreciate half dressed people! Careful with the food and drink only bottled water!

FULL of old world culture. Not for the faint_hearted though, it can become overwhelming if you allow it.

**Sorry if this travel tip is a little scattered. I want to make sure that I don't cover unnecessary things and talk about the important ones**

Stall #23 was my favorite OJ vendor. It was naturally sweet. I think I had about 4 to 5 glasses each day, which gave me a rebound immune boost due to lack of Vitamin C, after Marrakesh.

If you are a solo woman traveler, watch out for men at Djemaa el Fna at night. My butt was touched a few times. Enjoy the story-telling even if you can't understand Berber or Arabic, enjoy the music, enjoy the culture!

I had Moroccan crepe or rifaa, facing the market mid of the square. It was a very filling breakfast. Must try!

I had a hamam at the local women's bathhouse. I then went to the local store, by the entrace/exit of the souq towards the square, to buy the black soap, clay, and loofah and was able to take with me in the US.

I had a really good sheep brain/face at Stall #19. You must try! I also had snails in a couple of stalls. And I had a diced liver and lamb sausage towards the back of the stalls, to the left when facing the main street.

You must drink the tea!!! I had unlimited at my riad. That and shisha.

If you think you're getting a good deal, maybe you should haggle and start 90% less of what they are asking. In our riad, we were taught that the prices are usually increased up to 500% (five hundred percent).

There is a prayer call at 5 am. This is also the only time you will see the Koutoubia open. Please be sensitive and don't bring your camera if you're going there at 5 am. A little respect, yah. And no, you won't be able to go in. It is just amazing to see a unified amount of people getting up at 5 am in order to pray.

Last, get yourself lost in the souqs!

Djama el Fna is just magic at night when people are playing music, charming snakes, drinking tea and eating tajine all over the place! A unique experience.

**Sorry if this travel tip is a little scattered. I want to make sure that I don't cover unnecessary things and talk about the important ones**

Stall #23 was my favorite OJ vendor. It was naturally sweet. I think I had about 4 to 5 glasses each day, which gave me a rebound immune boost due to lack of Vitamin C, after Marrakesh.

If you are a solo woman traveler, watch out for men at Djemaa el Fna at night. My butt was touched a few times. Enjoy the story-telling even if you can't understand Berber or Arabic, enjoy the music, enjoy the culture!

I had Moroccan crepe or rifaa, facing the market mid of the square. It was a very filling breakfast. Must try!

I had a hamam at the local women's bathhouse. I then went to the local store, by the entrace/exit of the souq towards the square, to buy the black soap, clay, and loofah and was able to take with me in the US.

I had a really good sheep brain/face at Stall #19. You must try! I also had snails in a couple of stalls. And I had a diced liver and lamb sausage towards the back of the stalls, to the left when facing the main street.

You must drink the tea!!! I had unlimited at my riad. That and shisha.

If you think you're getting a good deal, maybe you should haggle and start 90% less of what they are asking. In our riad, we were taught that the prices are usually increased up to 500% (five hundred percent).

There is a prayer call at 5 am. This is also the only time you will see the Koutoubia open. Please be sensitive and don't bring your camera if you're going there at 5 am. A little respect, yah. And no, you won't be able to go in. It is just amazing to see a unified amount of people getting up at 5 am in order to pray.

Last, get yourself lost in the souqs!

This is a must when you visit Morocco don tdo the mistake which the russians are always doing in Morocco:) staying and spending all the vacation on the beach!!!.A trip the mountain streets will bring you to Morrakech the city of the tales!But be very careful in the city with pickpockets drug dealers etc.Old city with souks is a dream and of course the main square!!!Try the tajin with lamb or chicken or even fish ,it is always delicious:)

Marrakech, especially the Medina, the old city is very exotic. Narrow streets and very easy to get lost but also very easy to get help from the locals, even if you might not speak arabic or french. Important to have pre-hand given tips or to hire a guide in order to find what is hidden behind the beautiful big, wooden doors. Friendly people, good food and shopping and many ways to relax in a hammam or a country club a bit outside the city.

Beware of the men with monkeys or snakes, once they get them on you for a photo, they dont come off till you pay!

When in Morocco, definitely go sleep in a riad- it's much more charming than a regular hotel

Eating in Morocco is a joy. BUT be sure and ask around before you go to an "upscale" eating establishment. There are several tourist traps. One of the tastiest and cheapest things to do, is to eat on the big square. The square features prominently in the movie Rendition. Much of the movie was shot there. Morroco became the Middle Eastern Hollywood after David Lean shot much of Lawrence of Arabia there. Well, back to eating on the square: During the day it is deserted, but at night it comes to life with dozens upon dozens of food stalls and grills and the cooking gets underway. For $5 you can eat your fill. Don't be afraid. Many tourists are concerned about sanitation. We ate there four times and every time we had cautious European tourists ask us whether it was "safe" and then they joined us to dine al fresco. Also, if you are staying overnight (Marrakech deserves at least three full days) and if your budget allows, DO NOT stay in the hotels. Find a Riad (an old family home that has been converted to a bed-and-breakfast). You will meet fellow travelers over breakfast and you can share tips. There are tons of ATMs all around the square to get cash. Remember, it is better to pull from your Cash card rather than a getting a cash advance from your credit card.

What do you say about Morocco? its the land of Ali Baba.. and Marrakech is his hometown.. You expect to see that dude come out of every stall you pass. There is almost something mythical about that place. I was there many many years ago. The berber culture is a proud culture, strange people. You keep your stuff CLOSE to you! forget a wallet in your back pocket.. thats FOOLISH! you put you money in your shoe.. anywhere thats not easy to get to. Especially the kids, they start crowding around you..thats how they do it first.. the others are the one that bump you hard.. You just got to keep away from people and hold your SHIT! Other than the thieves you can find all kinds of stuff here. but you have to know how to haggle..and haggle you will. All the stalls within the town walls of Marrakech are a bazzar of everything you can think of.. clothing, pots, pans, jewlry...anything. And Hot.. did I mention its HOT... I mean beat satan out of Hell HOT. take your breath away hot. But, thats the desert for you ... careful with the water.. only drink bottled water or soda.. There was no bottled water when I was there so I drank beer and soda. Also careful with the spices on the food.. itll eat you up too. But if you want to feel like you are in a Mythical Land - you are in Marrakech. Women - be careful.. men are very dominant.