Planning a Trip to Marrakech

Jardin Majorelle is recommended as a place to visit in Marrakech. It's no Eden project but although very small the gardens are pretty and enhance the architecture of the buildings. They wer built in the 1940's in the grounds of a property owned by Jacques Majorelle, a French artist who lived and worked in Marrakech. In the 1980's Yves St Laurent bought the porperty and revamped the garden and added a restaurant. The best time to visit is in the morning before the bus tours arrive as the gardens are not really designed to cope with big groups. There is a small museum in the rounds which is worth a visit to see examples of sculptures, paintings and artefacts. The tour of the gardens and museum will take around 1 and a half hours.

LOVED Marrakech! 1st of all, when taking photos in Morocco, or Africa probably, expect to pay a bakshish or tip for taking the photo. Marrakech is known for having the largest town square in all of Africa also. It is huge and thousands of people come every night. I felt relatively safe there. Street food seemed safe enough as well. This country is cheap and you can get pretty far for little money, but beware of frauds... they will rip you off if they can. Best time to go would be Sept. and later, this would be after the big heat has left. Morocco is a wonderful place, so make sure and see the coast as well as inland.

The best time to go is in April. It isn't too hot or cold.

Night; the best time to see the city and taste the food!

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.

Hotel Ali
This low-budget hotel is located only some meters away from the famous square Djemma-el-Fna! You can have dinner on the wonderful roof terrace and watch the nightlife downstairs. The rooms even have a small bathroom with toilet and hot shower, that is cleaned daily.

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

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.

LOVED Marrakech! 1st of all, when taking photos in Morocco, or Africa probably, expect to pay a bakshish or tip for taking the photo. Marrakech is known for having the largest town square in all of Africa also. It is huge and thousands of people come every night. I felt relatively safe there. Street food seemed safe enough as well. This country is cheap and you can get pretty far for little money, but beware of frauds... they will rip you off if they can. Best time to go would be Sept. and later, this would be after the big heat has left. Morocco is a wonderful place, so make sure and see the coast as well as inland.

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!

Marrakech n'est pas pour moi la plus belle ville du Maroc ! Trop de touristes et trop d'arnaques ! Attention sur la place : mettre votre appareil-photos le moins possible en évidence sinon vous serez la cible des montreurs de serpents et de singes qui ne pensent qu'à une chose vous extorquer vos dirhams ! Par contre à voir les jardins Majorelle ! bleu, beau et reposant ! Evitez les périodes trop chaudes, Marrakech est un four !

market was excellent - you can watch the artisans making just about everything - including fake desinger buckles and bags...! - just watch out for the snake charmer guys trying to strangle you with their snakes to get more money out of you... true, it happened (and I paid them 3 times what our guide had advised us - then my partner came over and told them where to go - but very scary if your a woman on her own... beautiful city - very muslim, so be aware of their customs and try to stay covered up so as not to upset their religious values

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.