Travel to Morocco: 8 Tips for an Unforgettable Visit to Marrakech

Knowing more about Morocco’s red city and what you can expect will help prepare you well for a memorable adventure in Marrakech.

Learning some top travel tips for Marrakech and knowing what to expect can make your visit to Morocco all the more enjoyable and remarkable. From one tourist season to the next, the former imperial city becomes an even more popular travel destination for its outstanding beauty and rich culture.

The booming city is full of wonders and adventures. From its bustling souks, maze-like medina, and view of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains to its beautiful architecture and Moroccan food with a European twist, Marrakech has it all.

Morocco’s red city might feel like a whole different world for new visitors, which can be overwhelming or intimidating. However, once you know what to expect, where to go, and how to act and dress, you will be able to enjoy the chaotic and lively energy of Marrakech, which only adds to its beauty. Preparing in advance will help you absorb the culture without worrying about confusion in your travel to Morocco.

As you get ready for your Moroccan adventure, reviewing these eight top Marrakech travel tips will help prepare you to rapidly adapt to the new environment and to enjoy your experience to the max.

Read also: Travel to Morocco: Your Guide to the Historic Imperial Cities

Get ready for the loud atmosphere.

The moment you walk out of the Marrakech airport, you will notice how busy the city is with its line of taxis waiting to take you into the loud sounds of traffic. However, only when you will arrive in Jemaa El Fna square and walk around the souk will you truly experience the intensified sounds, smells, and emotions of a classic visit to Marrakech.

It is normal to feel apprehensive when you first experience a culture. Even I, as a Moroccan, still get overwhelmed when I visit the red city. Nonetheless, all the commotion adds to the adventure’s fun and makes for an unforgettable experience.

As you begin to embrace the hubbub, make sure to be alert and watch out for motorbikes, especially in the medina and souk where you will encounter them frequently. The vehicles can go too fast through alleys, which can be dangerous, especially in the evening. Keeping both an eye and an ear out for motorcycles is one of the key travel tips for anyone visiting Marrakech.

Prepare for seasonal weather in Marrakech.

Marrakech is a city that can be extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. The narrow, walled medina and souk only add to the city’s heat during summer, and the High Atlas mountains make it even colder in winter.

Your top Marrakech travel tips here are to always wear a hat that can provide shade against the sun in summertime (May-August), and pack warmer clothes and coats if traveling during winter (November-January).

Read also: Weather, Festivals, Holidays: The Best Time to Travel to Morocco

Be ready to exchange your currency and use ATMs.

The official currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Most local places in Marrakech require cash, with only a few that accept dollars or euros. These are generally higher-end establishments that attract tourists such as hotels, riads, and shops in the city. A dollar or euro translates to around MAD 10, more or less. Be sure to check exchange rates in advance as these change.

Getting cash should be your priority, so you will have to look for ATMs or exchange offices (bureaux de change). There are a few in the airport. While airport exchange rates are generally less favorable than those in the city, keep in mind that ATMs are somewhat hard to find in the ancient medina.

Exchanging your currency to dirhams will not only help with your shopping and consumption in the city. Having the right change will also help you negotiate and haggle better in the souk. Taking Moroccan currency out of Morocco is illegal, so if you still have some cash before your departure, find a shop nearby and spend it on some souvenirs or snacks.

Exercise caution with drinking water and try some delicious food.

Food in Marrakech is a whole experience on its own. You will find food everywhere, from the delicious delicacies in posh restaurants to mouth-watering grilled food in Jemaa el Fna stalls.

For a full experience, try different traditional Moroccan dishes in local restaurants and stop by one of the famous Jemaa el Fna night stalls for a fresh, cheaper, and more authentic meal. You will find a variety of food from tajine, couscous, and rfissa to bastilla, harira, and grilled meat (mechoui).

In the souk, you will also find shops with heaping piles of dates, olives, and various colorful spices, and other shops that sell sweet Moroccan pastries, like chebakia, almond briwat, and so many more. The assortments are beautiful, but the taste even surpasses the look.

Of course, you cannot travel to Morocco without trying Moroccan mint tea, a drink Moroccans consume almost religiously. Usually, the exquisite tea is served hot and very sweet, but you can order yours with less sugar.

One of the most important Marrakech travel tips is to avoid drinking tap water. Locals are accustomed to the water, but foreigners may have a much different reaction. To the unaccustomed stomach, it can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, so stick to bottled water.