Things to know BEFORE you go to Marrakech 2020 | Marrakesh Travel Guide

In this video, we’ll cover all you needto know before traveling to Marrakech, including transportation, where to stay, best city views, apps, most amazing experiences, and day trips and much more.

We want to thank Ceptics, a number one choicefor travel adapters on Amazon, for sponsoring this video.

Here are 15 essential tips: NUMBER 15: THE MAP OF MARRAKECH Located just north of the foothills of theAtlas Mountains, Marrakech is one of the main cities of the Kingdom of Morocco and was oneof Morocco’s Imperial Cities.

Like many other large settlements in the kingdom, it has a Medina, which is an old walled district full of street vendors.

In fact, the Medina of Marrakech is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site.

For orientation, let’s start with the Jemaael-Fna Square, a square and marketplace in Marrakech's Medina.

Located just outside the square is KoutoubiaMosque, the largest mosque in the city.

Souks or traditional marketplaces are spreadthroughout the Medina, while tanneries are located in its eastern part.

Located in the central part you’ll findThe Son of Joseph School, Almoravid Koubba, and Musée de Marrakech.

Close to these attractions is Le Jardin Secret.

Another garden, Jardin Majorelle, famous forits villa painted Majorelle Blue, is located close to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.

The Menara Gardens are located close to theOliveraie southwest of the Medina, while Jardins de l'Agdal is located in the south.

One of the 19 gates to Marrakech, Bab Agnaou, was built in the 12th century and provided entrance to the royal kasbah.

It is located close to Saadian's Tombs, whereover 60 members of a former royal dynasty were buried.

If you are in the neighborhood, don’t missPlace des Ferblantiers, one of the many impressive squares in Marrakech.

Marrakech has impressive palaces, such asEl Badii Palace, a ruined palace constructed in the late 16th century, and Bahia Palacebuilt in the 19th century.

The mellah, the Jewish quarter, features theMiara Jewish Cemetery.

Usually, you will arrive in Marrakech at MarrakechMenara Airport, which is located close to the city.

If you are traveling from other Moroccan citiesby train, you'll arrive at Marrakech's only train station which is located in the westernpart of the city.

To get a better sense of distances, a 0.

7mile or 1.

1 km walk from the Jemaa el-Fna Square to Saadien's Tombs takes about 15 minutes, while a 1.

6 mile or 2.

6 km walk from the Koutoubia Mosque to Jardin Majorelle takes about 35minutes.

NUMBER 14: WEATHER & CLIMATE Marrakech has a hot, semi-arid climate, orin other words, there’s a lot of sunshine all year round.

Winters are mild to cold and relatively wet, with temperatures ranging between 43 and 69 °F or 6 and 20°C.

Summers are very hot and dry.

Temperatures range between 63 and 99 °F or17 and 37 °C.

In spring and fall, the weather is mild, rangingfrom between cool and warm.

Temperatures are between 50 and 83 °F or10 and 29 °C in spring and between 51 and 91 °F or 11 and 33 °C in the fall.

However, these are all just averages.

The weather and temperature can be differentat the time of your visit, so remember to always check the weather forecast before you travel.

NUMBER 13: BEST TIME TO VISIT The best times to visit Marrakech is in spring, especially in March and April, and in the fall from September to November, when theweather is most pleasant, and the tourist crowds are relatively small.

Early December, January and February arethe cheapest months to visit.

Probably the worst time to visit is July, the hottest month in Marrakech.

But don’t worry – there are a lot of thingsto see and do in this enchanting city throughout the year, you’ll have a great time regardlessof the season.

And how can you figure out the best days andhours to see the attractions? Just check Google to see how crowded a specificlocation is at a particular time of day.

Of course, we recommend going early duringthe week and/or in the morning.

We recommend staying in Marrakech for at leastthree days.

This way, you’ll be able to see most ofits major attractions, and even take a day trip outside the city.

NUMBER 12: WHERE TO STAY & COST OF ACCOMMODATIONS If this is your first time in the city andyou want to experience Marrakech’s vibrant atmosphere, choose to stay in the Medina.

If you're looking for nightlife or a coolplace to stay, then Gueliz or Hivernage is the place for you.

If you want peace and quiet and don't mindspending more on accommodations, stay further away from the city center.

Chrifia is a good neighborhood for families.

On average, a mid-range hotel double roomin Marrakech costs around 740 MAD.

For budget hotels, the average is about 260Dirhams.

Again, these are all just average prices, and the ranges for different hotel categories are quite wide.

With a little research online, you can getgood deals, especially if your dates are flexible, and you don't travel in peak season.

Check out our video on the best apps for bookingyour stay.

NUMBER 11: TRANSPORTATION FROM AND TO THE AIRPORT To get to and from Marrakech Menara Airport, you can use: Bus, Taxis, Car rental or Private transfers organized in advance by your hotelor host in Marrakech.

(btw, this is the type of transpiration wesuggest the most because it is usually most reliable and not subject to bargaining) GETTING AROUND THE CITY Since Marrakech is not that big, walking will probably be the main part of getting aroundthe city, especially when you're in Medina.

So remember to always wear comfortable shoes.

Other options for getting around include:Taxis: You can take either a Grand Taxi, which carries 6 to 8 passengers for a fixed price, or a metered Petit Taxi for three passengers.

Not all drivers use their meters though, sobe sure to ask the driver to turn it on or agree on a price before you hop in.

Buses: Marrakech’s bus service includespublic buses and tourist buses.

While a one-way public bus ticket costs just3 or 4 dirhams, the buses can get crowded and are mostly used by locals.

So it is much more convenient to use the touristbuses, tickets for which cost between 145 to 165 dirhams.

Hop On Hop Off Busses Calèches or green horse-drawn carriages mostlyat the Jemaa El Fna Square.

Of course, you can always rent a car, butwe do not recommend this option.

Check out our travel guide for additionalinformation.

By the way, our travel guide is a mobile-friendly.

pdf document covering all the things in this video, plus the Top 20 things to do in Marrakechand multiple maps.

NUMBER 10: CURRENCY, EXCHANGE OFFICE, ATMs, and CASH The currency used in Marrakech is the MoroccanDirham.

At the time of the making of this video, 1US dollar is worth roughly 10 Moroccan Dirhams.

1 EUR is worth approxmately 11 Dirhams.

Euros are also accepted at several locationsin Marrakech.

While credit cards are accepted at some locations, especially at hotels and some restaurants, you will need cash to pay at most locations.

There are many ATM’s in the Jemaa e-Fnasquare and throughout the city.

Of course, you can also exchange money atexchange offices.

Head to the city center for the best rates, and make sure to get small bills and coins.

However, be careful when using the ATMs asso-called ATM scams are common in Marrakech.

NUMBER 9: GENERAL INFORMATION Let's look at some other things you should know to make the most of your stay in Marrakech: Travel Adapters Depending on where you’re coming from, youwill probably need a travel adapter to charge your phone and other devices in Morocco.

Morocco uses European power plugs and outletstyles.

This is what European power plugs look like.

If you travel a lot, consider buying a universaltravel adapter that you can use in other countries too.

Did you know that different adapters chargeyour phone, laptop, and other devices at different speeds? Sometimes charging goes nowhere, and whenyou're traveling, you need your devices ready to go fast.

Ceptics just released a brand-new travel adapterdesigned to charge your devices more quickly.

With multiple attachments, it allows us tocharge up to four devices at once, which is convenient, considering most hotel rooms onlyhave a few outlets.

Also, we can just bring the right attachmentin a pouch.

Visit Ceptics’s user-friendly website tofind adapters that fit your needs.

And check out their new YouTube channel withtravel advice videos.

Dress Appropriately While there is no official dress code, itis wise to show respect for the local culture by dressing modestly.

Keep your chest, shoulders, and stomach covered, and wear pants or knee-length shorts, skirts, or dresses.

Drinking AlcoholYou can legally buy alcohol in Marrakech when you're at least 18.

It's available at restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets and liquor stores.

Also, keep in mind that Moroccans frown upondrinking in public places.

Crowds & LinesMarrakech is Morocco’s most visited city, so expect crowded streets and cramped marketplaces.

Even if you can't avoid all the crowds, youcan do some things to make your trip to Marrakech a much more pleasant experience.

You can for example avoid peak seasons, getup early in the morning to explore the city without the crowds oruse Google Maps or similar apps to check how crowded a specific location is at a particulartime of day.

Unlike many cities around the world, unfortunatelythere is no city pass for Marrakech.

Drinking WaterTap water in Morocco has relatively high levels of minerals, so avoid drinking it, even athotels.

The locals are used to it, but as a tourist, you’d better off drinking bottled water.

ToiletsWhile there are public toilets in Marrakech, most of them have squat toilets and do nothave toilet paper.

You can find sitting toilets in mid-rangeand luxury hotels and restaurants.

Carry Tissues & Hand SanitizerOften, there’s no toilet paper at public restrooms, so it’s best to bring your own.

There are also restrooms without sinks andsoap, so bring some hand sanitizer too.

Free WiFiFree WiFi is available for guests and customers at many hotels, riads, guesthouses, restaurants, and upscale cafes.

You can also get free WiFi at Marrakech CyberPark.

Prepaid SIM card and Pocket WiFi You can purchase a prepaid SIM card to accessthe internet on your phone.

The local carriers include Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange.

See our travel guide for more information.

Alternatively, you can consider renting apocket WiFi or mobile hotspot.

If you’re from the US and travel a lot, consider using Google Fi.

VisaIf you are a citizen of United States, Canada, UK, member states of European Union, or Australia, you will not need a visa to travel to Marrakech.

If you are coming from other countries, justcheck with your government what the requirements are.

Wheelchair Access While some modern infrastructure is wheelchair-friendly, you might find it difficult to access morehistorical places in Medina and elsewhere, especially because there's a lot of unevenground and steps.

While some places are wheelchair-friendly, the standards are not the same as in the US or Europe.

NUMBER 8: INTERESTING EXPERIENCES Here are some experiences you should not miss: Try their traditional mint tea.

Their mint tea is just green tea infused withmint leaves and sugar.

Grab a cup of this sweet drink to start yourday off, and to relax before sundown.

And there’s delicious things you can trylike their desserts, argan oil, juice and more.

Stay in a riad, which is a traditional Moroccanhouse or a palace with interior garden or courtyard.

Charming, historical, and atmospheric riadsare the ideal places to stay in Morocco, and you'll certainly find one that fits your budget.

Enjoy breakfast on your riad's inner patioor a rooftop terrace and cool off in its plunge pool.

Get lost in souks & try bargainingIn Marrakech’s Jemma el-Fnaa square, you’ll see donkey carts, Berber dancers, and largetourist groups; smell exotic spices and fresh orange juice, and hear the sounds of snakecharmers with the cries of vendors selling their wares.

All these experiences make Marrakech an enchantingfeast for the senses.

Around the square, you’ll find the entranceto the souks, which are full of shops of all types and sizes.

Prices in the souks vary wildly, and you willbe expected to bargain.

Generally, you should aim for about 30 percentof the initial asking price, and pay about 50 percent.

Try a hammamYou can visit a hammam, which is similar to a Turkish bath.

Marrakech offers both luxury hammams to hammamsused mostly by locals.

NUMBER 7: SAFETY & SCAMS Marrakech is, unfortunately, also known for scams aimed at tourists, especially in Medina.

There are many different scams, from so-calledfriendly strangers scams, scams at the tanneries, taxi scams, and many others.

Overall, our number one recommendation isto avoid being an easy victim.

Act smartly so you won't seem easy to takeadvantage of.

For sure, a helpful stranger will approachyou in no time if you look confused while checking a city map.

Check out our travel guide to see what typesof scams exist in Marrakech and how to avoid them.

While scams are common, Marrakech is actuallya relatively safe destination for tourist, and crime is relatively low.

It usually involves pickpocketing, purse snatching, and similar.

Of course, try to avoid non-touristy areas, especially at night, and use common sense.

NUMBER 6: BEST APPS TO USE IN MARRAKECH Here is a list of useful apps: Marrakech Riad Travel Guide for informationon riads, as well as tips and an offline map for navigation.

Marrakech Guide Civitatis for informationon sites and restaurants, transfers and tour bookings.

TripAdvisor and Yelp for restaurant, hotel, museum, and tour reviews.

Withlocals for finding local guides for uniquetours and food experiences.

Google Maps or Apple Maps for navigation aroundthe city.

Google Maps also lets you download maps, whichis a great option if you don't want roaming.

WiFi Map or WiFi finder, which helps you findWiFi throughout Marrakech.

Google Translate for translating languagesinto Arabic or French, and vice versa.

Check out our travel guide for links to downloadthese apps on iOS and Android and for more app suggestions.

NUMBER 5: LANGUAGE Arabic and Tamazight (the Berber language) are the two official languages of Morocco.

Around 90% of Moroccans speak Arabic, whileabout half speak a Berber dialect.

Aside from Arabic and Tamazight, French isconsidered a major official language.

It is important to know that English is notwidely spoken in Morocco.

However, they will probably understand enough, so you’ll be just fine.

NUMBER 4: FREE CITY TOURS Walking tours are organized by local guides who know a great deal about the city’s fascinatinghistory and culture.

Some providers even offer free or pay-what-you-wish walking tours.

See our travel guide for links to websitesof free guided tours and other interesting tours of Marrakech.

NUMBER 3: FOOD, PRICES, AND TIPPING FOOD PRICES: You can find cheap and authentic food at streetstalls and local eateries.

We suggest using TripAdvisor to find nearbyplaces with good reviews.

An inexpensive restaurant meal ranges from30 to 70 Dirhams for lunch and 50 and 120 Dirham for dinner.

A bowl of harira soup costs anywhere from3 to 30 Dirham, and a serving of tagine from 25 to 80 Dirham depending on how touristythe place is.

For sweets, you’ll pay about 5 Dirham fora serving of chebakia, traditional Morrocan cookies.

As for drinks, a coffee costs about 10 Dirham, a 1-liter bottle of water between 5 to 10 Dirham, a can of soda from 3 to 7 Dirham anda pint of beer between 18 and 30 Dirham.

A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice isabout 10 Dirham, and a pot of mint tea from 5 to 20 Dirham.

TIPPINGYou should tip anyone that provides you with good service.

Round up to the nearest whole number for thesmall bills.

For example, if your restaurant bill is 174Dirhams, pay 200 Dirhams for good service.

At high-end restaurants, a 10% tip is a standard.

GROCERY STORESAside from supermarkets, there are some small local shops where you can buy some basic things.

NUMBER 2: BEST VIEWS OF THE CITY You can enjoy amazing views of Marrakech from the rooftop terraces of:El Badi Palace Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier or any otherbar in the Jemaa el-Fna Square Café Des Épices or any other restaurantin the Medina From your riad or any other accommodationsin the Medina or La Maison de la Photographie.

NUMBER 1: BEST DAY TRIPS FROM MARRAKECH For the ultimate experience, take at leastone trip to some other places outside Marrakech, for example, a trip to Essaouira, a serenecoastal city with 16th-century walls and ramparts offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Formerly called Mogador by Portuguese colonists, Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known not only for its rich history but alsofor its beach vibe and artistic atmosphere.

Also, check out the argan oil cooperativesand tree goats on your way to the city.

There are many other great day trips and otheractivities that you can experience in Marrakech and watch our video on the Top 10 things todo in Marrakech.

Just click here.

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