Download some maps ahead of time, or call your riad and have them meet you at the main street. When to Go to Marrakesh . Never give money to strangers or agree to follow them to another location. Driving in Marrakech can be chaotic and dangerous, especially for tourists. Let me share my experience in detail I went there in December (off-season) around 8:30 AM (it opens at 8:00 AM) hoping to get some top-notch photos free of tourists. Marrakesh Travel Tips: What to Know Not to Get Disappointed. As an Islamic country, youll notice most local women cover themselves up. Must visit best country to visit in Africa. How to Enjoy Marrakesh When You're Afraid of Snakes! Criminal organizations will often deploy distractions in the way of beggars, commotion, and even children in need so that someone else can swipe into your pockets and bags when youre not looking. While all central areas are safe during the day, you should avoid walking around the narrow streets and alleyways alone at night. 2. In this quarter, you can visit the Place des Ferblantiers, the Lezama Synagogue, the El Fasiines Synagogue, the Miara Jewish cemetery, and the Mellah market. Really like your skip its. Best to just walk purposefully and avoid eye contact. I would just avoid the area completely. ENTER MOSQUES IF YOU DON'T PRACTICE ISLAM. Dont wear your camera round your neck this makes you a walking bulls-eye, and dont be bamboozled by decoys. The riads are the traditional Moroccan houses with two or more stories surrounding an Andalusian-style courtyard in the middle. We may be visiting Marrakech soon. You take the picture, and now you need to either pay a hefty tip or get in a conflict with the tamer and his friends. Stick to bottled water and cooked food from reputable vendors. Here are some key things to avoid: When youre walking down the street and stop to check your phone to determine where you are, this signals to any scammers nearby that you are an easy target. 16 Top Things to do in Marrakech Morocco - Journal of Nomads Street food is the Best food in Marrakech. Another concern is violent crimes against tourists. Prices:Entrance 80 MAD / 8 USDPanoramic Tower 40 MAD / 4 USD. Is Marrakech Safe? Warnings and Dangers Travelers Need to Know Avoid taking photos with them or giving them money. 2023 Money Guide to the Garden City, The Ultimate Bali Couples Itinerary For Romance On The Isle, Cozumel Best Breakfast Options: 7 Places To Start The Day. Eating with your hands is deemed very sanitary in Marrakech, but thats because Moroccans have strict rules around how to do it. If your phone supports eSIM technology, consider getting an eSIM from one of the. These are the city's most popular and safe areas that offers a wide variety of attractions and amenities. What To Eat In Marrakech (and what to avoid) - Very Hungry Nomads These commissions help keep this site running. Are you planning a weekend in the red city or a road trip in Morocco and seek accommodation in Marrakech. Working Hours:Daily from 9:00 AM to 12 PM and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PMPrices:Entrance 70 MAD / 7 USD. Choosing suitable accommodation is crucial for a safe and enjoyable trip to Marrakech. Gueliz This hip area is newer, has a more European feel than Medina, and is full of lovely plazas, cafes, and restaurants. A Day Trip to Girona from Barcelona | A Detailed Guide, Best Time to Visit Madrid | Ideal Seasons & Months, 2 Days in Madrid | Itinerary & Detailed Guide, Best Tapas in Seville | Price, Quality, Atmosphere, TOP 5 Madrid Food Markets | Taste the Tapas, Top 5 Seville Coffee Shops | Quality + Location, Seville to Cordoba Day Trip | Itinerary & Guide, 7 Days in Spain | 5 Incredible Itinerary Ideas, A Day Trip to Porto From Lisbon | Detailed Itinerary, Best Time to go to New Orleans | Month by Month, Best Premium Credit Cards for Travel Points | 2023, 9 Tips for Traveling with Friends & Family, Traveling on a Budget | 13 Money Saving Tips. I will simply tell you below the most popular areas for tourists visiting Marrakech. If you are lost, go into a shop to check your phone rather than doing it directly on the street. Marrakech is a conservative city, so its crucial to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. This is why this article answers the questions you may ask yourself to organize your stay in Marrakech: Here is a study and a map of Marrakech neighborhoods useful for locating areas to avoid and best neighborhoods to stay. Explore the 10 Most Dangerous Places in Africa. Be prepared for both extremely hot and quite cold weather conditions. There are a lot of really nice riads in this price range! However, its also a notorious tourist trap. Avoid raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and tap water. Bartering is a standard practice in Morocco, so when shopping in Souks, never accept the first price for something. Marrakesh Travel Guide - Transport, Lodging & More - TripSavvy Privacy Policy | All Rights Reserved | Global Castaway 2023, Dont waste your time with the Secret Gardens. Gueliz - best place to stay in Marrakech for nightlife. However, the truth is most tourists do not encounter any of these dangers during their trips and, instead, enjoy a peaceful and safe vacation in Marrakech. This can generate a feeling of insecurity when walking there late at night. Where to Stay in Marrakech, Morocco First Time: 9 Best Areas Where to stay in Marrakech: Our neighborhood guide Buying cookies from carts in Djema al Fnaa, Visiting certain neighborhoods especially at night. On The Unknown Enthusiast, were always up for experiencing something new (even if that something new is kind of gross, like eating fermented shark!). If the entry was free, the Secret Gardens wouldnt have been in my NOT to do in Marrakesh list. Your email address will not be published. The suites with the sweeping curtains and four poster beds are gorgeous!Rating: 8.8 of 10 stars-read reviews here, ($$$) Riad Kaiss: With mosaic lined paths through trees and greenery to a centrally located fountain in the courtyard, a really expansive rooftop terrace, and an on-site hamman, this is a luxury oasis in Marrakech.Rating: 9.8 of 10 stars-read reviews here. Subscribe to Travel Snippet newsletter for free travel tips and inspiration. Absolutely nothing wrong, there is just a better alternative. February 2, 2023 / By Niko What are the top things to do in Marrakech? per adult (price varies by group size) Desert Agafay & Atlas Mountains & Waterfalls, Camel ride Day Trip From Marrakech. Far from being dangerous neighborhoods, the areas I am showing you below are simply to be avoided at night. Youll find its possible to walk between many attractions, and if you are tired or its too hot, hailing a taxi is easy, just be sure the driver turns the meter on! However, its essential to be aware of the things to avoid to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. 14 Best Things to Do in Marrakech | U.S. News Travel Once open It would be unreasonable to skip the museum. Travel insurance also covers loss of belongings, so if you get pickpocketed, you could claim back some or all of the money. Interestingly, the medina neighborhood actually encompasses the actual old medina, plus a lot of the areas outside/around the walled city section of Marrakech. Dress Code: What Not to Wear in Marrakech, Public Display of Affection (PDA): What's Appropriate and What's Not, Religious Etiquette: How to Respect Islam in Marrakech, Ramadan: What to Know About Visiting During the Holy Month, Petty Crime: How to Avoid Pickpocketing and Theft, Tourist Scams: Common Scams to Watch Out For, Unfamiliar Transportation: How to Navigate Marrakech's Transport System Safely, Street Food: What to Avoid to Prevent Food Poisoning, Jemaa el-Fnaa: How to Avoid Being Ripped Off in Marrakech's Main Square, Souks: How to Shop Wisely and Avoid Overpaying. Walking from the Bahia Palace (the southeast end) to the Muse Dar El Bacha (the northwest end) only takes about 30 minutes by foot. We will be staying for three days. Skip Jardin Majorelle 2. The price of 50 MAD, however, cemented its place here. Is Bab Deggagh and area to avoid? - Marrakech Forum Marrakech is famous for its street food, but be careful about what you eat. 5 Day Yoga and Hiking Holiday in Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh-Safi. They are not onlyseverely mistreating the animals(wherever you go in the world, please be a responsible traveler and skip any animal mistreating attractions or transportation!) Its definitely worth visiting but therell always be crowds of tourists, and with that, comes inauthenticity and steep prices. This area is particularly noteworthy for its caf scene, gourmet restaurants, and bars. We were in the Square a lot and never had any problems with them. Marrakech is a vibrant and colorful city with rich culture and exciting sights. Designed by Melissa Giroux | Copyright 2023 A Broken Backpack. One thing you can do to stay safe in any city is to avoid the dodgy areas. I have broken down central Marrakech in sections and am thinking this is how we should tackle seeing all the central things on the. Try to book a transfer from the airport to avoid the long search in the medina-maze. Castaway TipThe riads are designed to keep cool so If you travel during the winter, make sure the one you pick has a heater. This one is not nearly as famous as Jardine Majorelle but its way better positioned inside the medina. Also, while you will encounter young men all over Marrakech trying to be your guide or lead you to places, the tactics of the guys around the Tannery are really intense they just wont leave you alone. Hivernage - where to stay in Marrakech for luxury. While its not necessarily dangerous, per se, the tannery is known for its exceptional abundance of scammy tactics and behavior. Therefore, its best to wear somewhat conservative clothes to make your trip more enjoyable. However, its essential to dress modestly and avoid revealing clothing. Marrakech is usually top of the list for visitors to Morocco, and its not hard to see why with its electric energy, historical attractions, and unique culture. Rankednumber one in TripAdvisor about things to do in Marrakesh, Jardin Majorelle was the biggest let-down I had in a long time. The last major terrorist attack on Marrakech was in 2011, which killed 17 people and injured 25. In terms of violent crime, this is relatively low in Morocco. NOISE: While Marrakech does have quite a bit of hustle and bustle, I wouldnt worry too much about the noise from the streets creeping through into the riads. Street performers are common in Marrakech, but be cautious when tipping them. To truly appreciate the size and drama of Djemaa El Fna, you need to see it from a roof terrace. You can enjoy Marrakech with even less time, but if you want to head out of the city to enjoy some of Moroccos other sites, we recommend at leave four or five days. Marrakech is one of the most stunning cities I have ever visited. Here you'll discover what to see in Marrakech and places you shouldn't visit as well as the best restaurants in Marrakech and where to stay in Morocco's red city. In addition, these indices are given as averages. Where to stay: Find a room in a hotel, hostel, guesthouse or desert camp Travel Insurance: Find the best travel insurance for Morocco Getting around: Rent a car in Morocco or travel by bus or train 1. This is much lower than the global average, so Morocco is not considered a significantly dangerous place.