Marrakech
Population: 920’000
Date of visit: September 2015
Attractions & sights: 4/5
Nightlife: 4/5
Safety: 3/5
Infrastructure: 2/5
Low budget factor: $$$/5
Total: 👍👍👍👍/5
The city in a nutshell:
Morocco’s most visited city is ancient as well as posh. Glamour meets tradition. The city is an ideal place for sightseeing, fashion, nightlife and dining. Marrakech might be the ideal first city to visit in North Africa.
Where to stay:
Most sights are in and around Medina. Being close to Djemaa el Fna, the main square of the city, is a good choice. This is a lively area day and night. Choose a nice Riad and not a hotel!
The Good:
Marrakech might be very touristy, but it is touristy for a reason. No matter whether you sit somewhere at Djemaa el-Fna having a coffee or wandering through the small alleys of the Medina, you will feel the unique vibe of this city. There are plenty of things to see and do. You could easily spend a week here without getting bored.
Get lost in the Medina, have food in one of the delicious restaurants and visit Yves Saint Laurent’s Jardin Majorelle. If you have enough time you can leave the city for a day or two in order to go to the Atlas Mountains or to the desert.
Nightlife is actually pretty good (and posh) and there are a lot of drinking holes in the city. Dress smart if you want to go to bars or nightclubs.
The Bad & The Ugly:
Street vendors can be rude and aggressive. Pickpocketing is also a big issue. Be careful! Moreover, Marrakech is home of some scammers. Use common sense when someone approaches you on the streets.
Taxi drivers try to rip you off too. Always negotiate the price beforehand and give them the exact amount of money, as they don’t want to hand out the change sometimes.
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