50 Things You Need to Know About Marrakech

The city of Marrakech in Morocco is truly among the most bewitching Middle Eastern metropolitan areas that I have visited so far. Once you arrive in this beautiful, exotic Moroccan city, you will soon find a lot of reasons to stay for several days or even for weeks. Starting from its friendly locals, mouth-watering local cuisines, breathtaking palaces, mosques, and madrasas to the wide selections of products and goodies offered in the city's famous souk markets, Marrakech is indeed a must-visit destination for travelers who want to experience a unique and fun-filled travel escapade.

Now if you are thinking of going to this exciting Moroccan town but have little information regarding the city, I have listed below 50 things you need to know about Marrakech that can help you with your travel preparations and plans.

History

1. Morocco's Marrakech city is also widely referred to as the "Red City" or the 'Al Hamra,".

2. It is situated in Morocco's southwestern region, just below the Atlas Mountains.

3. The city's name is said to be originated from the Berber words "mur" and "akuch", meaning "Land of God".

4. Just like other Middle Eastern cities, Marrakech also has two main divisions: the old city, also called as the médina, and the modern city, which has two principal districts namely the Gueliz (the European modern district of the city) and the Hivernage.

5. The city's medina has 27 neighborhood while the modern city has 11.

6. Marrakech, founded around 1060 by the Berber Almoravids, is one of the country's four Imperial Cities. It became the capital of an Islamic empire that reigned in central Spain to West Africa.

7. During the reign of Moulay Ismail, the city was the capital of Morocco. However, the capital was moved back to Marrakech from Meknès by Ismail's grandson.

8. Although Marrakech is known to be an Islamic city in a male-dominated society, it is still one of the most liberal Muslim towns in the Middle East.

9. The early French influences in the city are seen in the Art Deco commercial center that is situated in the modern part of Marrakech. The most significant French legacy is the educated Moroccan locals' use of the French language.

10. Marrakech city's more than two million population is mostly of Beber origin.

Getting There

11. Note that the Marrakech-Menara International Airport is about four miles southwest of the city. Casablanca, another Moroccan city, also has a number of direct international flights to Marrakech.

12. In the airport, various facilities, including ATMs, snack bars, restaurants, general shops, duty-free shops, tourist information, and post offices are available to accommodate the needs of travelers.

13. Transportation to the city is also available. Remember that Bus 11 will head straight to the city's medina. The bus's schedule, however, is quite unpredictable. You can try using the taxi phones found in the departure and arrival lounges, or you can catch cabs near the bus stop area.

14. Before commencing the journey, it is best to come up on an agreed price with the driver for there are a lot of con taxi drivers who take advantage on foreigners.

15. Do not expect a joyous, hassle-free ride in the city; the roads of Marrakesh are characterized by busy traffic and the nasty road etiquette of most taxi riders.

16. The city also has no auto general breakdown service.

17. Most hired cars, however, have emergency breakdown details on board.

18. One of the best options for you to travel around Morocco's finest cities is riding the ONCF state railway. Despite the railway's limited services, it is highly recommended to travelers for its safety, convenience, and affordable rates.

19. You can also check out the city's grand taxis, which are old Mercedes cars that can accommodate up to six passengers. These are quicker modes of transportation compared to the city buses. Specific routes are from the bus station to Jemaa-el-Fna and from the station to the city's Post Office in Guéliz. Another alternative to bus is the moped or the bicycle. Although riding a bike in the city can be fun, it can also be dangerous because of the road traffic and horrible driving etiquette of some taxi drivers.

20. Also note that most roads in the city are too narrow for cars. If you intend to rent a car, it is advisable to park the auto in a safe place within the city.

Accommodation

21. Marrakech's medina district offers wide variations of fine hotels, discount motels, Riads, and small inns.

22. Most expensive hotels found in the medina provide excellent facilities, first-class restaurants, and other fitting accommodation services.

23. In the modern city, however, the surroundings are more quiet and most of the hotels offer mid-priced services like breakfast packages, showers, etc.

24. If you are an adventurous backpacker with a limited travel budget, the newly opened Backpackers Hostel, which is only a few minutes walk away from the city square, is the best accommodation option for you to consider. The place offers terrific rooftop terrace, hot showers, and guest kitchens.

25. Budget-conscious travelers can also find excellent accommodation choices at the alleyways and streets of the Jema El Fna square, for these are packed with comfy and clean hotels that offer reasonable room rates.

26. Top discount hotels in the city are Hotel Smara, Hotel Essaouira, and Hotel Imouzzer.

27. Aside from the city's fine hotels and hostels, Marrakech is also the home of numerous Riad accommodations.

28. Riads are old grand houses in the city converted into hotels, inns, and restaurants.

29. While rates are more expensive, Riads are wonderful places to stay at to get a better feel of life in Marrakech.

30. Remember that it is always best to have early accommodation reservations. Formidable hotels in Marrakech are usually fully booked, especially during the peak season.

Attractions and Food

31. Marrakech offers magnificent medrassas, mosques, zaouias, synagogues, museums, city walls, souk districts, gardens, parks, palaces, and squares.

32. The famous Djemma El Fna square is generally the main highlight of the city. At night, the square is packed with dancers, musicians, and storytellers that never fail to entertain travelers and locals alike.

33. The city's souk district, which is near the square, is the haven for bargain shoppers. In this market, you can find and buy almost anything from tea pots, jalabas, shoes, bags, clothes, fabrics to kaftans.

34. Once in the market, be sure to bargain for whatever goodies you are planning to buy, for bargaining is expected at the souks. Also remember that prices vary on an hourly or daily basis, depending on the number of products sold within the day or within period of hours.

35. Must-see attractions in the city include the Majorelle Gardens, the Musee Dar si Said, Youssef madrasa, the El Bahia palace, and the El Badi palace, and of course, the Koutoubia mosque.

36. Aside from yoga activities, you can also try the Hammams. In Marrakech, there are two types of Hammams: One is the tourist Hammam, where you can enjoy being scrubbed and pampered by experienced Hammam staff; and the other one is the popular hammam, where Marrakech locals and budget travelers usually go.

37. As for the food, the city square features lines of food stalls that offer delicious and enticing local dishes. It is a prevalent misconception, however, that stalls in the square are there to serve tourists. The food stalls in Marrakech have been established long before the city turned into a popular destination.

38. While the local dishes served in the food stalls are generally edible and delicious, some delicacies, particularly the local snails and goat heads, may be too extreme for Westerners' taste. You should also watch out for the salad dishes, for these can invariably cause diarrhea for those with weak stomachs.

39. The prices of the foods offered in the stalls also vary. You can spend 10 Dirhams for small yet scrumptious servings and about 100 Dirhams for three-course meals.

40. Never ever miss the tea offered at the food stalls and restaurants in Marrakech. The ginseng, ginger, and cinnamon teas are the most welcoming and delicious among other tea variants.

Travel Tips

41. The best time to go to Marrakech is during the spring and late fall seasons. You must understand that weather in Morocco is quite extreme, especially the summer season starting July to August.

42. The duration of your stay to Marrakech depends on the things you want to do when you get to the city. Three to four days are enough if you only want to visit the city, but a week or two is recommended if you are planning for explorations and excursions.

43. If your trip is during the summer season, do not forget to bring a cap or umbrella when you go around the city. Also remember to book for a room that has air-conditioning.

44. Once you are in Marrakech, you will see how tourist-friendly most Moroccans are, especially the store owners.

45. However, there are still some locals who like to take advantage on travelers visiting the city.

46. In the city's souk districts, take note that some sellers are sometimes too aggressive on their pricing.

47. Do not buy any product or good without bargaining for a lesser price.

48. Note that majority of the souk sellers know how to speak several foreign languages, so do not be surprised if you hear some locals conversing in French, Spanish, Arabic, and English.

49. Never trust hobos offering guides to the city. Most of these city guides are useless and will just annoyingly demand a lot of money from you.

50. If you are on your first trip to Marrakech, go straight to the medina and start exploring the city. Just like any other first-timer tourist, you will surely get lost. If you do get lost however, do not panic. Take your time familiarizing within the city and just courteously ask for directions. This is just how it goes for first-time travelers exploring the city.