Has anyone been to Marrakesh?

hieveryone

Hi everyone

Saw a good deal on flights and hotels seem cheap to Marrakesh. Has anyone been? Suitable for two young(ish) girls?

Thanks!

richardw

If you like Moroccan men you'll be fine.

hieveryone

richardw wrote: »

If you like Moroccan men you'll be fine.

:rotfl::rotfl: I've never met a Morrocan man :-/

Rosie75

Marrakech is somewhere I'd love to go as I like the idea of staying in a riad and shopping in the souk, but I'm a bit wary and - although I travel alone a fair bit - I wouldn't go there without a male companion. Perhaps I am being overcautious, but my husband's ex-girlfriend went there with another girl and they were both raped. And, obviously this is years ago, but my mother went on holiday to Morocco with a female friend when they were in their twenties, and her friend was murdered. I daresay that this is a really horrible coincidence, and the chances of something this awful happening to you are next to nil. But if you do a search on travel forums, you'll come across lots of warnings about dress (cover shoulders, legs and midriff, wear a wedding ring) and behaviour (the only women in bars and nightclubs are prostitutes), and it sounds as though the harassment is pretty intense.

hieveryone

Rosie75 wrote: »

Marrakech is somewhere I'd love to go as I like the idea of staying in a riad and shopping in the souk, but I'm a bit wary and - although I travel alone a fair bit - I wouldn't go there without a male companion. Perhaps I am being overcautious, but my husband's ex-girlfriend went there with another girl and they were both raped. And, obviously this is years ago, but my mother went on holiday to Morocco with a female friend when they were in their twenties, and her friend was murdered. I daresay that this is a really horrible coincidence, and the chances of something this awful happening to you are next to nil. But if you do a search on travel forums, you'll come across lots of warnings about dress (cover shoulders, legs and midriff, wear a wedding ring) and behaviour (the only women in bars and nightclubs are prostitutes), and it sounds as though the harassment is pretty intense.

Oh my goodness - think I'll give that a miss then! :eek::eek:

vannallerie

I went to Marrakech in January and loved it. It was my first venture at travelling alone outside the uk and had initially intended to go somewhere more familar to me as a 'safe' option. Then i saw some really cheap flights and it seemed like an adventure so i thought why not and i'm so glad i did. I'd heard all the usual stories but actually had no problems at all. It is true that you get lots of attention but it is usually friendly and a friendly but firm no thanks is all it usually takes. In the main square there are undercover tourist police and so it is very safe even at night. I stayed in the middle of the Kasbah area, i wanted to be in the 'real' Marrakech rather than a touristy hotel that could have been anywhere, and i had no problems walking around there - although at night i would get a taxi back rather than walk through the back streets away from the main areas, but that's probably sensible advice in any strange city. And I did do lots of walking around Marrakech - mainly because of being lost! Even with a good map, you will almost certainly get lost in Marrekech.

I am planning to return later this year - with a friend this time.

The advice about covering shoulders etc is good, but you don't have to be completely covered up or anything - i mostly wore cropped trousers and a not too low cut t shirt. And ignore anyone who tells you that where you are walking is closed, you are going the wrong way or 'big square is this way' if you haven't asked as they'll most likely want to direct you to a friends business.

I'd say go for it - it will be an unforgettable experience. Make sure you have a good map and a guide book, be prepared to do a some haggling, eat at the food stall in the square one night - and enjoy!

I am planning to return later this year - with a friend this time

If you want to ask me anything about i'll happily answer if i can

dmg24

I have been to Marrakech alone three times, and never had a problem. Apart from the odd miserable taxi driver (which you could get anywhere), the locals have never been anything but friendly. As long as you stay in busy areas, you should not have any problems at all.

Rosie75, no disrespect but are you sure of your facts? Serious crimes against tourists are pretty much unheard of, and for three of your friends to have all been subjected to such offences does seem a tad far fetched.

hieveryone, here is the FCO advice with regard to Morocco. You really shouldn't have problems in Marrakech.

laurel7172

I've been with my two children, and had no problems, though kids often act as a cheeringly effective hassle-shield, especially in more socially conservative countries.

Do cover up-it's basic good manners. But actually, Marrakesh isn't as exotic as it sounds. In fact, it's really nothing special. Fez is much nicer.

hieveryone

Thanks dmg24 and laurel7172 - I wasn't sure if it could be as bad as it's made out! I've been to Egypt and it sounds pretty much like that.

It's not that I want to go to Marrakech in particular, just that it was cheap flights/hotels and really warm weather, which I'm looking for. Just to laze around, read books, sunbathe and generally relax.

Will have a look at Fez also

northwest1965

I went to Marakesh 2 years ago, albeit with my partner. We loved it. We did however stay in a large hotel not a riad. These can sometimes be down alleyways, I would be worried I'd get lost!
As for not trusting an Arab - we had a drink in a bar, partner put his wallet on the bar and we drank our drinks. We walked out and guess what, a local came running after us with his wallet, partner had left it on the bar,(yes everything was in it).:T
Souks are great, make sure you haggle. Food is great and on the whole we werent pestered to buy things. They all seemed friendly.

Rosie75

dmg24 wrote: »

Rosie75, no disrespect but are you sure of your facts? Serious crimes against tourists are pretty much unheard of, and for three of your friends to have all been subjected to such offences does seem a tad far fetched.

Yes, I am absolutely sure that these things happened, albeit some years ago. What reason would my husband and mother have to make such things up? My father had to fly out to Morrocco to help my mother deal with the police and the aftermath, so I have his version of the incident, too. I did say that it was certainly a terrible co-incidence, but unfortunately these things happened - just because you had a hassle-free time, doesn't mean that others haven't encountered problems.