Has anyone been to Marrakesh?

rebeccak

I went to Marrakech earlier this year. I was on an organised trip but, outside of the organised itinerary, also went around the city independently with two or three other women from the group. We didn't get any real hassle - a bit of attention from some local men but nothing where we felt threatened. One of the girls I was with was blonde and fuller figured and she got a lot more attention as that seems to be the 'ideal' over there - so that and also the way you dress may affect the amount of attention you get.

The one issue we found is that you will get some people trying to rip you off as Westerners are perceived as being rich. We were fortunate to have local guides for our trip and whenever a local guide was organising something like taxis there would be no problem and you'd get a fair, normal price using the taxi meter but if ,for example, you try catching a taxi on your own, they refused to use the meter (even though it was only a local journey) and were quoting set fares which were several times the normal price. Comparing notes with men in the group, we seemed to get quoted higher prices than them and even ended up walking back from one place rather have all the hassle and expense with taxis.

Also, make sure that you are really familiar with currency, know exactly how much you have given someone and what change you are expecting back and count it in front of them. Also, even in nicer restaurants, try to avoid giving them large notes to pay for a meal (e.g. giving them the equivalent of a £20 note for something that was £8). Often you would wait and wait to get your change back and would have to keep asking about it - They hope that you will get fed up and just leave it.

I guess this kind of advice applies to pretty much everywhere as, where there are tourists, there will be people trying to rip them off, but it's definitely something we came across in Marrakech - and there was big difference between our experience when we were with a guide and our experience going around the city on our own. Having said that, don't let it put you off as Morroco is a great country.

sally06

Rosie75, I'm shocked by your post:eek: It's not that I don't believe what you have written. It's just that I know how safe morocco is as I've been there many, many times. I even lived there for a year back in the early 90s and never saw any crime whatsoever.

hieveryone, I think you'd really like Morocco. It is a really interesting country to visit and the locals are very friendly too. I am not too keen on marrakech TBH. Tangier, Asilah and Teoutuan (in the north) are much nicer places to visit. Rabat is lovely too. I often get a cheap flight to spain, then take a ferry from tarifa. The crossing takes about 1hr.

Nobjocki, sound piece of advice ? Hmmm, how many arabs have you met? None I guess, otherwise you wouldn't come out with such stupid remarks! BTW, your name says it all, PMSL

Forgot to say, the ferry takes you to Tangier.

hieveryone

Thanks everyone - decided to go ahead and booked it! Got a not bad deal on flights and looking for cheap(ish) hotels to hopefully keep the price under £250.

Anyone have any recommendations on hotels?

Thanks again for the advice!

tenmah

I went to Morocco with a friend 30 years ago and we were very, very naive at that time but we had a fantastic time. The people were so friendly, we had a sing song with a group of them in a railway carriage, drank in bars with some and even went back to two men's home for tea. They locked the door behind us, which did worry us but when the time came for us to go, they happily walked us back to our hotel.

I actually can't believe how naive we were really and think we were very lucky!

We still talk about that holiday now and how much we enjoyed it. It is a lovely country and i would second Asilah and Rabat as places to visit.

Have a lovely time.

Rosie75

OK, a couple of people have now expressed surprise at my post. I'd like to reiterate that these are both incidents that actually happened. I don't doubt that it's possible to have a hassle-free time in Marrakech, but I think it's best that the OP is aware that there may be unwanted attention, particularly as a female in her 20s. A website I look at before I go anywhere is Virtual Tourist, which includes travellers' tips on "Warnings and Dangers". The ones for Marrakech include the usual warnings about taxi drivers and touts, but there also some more worrying posts, including one from a grandmother who was drugged and raped, and another from a mother who said that she and her daughter were surrounded by a group of young men demanding sex from her daughter:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Morocco/Wilaya_de_Marrakech/Marrakesh-2111278/Warnings_or_Dangers-Marrakesh-BR-1.html
Again, I'm sure Marrakech is a great place (as I said earlier, I'd still like to go there), but I just think it's irresponsible to tell the OP that she won't have any problems. Who can guarantee that? It's also a question of individual tolerance. Some people can take hassle (whether touts wanting you to buy things, or male attention) on the chin. For others it might spoil their holiday.

northwest1965

rebeccak wrote: »

The one issue we found is that you will get some people trying to rip you off as Westerners are perceived as being rich. We were fortunate to have local guides for our trip and whenever a local guide was organising something like taxis there would be no problem and you'd get a fair, normal price using the taxi meter but if ,for example, you try catching a taxi on your own, they refused to use the meter (even though it was only a local journey) and were quoting set fares which were several times the normal price.
Also, make sure that you are really familiar with currency, know exactly how much you have given someone and what change you are expecting back and count it in front of them. Also, even in nicer restaurants, try to avoid giving them large notes to pay for a meal (e.g. giving them the equivalent of a £20 note for something that was £8). Often you would wait and wait to get your change back and would have to keep asking about it - They hope that you will get fed up and just leave it.

QUOTE]

If you are getting a taxi from the airport you can easily find out how much it will be, research it all on Trip Advisor. If you have to make any other trips by taxi, ask at your hotel reception and they will tell you approx what it will be. Our taxi driver tried to charge us a bit more to the airport, we gave him exactly what it should have been.

You know about the regulations on the currency?

hieveryone

QUOTE]


You know about the regulations on the currency?[/QUOTE]

What regulations :-/

northwest1965

I think you can only take 1000 dirhams in and you cant bring currency out of the country.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Nobjocki wrote: »

At the risk of generalisation and being accused of being racist my old man, many many years ago, gave me a sound piece of advice.

Never,ever trust an Arab.

None of the many I have met since then have persuaded me otherwise.

I was told that too by several people.
That and never turn your back on them.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I've always wanted to go there too but most people I've spoken too have put me off.
Someone mentioned dress code,I'm off to Tunisia and Egypt soon and should imagine it'll be a bit samey.
It's made me think what if anything should I be careful of dress wise,bearing in mind it'll be very hot.