Your first Time in Marrakech - A Simple Guide for Curious Travelers

1. What to know before you go

• Currency and basic costs: Morocco uses the Moroccan dirham; cash is widely used in the medina and small shops but in cafes and restaurants and museums you can mostly pay by card.

$1 = MAD 9,16

€1 = MAD 10,74

• Dress and respect: Marrakech is culturally conservative — dress modestly in public (shoulders and knees covered); non-Muslims cannot enter active mosques, so plan to view some from outside.
• Getting around: The medina is a walking maze — allow extra time, wear comfortable shoes, and expect bargaining in the souks.
• Safety and scams: Keep valuables secure, be cautious of overly persistent guides and sellers, and agree prices in advance for services - in the souks the prices are always at least 2 times higher so make sure you negotiate it before paying!
• Best time to visit: Spring and autumn are most comfortable; summers are very hot, and winter nights can be cool.

2. Where to stay

• Stay inside or near the medina if you want the full historic, bustling experience and easy access to sights and markets. My recommendations (where I stayed and enjoyed):

Juli's
El Boussouni Hostel

• If you prefer quieter, more modern neighbourhoods with rooftop bars and pools, look in Gueliz or Hivernage.
  

3. What to try — foods and drinks

• Avocado juice — Freshly made, popular street and café drink, creamy and refreshing.
• Prickly pear (fruit of the cactus) — Sweet, seedy fruit sold freshly cut by street vendors; try carefully (spines/pips).
• Tagine (various types) — Slow-cooked stew (named for the conical pot) in many variations: lamb, chicken, vegetable, often with fruit and spices.
• Harira — Hearty tomato-lentil soup typically served at Ramadan and as a starter; warming and spiced.
• Mechoui — Slow-roasted lamb, often whole or in large cuts, tender and seasoned simply; a festive meat dish.
• Briouats — Small fried or baked pastries filled with savory (meat, cheese) or sweet fillings; great snacks.
• Mint tea — The ubiquitous sweet mint tea served ceremonially across Morocco; a must-try and social ritual.

Where to eat and drink (What I visited and recommend)

• Restaurant Dardar Rooftop — Rooftop spot good for views and relaxed meals in a medina setting.
• Odette Rooftop Bar and Mezze — Rooftop bar serving mezze-style small dishes and drinks, good for evening atmospheres.
• L’AMAZIGH Rooftop — Another rooftop choice with local-Mediterranean dishes and skyline views.
• Knock Knock Restaurant — Casual dining option with local and fusion dishes.
• Simple Specialty Coffee — A specialty coffee spot; try their strawberry matcha if you want a creative take on matcha.
  Tip: Rooftop places are great for sunset and to escape noisy streets below.

4. What to visit (with maps links)

• Souk market — A network of covered/ open-air markets where craftsmen sell spices, textiles, leather, metalwork and more; the heart of local trade and haggling culture.
• Le Jardin Secret — A restored historic garden and courtyard complex in the medina offering peaceful gardens and classic Islamic garden design; a quiet oasis and good photos. Personally, I wasn't much impressed.
• Bacha Coffee and Museum — A historic cafe (with coffee museum elements) famous for its elegant setting and wide selection of Arabica coffees. They always ask for at least 2 hours of waiting to taste their coffee in the cafe, I didn't wait and just bought coffee in the souvenir store.
• Ben Youssef Mosque — A historic mosque and medersa complex; non-Muslims generally can only view outside.
• Marrakech Museum — Housed in a beautiful historic building with carved wood and tiled courtyards, displaying local art, ceramics and history.
• Bab Debbagh tanneries — Traditional leather tanning area where hides are processed and dyed in stone vats; it’s an atmospheric (and smelly) insight into an old craft. I'd recommend to come before 5 pm to see the workers doing their work. It's free to see but be ready for beggers.
• YSL Museum — Museum dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent and his relationship with Marrakech, with fashion exhibits and landscaped gardens; great if you like design and fashion history. You need to book tickets at least a week in advance.
• Koutoubia — The city’s largest mosque and landmark with a tall minaret visible across Marrakech; an exterior icon and good reference point for navigating the city. I wish it were possible to go upstairs.
• Bahia Palace — Lavish 19th-century palace with ornate rooms, tiles and gardens; an example of Moroccan palace architecture and decorative art.
• El Badi Palace — Large ruined palace complex with dramatic, open courtyards and reflective pools — evocative of Marrakech’s imperial past.
• Saadian Tombs — Historic royal tombs restored and noted for their tilework and carved decoration; compact but rich in atmosphere and history.

5. Where to buy coach tickets for other cities

• CTM coach station — Use CTM (the national coach company) for reliable intercity buses; buy tickets at the official station or via CTM’s website/office to ensure schedules and seat reservations.

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