11 Tips for visiting Marrakech

Are you thinking of visiting Marrakech? If this is your first time in Morocco, you may have some doubts about this destination. To help you organise the ideal getaway and make the most of every moment, in this post you'll find 11 tips for visiting Marrakech. Let's get started!

The best time to travel to Marrakech is spring and autumn. The days are sunny and the temperatures, though warm, are pleasant. The weather isn't sweltering, so you can do a lot of outdoor activities and get the most out of your Moroccan experience.

Unless you're resistant to heat waves, I'd advise avoiding the summer months if you want to visit Marrakech, as the thermometers can easily soar to 40°C and the atmosphere becomes too stifling for sightseeing in Marrakech or for a trip to the Agafay Desert.

However, if you decide to visit the desert from Marrakech, I advise you to book an organised tour. You'll be more comfortable and relaxed, you'll get to know all the secrets and charms of the area and, above all, you'll be much safer.

Marrakech is a safe city with an acceptable health system, although sometimes it may not be enough, as it does not have the quality of the health system that you can find for example in European countries, so in a difficult situation you could find yourself with many obstacles that you can avoid from home by hiring a health insurance to travel to Marrakech.

If you need complex medical treatment you will have to go to private clinics, where prices can be very high if you unfortunately suffer a mishap during your stay in the city and do not have medical cover during your holiday.

However, before you start looking for travel medical insurance I advise you to check if the clauses of the contract of your bank cards include any insurance that you can benefit from on your trip by paying for this trip with them.

If you are travelling to Marrakech, it is advisable to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Travelers' Registry, giving your personal details and those of your trip, so that in case of emergency or need, the Spanish authorities can try to locate you there.

This procedure is free and voluntary, but if you are looking for security when travelling abroad, this small gesture can be of great importance in the event of an emergency situation, if you need assistance during your holiday and to inform your close circle of your whereabouts.

To register you can do so online or by filling in a form that you will have to send by fax to the General Consulate of Morocco or, failing that, to the Spanish Embassy.

When packing your suitcase, you should not lose sight of the fact that Morocco is a conservative country with deep-rooted Muslim customs. For women, it's best to opt for loose-fitting clothes that cover the shoulders and legs. It is not advisable to choose revealing or tight-fitting clothing, as it could offend susceptibilities and attract unwanted attention, leading to unexpected situations.

As for the veil, it is not compulsory but it is advisable to carry a light scarf in your bag in case you need to cover your hair at some point during a visit to a mosque, for example.

Otherwise, given the hot climate in Marrakech, I recommend packing light, cool cotton clothes, comfortable shoes for walking up and down the city, as well as sunglasses and a hat to protect you from the intense sunlight.

There are several means of transport available to get around Marrakesh, although bus and taxi are the most popular. However, if this is your first time in the city, I recommend booking a transfer between the airport and your accommodation to get you to your destination quickly, comfortably and safely.

Buses in Marrakech tend to be crowded and in the heat of the city, you may not find it a very comfortable journey if you're loaded down with luggage. Taxis are the most commonly used form of transport, but some drivers forget to turn on the meter and it's not easy to determine the real cost of the fare. In that sense, transfers make things much simpler and are therefore a highly recommended option for tourists.

To get around the Medina of Marrakech you will have to walk because the streets are so narrow and old that except for bicycles, motorbikes and the odd car, there is no room for any other means of transport. So remember to wear comfortable shoes because you are going to be walking a lot!

Marrakech is a great place to eat. During your stay you can sample delicious dishes of traditional Moroccan cuisine with Western influences, especially French cuisine. Moroccan food is very spicy and if you're not used to it, you'll love trying new dishes and broadening your culinary horizons.

Make the most of your trip to Marrakesh to take a little gastronomic tour of Marrakesh's restaurants and discover new flavours and aromas. However, if you fancy eating where the locals do, head to the stalls in the Jamaa el Fna market at night - the prices are very cheap and you can eat some very curious things!

However, if you do decide to try the street food in Marrakech, keep your eyes peeled and make sure that whatever you eat is in good condition so that you don't get food poisoning.

As with other Muslim cities such as Dubai, Istanbul or Cairo, when planning a trip to these destinations it's always a good idea to check when their public holidays are.

Many of the holidays in Morocco are determined according to the lunar calendar and this makes it a little difficult to find out the exact date on which celebrations such as the Muslim New Year, Ramadan or Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Lamb) fall, as they vary from year to year.

During these dates you're likely to find the city too quiet and bustling, and as a tourist you may prefer to wait until another time to see the livelier, more vibrant side of the city. Search the internet for some estimates to make it easier to organise your trip to Marrakech.

If your visit to Marrakech coincides with Ramadan, this is a good time to immerse yourself in Islamic culture and learn more about its customs.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. During this time of year Muslims celebrate the time when Allah revealed the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad and families pray and fast from sunrise to sunset.

In Morocco it is strictly observed and the country comes to a halt to accommodate the timing of this holiday, so it is common for shops to close during the day but in the evenings the streets fill with people and merriment. Seeing Marrakech at this time of year has a special charm, but as a tourist you have to get used to the idea that things are different from the rest of the year. For the duration of the fasting period, try not to eat and drink in public. It is considered a gesture of courtesy and respect.

In the souks and shops of Marrakech there are some very curious things to take home as souvenirs: sweets, cosmetics, handicrafts, leather goods... but if you want to buy , you'll have to learn to haggle. It's part of the culture and the Marrakechis love it!

Don't accept the first price you're offered or you'll spoil the party. One trick to closing a good deal is to haggle first on the price of a product you're not very interested in and pretend that the price the seller is giving you is too high and you're not interested. When he sees you leaving and suggests another price, ask him for the product you really want. Chances are that he will give you a more reasonable price after seeing a customer almost slip through his fingers.

Take the opportunity to practice some Arabic words and don't be in a hurry to finish the bargaining as soon as possible - add a little spice! It's like an art that you learn over time and it will be a very interesting cultural experience.

In the tourist areas of Marrakech you are likely to encounter pushy vendors who will try their best to get you to buy something from them. They don't give up at the first refusal!

Even if this is the twentieth time you have refused a vendor's offer on your route, don't lose your patience or respond rudely.

Answer a simple "no, thank you" with a smile and be on your way. After all, they are trying to make a living and earn some money.

As tourists, sometimes when travelling we are curious about what is different and experience a culture shock that leads us to take pictures of anything that surprises us.

When taking pictures of the cityscape, be careful who you take pictures of. In Morocco, it is forbidden to take photographs of law enforcement officers, and other people may feel uncomfortable being in the spotlight of tourists' lenses.

If you want to take a photo of someone , ask permission first to avoid problems. Being respectful of others is also a way to travel responsibly.