I’m just a few days away from my trip to Marrakech—I’m leaving from November 13th to 20th and bringing my parents along! I’d love to plan my stay as best as I can, and I’m sure the forum crew can help. So, here are my questions:
- Where’s the best place to exchange money without getting ripped off? The owner of the riad where we’re staying told us to avoid doing it at the airport because it’s really expensive and to do it in the medina instead, near Jemaa el-Fna square.
- Which traditional hammams do you recommend that are reasonably priced? How much should we budget for one? That’ll help me plan my expenses.
- What are some nice restaurants in the medina?
- I’d also like to know roughly how much to expect for a tea, a meal, a taxi, a djellaba, and babouches. I don’t want to get overcharged and would like to know what to expect.
- What are the must-do activities and places to visit?
Noor!
I just got back from Marrakech...a city I’ve been visiting for 25 years! While it’s changed a lot, some things never do.
What’s changed: there are hotels—and even better, riads—everywhere now! And at every price point. If you’ve got time, check out the site http://www.madein-marrakech.com and search for "riad pas cher" (budget riad), "riad standards" (mid-range), or "riad de luxe" (luxury) depending on your budget. Look up the riad’s own website—most are built on the same model, which makes it super easy to compare prices, locations, rooms, etc.
If prices are listed in dirhams, just drop a zero to get the rough equivalent in euros. 100 DHS = about 10 €.
There are plenty of other hotels in the medina or around Jemaa El Fna square, the heart of Marrakech. If you’d like, I can share some names and addresses. Larger, more comfortable hotels—with or without pools—are usually farther from the medina but quieter, more spacious...and pricier.
For sightseeing, a few must-sees include Dar Si Said (museum), Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Marrakech Museum, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa. You can visit all of these without a guide, though they can be a little tricky to find since they’re tucked away in the medina.
When shopping in the medina, always haggle—you can easily divide the asking price by 3, 4, or even 5. The vendor might act shocked, but if they keep negotiating, you’ve got a good shot. Don’t counter too quickly!
A pair of babouche slippers—made of real leather (check!) and well-made—shouldn’t cost more than 15-20 €. But the starting price might be 1000 or 800 DHS. So, patience! Don’t waste energy haggling if you’re not really interested in the item.
Sometimes, pretending to walk away can lower the price...you’ll find similar items everywhere.
Take a walk without buying anything first, then go back to the shop where you found something that fits your budget and style. If the price still seems way too high, divide it by 5 or 6 and see what the vendor says. But only counter if you *really* want the item. For me, it’s the vendor’s job to lower their price if they want to sell—I only counter after trying every strategy, and only if I think the item’s worth it!
Personally, I never haggle over food...except maybe 10% off dried fruits. Fresh food costs next to nothing, so don’t embarrass yourself by haggling. Generally, the farther you get from the square, the less inflated prices are, so you won’t need to haggle as hard—but there are no hard rules.
😉
To get an idea of prices, you should take a trip to the artisan center.
For the rest, just let the magic of Marrakech work its charm.
Have a great trip!
Hi,
I’d add the Photography Museum—it’s really worth the visit, with a nice terrace where you can grab a good lunch. The Ben Youssef Madrasa is stunning.
For the palaces, the surrounding streets are way more atmospheric than the upper part of the square (souks and all that).
For currency exchange, we did it at the airport. I haven’t heard that it’s better in the square, but maybe that’s true.
Details: we booked a taxi through here http://www.taximarrakchi.com/ to get from the airport to the center—10 € for the trip. Apparently, that’s what you’d pay if you haggled outside. The driver waits for you on arrival, and they also offer excursions.
Otherwise, I don’t really see what to avoid… Prices depend on what you’re willing to pay. Generally, you can get a reasonable price by bargaining, and if you get ripped off, it’s usually just by a little. You’ve gotta accept it—it’s a lesson for next time! :)
I’ve often exchanged money at the airport. I’ve always paid the correct rate.
Make sure to ask for small bills! Locals often run short of change.
And spend it all 😉 you won’t be able to exchange your dirhams back in France.
But you can exchange them again at a Moroccan bank...
Traditional hammams are completely different from those designed for tourists.
They’re not mixed-gender.
The entry price is minimal. Try to go with a Moroccan woman (ask nicely at your riad, for example). The same goes for men.
It’s an absolute must-do.
Tourist hammams are more expensive, designed for Western tastes.
So is the price! You’ll find them on the main streets of the medina. I paid 30 € per person for a hammam, exfoliation, and massage.
Great, budget-friendly restaurants (4/5 € for a menu) in the medina:
Le Toubkal and its neighbor Zaha on Jemaa el-Fna square.
Rotisseries on Bani Marine street.
Some stalls on the square, like the snail ones.
For something more "gourmet": Bagatelle, Dar Moha...
Prices in bars, restaurants, and grocery stores aren’t negotiable.
Souvenirs in the souk can be haggled over.
The Artisan Complex can give you a price benchmark to negotiate without sounding clueless.
For babouches, it depends on the leather quality, finishes, stitching, and decorations. Expect around 10 € for a decent pair.
Same for djellabas. Budget around 10/15 €.
Take your time, don’t haggle if you’re not planning to buy, divide the price by three, and see the seller’s reaction.
Also, group your purchases for a better deal.
A taxi ride costs between 5 and 25 dirhams. Ask the driver to turn on the meter.
If they refuse, either walk away or pay 15 or 20 dirhams at the end.
I know, they’re tough
Stay confident!
For sightseeing, I’d add the Majorelle Gardens.
But the best part for me was wandering the souks. Don’t hesitate to get lost—just ask a shopkeeper for directions.
For currency exchange, in town, many places and signs display the rates, so just compare with the one next door.
Local hammams, as mentioned before, are ridiculously cheap...5 to 10 MAD....
The nice restaurants change from year to year. For "small eateries," go where the Marrakchis go.
A tea costs around 7 to 40 MAD depending on the place.
A meal ranges from 30 to 750 MAD or even more.
Taxis...drivers are required to use the meter (make sure it’s the daytime rate if it’s daytime...around 6 MAD for the initial charge...). Refusing can result in a 1,000 MAD fine, but tourists often don’t know this. Don’t let them intimidate you—there are so many taxis that switching is easy, so don’t hesitate!
Djellabas and babouches...available at all price points, as mentioned before...from 70 MAD to 2,000 MAD for djellabas, or even more.
Sightseeing...The Marrakech Museum, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the nearby Roman ruins, the souks of course, the maze of Medina alleys, the Badi Palace, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Gardens, the Menara and its basin, the Koutoubia and its gardens, the Saadian Tombs, and the big bazaar next door...a large store with beautiful items, Jemaa el-Fna Square, especially in the evening......A bit farther for a day trip...Essaouira, Oukaimeden, the Ouzoud Waterfalls....The Atlas Mountains and its valleys....
Your post is hilarious, it reminds me of a travel agency brochure written by someone getting their info from the Internet..........
Sorry!
By the way, where are the Roman ruins in Marrakech?
I think I remember seeing a presentation by PatDef on Damien’s forum, if I’m not mistaken!
I’ll be in Morocco from mid-January to the end of March, and I need to take a few trips with Damien to break in my new vehicle. Obviously, I’ll be stopping by Marrakech since I’ve got some Moroccan friends to see there.
See you later!
True, there aren’t any Roman ruins, but it’s the only remaining example of Almoravid art in Marrakech. 😊
Volubilis is still quite a bit farther away...
As for the sea in Marrakech and the dunes... Uh, no, I don’t think so. 😏
You can't compare the cost of living in Morocco with yours!!!
Even for a Moroccan, they pay more than the 5 Dhs you're talking about!!!
Don't forget that a lot of things have gone up—fuel, everything.
Why do you only judge the poor taxi drivers when there are people with H1 HUNDAY-type vehicles charging crazy prices, and yet you only go after the poor little taxis? :(
I’m not judging or attacking… I’m just stating facts.
The average price for a ride in Marrakech is 15 MAD. I don’t see why I’d pay more just because I’m French. That doesn’t stop me from leaving a tip, but that’s my call…
In France, I think you pay way too much for a taxi ride, is that true or not?
Even I feel bad about giving the small taxi drivers what the meter shows, but it’s nothing at all :( Plus, no social security or retirement fund :( It’s sad
And if you want to raise awareness about scams, it’s better to do it against restaurants that charge crazy prices for crap food at 50 €/person
Or the riads and hotels that sell crappy rooms for 200 €, 300 € a night and take advantage of the system—those are the real scammers, not the poor taxi driver who runs all day just to earn a crappy salary since most are employees and have to give a cut to the vehicle owner :(
Be kind to those who are struggling instead of making their lives harder, and let them live :(
Thanks
You're struggling to grasp the concept of a scam. Going to a restaurant at 50 €/person or to a ryad at 200 €/night means going to an establishment that charges the amount initially planned. The customer knows it and agreed to it. Taking a taxi and ending up with a driver who refuses to turn on the meter is an attempted scam. Whether the ride costs 10 MAD or $400.
Even if this client initially agreed to this amount—50 € and a 200 € deposit—they’re scammed by the website photos or the establishment’s description, etc., etc.,
Plus, if we compare the actual cost, we’ll see it’s a scam, and the worst part is that in this cost, there are employees being paid poverty wages ;)
So I think it’s *you* who doesn’t understand the SCAM principle. You call the little guys scammers and forget the real scammers who rip off everyone: the workforce, the government, the clients.
We’re not even in LAS VEGAS to justify these crazy prices—otherwise, *everyone* should charge them. No riad or restaurant has the right to pocket 50 € and 200 € while the poor taxi driver gets 5 DHS or 0.50 €.
The issue isn’t the price but how it’s applied. If a taxi ride is charged 15 Dh for a "Marrakshi," it should be the same for a tourist. If the tourist realizes that 1.5 € is actually a ridiculously low price, they can always leave a tip. Just keep in mind that tipping isn’t mandatory, and the amount will directly reflect how much they liked the driver.
I find it unacceptable that a metered and displayed fare in a taxi depends on the customer’s skin color. Why should a loaded "Marrakshi" pay the normal price while a tourist who’s struggled to save for a trip to Morocco gets ripped off just because they’re a "blond head" (that’s what Moroccans call "Europeans")?
Don’t worry—having taken Marrakech’s little beige taxis many times, I’ve rarely had issues with drivers. Just make sure they turn on the meter. If they don’t, get out and take another taxi—there are hundreds of them.
For trips in the city, it's 4-5 Dhs for the initial charge (standard), then with the meter it depends on the distance and time... so during rush hour, it can go up to 20, 25, or even 30 Dhs, or more depending on where you're going!
I can confirm the taxi driver scams. Even after 27 years of traveling in Morocco, I let myself get taken without asking for the meter—less than 10 days ago! For a return trip of 2-3 km around Marrakech. He asked for 200 DHS... even though he was returning empty and it would’ve been 40 or 50 Dhs max with the meter. I didn’t have the energy to argue, so I paid! But I’m still kicking myself today. It was really excessive!
Sure, drivers are underpaid, but that doesn’t mean they should go overboard! I think you should always ask for the meter, and if there isn’t one, switch taxis or negotiate before the ride!
It’s all part of the game... or the scam, depending on how you see it!
For me, it's part of the Moroccan "folklore." The problem is for beginners who either say nothing and pay up or cry scandal and say they’ll never set foot in Morocco again.
A country is discovered by talking and communicating with locals or those in the know—it’s how you learn about Morocco or any other place.
I’ve been living in Morocco for over 5 years, and even if I’m not careful, I still get tricked sometimes. I know I’m responsible for what happens to me, and I don’t blame the locals, who use all kinds of tricks to get by. In the end, it becomes a game where you don’t always win. Moroccans are really skilled when it comes to cunning, schemes, and the like.
Pretty much agree with you, Jamal! You always gotta stay sharp—it’s all part of the game! And when you think about it... in Europe, we get ripped off all the time on all sorts of stuff—if only we knew the markups middlemen take on what we buy!—but we don’t necessarily realize it, and it’s way harder to negotiate. So... in the end, it’s even worse!
Happy travels to those who haven’t been yet..
Hello, my husband and I will be in Egypt this coming November. Cairo seems more challenging to explore without a guide, and we’ll be there for 3 full days. Would anyone have the name of a guide?
Thanks!
During our trip to Egypt at the end of January, beginning of February, we plan to visit the White Desert and nearby oases for 3 to 4 days, starting from Cairo.
If my initial agency searches weren't conclusive, I now have a "too many options" situation.
Here’s an alphabetical list of my first findings.
If you’ve had any experience (good or bad) with any of these agencies in the White Desert:
Hi
It's hard to tell from Maps or anything else whether the road along the Tessaout is fully paved from Amezri all the way to the junction with the road connecting Demnate to Ouarzazate (RN23).
Thanks for your replies!
Herviche
Here’s a first draft for a 14-night itinerary during the Christmas break with two teens. We’re especially fond of hiking (nothing too extreme, though), which is why we’re drawn to the south.
- Marrakech (2 nights)
- Aït Ben Haddou (1 night)
- Dadès (3 nights, though we’re thinking of doing a day trip to the Todra Gorge on one of those days)
- M'hamid (1 night)
- Erg Chigaga (1 night)
- 4 nights to slot in
- Marrakech (2 nights)
Okay, I realize this involves a lot of driving, and we’re still debating the return route since we’d like to avoid the Tichka Pass in January, but going through Taroudant seems like it would add *a lot* of time. 😕
If you’ve got other suggestions for an itinerary with great hikes, I’m all ears!
Also, the 4 nights total in MRK isn’t really our preference, but since we’re arriving/departing super early from overseas, we’d like to be a bit rested before the long flight.
Another question:
For hikes (aside from the desert one), is it better to have a guide with us, or are the trails well-marked?
Hi there!
I’m heading to Dakhla at the end of October for about two weeks as a backpacker.
Without renting a car or booking pricey excursions, what are the best ways to get around and explore?
I’ve heard that the small taxis only cover limited routes outside the city center, and the local buses might be tricky...
Thanks to anyone who knows the area and can share their tips for nature and culture in this up-and-coming destination!
Laurence
Hi, I’m planning a 10-day trip to Morocco starting on 12/30 with my parents, and I’d love your thoughts on the itinerary. Since I’m traveling with my parents, who are 78, I’m trying to keep train rides between cities short. I’d like to start with 4 days in FES (with Meknès nearby), then head to Casablanca for 2 days, and finish with 4 days in Marrakech, including a day trip or overnight stay in Essaouira. Thanks for your input!
During our road trip in Morocco in November/December, we’re planning to spend a night at the Hassilabied dunes around November 10th.
We don’t want to sleep in a camp, go on a camel trek, or do a 4x4 tour—we just want to stay right at the foot of the dunes so we can walk around on our own, on foot, at sunrise and sunset. It seems like Hassilabied is better located for this (closer to the dunes) than Merzouga.
Do you know of any clean accommodation with hot water, not too rustic but not too "bling-bling" either, and—most importantly—ideally located right in front of the dunes?
Thanks so much for your tips!
Fran
Hi, we're looking for a guide to show us around Essaouira.
We're 11 adults and don't want to go through an agency. If you have a contact to help us discover this city, that would be great!
Thanks
We're heading to Egypt in a few days, inspired by many of your travel journals (thanks especially to Franck!).
We’ll spend a short day exploring Cairo before an evening departure, with our luggage in tow. We’re traveling light, but it’s still not very practical...
Does anyone know if baggage storage/lockers are easy to find, and if so, do you have any recommendations?
Thanks!
I’m currently planning several trips to Morocco (Marrakech, Draa Valley, Merzouga) and I’m wondering about the reliability of data connections outside major urban centers.
Here’s what I’ve observed on the ground so far:
- In cities (Marrakech, Agadir, Fez), 4G is excellent, including in the medina riads.
- On the Tizi n'Tichka road and toward Ouarzazate, coverage remains decent, with a few dead spots here and there.
- In Saharan areas (Merzouga, Chegaga), the connection becomes patchy: some camps get great reception, others none at all.
My specific questions:
1) On your recent trips, which operator (Maroc Telecom, inwi, Orange) gave you the best coverage in the Atlas and Sahara?
2) Have international eSIMs seemed as reliable as a local Moroccan SIM, or have you noticed a difference in speed in rural areas?
3) While trekking or driving a 4x4 in the desert, have you come across completely dead zones despite theoretical coverage?
I’m happy to share my own coverage notes if it helps, and I’ll gladly answer any questions about Morocco—I know it well.
I'm looking for a travel companion for a road trip in southern Morocco at the end of March 2027.
Duration: 15 days.
Departure from Marrakech.
Car rental and Airbnb accommodation.
Budget: 1200 €.
Itinerary to plan together
I’m heading back to Egypt for the first time in 30 years this July. Last time, I was 20, and we spent two weeks traveling on a shoestring as backpackers.
I’m wondering about a "cruise" on a felucca from Aswan—mainly to avoid being stuck in an air-conditioned tourist bubble (we’re already spending our first week in that setting with our diving club). We’d like to explore the most interesting stretch of the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. Do you have any thoughts on this option, tips, or maybe some contacts?
I was wondering if it’s possible to join a group as a solo traveler with local agencies in Djanet for circuits like Tadrart, Essendilene, Sefar, or Tassili?
If you have any agencies to recommend, I’d love to hear about them.
I didn’t find any info on the forum.
Best,
Hi everyone,
Our trip to Morocco will be from November 3 to 17, in the High Atlas.
Basically, our route would be:
Marrakech - Aït Benhaddou
Skoura - Tinghir - Merzouga
Merzouga via the N12 to Zagora
Zagora - Draa Valley - Marrakech
It seems to be the low season, so I’d love to travel without having to book accommodations in advance. In other countries, pre-booking has restricted us and kept us from visiting unplanned sites. Freedom is important to us, but I’d also like to avoid arriving somewhere and finding nothing available.
What do you recommend? Book ahead or not?
Your advice is always helpful, and thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this for me.
Roberto
First of all: a big thank you to everyone whose insightful, funny, lively, and exotic posts we’ve enjoyed. It’s a joy to find such lovely writers on this forum, who’ve given me tons of ideas and addresses to prepare our trip.
Our plan: to explore Morocco from November 2nd to December 4th. We’ll have our own vehicle (a 2011 Renault Grand Scenic, in great condition), shipped with us from Sète to Tanger Med. Returning from Nador.
Our profile: 75 and 62 years young, so old but happy to be, in very good health. Seasoned travelers—it’s practically our whole life. Lovers of beautiful landscapes, historic sites, fine craftsmanship, and road trips. This will be my 3rd trip to Morocco, but the first two were 20 and 17 years ago. I’ve never been north of the Essaouira-Marrakech line (though I’ve gone further south). As for my husband, a lifelong expat including in Muslim countries, it’s his first time in Morocco.
He’s the one driving. He’s very experienced, cautious, not necessarily fast, but used to driving in all conditions (and countries, including the most creative on the road). But I don’t want to tire him out, and he no longer drives at night (and we’ll be there in November).
I’ve decided to show him a bit of everything by taking a road trip along beautiful backroads, with daily distances averaging 180-200 km (except on highways, which will be rare), regularly broken up by rest days. I’m counting on a speed of 40-50 km/h, plus stops/visits along the way.
Since I’ve read so many posts, I’ve narrowed it down to some very specific questions.
1) Coming directly from Rabat via the highway, we’d prefer to skip Marrakech*. Still, we’ll need to sleep somewhere nearby. We’ll head toward Skoura the next day. Does anyone have a well-located address for this route, possibly east of Marrakech? Ideally, we’re looking for a small town, easy parking, clean accommodation (minimum) with average comfort (or better if available), a bit heated, and if possible, pretty and/or nice—but above all, a place to sleep well, wash with lukewarm (ideally hot) water, and have a decent dinner.
(*Explanation for the "no-go" in Marrakech: it’s a shame, because there are truly beautiful things in this city, but I think the vibe won’t suit us—it’s an understatement for "it’ll put us off" / "make us flee" / "traumatize us." Not because it’s too crowded and we want to stand out from tourists (we’re part of them), but because of forced henna on your hand, or spending 10 minutes every quarter-hour saying "no thank you" to a "guide" who’s as much a guide as I am a trapeze artist. Knowing us, it’ll wear us down. The country is vast and beautiful, and our time too short to waste our memories just days after arriving. And I don’t want to ruin things for my peaceful husband, or he’ll demand we turn back—and Sète in November isn’t exactly thrilling either.)
2) Which route to Skoura (in 2 days)? I see two options: either via the Tichka Pass, with a night in Telouet before reaching Skoura, or via the R307/N23 from Demnate, with a night near Megdaz before descending to Skoura. So: Tichka Pass or R307/N23? I have a slight (big) preference for the second option, even though I know the other route is very beautiful too. Of course, before deciding, we’ll check the weather and the current state of the R307/N23—does anyone know where to get info on the road conditions? But even assuming the road is "passable," is it a bit too tough in itself? In short, is it reasonable? If a kind soul could share their experience, a thousand thanks in advance.
That’s all I’ve written for now. I’ll save the other questions for later posts. Thanks again to those who had the patience to read this and to those who can respond. Happy Sunday to all!
Hi, I’d like to head to Morocco next week with my car. I’ve looked online at all the different info about the ferry crossing to Tangier, but I’m finding it really expensive. Is there a way to buy tickets in Spain? Or another way to get the Algeciras–Tangier crossing cheaper? Thanks for any tips or info!
We found a guide who offers the trip from M'hamid to a camp (departure at 3 PM, tea, meal, camel ride, overnight stay, breakfast, and return to M'Hamid by 11 AM the next day via the sacred oasis). He quoted us a price of 380 € for April.
What do you think of this rate?
This might sound like a silly question, but is it common to negotiate the price for this kind of thing (we're booking from France)? It’s still a big part of our travel budget.
Hi there,
We're planning to visit Egypt between January 25 and February 15, 2027. I looked up the Ramadan dates and found some sites saying it starts on February 8, while others say February 18... Where's the mistake?
Thanks,
Christian
Hi there,
We’re a family of 4 with two boys aged 12 and 10 traveling to Egypt in February.
We’re spending 3 days in Cairo to take our time exploring the city and the sites before heading south.
-Is it necessary to have a guide to visit the GEM? Are audio guides available?
-Do you have any contacts for drivers to organize a few transfers (Giza, Saqqara, Airport)?
-Do you know a French-speaking guide who’s friendly, family-friendly, and good at making things exciting, with reasonable prices?
With our two teens, we’re heading to Morocco for two weeks at the end of December and beginning of January. It’ll be our first trip that’s more "off the beaten path," even though we’ve visited several countries before. Given the overwhelming amount of info, I’m feeling a bit swamped with the prep this trip requires, and I’ll admit I’m a little lost when it comes to figuring out what’s realistic to visit in two weeks 😕 So, all your tips, personal experiences, and suggestions are more than welcome!
- Which places should we prioritize during this time of year? (I’ve read that some spots are less accessible in winter?)
- What’s the best way to get around? (rental car, train, private transport, buses, etc.? — just a heads-up, we’ll have a few suitcases!)
- In terms of "safety," are there any areas to avoid?
- Any recommendations for reliable local tour companies (beyond the big names like "Get Your Guide") that offer excursions or private transport to help us explore the country?
- A doable 2-week itinerary that lets us enjoy the country’s diversity without having to change accommodations every two days?
I’m planning a trip to the High Atlas in Morocco and have a few questions for you:
- Why do so many people recommend avoiding international agencies for car rentals? Can anyone explain why?
- Is Booking.com reliable, and has anyone rented a vehicle through their service? There’s a pretty big price difference compared to local Moroccan agencies.
- Is there a detailed road map included in the rental car?
- Is Google Maps enough to get around the High Atlas? This will be my first trip there.
Thanks so much to anyone who can help with this destination I’ve been dreaming about for years.
Have a great evening,
Roberto
hi there, I’m heading to Tunisia 🙂 from April 27 to May 8 with my family. I’ve read through the various discussions about the country, but I’m still a bit unsure🤪: for currency exchange, I saw on the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website that withdrawing currency with a bank card from ATMs is limited to 200 TND per week. There are four of us traveling by car, so that might be a bit tight! And it’s a hassle to carry a lot of cash, even if I’m not being paranoid! What do you all recommend?
Cheers,
Laurent.
We're planning a 2-week trip in late February/early March for a road trip in the High Atlas with a rental car, and we'd love to avoid booking our accommodations in advance. Is that doable, easily manageable, or risky (are accommodations available, expensive, or not great)? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
Hi,
This autumn, we’re planning to explore the Oriental region and we’re wondering where the best place to land would be. We’ll have three weeks ahead of us and we’ll be renting a car.
Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks.
