Marrakech

Currency

Exchange at banks or official bureaux de change. Avoid money changers in the souks. Some riads and restaurants accept EUR but give poor rates.

ATMs & cards

Attijariwafa, BMCE, and Banque Populaire ATMs are reliable. Withdraw in MAD. ATMs often run out of cash on weekends in the Medina.

Wherever you are: if the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. That is dynamic currency conversion and the rate is set by the ATM's operator, not your bank.

Safety

Haggle everything in the souks — start at 30% of asking price. Ignore unofficial guides. Say "la shukran" (no thanks) firmly.

Our own assessment, not a sourced index.

Entry & visa

Health & emergencies

Required to enter

• Yellow fever certificate, but only if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present

Worth having

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Tetanus up to date
• Rabies for longer stays — stray dogs and cats are everywhere

Getting treated

Private clinics in Marrakesh and Casablanca are reasonable and inexpensive, and expect cash or an insurance guarantee up front. Public hospitals are basic. Pharmacies are excellent, widespread and can dispense a lot without a prescription.

Do not drink the tap water. Stomach upsets are the most common complaint by a distance.

Orientation, not medical advice. Entry rules change and what you need depends on your own history and where you have been — check with a travel clinic or your national health service four to six weeks before you go.

Food tip

Eat tagine and couscous at local restaurants in the side alleys, not on the main square. Try msemen (flatbread) for breakfast and fresh orange juice (MAD 5) on the square.

Getting around

• Walking — the Medina is car-free and best explored on foot
• Petit taxi — small beige taxis for in-city, insist on the meter (counter). Max ∼MAD 20-30 per ride
• Grand taxi — shared taxis for day trips (Essaouira, Atlas Mountains)
• Calèche — horse-drawn carriage, negotiate price first (MAD 150-200 for a tour)
• Airport: taxi to Medina MAD 70-100 (fixed price, 20 min)

Must-see

Things to do

• Get lost in the Medina souks
• Visit Jardin Majorelle
• See Bahia Palace
• Eat on Jemaa el-Fna square
• Visit a traditional hammam
• Take a cooking class

Nearby day trips

Say a few words

Arabic

• Helloمرحبا — MarhabaMAR-ha-ba
• Pleaseمن فضلك — Min fadlakmin FAD-lak
• Thank youشكرا — ShukranSHOOK-ran
• Yes / Noنعم / لا — Na’am / LaNA-am / la
• Excuse meعفوا — AfwanAF-wan
• How much is it?بكم — Bikam?bi-KAM
• The bill, pleaseالحساب — Al-hisabal-hi-SAB
• Welcomeأهلا وسهلا — Ahlan wa sahlanAH-lan wa SAH-lan

Inshallah, meaning God willing, follows nearly any statement about the future and is conversational rather than religious.

Religion

Sunni Muslim

Islam is the state religion and the king holds religious authority. Non-Muslims may not enter most mosques — the Hassan II in Casablanca is the main exception. Ramadan changes opening hours everywhere.

Do's and don'ts

Do

• Haggle in the souks — the first price is an opening, and good humour is part of it
• Dress modestly, particularly women and particularly away from tourist areas
• Use the right hand for eating and giving
• Accept mint tea; it is the standard gesture of welcome

Don't

• Do not follow unofficial guides who offer to show you the way in the medina; the help ends in a demand
• Do not photograph people, market stalls or performers without asking — payment will be expected
• Do not enter mosques unless you are Muslim; almost all are closed to visitors
• Do not show public affection, and avoid discussing the monarchy critically