Marrakech
Morocco
Spices, souks, and desert sunsets
Find stays in Marrakech8/10Tourist score
4/5Safety level
Best time to visit
March to May, September to November
Monthly temperatures
18°6°Jan
20°8°Feb
23°10°Mar
25°12°Apr
30°15°May
35°18°Jun
40°22°Jul
39°22°Aug
33°18°Sep
28°14°Oct
22°10°Nov
19°7°Dec
Currency
CurrencyMoroccan Dirham (MAD)
Exchange rate1 USD = 10.0 MAD / 1 EUR = 10.8 MAD
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.
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
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.
Safety
Haggle everything in the souks — start at 30% of asking price. Ignore unofficial guides. Say "la shukran" (no thanks) firmly.
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