MARRAKECH
Marrakech is such a popular destination in Morocco that people mistake it for the capital, but it’s not. The capital is Rabat.
However, Marrakech is the 4th largest city in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Medina is the old city of Marrakech and is surrounded by pink walls built around the 1100s. I stayed in the Medina for the duration of my trip.
How To
Get There
You’ll need to apply for an E-visa from the Kingdom of Morocco. The International airport is called Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).
Morocco being an Islamic state, the answer will automatically be no and there’s a jail sentence if you’re identified.
LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY?
The Medina is one of the largest car-free zones in the world, a pedestrian paradise if you will!
Historical fact
100%
I spent a lot of time wandering the city and there was no fear for my life.
feeling of safety
Ratio of Black People
10%
I did see a few Black people during the trip.
UBERS?
LOL.
Not a chance! You’ll need the phone numbers of local taxi drivers to get by, and they all use WhatsApp.
currency
Moroccan Dirham but they take Euros too.
Wifi strength
Best Experience : Hot Air Balloon
I really love hot air balloon rides, so I jumped at the chance to experience another one in Marrakech, and it was … glorious!
It started off early in the morning when it was still dark, just in time to see the sunrise above the Atlas Mountains.
Being so far up in the sky, looking at the sun come up, the Berber villages on the ground, and how tiny everything looked from up there has a way of putting things into perspective for me. I get the same feeling when I’m in an airplane.
The host of the Airbnb experience was phenomenal, after we were back on land, there was a full-spread Berber breakfast, and I had my fill. The hospitality of the Moroccans is definitely something I loved the most about my visit.
I went in November and thought it’ll be warm because of the desert, it was NOT! Take a warm jacket.
How to dress
Take a good cream- based moisturizers with you because it gets chilly. And as always, I have your sunscreen on deck!
Skincare
Arabic and French were the most widely spoken languages so choose one, or mix both like me :)
Language
ENGLISH | ARABIC |
Hello/Peace be with you/Welcome | Salam/Assalamu-Alikum/Merhaba |
Okay/Enough/That’s Fine | Safi |
Help | Ayuda |
Yes/No | Wah/Laa |
Thank you | shukran |
Please | Afak |
Excuse me | Smahaliya |
Goodbye | Beslama |
ENGLISH | FRENCH |
Hello/Good Morning | Bonjour |
Good Evening/Night | Bonsoir/Bonne nuit |
Sorry | Je suis désolé |
Yes/No | Oui/Non |
Thank you | Merci |
I don’t speak Spanish | je ne parle pas français |
Excuse me | Pardon/Excusez-moi |
Please | s'il vous plaît |
Where To Stay
I stayed in 2 Riads within the Medina of Marrakech.
Riad Le Marocain
Riad Lalla Mimouna
Challenges
You willl get lost while exploring the souk (markets), evern if you have Google Maps, just embrace it!.
Weird Experiences
Nothing crazy. One time my friend asked for directions in the souk and this man decided to walk us all the way and then asked for us to pay him. He got very agitated when we offered him the little cash, and he was yelling that he deserved more, almost grabbing her bag! .