Marrakesh Travel Answers

For trips: ask your accommodation, they can/will arrange whatever you want Dirham: start getting soem Dirham at the airport; you will need them for a taxi/bus to town (further on you will find ATM's in town) happy travels Jaap

It's easiest to use ATMs, but a good idea to have some Euros too, in case a machine eats your card or something. There's a handy cashpoint in the little road (pharmacy on the corner) off Jama el Fna. By the way, if you're staying round there or in the New Town, the bus from the airport is regular and MUCH cheaper than a taxi, particularly if you buy a return ticket. So...get some cash at the airport ATM, exit, turn left and you'll see the bus stop. Personally I wouldn't bother with a guide...unless you like haggling and are good at not being ripped off or taken to his cousin's shop (which usually amounts to the same thing! Take a compass into the souk - South is the way out to Jma el Fna, or head towards the sun! The Koutoubia mosque has a little "gibbet" on top which points to the square, so is good way to orientate yourself. There are lots of good tips on VT, particularly from angiebabe. I don't like Marrakesh enough to spend a lot of time there - CTM buses are a cheap and reliable way to get to other places. Have a great time!

Thanks for that. I've just found a site called clickexcursions who organise trips in and around marrakech. I've booked the gardens and ramparts but thinking of using them for a trip to essaouira. Have you heard of them or how did you get about? My first solo trip so any advice appreciated.

Most solo travellers just use CTM or Supratours busses to get to Essaouira. another place on the coast worth visiting is Safi only 2 hours away from Marrakech. It's famous for make all the ceramics you will see in Morocco. Don't bother with a trip to Agadir unless you like concrete jungle it's just a resort town with very little Moroccan culture.

"I've booked the gardens .. " Don't know how much they will charge, but the gardens are very easy accessible with a 'petit taxi' on your own.

If you want a real adventure try Sahara Expedition. I've done the trip to Erg Chebbi twice. Both an Adventure. One I had to complete the trip on my own due to roads being flooded and the driver deserting us. Good trips though.

Hi! In Marrakech, I'd recommend using the Hop on Hop off bus to get your bearings, learn about the history/ culture etc and use to get around the sights. Also recommend Essaouira for a day trip - using public bus or a guided tour - booked through tourist office or hotels - these usually include trip to Argan oil co-operative which is interesting, and a chance to buy genuine Argan Oil and it's derivatives.

Essaouira is a must, but also go opposite - to Atlas mountains - to see the highest peak Toubkal and pass by berber villages.

You really do not need a guide for Essaouira, If you enter through Bab Sba (the gate by the sea) you will find the tourist office on the left, Maps are free and the Medina is compact so finding your way around is easy.

Hi most of us here in the forums answering questions also have our own travel pages with tips and pics and info on various locations that we have been to - Id recommend not wasting that opportunity to have a read around and get ideas that way. Otherwise everyone would be asking the same questions here in this forum and this is not all that VT is great for. Also have a read back through the forum posts here for previous answers and info given here. It can be nice to have a guide and go see things guided and get more info that connects that way but guide books such as the DK eyewitness have lots of info and small walking maps - I also like the Lonely Planet for Morocco and its designed to help people be independent and get the most out of their travels without necessarily needing tours. A caleche trip around the ramparts and out to the Marjorelle or Menara gardens is what Id recommend rather than having a tour to do them but its true Marrakech is a mixed bag - lots of hassle and area to get around and a few tricky streets trying to find places which having a guide can be a bonus. especially for the souks but they will take you to shops and encourage you to buy so they get commission. and a lot of guides and carpet shop workers dont have a clue about for example what a good carpet or what good leather is - theres a lot of textiles from India for sale there too now. And true you can easily go to Essaouira on your own and enjoy your own walk around the sights. takes a while to get there though if going by public bus. try to go by CTM/Supratours or grande taxi (buy the front 2 seats) or if by tour then it will hopefully be by their faster vehicle. all the best. shame you have limited yourself by prebookng your accommodation...a night in Essaouira is nice, or a night in Telouet or Ait Benhaddou...