Marrakesh Travel Forum

Hi There,

I wonder if anyone can help me?

I'm travelling to Marrakesh on March 29th for the first time. I'm only there for a 4 day break & have a few questions. I'd appreciate any input that anyone has.

1/ I walk with a stick & was wondering if the streets in the souk are very uneven? I hear it gets muddy in the wet. Is it worth getting a guide for the first visit to the Souk?

2/ Has anyone been to Pasha? What's the nightlife like on a Sunday night? Has anyone been to 'Al Menara -Reflets & Merveilles'? Is it still open, there are no real review apart from Suvanki's brief comments. Are there really "50 dancers,acrobats, comedians and a horseback rider, who glide across the water, assisted by hi- tech special effects and a firework display.?"


3/ I read in 'Time Out Marrakesh' that the Djeema El Fna get full of drug dealers & Male Prostitutes around midnight, is that true? Do they hassle you? Is it safe? Has the square's food stalls finished around midnight?

4/ I have read only a few reviews on Les Bains De Marrakesh, Is it a good introduction to a Hammam or is it more a Spa?

5/ Can anyone add their remarks that they would do in 4 days? Things that are a must & things that are a miss!

I really appreciate anybodys remarks! Come on VT'ers help me out!

Thank You Very Much To Anyone That Can Help.

Kind Regards,

Nick.

Hi Nick - Can't help you with most of your questions but we went to the Hammam Ziani and Les Bains. Ziani was really wonderful but Les Bains was definitely more like a spa. Would not recommend Les Bains at all. (I described the Ziani experience in my Marrakesh travelogue and on the tip page itself.) Along with the souks and JEF, I'd recommend visiting Musee de Marrakesh and Palais De La Bahia. Other things to see as well; those just my favorites. Spend time people watching from a balcony overlooking the JEF. Have some delicious mint tea and chicken tangine! Happy Travels!

Hi Nick, I'll answer these as best I can (I'll reply to your e-mail questions too)

The Souk - I can't remember the streets around the souk being particularly uneven or wet (much of the area is covered)They also get very crowded - this is one of the main shopping areas for locals and visiting Moroccans as well as tourists, so you can expect to get jostled about a bit- it's very much a working area, with men running by pushing and pulling wagons and trollies,or carrying huge bundles and even donkeys laden with goods can be seen. It's an interesting place, with each of the different areas allocated to selling specific goods- ie the carpet souk, the leather souk, gold, shoes, spices, clothing etc.
I quite liked the smaller souk near the Baadi Palace - less crowded and still with a good atmosphere.
I don't think that you need a guide, unless you're hoping to find somewhere specific.

Night life - I've not been to any of the clubs, but I spent a night at Chez Ali, which was quite good fun. Traditional singers, musicians and dancers, a traditional meal eaten in a canopied 'tent' followed by Fantasia - a re-enactment of this form of entertainment, where the highlight is the skills of the horsemen, as they perform acrobatics etc while riding one or even 2 horses. This ends with the riders lining up, thundering down the arena, and firing a volley of rifle shots, before the evening ends with a firework display. Yes, it's a tourist event, but it's well organised and has been running for over 25 years.

Apart from the nights I've spent in DEF square, I enjoy the restaurants and bars in Gueliz, which is the French Quarter. Here you can enjoy a cocktail or nice wine. (alcohol isn't so easily available around DEF)


Djemma El Fnaa- I've enjoyed my nights spent in this square, listening to the musicians and story tellers etc. I've spent most of this time by myself and have felt quite safe. The spectacle of this square, is mainly for the locals - even if you have some understanding of Moroccan Arabic/ Berber, it's still difficult to understand the storytellers.
There are some dubious looking characters hanging around, but I've not felt threatened. Undoubtedly there are drug dealers and prostitutes (male and female), but it's likely that they are more interested in the locals than tourists.
The King of Morocco is interested in bringing more tourists to his country, so there has been a clamping down of those hassling visitors etc.
As always,in crowds, keep your wallet etc safely hidden. I tend to wear combat style trousers with zip pockets, with loose change handy for tips for musicians, beggars etc.(so I don't have to display where my purse is, or reveal how much money I'm carrying.

I enjoy eating at the stalls in Djemma el Fnaa. I usually start with a pot of mint tea at one of the cafes overlooking the square, for a grand stand view. Then find where I want to eat.
In winter time, I finish the night with a glass of hunja (a hot spicy drink)served with a gingerbread type cake - just costs a few Dh, but warms you up

Hope this is of some help

Best Wishes,
Sue

Hi You will enjoy Marrakech.

We were in a group and had a local guide for our first visit to the souk, it can get very crowded, I had no trouble with the road paving.

For evening we took the tour to Chez Ali, dinner and show, plus Berber Horsemen on the showground. Will have my Chez Ali photos up by end of this week. A GREAT nIGHT out.

Good Luck,
Mike

Hi

I m Morrocain and I have special car for touriste
I have an agrement from the morocain gouvernement and I can let you spending a good Time in Marakech

Keep you from the aeropot to marrakech (250 MAD)
Find you an appartement in marakech 700 MAD / DAY
Visiting you Marakech with an Official Guide 200 MAD
Visiting you some nice places around Marakech 1000 MAD / DAY

You don't have to paye any thing befor

Mobile 00 212 78 73 85 73

Halim