Marrakesh Travel Forum

Off to Marrakech in two weeks. Would anyone know what price we should expect to pay to hire an official guide for the day? Our riad is quoting us 60 euros, which seems a bit steep. Also, what is the best way to book an official guide directly?

Hi! Where are you hoping to see with your guide - around Marrakech or further afield?
How long are you going to be in Marrakech?

It may well be that you don't need to hire a guide. I'm not sure of upto date prices. I should think that they can vary, depending on where you are wanting to see, and the level of information that you require - ie if you have a specialist interest in say, architecture, history, Islamic Art etc. or one that will show you 'off the beaten track' places.


If you check out mine and other VTers Marrakech guides, you can download the tips that you find useful, and make your own guide book. There is a lot of information and tips on here!

I also used the Lonely Planet guide (and their Moroccan Arabic phrase book)

Last time I was there I used the 'Hop on-Hop Off' tour bus, which I found useful for getting around to the sights, and getting about Marrakech - I was staying in Gueliz, so used it to go to and from the older area.

24 hour unlimited use. Taped information about the citys history and the sights, with a map. There are 2 routes -1 to the main sights, and 1 that goes out to the Palmieries.
So a chance to get your bearings, then you can use it to get to the places that you want to see

Have A Great trip

Please feel free to contact me for more information.
Best Wishes,
Sue

Guides are only needed if you want to go out of Marrakech, the desert being a typical destination.
I've been there several times and trully believe a guide is of no use; they will invariably drag you into places you don't need to go, herbalists and carpet sellers being the biggest rip-off merchants.
All you really need is a simple map, which I shall be pleased to provide if you would care to send me your e-mail.
Most of the places of interest are within the medina which you can access on foot. Others being the jardin Majorelle and Jardin Menara which can be reached by taxi (for about 12Dh) although I did walk to the latter when there.
If you feel you really must have a guide then ask your riad, they will however probably pass you on to a friend as they are not always the best source to ask.
The Tourist Information office is by far the best place to ask as they will give you a list of guides and also an appropriate rate. No further payment, such as tips, is necessary as you would be paying too much anyway, in my opinion.

The going rate for official guide is about 500dhs per day. Ensure that they have their badge of authorisation and that they speak fluently the language you need - English? However - you might find that doing it on your own with a Guide Book is OK. Marrakech Palaces and Marrakech Museum have very little info available in English.

Good luck
R

I just return from Marrakesh. We did not use a guide. As John said you need a map. You could get one from your hotel or the tourist info place in Gueliz. For the city, I would recommend that you take the tourist bus on the first day and you get 24 hours on the tourist bus. It goes round most of the places you want to visit and you get an idea of the place. You could stop off at one or two places or go back on another day.
We took the train to Casablanca and Rabat. the cities are easy with walking and taxis. Have a nice time.

I found there to be NO set price for nearly everything in this city, public transport is very cheap, i used a local bus (i was the only non-local) to get from where i was staying into town (around 2 miles, i had done the walk enough times!) it cost around £0.40 british sterling. was the cheapest thing purchased all holiday!!

I definitely recomend hiring a car and driving out into the Atlas mountains (Oukaimeden is nice), i went and did an hour snow boarding was pretty cool, chair lift takes you up to 3,232 meters which gives you a spectacular view over the 60 or so miles you've just drove out of Marrakech !