You can feel it, can’t you?
The whisper of a city that promises magic. The faint scent of cumin and rosewater on the breeze. The echo of a drum in a square you’ve only seen in pictures.
This is Marrakech.
As a local, I see it every day. The ‘Red City’ is a beautiful, intoxicating, and wonderful sensory overload. It’s a city that doesn’t just welcome you; it pulls you in, spins you around, and leaves you permanently changed.
But it can also be… a lot.
Especially for a first-timer. The maps won’t make sense. The sounds will be new. You’ll wonder if you’re haggling correctly or if you just paid 100 dirhams for a smile.
Don’t worry. I’m here to be your guide before you even pack your bags. This isn’t just a list; it’s your key to unlocking the real Marrakech, the one that lives just behind the curtain.
Here are 25 essential things you need to know before visiting Marrakech in 2025.
Part 1: Arrival & The Medina Maze
1. Embrace the Medina Labyrinth. The old city, the medina, is a 1,000-year-old living maze. You will get lost. This is not a failure; it’s a requirement. Ditch the idea of a logical grid. This is where the magic happens. Your first 30 minutes will be sensory overload. Just breathe.
2. Get a Local SIM Card at the Airport. Don’t rely on spotty Riad Wi-Fi. As you exit the airport, grab a local SIM (Maroc Telecom, Orange, or Inwi all have tourist plans). Having Google Maps when you’re truly lost is a modern-day miracle.
3. Cash (Moroccan Dirham) is King. While nice restaurants and hotels take cards, the souks, the street food stalls, and the petit taxis run on cash. Get Dirhams (MAD) from an ATM.
Local Tip: Avoid the “freestanding” ATMs in the main square (Jemaa el-Fna). They often have higher fees. Use a bank-affiliated ATM instead (like Bank of Africa or Attijariwafa).
4. Stay in a Riad. Full Stop. This is non-negotiable for a first-timer. A hotel gives you a room; a riad in Marrakech gives you an experience. These traditional homes, built around a central courtyard, are sanctuaries of peace. The moment you step through the heavy wooden door from a chaotic alley into a silent, fountain-filled garden, you’ll understand.
5. Pre-Book Your Airport Transfer. After a long flight, the last thing you want to do is negotiate with a dozen taxi drivers. Have your riad arrange a transfer. It might cost a few extra dirhams, but the peace of mind as you’re met by a friendly face with your name on a sign? Priceless.
Part 2: The Vibe & The Sights
6. Jemaa el-Fna is Two Different Worlds. The main square is the city’s beating heart.
- By Day: It’s a vast, open space with snake charmers (be careful, they’ll expect payment for photos), henna artists, and fresh orange juice stalls (Stall #5 is my go-to).
- By Night: It explodes into a massive open-air restaurant and theater. Storytellers, musicians, and 100 food stalls light up the night. It’s pure spectacle.
7. The ‘Pink’ in ‘Red City’ is Sunset. The city is built from tabia, a reddish-pink clay. Find a rooftop bar around 5 PM. Order a mint tea. As the sun begins to set, the entire city glows. The walls, the dust, the Koutoubia Mosque—everything is bathed in a soft, magical light. This is the moment you’ll remember.
8. The Call to Prayer is the City’s Soundtrack. Five times a day, you will hear the Adhan (call to prayer) echo from the minarets. It’s not noise; it’s the city’s pulse. Pause and listen. You’ll feel the city take a collective breath.
9. Book Jardin Majorelle (Way) in Advance. You want to see the “Majorelle Blue” Yves Saint Laurent garden? So does everyone else. Since 2024, booking online in advance is essential. You can’t just show up. Go first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat.
10. You Must Cover Your Shoulders and Knees. This is especially true when visiting palaces or the medina. What to wear in Marrakech is a common question. The answer is “respectful layers.” Morocco is a modern Muslim country, but the medina is traditional. Loose linen pants, long skirts, and a scarf to drape over your shoulders are perfect. It’s not just about respect; it’s practical. The sun is strong.
Part 3: The Souk & The Scams
11. ‘Balak! Balak!’ Means ‘Move!’. You will hear this constantly in the souks. It’s not rude. It means a donkey, a handcart, or a scooter is coming through the narrow alley. Just press yourself against the wall and let it pass. It’s the original traffic jam.
12. The Souks are Organized by Craft. It seems like chaos, but the Marrakech souks are highly organized. There’s the leather souk (Souk Cherratine), the lamp souk (Souk Haddadine), the spice souk (Souk el Attarine), and so on. If you’re looking for lamps, don’t ask in the leather section.
13. Haggling is a Conversation, Not a Fight. Haggling is expected. Here is the art:
- Never show too much excitement.
- Ask the price (“Khamsh?”).
- Politely offer 40-50% of that price.
- The shopkeeper will laugh. You will smile.
- You’ll meet somewhere in the middle.
- The golden rule: Only start haggling if you’re actually willing to buy. And always, always do it with a smile.
14. How to Handle “Helpful” Strangers. You may be approached by someone offering to “help” you find your riad or saying the “tannery is only open today!” This is a classic, friendly scam to guide you somewhere and then demand a high fee. A polite, firm, and smiling “La, shukran” (“No, thank you”) while walking confidently is all you need.
Part 4: The Food & The Drink
15. It’s More Than Just Tagine. Oh, the Moroccan cuisine! Yes, you will eat the best tagines of your life. But don’t stop there.
- Tanjia: A Marrakech specialty. Meat slow-cooked in a clay urn in the embers of a local hammam.
- Pastilla: A sweet and savory pie of chicken or pigeon, almonds, and powdered sugar.
- Zaalouk: A smoky-cooked eggplant and tomato salad.
16. Mint Tea is ‘Moroccan Whisky’. You will be offered mint tea everywhere. It’s a gesture of hospitality. Always accept. Watch how they pour it from a great height—this aerates the tea and creates a small foam “head.” It’s an art.
17. Don’t Drink the Tap Water. Locals are used to it, but you are not. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere (Sidi Ali and Oulmes are the best brands). Your Riad will likely provide it.
18. Eat at the Jemaa el-Fna Stalls (Wisely). Don’t be afraid of the food stalls in the main square! It’s an incredible experience. Go to stalls that are busy with locals. Stall #32 is famous for its fried fish. Stall #96 (Chez Aicha) is a local legend.
19. Follow the Scent of Bread. See a small, blackened hole-in-the-wall with a wood fire? That’s a community oven. Locals bring their homemade dough (for khobz, or bread) to be baked. The smell is heaven. You can often buy a fresh, hot disc for 1-2 dirhams.
Part 5: The Insider’s Keys
20. Learn Four Words. Be a Hero.
- Salam (Sah-lam): Hello.
- Shukran (Shook-ran): Thank you.
- La, Shukran (La, Shook-ran): No, thank you. (This is the most important one!)
- B’slama (B’s-lama): Goodbye. Using these few words will open doors, create smiles, and change the entire tone of your interactions.
21. A Hammam is Not a Spa. It’s an Experience. A traditional hammam is not about cucumber water and fluffy robes. It’s a steam room, a black soap scrub, and an attendant who will vigorously scrub off layers of skin you didn’t know you had. You will emerge feeling like a newborn baby. It’s intense and amazing.
22. Fridays are Holy. Friday is the holiest day of the week. Many shops in the souk will close from noon until about 3 PM for prayers. Plan your shopping accordingly.
23. Ask Before You Photograph People. This is vital. Many locals, especially older generations and women, do not want their photo taken. The snake charmers and performers in the square will demand payment. Always ask permission. A smile and a gesture toward your camera go a long way.
24. Taxis: ‘Petit’ vs. ‘Grand’.
- Petit Taxis (small, beige) are for inside the city. They should use the meter. If they don’t, agree on a price before you get in.
- Grand Taxis (larger, old Mercedes) are for outside the city or for group/airport trips. These have no meter; always negotiate the price first.
25. Embrace ‘Inshallah’. “Inshallah” means “God willing.” You’ll hear it for everything. “Will the bus arrive at 10?” “Inshallah.” It’s a relaxed approach to time. Things will run late. Your plans will change. Don’t fight it. This is the Moroccan way. Relax, you’re on ‘Marrakech time’ now.
Marrakech isn’t a city you just see. It’s a city you feel. It will test your patience and then reward it tenfold with a moment of pure, unexpected beauty.
It’s the magic of it all. Welcome to Marrakech.
Now it’s your turn. This is my city, but you’ll soon have your own stories. What’s the one sound, smell, or experience you are most excited about? Let me know in the comments below!
