Marrakech Holiday Reviews

Fabulous resort, the reason i state not for the faint hearted is the emaciated horses, monkeys on leads and the fact they just hang snakes over your shoulders whilst you are walking through the marketplace. Definately take the time to visit the mosques and the souks, you'll never see anything else like it!

What can I add about Marrakech that hasnt been said already. I think it is an amazing city to visit, in particular the Medina or old town. This is like a throw back to medieval times and the souks are vibrant, colourful and lively. It is an amazing trip for the senses. The Jemma Al Fna must be unique in the world, everything is happening there. If you choose you can sit in a rooftop cafe and relax watching the busy world around. There are snake charmers, belly dancers, sheeps brains to eat, and everybody should go there at least once in their lives.

Marrakech is a dusty, dirty, noisy, crazy crazy place. I guess it's like marmite, you'll love it or hate it. We found it hard work, and the food poisoning from the food stall on Djema el Fna didn't help either. Not sure I'd ever come back to Marrakech but I'm glad I've been there. Its certainly an experience.

Amazing that this place can be accessed within a couple of hours of the UK and by Easyjet, yet is a world away culturally. A great location for a mini-break.

Sandrine and Thierry, the owners, sent a taxi to my riad on the day, and offered us a traditional menthe tea before explaining the safety procedures to the 2 other couples and us. We had a lot of fun during the 2h1/2 rando, we stopped few times to take some pictures and we went to a Moroccan house in a village were a lady offered us some tea with bread she just cooked, olive oil and biscuits. Thierry and Sandrine are a really nice couple and I will definitively recommend their rando for half day up to 5 days in the desert.

Marrakech is a very interesting city, considering that it is 2 hours from Europe (by plane) and yet it has so many differences. Such a difference is evident in the Medina, the old walled city, where motorbikes, donkeys and carts and cars jostle for right of way on the narrow dirty streets; although Romania can also be seen in such ways. We flew with Easyjet in the early morning, perhaps the cheapest option if traveling to Morocco.

When we arrived we took a taxi to the hotel from the airport and the common price being 100DH (£10) - which we payed. The ride approximately took 10 minutes, not a bad time for a old dusty car . However these Taxis are the best way to get around, but convincing the driver to use the meter is difficult if not impossible for some journeys and haggling over a prearranged trip doesn't help much with trips in the Medina often costing about 25DH and 50DH for trips between old and new towns. There are two types of taxis: "petit taxi" and large Mercedes which are more reluctant to go inside the Medina walls or at least to the areas with narrow streets.

It is also possible to rent a horse drawn carriage from near Place Jemaa-el-Fna, the main square. Haggling starts at about 200DH per person for an hour but it should be possible to negotiate down a lot from there depending on the journey etc. to, for instance 200DH for a carriage for up to four people. There is plenty of competition. In an hour you get a good overview of the main sites inside the Medina walls including the Royal Palace, tombs, mosques lots of busy back streets and markets and various other palaces.

The City of Marakech is wonderful, but if you are interested in getting to see the local life it is best to travel outside the city. The Ourika Valley is spectacular and the people are amazing. Better learn some French before going (not much English spoken). The mountain villages are like nothing you have ever seen. The hospitality that we were given was unmatched. Best to take a local guide if you want to wonder off the main roads and walk through the mountain villages. There are wonderful sites to see that the normal tourist misses by staying in the city. The textiles and pottery are inexpensive and they are willing to barter (in fact, they expect it). You can find some wonderful treasures unlike the tourists trinkets you will find in the city. The village markets are the place to go if you want to find jewelry and spices. The sellers in the City of Marakech are a bit pushy so be prepared to say "no thank you"...a lot! But the people are outstanding.

Marrakesh is a fabulous place and I've been to a lot of places in my time. Like all places in North Africa, it's smart to be subtle and not call attention to yourself as a Westerner. Highly recommend a good tour that stops in Marrakesh and a visit to the Chez Ali is highly recommended. It was one of the most exciting experiences I have ever experienced. Upon arrival, you are instantly greeted by the spectacular chanting and singing of many Berber Tribes. The music in Morocco is excellent and the Chez Ali has some of the best music you will hear. Great food, very nice people. Do not miss a chance to go here! It is a life experience like no other!

Marrakech is an amazing city, centred around Djamaa El Fna Square. This is good in the daytime, with snakecharmers, horses and carts, drinksellers and people selling novelty items, but at night it really comes alive, filled with stalls cooking and serving hot food to the many locals and tourists thronging the huge square. It is a must to eat here, and many tasty things are available for low prices - you'll be spoilt for choice! The souk is fab, as long as you are good at bartering, with wonderful fabrics , soft furnishings etc. The mosques and other sights are well worth a look, but my particular recommendation is the Menara Gardens. They are so beautiful and calm, especially after a morning in the souk, and will revive you with their watery green oasis effect.