Oh, Marrakech, where do I even begin? Marrakech seemed like the perfect place to visit during an impromptu trip. Little did I know, it would end completely different than what I imagined. I ended up there more or less spontaneously after booking a last-minute trip to Europe. Overall, I had a good time there and I would recommend visiting it. There are many sights to fill your days with activities but part of the experience is also getting used to the chaos of this place.
As beautiful as the city is, it can also be exhausting. Overall, I recommend a minimum of 3 days in Marrakech but ideally around 5 if possible. There are two main areas, Old Medina and New Town. The medina is very traditional. The medina is where you will find the famous town square Jemaa el-Fna with all the souks. The new town is completely modern and gives off a totally different vibe with a more open mindset.
There are also a lot more modern restaurants offering alcohol, music, and entertainment. I personally stayed in the medina and I liked it. If I had to do it all over again I would probably choose it too. Old town pushed my limits and showed me another culture more up close. After the cheap and annoying Ryanair Marrakech flight, I was blown away by how nice the airport was. It was super modern and put my local Newark Airport to shame.
To get to the main part of the city or the medina, do not accept the first taxi that offers you a ride into town. Marrakech is a very big city with a very confusing layout. The roads do not follow any patterns, especially in the medina. You can walk all of the medina and a lot of the streets will not be car accessible. If you go outside, your best bet is a meter taxi. This is a given. Generally, the people are very nice.
Hospitality is definitely a huge part of their culture and it shows. Our hosts at the hostel were friendly, welcoming and helped us navigate the city. However being outside the hostel, was a different story. The shop owners, especially in the older parts of town were pushy, sometimes even aggressive. As a woman, you will most likely get cat-called multiple times per day. Inside the restaurants, I had positive experiences and I was able to talk to some friendly locals.
