No matter how many cities you've traipsed through on your travels, or how many characters you've met along the way, nothing can quite prepare you for Marrakech. This truly is a feast for the senses, and in your first day walking around the 'Medina' (old town), you won't know where to look and you will wonder what you can hear in the distance.
The Moroccan city of Marrakech is famous for many things, and its 'souk' (market) is just one of them. In this podcast Hostelworld.com's Colm Hanratty walks through the souk to speak to some of the different people who run stalls there..
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View all guides »If you love crazy, busy, colourful places then this is the place for you. there is so much to see and do and its so cheap. The people are wonderful, the food is superb and the sun always shines....
Insider Tip:Get a good place to stay like "Hostel Riad Mama Marrakech" its between new town and old town, which is great because its a short distance to both. And it has somewhere to chill out if the craziness gets toooo much!!!
Very interesting tour. You'll see the Atlas Mountains Very friendly and helpful staff. Beautifully decorated. Rooms are clean and confortable. Good location in the old town.
Insider Tip:Very interesting tour. You'll see the Atlas Mountains Very friendly and helpful staff. Beautifully decorated. Rooms are clean and confortable. Good location in the old town.
Plenty of beautiful mosques and palm trees, etc. There are palaces and gardens you can visit as well which are very cool. The traffic is pretty intense where busy streets have a constant flow of traffic and vehicles are allowed in plazas as well as narrow roads so you always need to look out for bikers/trucks/donkeys. There's also TONS of beggars, and shopkeepers try to sell you things you probably don't want. However, there are some very cool shops and the city is interesting overall.
Insider Tip:Barter as much as you can. Some items at shops can be bought for less than half the asking price. Lowball and walk away if they won't budge. They almost always give in. Also, don't be a naive or obnoxious tourist. If you want to party, you'll likely do it at the hostel because Marrakech isn't a big drinking city at all.
Outside of the Medina and a few palaces, there's not really much to do in the city. The souks are definitely an experience all on their own, but I find the novelty wears off after a while. To make the most out of your visit, it's worth taking excursions out to the desert and mountains.
Insider Tip:September can reach temperatures in the high 40's, which, like I said, is damn hot.
I very busy city full of music, colour, life and smiles. Dont let your guard down to much but dont let your guard hold you back from having a blast.
Insider Tip:Barter hard and if your not getting your price walk away and they will follow you and cut their price in half.
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