10 tips for organizing your trip to Marrakech

1/ Find out about Covid formalities

During the Covid period, it is very important to find out about formalities and restrictions before booking your trip. Since June 15, entry to Morocco has been made more flexible, with two lists of countries. For French nationals, entry to Morocco is subject to presentation at embarkation of a negative PCR test less than 48 hours old, or a certificate that the vaccination cycle has been completed (2 doses + time limit respected).

2/ Buying plane tickets at the best price

To buy a low-cost plane ticket on the airline of your choice, keep an eye out for cheap flights from Paris to Marrakech. Direct flights from Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY) airports to Marrakech-Ménara (RAK) airport take an average of 3h30. In high season, you can expect to pay around €250 for a return flight. You can also take advantage of lower prices in low season, while enjoying very pleasant weather.

3/ Choosing the right accommodation

If you're planning to spend more than 3 days in Marrakech, book some beautiful riads (at attractive rates) and treat yourself to a night or two in a camp in the Agafay desert. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.

4/ Buy a good guidebook

Despite all the good addresses online (on blogs, Pinterest and Instagram), I rarely leave home without a small paper guidebook, especially for short stays. For years, I've been traveling with Cartoville guides. The concept is quite different from other paper guides, offering large-format fold-out maps by neighborhood (handy when you don't have 4G), a digest of must-see sights and addresses not to be missed, and finally off-the-beaten-track itineraries. The one for Marrakech is very well done, with beautiful photos that plunge you right in.

5/ Plan your days

In Marrakech, there are plenty of beautiful things to see and visit (including the Place Jemaa-el-Fna, the Koutoubia, the Palais de Bahia, the famous Jardin Majorelle and the Yves-Saint-Laurent Museum, not to mention the Saadian tombs at the Palais El-Badi), as well as lovely experiences to enjoy (hammam rituals, sidecar rides, desert excursions, aperitifs in beautiful luxury hotels....). In short, you'll have plenty to do... But it's just as important to organize your days in advance, so that you can optimize your travels and enjoy your trip with peace of mind.

6/ Exchange currency before departure

The Moroccan dirham is the country's currency. It's quite difficult to pay by credit card, or else taxes will be applied in addition (as in the case of our hotel, which charges 10% on the total amount of the stay). So plan ahead, order and buy foreign currency before you leave. (I recommend Yes Change if you live in Paris - 1 Rue Rouget de Lisle, 75001 Paris / 01 42 60 00 35).

7/ Travel light

There's no need to pack too much for your trip to Morocco. Take lightweight clothes that can match each other. For beauty products, think about miniature bottles or use local products (black soap...). For souvenir gifts, remember to take a small extra bag to slip into your suitcase on the outward journey, and only take hold baggage for the return journey (if you're traveling Low Cost).

8/ Prepare a small first-aid kit

You're never safe from a tourista! To avoid these little inconveniences and spoil part of your stay, drink only bottled water, avoid raw vegetables (washed in water) and ice cubes. For the rest, pack a small first-aid kit (Doliprane, Immodium, bandages, essential oils, sun cream...). Always handy when traveling abroad.

9/ Organize your journey from the airport to your hotel

To avoid unpleasant surprises with unscrupulous drivers who will charge higher rates for your trips, you should know that most hotels offer shuttles to pick up their guests at the hotel. Otherwise, to give you an idea, prices for a small cab are 70Dh, for larger ones 150Dh. There is also a bus (no. 19) into town. When you get into a cab, ask the driver to set the meter (it's compulsory).

10/ Learn a few Arabic words and greetings

Even though most people in Morocco speak French, it's always a good idea to learn a few phrases.
Bonjour / Bonsoir -> Salam Alekum / Msal'khir
How are you? -> Labass
Pardon -> Smahli
Goodbye -> Bsslama
Excuse me -> Smahli / Afak
Thank you -> Choukran.

Related topics:

• Tips
• Organizing
• Trip
• Marrakech