When I talk to seasoned travelers about Marrakech, the reviews are rarely glowing.
My first recommendation – which I didn’t follow myself – is :
Visit Marrakech, but also leave. Go to Fes, Rabat, Chefchaouen, maybe the Atlas Mountains. I haven’t heard many positive things about Casablanca, but the rest of Morocco has a lot to offer beyond Marrakech’s intensity.
A Little Context
Marrakech was founded in 1070 and became a major imperial city. Its medina (old city) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with narrow alleyways, souks, palaces, and riads. Historically, it was a trading hub connecting sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the Arab world — which explains the mix of cultures, architecture, and nonstop commerce energy.
But that same history of trade also created a very aggressive tourist economy.
What to Expect (Mentally)
- The city is famous for catcalling. Men yelling from windows, kissing noises, tongues out, whistling as you walk by. Morocco has a bad reputation for this, and in Marrakech, I found it to be very real.I wouldn’t recommend it for an inexperienced solo female traveler. For those of us who already move through the world like this: girl, you’ll be fine. Just be prepared.
- People will rush you in the streets offering to carry your bags, give directions, or “help.” If you say no, they will ask again. And again. And sometimes follow you for a while. If you accept their help, a tip is expected.
I made the mistake of letting a teenage boy show me to my riad. He walked me there, pointed out the door, and I gave him $2. He immediately had a full tantrum — screaming in my face about how unacceptable it was — until the riad’s security guard came out and chased him away.
Moral of the story: Either don’t accept help, or be ready to tip generously.
- Women — usually older — will also approach you offering “free” henna. I said no repeatedly. She grabbed my hand anyway, applied it in under 30 seconds, and then demanded $20. When I refused, the yelling started. I gave her $10 just to end the situation, which was her objective all along. Do Not Engage.
- Marrakech isn’t cheap. Lunch at a decent restaurant can easily run $25+ USD, which adds up quickly — especially compared to places like Cairo or even southern Spain, where I flew from.
Jardin Majorelle & the YSL Museum
Jardin Majorelle was created in the 1920s by French painter Jacques Majorelle, known for the bold blue buildings and exotic plants. In the 1980s, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé bought and restored the property, later turning it into a museum.
Entry was about $25 USD.
Once I learned more about it, I was irritated.
Why is a (IMO) random white fashion man’s aesthetic being centered in Marrakech? Why is this one of the city’s biggest attractions? I already don’t like big European fashion brands, I don’t want to see this shit in Morocco.
If you love fashion or interior design, maybe it’s worth it. The colors are nice. The branding is strong.
But for me, it felt disconnected from the soul of the city.
Also, it’s packed. Everyone’s waiting in line to take the same photo. Less peaceful garden, more Instagram factory.
If you were already unsure about visiting – I’d skip it.
Things that are objectively good:
Spa Culture – Moroccan hammams are famous for deep scrubbing treatments using black soap and a rough exfoliating glove (called a kessa). You get fully naked, and a woman scrubs every layer of you.
It’s my favorite thing. I went twice in four days.
The Grand Hotels
I visited the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort. Rooms are around $500 a night, but I paid $75 for the spa, then spent hours in the sauna and had lunch in the courtyard.
I love luxury hotels. I just rarely sleep in them.
The Food
Moroccan cuisine is known for tagines (slow-cooked stews), couscous, pastilla (sweet-savory meat pie), and heavy use of spices like cumin, saffron, cinnamon, and preserved lemon.
Chicken tagine with olives and lemon? Elite. I didn’t eat at a lot of fancy places, and I never had a bad meal.
The Shopping
I spent a full day with 1 mission – buy pretty things. I spent most of my time in and around Souk El Attarine (the copper market). I bought leather purses, sandals, shoes, jewelry, and pillowcases.
Come prepared to haggle. I paid $50+ for some one-of-a-kind vintage pillowcases and still have no idea what the “real” price should’ve been. I think I got a fair price. I don’t know though.
My rule: decide what you are willing to pay and aim for that. You’re a tourist. Don’t accept the first price, but don’t stress over whether you got the “local” price either. If the difference is $10–$20 and you like the item or the person, let it go.
I’m really good at haggling, I will stick around and work you – I trained for this in Beijing. Haggling is a sport in China — and in many parts of the world. But, with time and age – and as an American, it’s not cute to be working somebody out of $20.
Rooftops Worth Visiting
Marrakech has beautiful rooftop cafés where you can escape the chaos:
– Café Arabe
– M Rooftop
– L’Mida
– Kabana
– Bliss Riad Hotel (where I stayed and liked)
You can also visit other Riads just for tea or lunch, there’s so many to choose from.
Where I Stayed
I paid about $30 a night for my riad at Bliss Riad Hotel during COVID. I think the price has gone up to $100+/night. It was spacious, well-decorated, and peaceful — which mattered, because Marrakech can be loud and overwhelming.
Riads are traditional Moroccan homes built around a central courtyard, designed for privacy and cool air. Staying in one feels more cultural than staying in a hotel.
I had a moment where I thought – wait should I just live out of this hotel?
Being a digital nomad in Morocco isn’t so popular, because they have really bad wifi speed. it makes it really frustrating to work remotely. “Morocco ranked 37th in the world for mobile speeds and 106th for fixed broadband speeds during November 2025.”
Final Thoughts
Marrakech is intense. Beautiful, chaotic, exhausting, historic, and a great place to shop.
I regret not having time to visit more cities.