Marrakech مراكش

Emergency

• 19 Police (in cities)
• 177 Gendarmerie (roads, countryside)
• 15 Ambulance & fire

Stadium

Grand Stade de Marrakech

about 45,000

North-west of the city, about 10 km from the medina.

Weather in June–July

35–42 °C very hot and dry. Daytime often 35–42°C (95–108°F), sometimes more; nights around 20–24°C. Visit outdoors early morning and after 6 pm; rest in the afternoon. Drink a lot of water.

Don't miss

• Jemaa el-Fna Photos of performers usually cost a tip; agree first. Avoid animal photo shows if you do not want to support them.
• Koutoubia Mosque
• Bahia Palace
• El Badi Palace
• Saadian Tombs
• Ben Youssef Madrasa

Eat

• Tanjia
• Jemaa el-Fna food stalls
• Mechoui Alley
• Rooftop restaurants
• Gueliz

Buy

• Souk Semmarine & the main souks
• Rahba Kedima (Spice Square)
• Ensemble Artisanal (Avenue Mohammed V)
• Concept stores in Gueliz & Sidi Ghanem
• Carpets

With kids

• Oasiria Water Park
• Camel rides in the Palmeraie
• Agafay Desert
• Cooking classes
• Hot air balloon

Getting around

Inside the medina, walk: many lanes are too narrow for cars. Beige 'petit taxis' for longer trips (insist on the meter or agree a price before). City buses and the hop-on hop-off bus. Horse-drawn carriages (calèches) are a classic way to tour the walls.

Words to know

• Salam (alaikum) Hello
• Shukran Thank you
• La, shukran No, thank you
• Afak Please
• Iyeh / La Yes / No
• Wakha OK
• Bslama Goodbye
• Smeh li Excuse me / sorry
• Bshhal? How much?
• Ghali bezzaf Too expensive

Local tips

1. Summer heat is serious: hat, sunscreen, water, light long clothing, and a rest at midday.
2. If someone says 'the square is closed' or 'that way is dangerous', it is often a trick to guide you to a shop. Use a map app.
3. Medina addresses are hard to find: ask your riad to send a meeting point or someone to meet you.