"MARRAKESH" Marrakesh by Acirfa

Marrakesh Travel Guide: 2,159 reviews and 5,867 photos

MARRAKESH - Marrakesh

MARRAKECH is not the place to go to enjoy the cuisine, the booze (what those boys on the stag weekend did to celebrate I would love to know), alcohol is expensive and drunk only really by the tourists and not even the 'friendly' people are a draw. I, in fact feel that we were more tolerated for the the good, we as tourists, do for the economy than for any other reason. I am sure that, had we been fluent in French, perhaps, just maybe, our presence may have been accepted with a little more honest delight.

There is little to do in Marrakech in fact, apart from gaze in awe at the union of old and new which slips together to make this place both a step back in time and a bounce into the future. Souks that appear to have been life for many decades, donkeys used traditionally as beasts of burden run parrallel with top of the range Mercedes and an expanse of hotels growing at high speed. Oddly it works, the modern world is rapidly becoming a way of life, strangely this society appears to have missed out the middle pieces of transformation and skipped right to western 2007, without much of a hicough.

Colours, spices, smells (not all good), street activities, also not all good; I felt distressed to see monkeys being used as photo opportunities and although snake charming has been around for years, it is the knowledge their fangs have been removed that makes one feel troubled by this act...and isn't it so that snakes are deaf, they have no ears thus cannot hear the music being played to them, in reality they respond more to vibration.. but for now I guess we have to accept some things as a way to charm society and earn money, this fascinating scarey thrill is one of those things, albeit cruel.

However, from a magical old town, where at times one could feel a little nervous of pickpockets (I also would not choose to be a woman travelling without a man personally), yet also feel seduced by it's unique atmosphere, to the the astonishingly spectacular scenery of the Atlas mountains, this is still a place to visit at least once in a life time.

Our verdict, we loved it.

  • Last visit to Marrakesh: May 2007
  • Intro Updated Jun 4, 2007
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Reviews (11)

Busy Fishing Port - Marrakesh Essaouira Things to Do (4)

The first thing you will notice as you head out of Marrakesh and into the coastal area is the change in colour of the... more travel advice

Medina - Marrakesh Medina Things to Do (4)

A maze and I really mean a maze of market style shops, weaving in and out of a hubbub of back street and paths. You have... more travel advice

Hug a Snake - Marrakesh Hug a Snake Things to Do (4)

Could not resist the chance to replace a previously 'computer eaten' pic taken in East Africa with a very lively snake... more travel advice

Cascades d'Ouzoud - Marrakesh Atlas Mountains, Cascades d'Ouzoud Things to Do (4)

This is the biggest waterfall in Morocco and stunning it is. This spectacular sight has three tiers and falls a... more travel advice

Comments (8)

  • Reply
    TheView's Profile Photo
    May 17, 2009 at 12:59 PM

    Nice page ... I am really looking forward to seeing it all for myself ;-)

  • Reply
    angiebabe's Profile Photo
    Mar 8, 2008 at 12:46 AM

    Hi, have enjoyed the read thanks - glad you made it to Cascade douzoud - one of our favourite places to drive and cool off in the summer heat.

  • Reply
    goutammitra's Profile Photo
    Oct 31, 2007 at 4:18 AM

    Very good page. Is it the same Medina where Prophet Mohammad took refuge in the begining? I think it is Saudi Arabia!

  • Reply
    cachaseiro's Profile Photo
    Oct 29, 2007 at 1:25 AM

    interesting page. i'm heading there myself in two weeks time.

  • Reply
    deecat's Profile Photo
    Sep 5, 2007 at 6:54 PM

    Excellent introduction. Great tips on what to do and hotel.

  • Reply
    yumyum's Profile Photo
    Jun 11, 2007 at 10:43 AM

    Wow, excellent intro text Donna! I found myself in it and I visited in Dec 1988.

  • Reply
    jo104's Profile Photo
    May 18, 2007 at 4:21 AM

    Enjoyed reading your tips & I pasted the intro into word to read it - good as ever my friend!!

  • Reply
    sue_stone's Profile Photo
    May 15, 2007 at 11:49 PM

    Great intro Donna!

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