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| 4 Money Saving Tips in Morocco |
By Gaby Lucius
Going to Marrakech?
Here’s what you need to know before heading to Marrakesh, which is Morocco’s fourth largest city.
There’s No Shortage of Culture
Surrounded by red walls of clay, Marrakech has a rich history of being a cultural trade center. In fact, Jemaa el-Fnaa is the busiest square on the continent. Their markets are vast and you’ll be able to find anything and everything from rugs and cultural items to gadgets and bits of technology.
The city has been home to sultans, who over time constructed elaborate palaces and restored the city’s fallen monuments, and it is also the final resting place for Morocco’s seven patron saints, making it a religiously relevant and important tourist destination for Sufi Muslims.
It is Not Casablanca, But It’s No Less Romantic
The “red city” is beautiful—there’s no denying it. I’m not saying that beauty is the only thing to travel for, but it certainly sets some destinations apart from others. Set to a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, the city is as radiant as it bustling, particularly in the winter, when the mountain tops are covered in snow. And despite being semi-arid, the city is covered in greenery—housing prominent and well-toured gardens throughout.
It’s Warm
The weather is lovely, never dropping much below 50 degrees F, which is ideal for snowbirds like myself who dread the cold. Be sure to pack layers so you can best adapt to fluxes in temperature, particularly at night.
Getting To and From the Airport will be Tricky
The airport is 3 miles outside of the city, and the taxi system at the airport is a giant scam. Seriously, it’s practically run by an organized mob that preys on tourists daily. This leaves you with only one good transportation option if you don’t want to walk: taking the airport bus. It’s air conditioned and relatively expensive, but is definitely worth the convenience, safety, and trustworthiness you’ll get in return.
Go to the Djemaa El-Fna at night
The streets will be packed with dancers, story tellers, and musicians and will reverberate with drum beats and shouts and energy. It feels alive.
See All the Mosques You Can
They are the most beautiful (in my humble opinion). The gardens of the city are expensive, and beautiful, but it may only be worth it to select one or two to see in your time there. The mosques, however, are always shocking in the best of ways, and if you’re looking to experience another side of Moroccan culture, this is how.
Guest Post by Gaby Lucius is a freelance writer currently working for Holiday Place.
