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Guest post by Hannah Parker
If you’re planning a trip to Marrakesh, Morocco and have never been, you might be feeling a tad overwhelmed. It can be hard to know what to expect when travelling to completely new countries with cultures that are radically different from your own. Lucky for you, we have the seven most important things you should know before visiting Marrakesh. So read up, stop worrying, and get excited for your visit!
1. It’s a Modernized City
Credit: Annie Spratt / Unsplash
The biggest and most important thing you should know before visiting Marrakesh is that it is a modern city. This might seem like an unimportant aspect, but it’s crucial to have a realistic expectation of what your travel destination will be like. You shouldn’t anticipate seeing people riding in carts or living in smaller villages.
Expect to see cars, paved roads, and ordinary-looking buildings. Marrakesh is one of the largest and most prominent cities in Morocco and has a large population living there. That means that many things will be more Westernized than you might have imagined, so don’t be shocked.
2. Crucial Political Area
Marrakesh is home to many regional courts and lawmakers, so don’t be surprised if you see many courthouses or hear about politics in this area. Many of the main courts exist in Marrakesh as well as other government bodies and organizations. The city has seen political unrest from time to time, so keep up with the news and travel warnings before setting out on your trip.
3. Tourism is Vital to the Economy
To help build up the economy, Morocco has made tourism one of its largest industries. Marrakesh is becoming an extremely popular place to visit and a must on any Morocco itinerary, so tourism here greatly contributes to its economy. If you plan on visiting Marrakesh, know that tourism is a huge component of the area. Don’t be surprised if you see a lot of tourists roaming around or attractions that are aimed at visitors.
4. Learn the Climate
Credit: Annie Spratt / Unsplash
You may assume that Marrakesh’s climate will be one thing: hot. And while you’re right—it does get hot—there are also days during the winter season when temperatures sit around 10°C. Although this may not be the same kind of cold that you experience in places like the U.S., it’s not the blazing hot you’d expect. Its climate fits the typical Mediterranean description: hot dry summers and wet winters. It doesn’t receive as much rain as a normal Mediterranean climate, but it still follows this general pattern.
5. Food that leaves you speechless (or on fire)
Something to look forward to on your trip (but also to be aware of) is the type of food you’ll be eating. The people of Marrakesh like one thing in their food, and they like a lot of it. That one thing is spice. The majority of the food eaten in Marrakesh is heavily seasoned with many different spices. Some include chilli, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, cumin, saffron, and many more.
Not only will you experience new and exciting spices, but exceptional dishes. Don’t be surprised if you find a couple of flower petals in your food (it’ll taste delicious). The food will be incredible, but be cautious of the types of food you eat in case you aren’t prepared for spicy food.
6. Many Forms of Transportation
Marrakesh neighbours many other major cities in Morocco and has many forms of transportation to get there and get around. You can go by plane and travel to farther cities and countries or you can travel by train. A high-speed rail line was proposed in 2015, so now you can easily get from Marrakesh to neighbouring cities and towns like Casablanca.
7. Culture is Huge Here
Credit: Max Brown / Unsplash
It’s important to read up on some of the cultural traditions and customs of Marrakesh before you travel here. The people take pride in their culture, and it’s implemented into their daily lifestyles. You want to make sure you are respectful of their culture and try not to offend them. But also, you want to make sure you can understand their culture. If you learn even a little bit about their culture before your trip, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for it once you’re there.
Some aspects that are especially significant in Moroccan culture are music and dance, plus art as well. Locals use their culture’s art to create a livelihood within the city. Whether it be selling clothing made from traditional patterns or creating soup ladles, it all has a cultural significance. To read up about all the different art you may encounter in Marrakesh, check out this short but helpful article.
If you keep in mind these seven things (plus a little extra research on the side), you should have an amazing visit to Marrakesh, Morocco.
About the Writer
Hannah is a writer for trekbible and dreams of being an investigative journalist, or maybe a world-travelling videographer, or perhaps the next voice of NPR; basically, Hannah wants to be a multimedia journalist. Her voice is too big for her small body so she likes to stand on tall surfaces and shout very, very loudly. Hannah has many passions (some including poetry and the occasional chicken nugget or two) but is always searching for her next hobby.
Have you had the experience of visiting Marrakesh? What do you think people should know before they go? Please share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
