Marrakech Travel Guide

Marrakech at sunset Marrakech average annual temperature of about 20 º C and the climate is dry Mediterranean. You could say that Marrakech is a city that rarely goes cold.

Summer in Marrakech
If you travel to Marrakech in July or August you get ready for heat. The average temperature in these months is 28 º and not infrequently exceed 40 ° C throughout the day.

The chance of rain is almost nil but the ocasional sandstorm.

Winter in Marrakech
From December to February average temperature is 13 º C with minimum temperatures of 6 º C. On the day the temperatire is comfortable in short sleeves but at night it cools. During these months there is a chance of rain, but not greater than in Spanish cities.

Spring and Autumn in Marrakech
March, April, October and November are the preferred months to travel to Marrakech. In recent months, when the day temperatures are bearable, and nights very pleasant.

Morocco’s official language is Arabic, but due to his past French and Spanish, two languages are widely spoken, especially the first. French is the language that is taught in higher education.

Due to tourism and business needs, whether you speak French, English or Spanish will have no problems to communicate with much of the population of Marrakech. Wherever you are you will find someone who “gibberish” something in Spanish.

Useful Expressions in Arabic
Although, as we say, you will not need to put much emphasis on learning their language, is always good to know the basics to look good.

Courtesy
Hello – Ahalan
Adios – Ma’a Elsalam
See you later  -  Wada’an
Good morning – Saba’a AlKair
Good afternoon - Masa’a AlKair
Good night - Laila Tiab
Please  -  Fadilak Min
Thanks  -  Shokran
You’re welcome  –  Ala ElRahib Wa ElSaa
I’m sorry  –  Ann Eazinak

Words of interest
Yes  - Na’am
Not  - Laa
Good  - Taib
Bad  - Saia
Friend - Sadik

Numbers
Zeros  - efir
One  - Wahed
Two –  Etnin
Three  - Talata
Four  - Arbaa
Five  - Hamsa
Six –  ita
Seven –  Sabaa
Eight –  Tamaña
Nine –  Tesaa

This great little patisserie and juice shop is on Rue Dabachi about 50 metres west of Chez Chegrouni (the NW corner of Djemma el-Fna) – the sign is in Arabic only but you’ll know it’s the one because it’s just at the corner of Route Kennaria D. It is open all day but particularly humming with life at about 10-11pm.

Join the locals in choosing what to have in your freshly made smoothie/milkshake. Try milk and almonds (lait et amandes), or peach and plum (peche et prune), or a mix (panache – pronounced panashee). Ask for it without sugar if you prefer (sans sucre). The fruit is wonderful. They also do pastries, yoghurts with fruit etc. And they’ll make up boxes of Moroccan mini-pastries for you to take home for your friends – a big box holds up to 500g (the cost is very reasonable – think it was 60 dirhams per half kilo). Smoothies and milkshakes are around 9 dirhams each – excellent value for money.

The taxi, the best choice!
Once you’re in Marrakech and need to get through the city, the best option is to take a  taxi. (Unless you don’t mind walking a lot, in the dusty heat and traffic). But be careful with the taxi! Here are some tips / ideas to take into account when taking a taxi:

Haggle the price before boarding!
It’s very important that before getting into the taxi that you bargain with the taxi driver, because in Marrakech there are no official charges, each taxi driver will charge what they think is right, or what they think they can get….. And if you see a tourist, you may want to charge much more than it the trip is worth.

For example, if you’re in the Jemaa el Fna square (which is right in the heart of the medina) and want to go to your riad (suppose the riad is a half-hour walk from the plaza) the trip should not cost more 20-dh (2 euros).   It’s really up to you if you think an extra 10 or so is worth haggling over and remember, petrol costs are rising and prices do rise every year. 

At night it is more expensive
The night taxi journeys are more expensive than days, although there are no formal charges to indicate this. When you want to take a taxi at night taxi drivers will tell you a price, and you’ll see that for the same route they will want to charge you double. Try just a little haggling, you should not pay twice because it has got a little darker!

Find yourself a taxi
In Marrakech, the task of finding a taxi is like going on shopping in the sales.  We must look for many items before getting one, it’s worth it because careful buyers will get the best price.

Above all, remember who it is you who is going looking for a taxi, and not the other way around: often unemployed taxi drivers hang around corners and you will see by the way you walk or look that you’re looking for a taxi. Avoid climbing into these taxis, because it will be more expensive than if it is you who are looking for the taxi.

13 Derb deffa ourbaa Quartier Laqssour
Marrakech medina MAROC

Tel: 00 212(0) 24 44 43 14
Mobile: 00 212 (0) 71 38 95 35
Email : reservation@riaddollardessables.com

Located in a renowned area, only two minutes from the famous « Jema el Fnaa square » the riad DOLLAR DES SABLES is a traditional morrocan mansion. It has just been refurbished to a high standard by local craftsmen with rigorous respect for the marrocan style with traditional materials such as ceramic and tadelakt.

Rooms are located on 3 floors.
Patio level ZAHIA : Spacious twin room with tadelakt bathroom and ceiling fan.
1st floor, 4  Double rooms :” Safia,Salma,Bahia, Lalitha” all with high comfort
(Please note that  2 rooms can become connected rooms, according to the customers’s desire.,” Lalitha” and “Safia”)
On the terrasse level, the Dollar des Sables Suite which offers a very high standard with luxurious and refined decoration. The bathroom has an arched roof and a rounded bath.