Going for a 4 night stay in Marrakech late Feb. Recommendations for restaurants, bars, any interesting sights, things to do etc?
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not been in years but remember enjoying cafe des epices and cafe arabe (one of them sold booze IIRC). the first day, we were hounded by everyone for money. was relentless. streets were super intense and a guy mugged us off pretending to give us directions and taking us to an alley where he demanded a âpresentâ . I found that the riad hostel was the only place where you could fully relax until you got used to the vibe. I loved the smells and the noise of the mosques ricocheting across the city in the morning. getting invited in for tea in the shops, eating tangines in the souks whilst getting served by some guy with a monkey on his shoulder. it was weird though at night, hardly any women out and that was a bit unnerving. oh yeah, maybe tell your bank in advance youâre heading there. my account got frozen at the ATM which caused a whole load of grief. am guessing itâs progressed since then though
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I think Hierbas sums up Marrakech, prepare to get hounded, especially around the Medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa (the main square) and the bazaars down the back alleys. Keep your wits about you at all times, Dont show interest in buying something unless you actually plan on buying it. Itâs a brilliant place though, the restaurants looking out over the main square are ace, the sights and smells and just general people watching, never a dull moment. We went to a beach club called La Plage Rouge and spent the day there, massive pool, beds round the pool, nice food and DJs on, and not too busy either. Youâre in a fun fun trip!
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It has changed a lot in the last 10 years loads of trendy hotels with rooftop bars, still a nightmare walking around especially with wife or girlfriend thereâs always someone mooching near by asking or looking for something or anotherâŚ
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Thanks all, sounds intense. Both excited and nervous now in equal measure 
How easy is it getting a drink?
You will have to Google and pick a place. Plenty rooftop bar all play nomadic caravan houseâŚ
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Iâve found quite a few places that serve alcohol from web searches this afternoon. Nobu Hotel Rooftop Garden, La Pergola and Barometre look good.
Definitely wonât be drinking to excessâŚ
We got followed down the street for ages by this one hustler, we ignored him to the point where he just started screaming âI HATE YOU!â at us. I was thinking âthis guy really needs to work on his sales patterâ.
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My parents swear you can ask for a âspecial cokeâ at the food places in the main square, which is red wine in a coke bottle.
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Well, the hashish is superb , or was in 2019
Which helps as most places canât cook for fuck , so being stoned aids consumption. I never realised tagine could be made so bland, so swot up on places to eat better than me
Cafe Arabe was ok but pretty European oriented
The Jardin Majorelle / Yves Saint Laurent house and gardens are scenic on a sunny day but over-run by instagramming influencers posing for hours in the best spots . But the blue of that building against a blue sky is something else.
Haggling in the bazaars was frustrating rather than fun. We were after really thick blankets in quite understated colours and patterns
Having tested the water in the bazaars we headed to Ensemble Artisanal - the govt sponsored handicraft centre an easy enough stroll from the Medina- prices with no haggling weâre better than in the bazaar and the quality is excellent. Yes, we took a big suitcase
I also enjoyed the hardware stores . I bought some bargain brass camel shaped coat hooks for a couple of quid a pop . I was really quite stoned . Thinking about it, I also bought a classic cactus shaped mirror for some reason .
I blame the absence of bars
I remember Shazamming a lot of music there thinking â wowâ then taking that intrigue no further
Honestly, the hashish was sensational
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Thanks @rioja thatâs really helpful
One other tip if you are ever feeling hassled is place your hand on your heart then turn it to do that sort of Native American â Howâ sign ,palm facing them Itâs a sort of heartfelt no thank you and 9 out 10 times it works, stopping things in a respectful manner , with a smile from both parties . A good way to diffuse any tension
I wonât tell you about the tenth times, as it tends to get horrificđ
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Was out there a few weeks ago for a week, thats the 2nd time in the last couple of years.
Donât be put off from the scare stories as its a wicked place to visit.
Highlights for me was the Music Museum, on a Mon, Weds & Fri they have a live 3 man arabic band play - very entertaining & a beautiful riad wigh amazing artworks, pictures & instruments.
Photography Museum is a must as well.
The main square is pretty mental, unless you going there for street food you are better off during the day.
Theres a craft market near to the main road/main mosque tower thats great, bought an original artwork in there for ÂŁ30, all fixed prices & loads of bargainsâŚ
Got loads of other stuff to recommend if you want to drop me a PM. Have a great time, we always have, Sean
Oh yeahâŚi found a record stall/shop tucked awayâŚi can tell you about that as well.
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Check out if Hassan Hajjaj has any exhibitions on (divides his time between London and Marrakesh), an amazing artist, heâs an old London face known him for years, has a shop in Calvert Ave in Shoreditch too.
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went in 2018 with my wife. Never any hassle, always felt safe and we walked the street late at night without knowing where we were going. People are cool. I asked a local about the safety side of it and they said locals donât fuck with tourists because the prison sentences / conditions are so harsh. And yes the hashish is incredible. Middle of the day i was in a store and asked the guy working there if he knew where i could score, he brought me in to the back of the shop and skinned one up. He called his mate over who was wearing a (no joke )a white lab coat and told him to give me a head massage. Then got him to make me a mint tea. There were customers coming in and out and he just ignored them. I offered him money and he wouldnât take it so we just bought some stuff we didnât really want or need. lolâŚanyways went walking around the markets for hours on one of the sweetest buzzes i can remember having. Did a night in the mountains and that was the highlightâŚno electricity in the guest house and they had all the guests sit around one big table for the evening as they served up the amazing foodâŚwent on for hoursâŚpeople from all over, all ages and just having a wicked laughâŚ
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You couldnât make that up! 
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Music and photography museums right up my street, thanks
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I am definitely keeping an eye out for them two rascals
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