Marrakech - Recommendations

Places
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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 ‘present’ . 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 you’re heading there. my account got frozen at the ATM which caused a whole load of grief. am guessing it’s 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. It’s 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. You’re 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 there’s always someone mooching near by asking or looking for something or another…

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Thanks all, sounds intense. Both excited and nervous now in equal measure :+1:

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How easy is it getting a drink?

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You will have to Google and pick a place. Plenty rooftop bar all play nomadic caravan house…

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I’ve found quite a few places that serve alcohol from web searches this afternoon. Nobu Hotel Rooftop Garden, La Pergola and Barometre look good.

Definitely won’t be drinking to excess…

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We got followed down the street for ages by this one hustler, we ignored him to the point where he just started screaming “I HATE YOU!” at us. I was thinking ‘this guy really needs to work on his sales patter’.

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My parents swear you can ask for a ‘special coke’ 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 can’t 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 we’re 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 “ wow” then taking that intrigue no further
Honestly, the hashish was sensational

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Thanks @rioja that’s really helpful

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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 “ How” sign ,palm facing them It’s 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 won’t tell you about the tenth times, as it tends to get horrific😃

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