Exploring Marrakesh as a solo female traveler: tips and tricks

Going to Marrakesh on your own is very doable, even if you have never been to Morocco. The city is busy and loud, and in the medina someone talks to you every few meters. On your first day that can be intimidating, and it helps a lot to know what to expect.

Before you leave

Mark the places you want to see on a map and check where your riad is in relation to Jemaa el-Fna square. The medina is a maze, and with that one landmark you find your way much more easily. Download an offline map of Marrakesh too, because GPS regularly drops out in the narrow alleys.

Take out travel insurance that covers medical costs, theft and lost luggage. Make copies of your passport and keep them separate from the original, for example as a photo on your phone and a printout in your suitcase. EU, UK and US passport holders don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. The rest is covered under travel documents and insurance.

Where to sleep

The classic choice is a riad in the medina: a traditional house around a courtyard, often with a roof terrace. Choose one close to a main street, so you don't have to walk through long, quiet alleys after sunset. Mouassine, Bab Doukkala and the streets around Riad Zitoun are easy to reach and there are people out until late. Read reviews by other women who traveled alone, and ask whether the staff can meet you at a recognizable spot. Many riads are happy to do that, especially the first time.

If you prefer wide, well-lit streets and cafes with terraces, Gueliz is a good alternative. That is the new town, ten minutes by taxi from the medina.

What to wear

Marrakesh is used to tourists, but you make things easier for yourself by adapting. Cover your shoulders and knees and leave tight or see-through clothes at home. Loose pants or a long skirt, an airy blouse and a scarf are enough. You use that scarf against the sun, against the air conditioning in the car and when you visit a religious building. There is more in our guide on what to wear in Morocco.

Safety

In Marrakesh, safety is rarely about crime and far more often about pushiness. These habits make your day a lot calmer:

• Stay on busy, well-lit streets, especially after sunset.
• Don't wear eye-catching jewelry, and keep your phone in your hand or bag, not in your back pocket.
• Take a taxi back to your riad after dinner, even if it is only a ten-minute walk.
• Let someone at home know where you are staying and what your plans are.
• Never follow someone who offers to show you the way to a square, a tannery or a shop. That almost always ends with a request for money.

What to say to pushy vendors

Being approached is part of the medina. Usually a friendly 'la, shukran' (no, thank you) or 'non merci' is enough, with a smile and without slowing down. Don't get into a discussion and don't stop to explain why you don't want something. If someone keeps pushing, say 'safi' (enough) calmly and firmly. Everyone knows that word and it works.

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, walk into a shop or a cafe. The staff will gladly help and call a taxi for you if needed.

Taxis without the argument

Within the city you use petit taxis, small beige cars. They are required to use the meter, so ask 'compteur, s'il vous plaît' when you get in. If the driver refuses, take the next one. During the day a ride within the city usually costs between 15 and 40 dirham. After eight in the evening the rate is higher. From the airport there are fixed, higher prices. Have your riad arrange a transfer in advance, so you know for sure what you will pay. Our guide on getting around Morocco has more.

Contact with Moroccans

Most people who talk to you mean well. Be polite and keep your boundaries. A few words of Arabic or French go a long way: 'salam' (hello), 'shukran' (thank you), 'bslama' (goodbye). People appreciate it, and it helps with simple things like ordering food or asking the way. If you need help, feel free to ask a woman in a shop or at the market. Our guide on language and etiquette has a list of phrases you will use often.

Where to eat comfortably on your own

Eating out alone is no problem in Marrakesh. You will feel at ease in these places:

• The roof terraces around Jemaa el-Fna square. You have a view, there are plenty of other travelers and the mood is relaxed.
• Your own riad. Many riads cook dinner on request, which is ideal for your first evening.
• Cafes and restaurants in Gueliz, where Moroccan women also sit in the evening.
• The food stalls on the square. Choose a stall where lots of Moroccans are eating, because that is where the food is fresh.

Order a tagine, couscous on Friday, and sweet mint tea with it. Drink bottled water, because tap water is not recommended, and choose food that is cooked through. Read more in our guide on food and drink.

What you will want to see

Toward sunset, Jemaa el-Fna square turns into an open-air restaurant with musicians and storytellers. The Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs show how wealthy the city once was. The Ben Youssef Madrasa is one of the most beautiful buildings in Morocco. In the cobalt blue Jardin Majorelle you can recover from the crowds for a while. Buy your ticket online, because the line is long.

Plan some rest too

Traveling takes energy, especially in a city like this. Keep an afternoon free for a hammam, a traditional bathhouse where you are washed and scrubbed. You come out relaxed, and you see a piece of daily life that tourists often skip. If you want to take it easy the first time, choose a private hammam in a riad or spa.

A day with someone who knows the city

You can combine a few days on your own with a day with Soukayna. She drives herself and knows the city and the routes around it. With her next to you, you stand out less in the souks as a woman alone. Read what such a day looks like on our Marrakesh city tour page.