Safety in Marrakech

When you're planning a trip to a new destination, the question of whether the place is safe enough for a getaway is often on your mind.

In the case of Marrakech, it is one of the most touristic cities in Morocco where there is a lot to see and do in Marrakech. It is, therefore, one of the safest because the country cares about taking care of one of its main economic sectors.

However, as in all places, when travelling it is important to use common sense to avoid situations that involve certain risks and to follow some tips that will help you to enjoy this experience more peacefully.

Whenever you travel abroad, you should always inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your personal and travel details in advance so that the Spanish authorities can try to locate you in case of emergency, need or disaster in the country of destination through the consulates and embassies, as well as informing your close circle of your whereabouts.

Registering in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs'Travellers' Register is free and voluntary. You can do it online or by filling out a form that must be faxed to the Moroccan Consulate General or the Spanish Embassy in your absence. It's a very simple procedure and can save you a lot of trouble if the need arises!

As I said, Marrakech is one of the most touristic cities in Morocco, along with Casablanca, Fez, Essaouira and Rabat, the capital.

In order to protect one of the most important economic sectors for the country, the police will be very present in the streets to ensure everyone's safety. Even if you don't recognise them because they are incognito, there are also plainclothes policemen scattered around the city to protect you and make sure there are no problems.

However, should there be any incident during your trip where you need their assistance, you can contact the Marrakech police.

Marrakechis are very aware of the importance of tourism to the city and will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable during your stay and to help you if you need it.

In fact, if you should suffer a theft or robbery, they will try to find the person responsible so that you are not left with a bad experience of your trip and that the tourism business continues to grow.

In any case, to avoid this type of situation it is important that you take care of your belongings at all times to avoid losing them or having them taken from you, and that you do not carry documents or valuable objects with you during your sightseeing tours of Marrakech so as not to attract attention.

Moroccan hospitality is well known, but as everywhere else in the world, you may also encounter people in the city who try to take advantage of the naivety and ignorance of tourists. Especially around tourist areas such as the Medina.

Some of them have a real talent for mischief, so be careful not to fall into their traps! Here are some of the most common scams so you can avoid them.

• Don't tell strangers where your hotel is or where you are going: If you are a bit disoriented in the Medina area and someone is interested in your accommodation or your plans in the city, be a bit wary and don't inform them because they may offer to accompany you and act as a guide and then demand a tip.
• Beware of closed monuments: When visiting Marrakesh's tourist attractions, make sure you know their opening hours. They may try to confuse you by telling you that they are closed that day, and instead you should go somewhere else, where the person will guide you and try to charge you whatever they want.
• Ignore anyone who wants to show you 'original places': You may be approached by someone who suggests that you accompany them to a beautiful area of Marrakech where you can take some amazing photos. It's best not to pay too much attention to them because they'll probably end up taking you to a mediocre place but they'll want to charge you a good tip for the idea.

The streets in the centre of Marrakech are very convoluted, some of them have no name and it is not uncommon for visitors to not easily identify certain places of interest. That's why one of the most common scams is for strangers to offer to act as guides for tourists, even if they are not professionals.

The best thing to do is to reject this proposal and if you need help to get to a tourist attraction, ask police officers, other tourists and local shopkeepers for help. It often happens that some young people offer to help you and as soon as you tell them where you want to go, they insist and insist on taking you there with the intention of charging you whatever they want for the 'ride'.

To avoid getting into unpleasant situations, it's best to take a guided tour of Marrakech with a professional local guide who will show you the most emblematic sites in complete safety.

There are a few illegal taxis in Marrakech in the more touristy areas and at the airport. They are unmetered, so if you haven't mastered the art of haggling to agree on a price before setting off, it's best not to take one.

It's also possible that at some point during your trip you may come across a taxi driver who is trying to make some extra money at the expense of tourists. Either by pretending to be clueless and not turning on the meter and then charging you whatever he wants for the ride, or by taking a longer route to increase the price.

So when you have to use a taxi to get around the city, remember to tell the driver to turn on the meter to avoid this kind of situation.

In any case, if you want to avoid hassles when getting around Marrakech and go more smoothly (especially when arriving and leaving), my advice is to book your transfer from Marrakech airport to the hotel and vice versa in advance. It's the most comfortable, quickest and safest option!

Although Marrakech is generally safe, walking the streets of the Medina can be an adventure at times. Bicycles, motorbikes and even animal-drawn carts are all over the narrow streets.

Marrakechis are used to dealing with the city's traffic every day but if you're a first-time tourist, I recommend that you always pay attention to what's going on around you when you're walking around and take certain precautions as you would in your own country to avoid having an accident.

If you are offered an excursion in Marrakech at a price that is too cheap compared to what it would normally cost, hesitate because it's probably a scam and they will end up inflating the price somewhere else to get your money.

My advice is to always book all excursions from Marrakech online and in advance of your travel date on reliable websites such as Hellotickets that allow you to explore the city and its surroundings cheaply and, above all, safely.

Having the opportunity to enjoy the gastronomy of other latitudes is one of the coolest things about travelling! If you love to eat, there's no doubt that you'll have a great time in Marrakech, as Moroccan food is delicious and they have a tremendous variety of dishes.

One of the most fun things to do in the city is to go out and sample the cuisine, either in Marrakech' s restaurants or in the street markets, but if you choose the latter option, be careful what you eat.

To avoid food poisoning, make sure your food is in good condition and always drink bottled water because tap water is sometimes not treated properly and if you're not used to it, it can make you sick.

Similarly, avoid ice water and uncooked fruit and vegetables - it would be a shame if gluttony ruined your holiday!

At night, the Medina of Marrakech loses the charm it has during the morning as there are hardly any people and many places are closed, so there is not much to do. During the day it is much more entertaining and dynamic!

In addition, the city centre's narrow and winding streets make it easy to get lost as a tourist. Even more so when it gets dark and the street lighting is low or even non-existent, so that lighting the way with a mobile phone torch becomes indispensable.

Another reason not to walk around the Medina late at night is that there are fewer police in the area at that time, which can encourage thieves to make the rounds, making tourists easy prey.

In this famous square in Marrakech, some people gather to show tourists their monkeys and cobras for a souvenir photo.

I don't recommend you do this because there is no control over these animals, they can spread diseases and even attack if they feel nervous and threatened. Don't take unnecessary risks!

In addition, some of these creatures often live in distressing situations of captivity and exploitation. Engaging in this business does not do these animals any good, so it is best to stay away from them.