morocco?

keevita

in barcelona at the moment and going to be heading down to morocco in a few days? anyone been there before, advice, places to see?

Lump

Ignore the beggers....

John

humbleCounty

i heard Essaouira is really beautiful, its on the sea, and the old hippy trail to the east and is where Hendrix wrote "Castles Made of Sand"

its on my list of places to visit

muppetkiller

Avoid the place like the plague...I've travelled the world and It's the one country I'd never return too..people were very unfriendly..even when they wanted something or wanted to sell you something...food was terrible..much older crowd too that other sun destinations...Go to egypt ...
Only highlight was getting to the top of the Atlas mountains in Agadir on Mopeds...(my friends broke down half way and he had to walk a few miles back with ..)
Go to egypt ...that's an amazing country

Benster

Been a couple of years ago, stayed in Agadir. There's not much to see there apart from the huge souk, and it isn't the cleanest of places. The beggers and touts are a real problem, hanging around outside hotels waiting until you put a foot out.

We took a couple of days in Essaouira and really enjoyed it there. There was a big world music festival on with dancing everywhere. It's a real old town and the ambience is really cool. Had tea in the hotel where Hendrix stayed, very old colonial place, really peaceful. Buses are a bit of an endurance trip there, make sure you pick one with air-con...

I wouldn't go near Agadir again, but would go to Marrakech next time (if there is one) and if I was near, revisit Essaouira.

I've been to Egypt a few years ago and it might be slightly better in some respects than Morrocco, but not much. Their begger problem is just the same, maybe a bit more organised around the main tourist spots. And I was offered drugs everywhere in Egypt, not at all in Morrocco (but then that could be a negative fer ya ;-D

Cheers,

B.

Culchie

Morrocco and Tunisia = no fun !

The "cons" far outweigh the "pros" .

FergusF

I have been a few times - generally good advice above. I wouldn't go there if you're looking for a typical package holiday - the touristy areas such as Agadir are indeed full of beggars.

If you are travelling independently, get out in the countryside and the locals will not bother you. I went to an amazing weekly market in the hills near Marrakech, was like stepping back into Medieval times - everything from veg to goats to carpets on sale, there was even a 'street' of open-air barbers. No begging there, we were nearly ignored unless we stopped and asked at a stall.

Other highlights are Essaouira as others have mentioned. In Marrakech don't miss the Jemma el Fna, a big open square just outside the souk. Loads of dancers, snake charmers and every type of chancer there. Around 5 every evening they start setting up food stalls, where all the locals come to eat; I have sampled most of the food there and never had a problem.

A trip from Marrakech over the Atlas Mtns to the Sahara is amazing, some great scenery and glimpses of the primitive lifestyle of the people. You can hire minibus / driver or join an organised trip for 2 days or so.

Tips - it is good to have some French, not many English speakers outside the main cities but most people have at least a bit of French. Always haggle when buying stuff in the markets, start at around 25% of what they're asking for and aim to pay around 50%.

Petit taxis - found in the cities - always make sure they have the meter on or they will rip you off.

'Grand taxi' trips are another great experience, these are old (20yrs +) Mercs or Peugeots that the locals use as transport. They operate a fixed price between towns, are dirt cheap and a great way to travel in the country and meet the locals. You will share the car with 5 other passengers plus driver so watch out if your fellow passengers are on the large side! For some reason it is not possible to hire these for 2-3 people, even if you are willing to pay the full whack, they will wait till they have a full car all going to the same destination. Remember to agree on the price per person before you set off.

Taxis to Agadir from the airport have a set price so no point haggling with them, they operate a cartel on that route - expect to pay €20-25, maybe more now as I last visited a couple of years back.