First Visit to the Medina: 6 Mistakes to Avoid

The Medina of Marrakech is the historic old town: a tangle of alleyways, souks, squares and courtyard houses, where you get around on foot. It surprises almost every traveller on a first visit, and that is precisely part of its charm. But the experience can quickly turn tiring or irritating if you arrive without having given it some thought.

The good news is that most mishaps are very easy to prevent. Whether you are travelling as a family, with friends or in a group, here are the mistakes we see most often, along with practical ways to avoid them so you can make the most of your stay.

Mistake no. 1: entering the Medina with no bearings at all

The Medina's alleyways do not follow a grid plan. They twist, branch off and sometimes look alike from one bend to the next. Setting off without having identified a starting point, an end point and a few main directions means running the risk of going round in circles more often than planned.

What really helps

Locate your accommodation before setting out: note its name, its address and the easiest access point from a main square or a gate of the old town.
Save an offline map on your phone, as the signal and GPS accuracy can be unreliable between the narrow walls.
Bring a spare battery pack: your smartphone serves as a map, a camera and a way to stay in touch.

Getting a little lost is part of the fun, as long as you know how to find your way back.

Mistake no. 2: trying to see everything in a single day

This is the mistake of enthusiasm. The Medina is dense, sensory and sometimes intense: the colours, the smells, the noise, the approaches from vendors. Going from one visit to the next without a break quickly wears you out, especially with children or a large group.

It is better to choose one or two things you want to do per half-day and leave room for the unexpected: a shaded courtyard, a tea, a shop that catches your eye. Think about the heat too: depending on the season, the middle of the day can be gruelling. Early mornings and late afternoons are generally more pleasant for walking.

Mistake no. 3: handling street approaches badly

In very busy areas, it is common to be approached: an offer from an impromptu guide, an invitation to step into a shop, unrequested advice on which way to go. Most of these exchanges are simply commercial, but they can divert you from your route and cost you time.

A polite ‘no thank you’, said with a smile, without stopping, is almost always enough.
Be wary of ready-made claims such as ‘this way is closed’: check on your map instead.
If you would like someone to accompany you, choose them in advance, from a recognised provider, rather than on a whim in the alleyway.

Keeping a clear course is the best way to stay calm. For women who want to discover the city together, freely and safely, this preparation matters all the more: see our Safety page for the framework in which we offer our experiences.

Mistake no. 4: forgetting local etiquette and basic comfort

Clothing and footwear

The Medina is explored on foot, on surfaces that are sometimes uneven. Comfortable, closed shoes are far preferable to flimsy sandals. As for clothing, light, covering outfits that also protect you from the sun are a good idea: they are appreciated locally and practical for getting around anywhere.

Photos

Photographing a façade, a stall or a door is natural. Photographing a person without asking for their consent is less so. A smile and a gesture are enough to ask permission, and a refusal should be accepted without insisting.

Getting around the alleyways

The alleyways are narrow and shared: pedestrians, carts, bicycles and motorised vehicles all pass each other there. Stay alert, step against the wall when you are signalled to, and keep hold of children's hands in the busiest passages.

Mistake no. 5: haggling without being prepared

In the souks, discussing the price of an item is part of the tradition. The mistake is to go in without having looked around first, or, conversely, to turn it into a confrontation.

Compare before buying: the same item can be found in several stalls.
Decide what you are prepared to pay before starting the discussion.
Stay courteous: you can decline an offer and walk away without offending anyone.
Do not ask the price of an item you have no intention of buying.

Haggling goes best when it remains a good-humoured exchange.

Mistake no. 6: visiting without a common thread

Many travellers walk through the Medina barely looking at what is in front of them, simply because they do not know what they are looking at. The walls, the doors and the squares all have a story, but nothing explains it around the corner of an alleyway.

That is why QuestRides offers, in the Medina, interactive guided tours and treasure hunts played on your smartphone. You follow an immersive narrative, solve riddles and take on challenges while discovering the historic heritage. The route gives you direction, and the game gives you a reason to look up.

The treasure hunt ‘The Secrets of Moulay Hassan’ offers riddles, levels from Easy to Hard, and a cooperative or competitive mode. A photo and video recap is provided at the end of the game, along with a certificate.
The interactive guided tours are tailor-made: you choose the duration, the theme and the options, with a downloadable photo and video recap report.

These experiences are suitable for families with children aged 8 and over, friends (up to 20 people), groups, hen parties, girls' days out, and women who want to discover the city together.

In summary

A successful first visit to the Medina comes down to a few things: bearings before setting off, a light itinerary, a few reflexes for dealing with approaches, suitable clothing, relaxed haggling and a common thread to understand what you are passing through. With these, the old town stops being an intimidating labyrinth and becomes a place of discovery.

Want to discover the Medina differently, by playing? Take a look at our treasure hunt in Marrakech and book on questrides.com: a secure payment link is then sent to you on WhatsApp.