Marrakesh is a huge city, a major tourist destination and a bustling hub for Morocco as a whole. But it can also be a challenge to live here – there is the usual level of stress and hassle that comes with big cities, but the fact that you’re living in a Muslim country will add a layer of complexity to your life. And, if you’re not speaking the language, it can be quite difficult to get by. So, whether you’re planning on renting a car in Marrakesh for a short visit or if you’re relocating to the city permanently, read on to find out more about what life in Marrakesh is really like.
Renting a car in Marrakesh is not the most straightforward thing to do, but there are ways that you can make it a little bit easier on yourself. For a start, if you can speak some Arabic, that will help massively; not only will it allow you to understand the locals and interact with them, but it will also be useful when trying to navigate the labyrinth of the medina and its streets.
Another way to get around the stress of driving in a foreign country is to hire yourself a guide for the day, especially if you’re a female traveller. This will give you a lot of freedom to explore the medina as an insider, and they’ll be able to point out the places that are most interesting for women, such as the female-only spaces in the hammams and on the top floor of teahouses.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to drive, be aware that there’s a lot of traffic in Marrakesh, and roads can be incredibly dangerous. You’ll likely be sharing the road with a large number of hustlers (both on two and four wheels), overloaded lorries, animals and, more often than not, pedestrians. This makes it hard to enjoy a scenic drive and isn’t particularly fun or safe.
A final piece of advice is to make sure you have an international drivers’ licence before arriving, and remember that Morocco’s traffic laws are quite different to those in the West. For example, drivers are expected to honk a lot of the time, but this is not a sign of displeasure and is usually used simply to notify other vehicles that you’re on the road.
Of course, even if you don’t Rent a car in Marrakesh, there is still plenty to do and see. The centre of the city is fairly walkable, and the main square of Jemaa el-Fnaa is an exciting place to explore; it’s full of small shops and street entertainment and you can see a variety of landmarks including the Koutoubia Mosque. Alternatively, there are plenty of tuk tuks that can take you around the city for a very reasonable price. Lastly, don’t forget to take advantage of the city’s excellent cuisine and try some of the local restaurants! To find a great deal on your Marrakech car rental, enter your details into our booking engine.