• Majorelle Gardens, in Gueliz has an entrance fee of DH 30 and is more expensive than other attractions. However, it provides an excellent respite from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. The park boasts a collection of plants from across the globe, including what seems like every cactus species on the planet. Get here early to avoid the crowds. Inside the gardens is also the Museum of Islamic Art, for which an additional entrance fee is charged.
• Dar Si Saïd Museum, on Rue Riad Zitoun Jdid, is a museum 5 minutes away from Djemma El Fna. Set in an old palace, it houses many different artifacts from Morocco through the ages, such as wood carvings, musical instruments, and weapons. It is dedicated to the Moroccan craft industry of wood, gathering a very beautiful collection of popular art: carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics. All these objects are regional, coming from Marrakech and all the south, especially from Tensift, High Atlas, Soussthe, Anti Atlas, Bani, and Tafilal.
• Ben Youssef Madrassa is one of the largest Madrassa's in the North Africa. It is a school attached to the Ben Youssef Mosque and is home to beautiful art and architecture.
• El Bahia palace is an ornate and beautiful palace, popular with guided tours and stray cats. The palace is well worth a visit and gives a great impression of what it must have been like to be a 19th century nobleman in Morocco. There is a nice garden with banana flowers, tranquil courtyards, and other lovely plants. Admission is DH 10.
• El Badi palace is a palace now in ruins and inhabited by storks and stray cats. There are some underground passageways to explore. Admission is DH 10. The view from the terrace is majestic.

Do:

Tours

Marrakech can make a good base for exploring the High Atlas or for organizing one to four day Sahara treks.

• Berber Adventures offers travelers the chance to visit Berber villages and experience their life and culture. Single or multi-day cultural excursions in the High Atlas mountains are available.
• Combining higher-end accommodation in Marrakech with excursions to the Atlas mountains, Land Rover safaris, and balloon flights.
• Take a relaxing flight up in the sky in a hot air balloon. The views of Marrakesh are breath taking. Fly over the wide open tranquil deserts and the small local villages while traveling through the sky in a relaxed and peaceful manner. This fantastic activity is available to any one with a sense of adventure and an interest in the magnificent culture that Morocco has to offer. An opportunity not to be missed. Children-friendly.
• Many tours and excursions departing from Marrakech. Included in the range of tours available are day trips to Essouaira, Imlil, the Ouzoud cascades and 2, 3 and 4 day tours to the desert (including Zagora and merzouga). Other options include: The impressive 110 meter waterfall, the Cascades d'Ouzoud, are about 160km away and are well worth a day trip visiting
• Sahara Tours, for those seeking the comfort of an air-conditioned 4x4 and have money to spare, budget travelers may want to check out this Marrakech stalwart.

Hammams

There are two types of Hammam across Morocco.
The first is the tourist hammam, where you can go and be pampered and scrubbed by an experienced staff member. These usually, as they are promoted only to tourists, are the more expensive option with pricing usually around DH 150 for a hammam. They can not be technically referred to as a proper hammam, but they are nonetheless enjoyable, especially for the timid. Your hotel can recommend a good one.
The second option is to visit a "popular" Hammam. Popular hammams are the places where the locals go. Ask the staff at your hotel where they would go.
At the popular hammams, you do it all yourself. To make the most of a popular hammam, you need to take a scrubbing mitten (available cheap in the Souks), a towel, and some extra underwear (otherwise, you will be going home without any, as it will be sopping wet). Popular hammams are often only identified by tiles around a door and entranceway. If you do not speak French or Arabic, it could be a daunting, or at least a very memorable, experience. Men & women have either separate session times or separate hammams.

Nudity in a popular hammam is strictly forbidden for men, so be prepared to wear your underwear or a bathing suit. For women, you'll see some wearing underwear and some going naked.
Whilst in a popular hammam, you may be offered help and a massage from another person. It is essential to remember that this massage is nothing but a massage, with no other intentions. Indeed sexual contact or presumption of sexual contact does not occur in these places. If you accept a massage, be prepared to return the favor.
Normal entrance prices for a popular hammam are DH 7-15, a scrub will cost around DH 30, and a massage another DH 30.

• Les Bains de Marrakech, 2 Derb Sedra, Bab Agnaou (same building as Riad Mehdi), +212-24-38-14-28. Tourists-oriented in good sense: couples can have Hammam together in a private room. Extensive list of massages and spa treatments from 30min to a full day. Reception and attendants are proficient in speaking English, however, the scrubbing and massage personnel speak only very basic vocabulary.

Buy:
Spices at a Marrakesh market.

Along with the major souk adjacent to the Djemaa el Fna, there are a plethora of smaller souks throughout the city where any number of products can be bargained for. Keep an eye out for a wide array of hand-crafted candle-holding lanterns, as well as spectacular displays of local spices.
arrakech is home to a large tanning industry, and leather goods of high quality can be bought here cheaply. Check out camel leather items especially - jackets, round poufs, and handbags.
Also of interest would be items made of the local cactus silk, which is really rayon a natural fiber made of plant cellelose and produced in Morocco. Rayon holds the chemical dyes well which accounts for the vibrant range of true colors (natural dyes cannot produce a "true"color). On offer are scarves, handbags, tablecloths, bedspreads and throws in stunning colors. Some merchants try to charge a premium price for this "cactus silk".
Be sure to wander round the potters' souk, and look for brightly coloured platters and bowls, as well as tagines in all sizes .
Lovely cashmire shawls can also be had for less than a fiver with a little bargaining.
If you cannot stand the the bargaining, there's two government run shops where you can buy handicrafts at fixed prices. Look for boutique d'artisans. One is located near Djemaa el Fna while the other one is in the ville nouvelle.
An option to explore the souks in a more tranquil way is to go during the Friday prayer. Although some shops will be closed, most stay open and are significantly less crowded than at other times.

Bargaining

Remember that bargaining in the souks is expected. It is not really possible to give an accurate indication of how much to start the bargaining at in relation to the initial asking price, but a general idea would be to aim for approximately 50% off. Prices are set on a daily, even, hourly basis, depending on how much has been sold on a given day (or period of hours), while also reflecting the vendor's personal estimation of the potential client. The souks are often a good reflection of the basic economic principles of supply and demand, particularly with regard to the demand side. If a lot of products have been sold by a particular merchant he/she will raise the price, and may refuse to sell any more products for the rest of that day (or for days) unless the price is much higher than usual. If there are many tourists around prices go higher and bargaining even small amounts off the asking price becomes quite difficult. In addition, the seller will generally inspect the client, whose dress and possessions (particularly if the potential client sports an expensive Swiss watch, camera, tourist trinkets of obvious poor quality etc) are usually the main indication of how high the price may be set above the usual. However, the potential client's attitude is also taken into consideration.
Taking all this and other factors into account (such as the time of day, day of the week, season, etc.), initial prices may be up to 50 times or more in excess of normal prices, especially for more expensive items, such as carpets. Carpets, however, are a very specialized item and it is necessary to have at least a cursory understanding of production techniques and qualities. If possible an ability to distinguish between hand-made and machine-made carpets, hand-dyes, and the like is helpful to avoid being utterly duped. Western visitors would be surprised, for instance, how beautiful a carpet can be appropriated by a skillful negotiator inside of 50 euros.
Bargaining is an enjoyable experience for most vendors and they prefer clients that don't appear hurried and are willing to take the time to negotiate. It is most often actually necessary to give reasons why you believe the price should be lower. The reasons you might give are limited only by your imagination and often lead to some very entertaining discussions. Common reasons may include: the price of the item elsewhere, the item not being exactly what you are after, the fact that you have purchased other items from the stall/store, that you have built a rapport with the vendor after discussing football and so forth. On the other hand, if there is little movement in the price after some time, the best advice is to begin leaving, this often has the result of kick-starting the bidding anew, and if not, it is likely that the merchant is actually unwilling to go further below a given price, however absurd. In fact, the best general advice is simply to go to several merchants selling similar products and weigh their collective prices and attitudes. Revisiting a merchant at a later time may or may not allow you to bargain a given product more effectively. In one respect, to return puts the ball back in the vendor's court, as it is obvious that he/she has the product you want at the closest price. In another respect, if some time has passed between visits, business has been slow in the interim, and your return to the store is interpreted as a gesture of fidelity, the price may miraculously plummet. Many of the vendors can be very charming themselves and a little charm may also go a long way. Nevertheless, this should not entail conceding to a vendor at an unacceptable price. That, of course, would defeat the point. Rather, charm is just another tactic that may or may not be effective in reducing the price of a given item.
It is also important to show a genuine interest for the workmanship of the product for sale, no matter disinterested you may actually be in what you are buying. This does not, however, mean that you should appear over-enthusiastic, as this will encourage the vendor to hold his or her price. Rather, it is important to project a critical appreciation for each article/object. Any defects are either unacceptable or a further opportunity to bargain the price down.
You should take caution to never begin bidding for unwanted items or to give the vendor a price you are unwilling or unable (with cash on hand) to pay. Try to avoid paying by credit card at all costs. In the event you do pay by credit card, never let it out of your sight and demand as many receipts as possible. There is typically a credit card carbon copy and an official shop receipt.
Never tell a vendor where you are staying and 'never tell a vendor how much you paid for any other purchases. Just say you got a good price and you want a good price from him or her too. And, above all, never be afraid to say 'No'.
It must also be said that, as for us buyers, not all sellers are actually very good at what they do. A vendor that is completely disinterested or even aggressive is unlikely to give a good price. Move on.
All in all, a good negotiation can be a fun experience. Also remember that Marrakech is the only place visited by such a large quantity of tourists, so prices can be higher than elsewhere, although not necessarily so. If at all possible, look first at the prices and qualities of items in other cities by way of comparison.
Otherwise, if you buy sweet cakes, avoid buying them in the Magasins where the scale is hidden. In one of the main streets of the Medina, there are two that often take advantages from that.

Eat:

The main Carlie at Djemma El Fna is definitely worth a visit and the food is priced on menus. In little back streets the ambiance is more quiet, although the price is higher and the quality may vary a lot. Touts for Djemma huts can be among the most persistent in Marrakech. Don't make them any promises you don't intend on keeping or they'll get mean and call you a liar. The line 'we already ate' seems to work well to get them to stop.
In the square itself there are some locals such as:

• Cafe Agrana. On the edge of Djemma El Fna. Try the pastilla - a sweet/savory pie (either chicken or, for the adventurous, pigeon) that melts in your mouth.
• Cafe Alhamra, Pl. Djemâa el Fna, opposite Café de France. 065/04-74-11. On the edge of the square, it serves up salads, pizza, and pasta as well as a tagine of the day. Their rooftop is a good place to have a late night coffee and pastry while watching the events in the square below.
• Cafe Mabrouk (off Jma el-Fna) serves the same standard fare as everywhere else in a little courtyard or terrace. Bland, hard pizzas, DH 35.
• Chez Chegrouni, Tagine DH 35, Harira DH 15. Near the main entrance to the market. Maybe the best cheap restaurant in the square. Their vegetarian couscous (DH 30) is supposedly the only true vegetarian couscous in town; it's also bland but they give you plenty of it. Prices go up if you sit on the terrace. Usually packed full of good-time tourists.
• Chez El Bahia is 50m away from Djemma El Fna on Rue Riad Zitoune (the street that starts at Wafa Restaurant). It has excellent and well priced food in a quiet place. Try the chicken and olives tajine and prune, almonds, and mutton tajine for about DH 45 each. Try also the Moroccan salad while they cook the rest of the food.
• Earth Cafe is vegetarian-friendly. Number 2, Derb Zawak, Riad Zitoun Kedim - Medina - Marrakech -Morocco, Marrakech 10000, 21260544992/21261289402. "If you are in the main square though stand with cafe france to your left and the large mousque to your right side. walk across the square keeping to the left and past a mosque ahead of you is an archway to a narrow street, walk down that street and keep looking at the signs hanging above and after about 5minutes you will see a sign hanging for earth cafe, it is down a narrow alleyway of the right of the street and i think it has a yellow door."
• La Makarechi is opposite the market and adjacent to the newspaper stand. With two main courses and wine running at around DH 300, this is one of the poshest restaurants in the square. The food is not necessarily better than elsewhere, but it is one of the few restaurants that serve alcohol. It also has a completely enclosed upstairs terrace, which is ideal for views of the square when the weather is bad.

Take care eating the offered food on the main market place Djemma El Fna and the other cheap restaurants. Many of the dishes, including goat heads and bowls of local snails (hot and tasty) may seem too adventurous for the Western palate, but the main problems are salads, which can cause diarrhea.
Vegetarians will find that there are few options outside the ubiquitous Tagine avec Legumes.
For more upscale eateries (and especially for non-Moroccan cuisine) you generally must go outside the Medina to Ville Nouvelle. However, Diaffa (Rue Jbel El Akhdar just off Av. Mohammed V, across from Club Med), is an upscale restaurant in one of the oldest buildings in the Medina, and offers excellent Moroccan cuisine in an ambiance that recalls the Orient at the height of its magic and glory. The food, building (whether the tables around the central courtyard and fountain or the second-level balcony), and tactful and tasteful entertainment are all not to be missed.

How to eat (well) in the Djemma El Fna:

If you want to eat well in Marrakech, do what the locals do and eat at the food stalls in the Place. It is a common misconception that these stalls are here for the tourists. Actually, they have been in existence long before Marrakech became a tourist destination. All of the stalls can be regarded as perfectly safe to eat at. They are strictly licensed and controlled by the government, especially now as it is a popular destination for tourists.
Some tips:

• There is no such thing as a "touristy food stall" in the Djemaa.
• Prices tend to vary a little. Depending upon how hungry you are, you can pay anything from DH 10 for a Bread filled with freshly grilled sausages or perhaps a bowl of Harira soup to DH 100 for a full three course meal with salad, bread, starter, main course, and tea.
• Try harira (great soup, good for veggies) and the fried aubergines. Don't be afraid! Try the lamb head: it's really tasty. Also, give a chance to the "bull stew" (beef stew) on the same stalls.
• Don't miss the tea! There is a row of tea sellers along the front of the food stalls who each sell tea for DH 1.5 each. Most of the tea at these stalls is actually Ginseng tea with cinnamon and ginger... most delicious and welcoming.
• All food stalls at Djemma El Fna display the price on the menus making it less likely you'll be overcharged, but many will bring starters to you without asking, then charge for them at the end.
• Drinks are rarely on the menu so it is better to ask the price of them before ordering, as they can often be comparatively high.

Drink

Hot mint tea with large amounts of sugar is delicious and served in all restaurants and cafes.

Street vendors offer fresh orange juice (jus d'Orange) by the glass for DH 3. Try it with a dash of salt like the locals, but be wary of vendors who try and water the juice down with tap water. Also, pay attention when you buy as they offer 2 types of orange...the blood orange juice costs DH 10 per glass and a misunderstanding on what you want to drink could occur.

Wine and beer will rarely be found outside of restaurants catering to tourists.

However, Hotel Tazi in the Medina of Marrakech does have a public bar, serving beer and wine at not too expensive prices. For a slightly unusual experience, you could visit the Chesterfield Pub in Hotel Nassil, 115 Avenue Mohammed V. Apparently an 'English pub' it serves Moroccan lager and has an outside pool in a courtyard with palm trees (not an entirely English experience!) Much less touristy than it sounds (with a mainly local clientele) it serves a decent pint.

Sleep:

There are three main zones to sleep: Medina, Guéliz (also known as Ville Nouvelle), and the surroundings of the city. The Medina has the highest concentration of very cheap hotels and ryads (small palaces).
Guéliz is much more quiet and most of the hotels are mid price (including showers in the room, breakfast service).
Going to the medina from the Guéliz by taxi costs about DH 10-15 and can take a long time at busy periods (evenings and weekends).
The surroundings have all the huge tourist hotels, the ones that usually come with what the travel agencies offer. They can be far, but have big swimming pools, restaurants, and many services.

Hostels

• Equity Point Marrakech - Riad Amazigh, 80, Derb El Hammam Mouassine Marrakech Medina. This is a former luxury riad and it has been turned into one of the most beautiful traveller hostels. There are doubles, singles, and dorms which house up to six people. It also has an amazing roof top with nice views. It's located in the best part of the medina, two steps from Djemaa el-Fna. All rooms have full bathrooms, incredible furniture, mezzanines, cushions, etc. It's open 24 hours and you can book all kinds of activities and excursions (desert, mountains, etc.)

• The Heart of the Medina backpackers hostel, 47 Derb Ben Aissa, Dabachi . This hostel recently opened on 1st March 2007 and is the first backpackers hostel to be located in the Marrakech Medina. A one minute walk from the Djemaa place will get you there and it offers guest kitchens, rooftop terrace, free hot showers, and comfortable surroundings in rooms with no more than six beds to a room. Breakfast is included in the price as are bed linens, towels, and free wifi. You can expect to pay eight euro per person, per night during the low season. During the high season, expect to pay 13 euro per person, per night if booked in advance via email or website. The Heart of the Medina Backpackers Hostel has no lockouts, no curfews, and is open 24/7 365 days each year.

• There is also a clean youth hostel (Rue Mohammed el-Hansali, Tel: (0)44 7713) near the train station with dorm beds from DH 70, it has an 11:30PM curfew, an obligatory wake up call at 8A, and a daily daytime lockout. It is a fair distance from the action in the heart of the medina. A taxi can cost between DH 15-20.

Riads

The Medina is packed with Riads (old grand houses converted into hotels and inns). While more expensive, these are wonderful places to stay to get a feel for life in Marrakech.

• Hotel Riad Primavera, ☎ 0021224332570/72/73. The only kosher hotel in all of Morocco. The kosher certification is located in the lobby and is issued by the Beth Din of Marrakech. There are 22 rooms at this property located outside of the old city, just off of Allal Fassi Avenue and near the Marjane department store. All the rooms have personal air conditioning units, televisions, bathrooms with showers, and are decorated in typical Moroccan style. Prices tend to rise during major Jewish holidays and festivals. There are three Moroccan police officers on duty outside the hotel as well as regular patrols.
• Riad Zolah, 116 Derb El Hammam, Mouassine, ☎ +212-24-38-75-35. As the web site puts it, surely this is among the very best located of Marrakech's new boutique hotels! On the very doorstep of the souks, and less than three minutes' walk from the attractions of Jemaa El Fnaa square lies this chic and cosy riad offering an oasis of quiet calm from the chaos outside. Ismail and his team seem to have achieved the perfect balance between making a relaxed and informal atmosphere, yet providing a slick and professional service with great attention to detail. And as for Fadila's cooking - and the fabulous fresh baked breads at breakfast - why would you want to eat anywhere else? Gorgeous roof terrace and not one, but two candle-lit/petal-strewn courtyard patios (one with plunge pool). €95 to €230.
• Riad Orangeraie, 61, rue Sidi El Yamani - Mouassin - 44000 Marrakech Médina, ☎ +00 33 (0)6 23 92 40 05. Marrakech bathed in sun all the year round is souks, palaces, colours, sounds and the square Djema El Fna...In our search for this lodging address in Morocco, albeit it long-awaited, we hunted throughout the passages of the Marrakech Medina to locate this perfect setting. Riad l'Orangeraie, restored to its previous grandeur by a passionate team, is an ancient Marrakech residence which has been transformed into a Riad with a delightful ambiance, harmoniously combining ancient traditions with comforts of the contemporary world. More than a beautiful hotel, the Riad is a guest house with seven spicy bedrooms, warm and colourful like their name, opening on to two patios... The garden patio is where you can enjoy the flowers and aromatic plants while the birds sing and the fountain trickles in the background. The pool patio is an invitation to the art of relaxation, beside the sky blue mosaic pool or in the vapours of the steam room. On the dazzling roof terrace you rest above the treasures of Marrakech with views of the snow capped Atlas Mountains in the distance. Enjoy Marrakech from the heart of the Medina! €130 to €140..

Discount hotels

The budget conscious will have more luck in the streets and alleyways south of Jema El Fna, which are packed with discount hotels offering singles from DH 50. Popular options with backpackers include:

• Hotel Smara, 77 sidi Bouloukat, Tel: +212 24 44 55 68. Near Jema El Efna. Very clean, friendly people, nice rooms. DH 50 and doubles DH 80.
• Hotel Essaouira , 3 Derb Sidi Bouloukat, Tel: +212 24 443805. The hotel has singles with shared bath from DH 50 and doubles from DH 90. It's more or less like the others, but it's all painted in the traditional way which gives some charm to it. Toilets and showers typically unappealing - a norm at this price range. Hot water doesn't stay hot for long. Overall very good value and comfortable place from which to explore the old town.
• Hotel Imouzzer, 74 Derb Sidi Bouloukate, Tel: +212 24 445366. Near Hotel Essaouira; very friendly and clean and has a pleasant rooftop terrace cafe. Singles / doubles with shared bath are DH 50 / 100 and cash-strapped travellers can sleep on the terrace for just DH 25.
• In the little streets between rue Bab Agnaou and rue Riad Zitoune (where the Smara, the Essaouira, and the Imouzzer are) there are a lot of other small hostels and it is difficult to get lost as they are surrounded by these two big streets and place Djemma El Fna. It could be a good idea to get there with enough sunlight (best in the morning) and wander around comparing many hostels in a short time.
• Hotel Central Palace (59, Sidi Bouloukate) near Jma el-Fna. Rooms are around a noisy and echoey central courtyard. Rooms are clean, but the shared toilets are another story - filthy and stinking. Indifferent staff and bitter housekeepers. Nice terrace with great view, rooms starting at DH 150 for a double room with shared showers/toilet. You get what you pay for; but all in all it's a good value considering the fact that Marrakech is more expensive that most other places in Morocco. Car rentals can be arranged (around DH 350 per day for a small but fairly new car).
• Hotel Ali, Rue Moulay Ismail. Offer beds in ensuite, dorms, and rooftop terrace mattresses for DH 60 per person, per night (about six euro) including cooked breakfasts served with OJ and fresh coffee. Dorm guests can use the internet cafe for five Dirhams per hour. They have all the amenities a traveller could ask for, including a laundry service and free internet access for private room guests, money exchange, a terrace restaurant with views of Jema El Efna and even a downstairs hammam. Private rooms are available with a maximum per person price of DH 250 per night including breakfast, free internet, and a daily traditional Hammam.
• Riad Dar Mimouna, Sidi M'Barek n°151, Sidi Mimoun, tel: +212 44 38 40 78, fax: +212 44 38 40 79. A few minutes walk from Place Jemâa El Fna and the Koutoubia Mosque. Breakfast is included and is served at the terrace. There is also a hammam at the terrace, free for use by guests and you would just need to tell them in advance when you would like to use it. Also, this riad sells alcohol. It is kept in the fridge behind the counter. Just ask for the alcohol menu!
• Riad Kalila, Derb Snane n° 65-66, Tel: +212 24 39 16 82. Beautifully renovated Riad in the heart of the Medina. Chill in the coolness of the inner patio or soak in the morrocan sun on the upper terrace's lounge chairs. Enjoy views of the snow covered Atlas peaks from the tastefully furnished rooftop terrace. Riad Kalila is located just a short walk from Place Jemâa El Fna, La Koutoubia, and many other must-see sites.
• Riad Rahba. Offers private, ensuite rooms and is located 1 minute from the Djemaa place, at the entrance to the Souks. The Riad combines the traditional Moroccan atmosphere with the comforts of a modern hostel and hotel. The rates include breakfast and it is fast becoming a favorite with backpackers and independent travellers alike. The private ensuite rooms are available from 18 euro per single ensuite room per night.
• Résidance Goumassine, 71 Blvd Mohammed Zerktouni, Tel: (0)44 433086, Fax: (0)44 4333012. Residence with different kinds of rooms for about DH 300 the double room with either kitchen or Moroccan saloon. Don't expect to reduce the price if you stay there many days. It has a small swimming pool and a bar that can serve (quite expensive) breakfasts.
• Villa Dar El Kanoun, Route de Targa, Tel: +212(0)24 492010, Fax: +212(0)24 340635. Luxury B&B villa with swimming pool and garden. It offers five comfortable double rooms in a quiet residential area nearby Marrakech downtown. The team there will do everything to make your stay in Marrakech unforgettable. Breakfast is included. Rates begin at 89 €/night (for a double room).
• Hotel Ibis (Near the train station) is a really clean and peaceful hotel which is within a short taxi ride to all the action. If you want to be able to escape the hustle and bustle during the heat of the day and chill out by a pool this place is perfect. Decent value for money as well. Lovely rooms and shower. Can't quite work out how the pool remained that cold though under the heat of the sun all day!

Stay safe

Scams

Aside from the usual scams listed on the Morocco page, watch out for tourist touts that offer to take you to the medieval dye pits which, unlike the popular dye pits in Fez, are not worth the visit. Note that the touts work in pairs. The first takes you to the dye pit, saying he is just "going to work" or something similar. He will try to convince you it's only open "One day for one week." He then introduces you to his friend to guide you round the pits. After that you will be taken to a shop where you will be expected to buy some leather. Both of them expect to be paid (and probably get a commission out of any purchase you make in the shop). If you refuse to pay, they will get very annoyed, start shouting, and follow you incessantly for a long time. However, they are unlikely to become violent.
If you are obviously lost in the Medina, then it is common for people to offer to help with directions or even lead you to what you are looking for. Although not apparent at first, these people expect to be paid and will often lead you round in circles to increase the amount. Also, people may say that the place you are looking for is closed, but they will take you somewhere else that's better. This is almost always a lie. The best people to ask for directions are people behind a counter, as they cannot lead you because they don't want to leave their stall. If you are seriously lost, getting someone to lead you back is an option, but you should not give them more than DH 10-20, no matter how much they complain.
There are often people in Djemma El Fna offering henna tattoos, which are popular with locals and tourists alike. But among the many genuine traders are one or two scam artists. They appear very charming and trustworthy while you choose a design, but will then cleverly divert your attention. Before you know it, you have the beginnings of a rather poor henna tattoo. The scam artist later demands massive payments, in whatever currency you have (Dirhams or not). After emptying your pockets, if they consider you can afford more, they will demand that you visit a nearby ATM. Always agree on a firm price before work starts. If you can't do this, insist that the operator stops immediately - then go to another (hopefully more reliable) operator to get your design completed.
Most Moroccans are tourist-friendly and are not aggressive, so sometimes making a fuss in public can generate unwanted attention for a scam artist and shame them into backing off.
However, be especially careful about being drugged, especially as a solo traveller. The common and easy-to-make drug GHB only lasts three hours and is undetectable in the body after seven hours, so if you are attacked take action immediately. Do not trust room service if you are a solo traveller -- even older women are targets for robbery, if not rape.

Get out

In addition to all that the city itself offers, Marrakech can also be used as a base station for various day trips into the High Atlas mountains. The following are a few possible day trip destinations.

• Amizmiz - With one of the largest Berber souks in the High Atlas Mountains every Tuesday, Amizmiz is well-worth a trip. This is especially true for those travellers wishing to experience the less urban, less touristy mountain towns of the High Atlas.
• Asni - A lovely rural village in the Atlas mountains. Hostel Marrakech provides day trips to this beautiful location.
• Oukaimeden - Oukaïmeden. Ski lift at 3268 m. The snow falls in the mountains just south of Marrakech every winter. And it stays. Wealthy people from all over southern Morocco have since long learned to enjoy skiing in their own country. This has given the ski resort, Oukaïmeden, a distinct Moroccan touch, too. You don't need to bring your ski equipment all the way from home, all you need can be rented. You should only pay around 250 dh for a full day here (including a lift pass). Standing on the top of the ski lift, 3,273 metres above sea level, look out on sparkling snow that ends in the fairy tale valley below. Remember to stop for a minute or two. You're in subtropical Africa, you know! Oukaïmeden and the areas around are some of the greatest in Morocco, with four seasons, and ever changing nature. In summer, few people enter this area — it is probably too well known for winter sports. But staying here a day or two is a real treat. Enjoying the luscious nature around you by setting out hiking in the mountains.
• Setti Fatma A village at the end of the proper motor road up the Ourika Valley. The residential part is situated above the road and is not much visited, interesting rather than delightful. The attractions are the lovely valley scenery and a walk to seven waterfalls - or for most day visitors one waterfall from which others can be seen.