Under $100: Marrakech, Morocco

Sitting on the crossroads of Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Morocco is becoming a popular destination thanks to its rich culture and tolerant atmosphere. Marrakech is one of the country’s former imperial cities, or capitals built by the Berber Empires. While the booming Gueliz is enveloping the town in luxury hotels and high-end restaurants, the real draw is the city’s historic Medina. Here’s how to experience it with less than 1,000 dirhams.

The Medina is walkable, though it can get tiring on a hot day. For those planning on venturing outside the historic center, a taxi will cost around Dh 20 for a 10-minute ride during the day; just remember to set the rate before getting in. Taxis from the airport will be around Dh 150, but it’s entirely possible to walk along the footpath into town (two hours), making a stop at Menara Gardens, a botanical garden established in the 1100s by the Almohad Caliphate.

Menara Gardens © Karol Kozlowski | Dreamstime

Be sure to make two stops at Jemaa el Fnaa, Marrakech’s main square which completely transforms day to night. For the quintessential Morocco experience, stop for lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes that line the square. Most of the menus are similar, offering Moroccan fare and Western foods alike. A meal at one of these places will run you Dh 50–100, plus you get a front seat for some excellent people watching.

Jemma el Fnaa is a mesmerizing swirl of food stalls, snake charmers, shops, fortune tellers and more. Be sure to get a refreshing orange juice for a few dirham before watching the street performers. Be warned, watching a performance for even a minute means you’ll soon be accosted by someone asking for a tip, so it’s customary to carry loose change and place Dh 5–10 in the hat. As you explore the souks, salesmen will approach you in a similar fashion so be prepared to say “no thank you” a lot.

© Hoang Bao Nguyen | Dreamstime

Like the performers, salesmen can be pushy by Western standards and it’s part of the culture to barter. If you’re interested in buying something, always counter-offer their quote by half and come to an agreement from there. Remember not to take it personally; haggling is part of the fun of shopping in the souks. Be wary of “guides” who offer to take you to places like the tanneries, as there’s a risk they’ll be ripping you off.

Speaking of tanneries, many people are interested in seeing Marrakech’s leather industry, but aren’t aware of just how gruesome it is. Not for the faint of heart, a tannery tour will show you the entire leather making process, so be prepared to see and smell a lot of blood, excrement and carcasses. If you can stomach that, the tour ends with a visit to a leather shop, where the goods are high quality but overpriced so have your barter skills ready.

© Karol Kozlowski | Dreamstime

Close out the day with dinner at a food stall in Jemma al Fnaa. Some people say the stalls are tourist traps, but they’ve actually been around long before Morocco was a travel destination and are still popular with locals. Today, these tent restaurants are strictly licensed by the government and provide menus in English, Arabic, Spanish and French.

Some tents have exorbitant prices or charge you for items like olives and bread that should be free, so be careful when picking a place and check the receipt. That said, these stalls serve great tasting food that shouldn’t run you more than Dh 100. Finish the meal with a classic Moroccan mint tea before venturing back out into the square for street theater and musical performances.