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Practical Information for Your Trip to Marrakech: Eric's Guide
This Marrakech travel guide is written by Eric, French owner of Riad Vendôme & Spa in the medina since 2011. You'll find below the practical information you need (weather, safety, what to pack, airport transfer) plus direct links to our most popular all-inclusive Marrakech packages. Every package bundles accommodation, meals, experiences and transfers into one fixed price — no surprises, no hidden fees.
Choose Your Marrakech Package
🍺 Marrakech Weekend Package — from £270/person
2 days / 1 night with breakfast, welcome mint tea, private hammam + 1H massage, airport transfer. Perfect for couples, short city breaks, hen parties. → See Weekend Package
🎂 Birthday Weekend Package — from £165/guest (10+ group)
3 days / 2 nights with welcome celebration, birthday rooftop dinner, group hammam, optional full riad private hire. → See Birthday Package
💖 Girls' Weekend Package — from £165/girl (10+ group)
3 days / 2 nights with welcome mocktails, group spa party, Moroccan buffet, belly dancer option, souk tour. Privatise entire riad for 10-15 girls. → See Girls' Weekend
🍸 Stag Do Weekend Package — from £165/lad (10+ group)
3 days / 2 nights with welcome drinks, group spa, rooftop BBQ, Agafay quad bikes option, Jemaa El-Fna nightlife tour. → See Stag Do
🏗 4-Day All-Inclusive Activities Package — from £450/person (6+ guests)
4 days / 3 nights with cooking class, hammam + massage, Agafay desert, palace tickets, airport transfer. For first-time visitors wanting everything bundled. → See Activities Package
Or book directly: +212 600 608 608
(Eric or Naima reply personally within 3 hours, Monday to Sunday)
Marrakech Practical Information — Eric's Guide
French citizens don't need a visa for Morocco (stays under 90 days). The currency is the dirham (€1 ≈ 11 MAD). Weather in Marrakech: 20-25°C in winter, 35-45°C in summer, sunshine nearly year-round. The airport is 20 min from the centre. Complete guide by Eric, resident French since 2007.
Eric has lived in Marrakech since 2007. Here are the answers to all the questions his guests ask before their first trip. The good news: Marrakech is one of the simplest destinations from France. No visa, 3 hours' flight, sunny weather, a very affordable cost of living and legendary hospitality. Everything you need to know is on this page.
Visa and formalities: it is simple
French, Belgian and Swiss nationals do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. You'll need a passport valid for at least 6 months after your return date. Budget airlines (Ryanair, EasyJet, Transavia) connect major European cities to Marrakech from €50 return.
Money and Exchange Rates
The currency is the dirham Moroccan (MAD). The exchange rate is approximately €1 = 11 MAD. You cannot buy dirhams abroad — change on arrival. ATMs and of the bureaux de change are located to the airport and everywhere in the medina (il y en a a to 200 metres of the riad). The cartes bancaires are accepted in the hotels and restaurants, but plan of the cash for the souks and taxis — it's the nerf of the marchandage.
Weather: when to come to Marrakech?
| Season | Temperatures | Weather | Le conseil Eric's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) | 22-30°C | Sunny, parfait | La best period. Ideal for tout. |
| Summer (June-August) | 35-45°C | Very hot, dry | Enjoy of the spa and sortez early morning. |
| Autumn (Sept-Nov) | 22-32°C | Doux, pleasant | Perfect for the desert and the festival of the film. |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 18-25°C day / 5-10°C night | Doux, sunny | Ideal for Christmas and the New Year's Eve. |
Airport and transfer
the airport Marrakech-Menara is to 6 km / 20 minutes of the centre. Eric organises your transfer. If you arrive from Casablanca, expect 2h30 by motorway (100-€120 by taxi private). › All direct flights to Marrakech
Security: Marrakech is safe
La city is safe for the tourists. The tourist police is presents in the medina and on the places. Like everywhere, restez vigilant in the endroits crowded. The neighbourhood Dar El Bacha, where is located the Riad Vendôme, is one of the most quiets and safes of the medina — it's the neighbourhood of the Royal Palace.
Code vestimentaire
Morocco is a pays musulman tolerant. In the medina, it is respectueux de couvrir shoulders and genoux, especially for the femmes. In the hotels, restaurants and neighbourhoods modern (Gueliz, Hivernage), the dress code is relaxed. At Riad Vendôme, you are at home — swimsuit welcome in the jacuzzi and pool.
Souks and shopping
The souks are open every day from 9:00 to 20:00. Some close Friday at noon. Morning is the best time to bargain — vendors are more relaxed and the streets less crowded. In Gueliz (new town): shops open Mon-Sat 9:00-12:30 and 15:30-19:00. And Eric's tip: start by offering a third of the asking price. Bargaining is an art and a pleasure — not a fight.
› Book at Riad Vendôme | › What to do in Marrakech
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a visa for Morocco?
No, the French do not have no need de visa for a stay of less than 90 days. A passport valid for 6 months is required.
What is the taux de change?
Approximately €1 = 11 MAD. ATMs at the airport and in the medina. Bank cards accepted in hotels.
Is it hot in winter?
18-25°C during the day, cool at night (5-10°C). Sunny and very pleasant to visit.
Is the airport far?
6 km / 20 min by taxi. Eric organise the transfers.
Can you pay by card?
In the hotels and restaurants, yes. Plan of the cash for the souks and taxis.
Is le marchandage compulsory?
In the souks, yes — it's the tradition. Start by offering un tiers of the prices. It is an game, pas a affrontement.
How long is the flight to Marrakech from the US and Canada?
There are no non-stop flights from the United States; from New York allow about 8 to 9 hours via Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc, which hubs there. From Canada, Royal Air Maroc runs a seasonal non-stop from Montreal to Casablanca, then a short connection to Marrakech. The riad is about 20 minutes from Marrakech-Menara airport, and US, Canadian and EU citizens do not need a visa for stays under 90 days.
Marrakech Essentials — Practical Travel Guide 2026
Getting there: Direct flights from London (Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted) take 3.5 hours. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, TUI and Royal Air Maroc all serve Marrakech Menara Airport. Return flights can be found from €50. The airport is 6km from the medina — taxi €8, or transfer arranged by Eric.
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 EUR ≈ 15 MAD (2026). ATMs widely available in the medina. Most riads and restaurants accept cards, but souks prefer cash. Tipping is expected: 10-15% in restaurants, 10-20 MAD for guides.
Best time to visit: March-May and September-November. Temperatures 20-28°C, low humidity. July-August reaches 40°C+. Ramadan (dates vary) affects restaurant hours but creates a unique atmosphere.
The medina: Marrakech has two distinct areas — the medina (old walled city, souks, riads, Jemaa El-Fna) and Gueliz (the modern French-built city, restaurants, boutiques). Riad Vendôme is in the Dar El Bacha quarter of the medina, one of the finest and most authentic neighbourhoods.
Safety: Marrakech is a safe city for tourists. Standard urban precautions apply: keep valuables close in the souks, ignore unofficial guides who approach you. The medina is best explored on foot with a map downloaded offline. Wear comfortable walking shoes — the derbs (alleyways) are uneven.
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Le Riad Vendôme is classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.