Safety & etiquette
What Not to Do in Marrakech: 18 Mistakes to Avoid
Most things that go wrong for visitors in Marrakech are small and avoidable: a detour to a shop, an overpriced taxi, a sunburnt afternoon or an itinerary that tries to do too much. None of them should put you off the city. This is the short list of what not to do, with a link to the fuller guide wherever there is one.
- Read
- 9 min
- Topic
- Safety & etiquette
- Updated
- 14 October 2026
At a glance
- Don't follow anyone who tells you a place is 'closed' or offers to show you the way.
- Don't get into a taxi without the meter on or a fare agreed.
- Don't photograph people, performers or animal acts without asking first.
- Don't try to see the Sahara dunes in a day; Agafay is the same-day desert.
- Don't rely on cards alone: carry dirhams in small notes.
In the medina and the souks
The medina is where most visitor mistakes happen, because it is busy, unfamiliar and full of people who earn a commission by bringing tourists into shops. Our scams guide covers each hustle in detail; these are the habits that matter most.
- Don't follow helpful strangers. 'The square is closed', 'the tannery is only open today' and 'this way is a dead end' usually lead to a shop. Thank them and keep walking with an offline map.
- Don't let anyone put henna on your hand in Jemaa el-Fnaa unless you asked and agreed a price. Dark 'black henna' can contain additives that irritate skin, so ask for natural henna or skip it.
- Don't accept a sprig of mint or anything else placed in your hand near the tanneries. It is the opening of a request for money.
- Don't start haggling for something you don't want. Naming a price is read as an offer. If you do want it, stay friendly and walk away if the number doesn't work; see how to haggle.
- Don't buy big-ticket items on your first day. Look around, compare a few prices, then buy rugs, leather or argan oil later in the trip.
People, photos and respect
Morocco is a Muslim country that is used to visitors. Nobody expects perfection, but a few things cause real offence or friction. The etiquette guide has the full picture.
- Don't photograph people without asking, women especially. Performers in the square expect payment if you photograph them, so agree it first or keep the camera down.
- Don't pay for photos with chained monkeys or snake acts. Many visitors avoid them on animal-welfare grounds, and the photo usually turns into an argument about money.
- Don't dress for the beach in the medina. Covered shoulders and knees draw less attention; see what to wear.
- Don't expect to enter working mosques. They are generally closed to non-Muslims, including the Koutoubia. The Ben Youssef Madrasa is open to all visitors.
- Don't drink alcohol in the street or eat ostentatiously in public during Ramadan daylight hours. Licensed bars, hotels and restaurants are the place for a drink; see alcohol in Marrakech.
Money, taxis and getting around
Small costs add up when you look like a visitor who doesn't know the rules. These three habits prevent most of it.
- Don't get into a petit taxi without the meter running or a fare agreed before you set off. Our taxi guide explains petit and grand taxis.
- Don't count on cards everywhere. Souks, taxis and street food are cash. Carry dirhams in small notes and use bank ATMs; see money and tipping.
- Don't try to drive into the medina. Most of it is narrow lanes shared with pedestrians, scooters and carts. Walk, or take a taxi to the nearest gate.
Planning, heat and health
The last group of mistakes happens before you arrive, in the plan itself.
- Don't try to reach the Sahara dunes and back in one day. Merzouga and Zagora are 7 to 9 hours' drive each way, so it takes two to three days. For a same-day desert, go to Agafay; see the Sahara in a day.
- Don't plan midday sightseeing in summer. June to August afternoons are very hot. See the sights early, rest in the riad, and go out again in the evening.
- Don't drink the tap water if you want to play it safe. Most visitors stick to bottled or filtered water; see tap water in Marrakech.
- Don't over-pack the itinerary. Three to four days covers the city; add a day trip or a desert night only if you have more. See how many days you need.
- Don't wander empty, unlit lanes alone late at night. Stick to busy streets after dark and ask your riad to arrange a pickup; see Marrakech at night.
Frequently asked questions
What should you avoid in Marrakech?
Avoid following strangers who say a place is closed or offer directions, getting into taxis without a meter or agreed fare, photographing people or performers without asking, accepting henna or mint pressed into your hand, and trying to visit the Sahara dunes in a single day. None of these are dangerous, but they are the most common ways a visit goes sideways.
Is it rude to say no to people in the Marrakech souks?
No. A calm, friendly 'la, shukran' (no, thank you) while you keep walking is normal and accepted. Losing your temper causes more friction than a polite refusal.
What should you not wear in Marrakech?
Avoid beachwear, very short shorts and revealing tops in the medina and near mosques. Covered shoulders and knees, in loose and light fabrics, are comfortable in the heat and draw less attention, especially for women.
Are there areas to avoid in Marrakech?
Serious crime against visitors is rare. The practical advice is to avoid empty, unlit lanes late at night, particularly alone, and to use a taxi or a riad pickup after dark rather than navigating unfamiliar alleys.