Medina Adventure – Marokko
- Kategorie: travel
We wander through the Medina, captivated by the mix of scents, colors, and the countless small shops and market stalls.
Friday morning, 4 a.m., and we finally arrive at our beautiful riad in the heart of the Medina. We were actually supposed to arrive at midnight, but our airline, Royal Air Maroc, had a significant delay. We wouldn’t recommend this airline—based not only on our experience but also that of many other passengers—the service was very poor. We received no explanation for the delay in Casablanca and were extremely lucky to even get a connecting flight to Marrakech.
We get a lovely room on the first floor and immediately fall in love with our accommodation. After just three hours of sleep, we enjoy a hearty breakfast and set off. First things first: we need some dirhams. Here’s our first tip: the best exchange rate can be found at Hotel Ali, very close to Djemaa el-Fna (in July 2019, the rate was 1 Euro = 10.73 Dirham). You don’t need to show your passport to exchange money here.
Next, following the advice of our friendly host Moncef, we get a Moroccan SIM card from Maroc Telecom. Five gigabytes cost 50 Dirham (around €5), and the card itself is another 50 Dirham. Of course, most restaurants—just like in Germany—offer free Wi-Fi that works fairly well. We just wanted to be on the safe side.
It’s around 36°C, and we’re grateful that we acclimated a little in Germany before flying, as it was already quite hot there. Still, we try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Walking through the Medina, we’re thrilled by the rich array of scents, colors, and tiny shops and stalls. Every other person will naturally try to sell you something—but don’t let it bother you. Pretend you don’t understand and keep walking, and they’ll leave you alone quickly. If you do want to buy something, remember that bargaining is expected; you can usually get items for about half the asking price.
Our next stop is the Palais Badii. Entrance costs 70 Dirham per person, definitely worth it. You’ll encounter the old ruins of the palace, a charming courtyard lined with palm trees, and a breathtaking view from the terrace of the tower. Storks have built their nests along the walls, adding to the beauty of the site.
