Sterling and euros aren't generally acccepted (although you may find shops in the souks who'll take them), the currency is Moroccan Dirhams as you rightly point out. Pick some up to be going on with at the cashpoint on the way out, and you can exchange there also. There's no shortage of cashpoints in Marrakech.

For a desert trip to the Erg Chebbi dunes, be prepared for a long drive to get there (around 9 hours each way), and allow two nights for the trip. Haven't done the trip, but am aware from others that it's a good long drive to spend the night under the stars. Speak to your hotel/riad about what's on offer, and I'm sure they can arrange something for you if you want to go.

You might want to check out Essaouira for an overnighter too. Lovely historic little town on the coast with a medina and long sandy beach, and a number of air-conditioned Supratours buses go each way per day.

Re. the other trip you mentioned - is it the Ourika Valley? Some friends went for the day and loved it

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g293734-c58669/Marrakech:Morocco:Ourika.Valley.Tour.html

Thanks, Phoebe

Yes that was the valley I was thinking of. Can't wait to go now.

I thought you could only get Dirham in Morroco - didn't realise you could get some before going. That was why I wondered about alternatives.

Thanks again

Sorry prawn - I meant on the way out of the airport at Marrakech! (apologies I wasn't clear at all!). Also you can exchange at the airport at Marrakech. It's not easy to get Dirhams here, and I think there's a small limit of what you can take in anyway (or out). I found I got a reasonable rate there via the cashpoints.

When do you go? Are you staying in the medina or the new town?

Hi, Phoebe

We are not going until next May (couldn't resist booking early because the weather was lousy on the day I went into the TA!) and we are staying at the Clubhotel Riu Tikida which, I believe, is about 6km from Marrakesh but has a shuttle bus service.

I am really excited about going and may even treat myself to some new holiday clothes!!

Thanks for your help.

Prawn

Hope you have a great time when you get there. I loved Marrakech. Should be pretty hot when you go as well. Don't miss the Djemaa el Fna just before dusk for all the excitement of an evening in the square (keep a hold on your handbag as it gets very busy). It'll be a bit different from Turkey/Cyprus beach resort areas but the city has a lot of heart and there're some beautiful surrounding areas.

Hi Prawn,
When we went to Agadir last Easter we were also under the impression that the Dirham was a closed currency but we bought some at the airport. There was a limit to how much you could buy- I can't remember if we bought 100 or 200 pounds worth.
enjoy your holiday

Thanks, Shirley

Will plan to get some currency at the airport then. Am looking forward to visiting the city - we are not really beach people and like to visit places of interest.

Prawn

We are also seasoned Turkeyites, but went to Marrakech for 4 days in November year before last. We actually stayed in the Medina which was fantastic. Its a brilliant city, really fascinating - would recommend just losing yourselves in the souks for a few hours, you'll see some amazing sights! Also some fantastic restuarants, we took a couple of English guide books with us and chose restaurants from the recommendations in there - lovely food, superb atmosphere!

Thanks Alfie, really looking forward to it now - have even bought myself a parasol in case it is very hot!! How sad is that???

If going to the Sahara, try to get a tour that doesn't stop off in a lot of places - we went on one that involved two days of traveling and wasting time on minor detours for just one night in the Sahara

Just back from Marrakech. I dont often do trip reports but decided to do so for this city as it was a first time visit.

Overall impression is that the 6 days we spent here was long enough. The souks are certainly colourful if a little repetitive after a while and we got the impression that most of the items were pretty much the same throughout. Haggling is the order of the day and can be a little weary after a while.

The square did have a suicide bomb attack on Thurday which did result in loss of life which certainly put a damper on the visit and resulted in the square somewhat losing its appeal. The people while friendly enough can appear a little aggressive on occassions and the culture is of course naturally different. Eating out can be cheap or expensive depending on your tastes. While the various cous cous and tangines are all nice they again in our opinion can be a little repetitive after a while. The taking of photos around the gates of the palace of the king is not allowed (which is just odd!). The hop on and hop off bus is quite good and is available for 24 or 48 hours.

Our Riad was centrally locate was a haven within the hustle of the city. Expect to see proverty on the streets and expect to pay around 4 pounds for a beer (where you can get it.)

The day trip (by private taxi) to the foot of the atlas mountains was a good experience and did give a feel tothe life in towns and villages en route where the farmers are seen with primitive equipment working the land.

The airport is small and busy with many flights to and from France, UK/Ireland and Spain. Amonst the sprinking of Royal Air Morac was at least 4 Ryan Air and Easyjet on the ground!

While an interesting experience, one needs to go with an open mind and be prepared to be pressurised to buy on every street - even to the extent that when you look lost etc (with over 3,000 alleyways around the city walls it is very easy to get lost), the majority will expect some money just to point you in the right direction (which may be the wrong way anyway!).

Its good to have gone but I would not be in hurry to return.

Nivsy

If you are a mountain view person take the road across the high Atlas mountains across the tiz-n-tickas pass and Carry on to Ait ben Haddou a very old village and world heritage site. We were on around trip of Morocco so we never had to come back but it is on the road to Ouarzazate from marrakesh.Great day out but please check distance.Across the pass it has lots of bends but road ok.I believe that you can only take £75 each in Dirham into the country each but travelex had run out at Gatwick two weeks ago

Hi, nivsy and Shrimper

Thanks for the info. I went into our local currency exchange bureau and they have arranged to get me 1000 dirham (about £100 !) as that is the max. you can get outside the country. Really excited now about going - water the camel, I'm on my way!!

It really is a country to get exited about, have a great time

hi prawn we stayed at riu tikida last may , had a great time nice hotel very clean food good would return ,lolly happy hols

Visited Marrakech from Agadir a few years back - just for a couple of days.
My memories?
The tree climbing goats - honest, I saw them, half a dozen goats up in a tree!!
I have a photograph.
And the Marrakech famous square - Jemaa l-Fna
- after dinner in town with the tour group we were left to wander and enjoy, with the stern instruction, be next to the mosque at midnight, ready for the coach. I wandered, I enjoyed, and I took hundreds of photographs in this amazing square.
And I swear - I was at the appointed place for the coach 10 minutes EARLY. Unfortunately it turned out that most of the rest of the group had got bored (how???) and arrived at the meeting point 20 minutes early - and the coach left without me.
Stranded in Marrakech at midnight....alone. Slightly scary.
But actually, one doesn't usually die this way, there are far more good people on the planet than bad, and some stranger helps eventually, and somehow I made it back to my hotel well before breakfast time.

Morocco is a wonderful destination. I'm back there in October this year, and looking forward to it already.

Lolly - good to hear that you enjoyed the hotel. Always reassuring to have a recommendation.

Bill - sounds scary but a great experience. We have tree climbing goats near our house - they escape from the local farm and climb the elderberry trees! So funny watching them isn't it?

Excited now - just got bags to pack, checked everything twice and will do it again before we go!

Lolly - could I ask if there was anywhere near the hotel to walk during the day? 'Sir' and I like to take a walk around after breakfast and visit the local area. Also, did you take any trips? Any advice you can give would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Prawn

always odd this. Yoiu pay for things in the currency of the nation you are in.