Guides and Tours

Guides can be helpful when navigating the medina's serpentine streets. They can point out little-known landmarks and help you understand the city's complicated history. You are best off booking a licensed guide through a tour company or your hotel's staff should be able to suggest one to suit your interests. Although guides can be very knowledgeable about the city, don't rely on them for shopping. Store owners will inflate prices in order to give the guides kickbacks. The going rate for a city guide is 300 DH for a half day, 600 DH for a full day.

A number of companies offer full-day excursions (or longer) departing from Marrakesh by bus, 4WD, or motorbike and side-car.

There are numerous smartphone apps available for unguided walking tours like www.gpsmycity.com; if you go this route, be aware of phone-snatchers.

Tour Companies and Guides

Legendes Evasions. This highly respected local agency runs chauffeured vehicle tours to some of the Berber villages around Marrakesh. Day trips start at around 2,200 DH for up to six people per car. Galerie Elite, 212, av. Mohammed V, 1st fl., Guéliz, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0524/33–24–83; www.legendesevasions.com.

Marrakech Insiders. Established in 2015, Marrakech Insiders has a small fleet of super-cool vintage bikes and experienced local riders that offer a different perspective on the city–-discover the medina, the nouvelle ville, the outlying Palmery, or the Agafay desert of Marrakesh. Tours start at 1,400 DH (per bike) and you can be picked up at your hotel. Guéliz, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0669/69--93--74; www.marrakechinsiders.com.

Mohammed Lahcen. If you want a top-notch private guide for Marrakesh, you can't beat English-speaking Mohammed Lahcen. His going rate for a guided tour is 300 DH for a half day, 600 DH for a full day (depending on number of people). Medina, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0661/20–06–39.

Sahara Expedition. This budget agency runs daily group excursions and tours throughout the region, including Ourika Valley and Essaouira. Three-day sprints via minibus to the Sahara desert at Merzouga start from 1,000 DH per person with very basic hotels. 22, bd. Mohammed Zerktouni, Guéliz, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0524/42–97–47; www.saharaexpe.ma.

Said el-Fagousse. The amiable Said el-Fagousse has encyclopedic knowledge of Marrakesh’s secret treasures and Moroccan history. Originating from the desert village of M'Haimd el Ghizalne, he is a qualified guide for both city and nationwide destinations. His rates are 400 DH for a half day, 700 DH for a full day. Medina, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0661/78--32--98.

SheherazadVentures. This Marrakesh-based English-Moroccan company organizes private tailored tours for families and small groups, with a cultural focus. They're specialists in Southern Morocco and Sahara offering active day excursions from Marrakesh, as well as nationwide tours. Rates start around 1,500 DH per person per day for two people. Appt. 55, Residence Ali (C), Av. Mohammed VI, near Café Cesar, Guéliz, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz. 0615/64–79–18; www.sheherazadventures.com.