Page 365 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Morocco

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  363

large numbers of people around town. In Marrakech,
(both Moroccans and the largest carriage “rank” is at the
visitors) is the best foot of the Koutoubia Mosque.
guarantee of safety. In
small crowded streets
where pickpockets may Guides
operate, take special care The bogus guides who were
of personal possessions. once so ubiquitous in tourist
spots have become more
discreet since measures were
By Bicycle or Moped taken to clamp down on
In the major tourist anyone acting as a guide
centres, particularly without an official card.
Marrakech and Agadir, Even if you have a street map,
bicycles and mopeds can you will find some towns very
be hired. The level terrain confusing to explore. The
in these two cities makes services of a guide may be
cycling here quite easy. necessary on your first day
Mopeds and bicycles are in a certain town or city,
A cyclist in Rahba Kedima, Marrakech an ideal means of getting particularly in the largest
around the old quarters, medinas, like that of Fès.
“taxi”. You can also hail a taxi in where the streets are narrow. Official guides are identi fiable
the street by waving your hand. However, a degree of caution is by the cards that they carry,
Because of the large number called for, since car drivers show almost always pinned to their
of taxis circulating in towns, little consideration clothing. These
it is unusual to wait for very to other road-users. cards are issued
long. There are no radio taxi Bicycle attend- by the Ministry
firms, but some drivers have ants, who can be of Tourism and
mobile phones and will give found where there bear an identity
you their card. is a con centration photo graph of
If your journey entails of parked cycles the holder.
driving along a track, the fare and mopeds, Official guides
will automatically increase. are worth using. can be requested
In this case, the full amount Charges range at tourist
should be agreed with the from 1 to 2 dirhams Bus stop in information offices,
driver beforehand. for a few hours to a town and also by hotels
10 dirhams for a (in which case
night. Lock your bicycle or make sure they carry the card).
On Foot moped even if an attendant They also often wait near hotels
Moroccan towns, and their is guarding it. and major historic buildings.
medinas in particular, are Specify which buildings and
typically very poorly sign posted By Carriage other features you wish to see,
for pedestrians. A street map and whether or not you wish to
is therefore useful. You can Horse-drawn carriages are found be taken into shops. The fees
also ask your way, in return for mainly in Marrakech. Hiring one are fixed by the government,
a few words of thanks in French costs more than a petit taxi, but but always agree the fee with
or, if the person takes you there, they can be a fun way of getting the guide beforehand.
a few dirhams. Town centres
are easy to explore on foot
and best appreciated at a
relaxed pace, especially if
you have time to enjoy the
maze of narrow streets. Cars,
mopeds and bicycles take little
heed of pedestrians, and you
should take special care when
crossing the street.
Streets in towns throughout
Morocco are very safe. There
are, of course, insalubrious
quarters, although these are
rarely frequented by tourists.
In tourist spots, an obvious
police presence together with A horse-drawn carriage, a popular form of transport in Marrakech

362-363_EW_Morocco.indd 363 09/08/16 11:21 am