Essaouira is one of the best places in Morocco for shopping but thanks to some the airlines’ exorbitant baggage fees, lots of visitors end up unable to buy the fantastic, locally made products they’d love - disappointing for them, and bad for business. Leave Your Wardrobe in Morocco offers you a great opportunity to free up some space in your bags, and do your bit for charity at the same time. The idea is this … when you pack to come to Morocco, bring along some clothes you don’t mind leaving behind. Then you can shop to your heart’s content in Essaouira, and when you pack for your return, hand over the stuff you no longer need to the manager of your apartment, saying that it is for Leave your Wardrobe in Morocco. Alternatively you can take them along to Mashi Mushki (see map) or Project 91 (opposite) where they are sold. ALL the profit goes to good local causes - see their website for details.
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Useful information ...
Language
The official language in Morocco is classical Arabic but the locals generally converse in a distinct dialect which is usually referred to as Moroccan Arabic or Darija. Many people, especially in rural areas, speak Berber, either as a first language or bilingually with the Arabic dialect. French is widely understood and is the usual language for communicating with foreigners. English, while still far behind French (and Spanish in the North) is rapidly becoming the European language of choice among the educated youth. If you want to learn some Moroccan Arabic we can recommend Lonely Planet’s Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook and Survival Phrases Arabic. You can download the latter’s first 10 lessons as a free podcast – great for listening to on the plane!
Money
Moroccan Dirhams (MAD, MDH or DH) are a restricted currency and are difficult to obtain outside the country. Although you are allowed to take up to 1000 DH in or out with you but it is not really worthwhile as you can easily obtain some when you arrive and at a better exchange rate. There are approximately 10 DH to the Euro. You will find facilities for changing money at Marrakech airport and at banks and ATMs in Essaouira. The ATMs will usually only allow you to take out 2000 DH per day and sometimes run out of money, especially at weekends. Some of the banks will change travellers cheques but they are a bit quirky and often change their policy about which travellers cheques they will and won’t accept so it is best to take more than one type (e.g. Sterling and Euros), plus plenty of cash to change Please note that very few shops or restaurants accept credit or debit cards, even if they have a sign saying that they do (and if they do, they usually charge commission).
Click here for exchange rates.
Opening hours
Opening hours are very variable. Banks are usually open from 08:30 - 11:30 and 14:30 - 16:30 Monday to Friday. Large shops tend to open between 09:00 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 19:00 Monday to Saturday. Small shops in the medina may not open until about 10:00 but often stay open until quite late.
Packing
Moroccan holidays
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New Year's day: 1 January Independence Manifesto: 11 January Labour Day: 1 May Feast of the Throne: 30 July Allegiance Day: 14 August Anniversary of the Revolution:20 August Young People's Day: 21 August Anniversary of the Green March: 6 November Independence Day: 18 November
Religious:
Note: dates may vary and premises (especially ones which sell alcohol) may be closed for several days either side of a holiday |
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Telephone
The international dialling code for Morocco is 212. All Moroccan phone numbers were changed in March 2009 – if you have an old (nine digit) one you need to add 5 after the 0 if it is a landline (so published numbers beginning with 0 24 become 05 24) or a 6 if it is mobile.
Time
During the winter, Morocco is on Central European Time (GMT). However, in recent years the authorities have been experimenting with putting the clocks forward an hour for a few months during the summer (usually May to the beginning of Ramadan then from the end of Ramadan to the end of September). This 'heure d'été' is not always consistent and even the airlines sometimes give out the wrong information so, if in doubt, it is best to check with someone on arrival.