Marrakech’s Dark Side: Tourist Paradise Turns Hostile Haven

Travel journalists have established the top 4 most impolite destinations. Marrakech ranks second in the ranking. "Marrakech is a beautiful city with colorful markets and delicious cuisine. However, it is also one of the rudest places I have ever visited as a female traveler. Between the whistles and the unwanted attention, it was a really stressful (and sometimes frightening) place. In the very crowded tourist areas, the vendors and touts follow you, insist that you buy something and get angry if you refuse," says Sophie Law, deputy editor of the Content Hub in the columns of Express.

She adds: "Every interaction feels like a transaction, even when you’re just asking for directions. That said, in other places I’ve visited in Morocco, I’ve found the people to be warm, generous and genuinely friendly." The Moroccan city is preceded by the destination Germany. Paris takes third place. "Paris is incredibly romantic, especially at dusk, along the Seine, when the Eiffel Tower sparkles every moment. Yet it is often said that Parisians are rather impolite towards visitors; and, in my experience, it’s true," writes Chanelle Georgina, content editor.

She recounts: "Returning to my Airbnb after a busy day visiting the main tourist attractions, my phone inevitably ran out of battery; the problem was that the access code to the accommodation was stored on my phone. Back in England, I can walk into any pub or bar and politely ask to charge my phone; the staff will be happy to help. Yet in Paris, it was different. Not only did I have to pay for a drink to indicate the need to charge my phone, but the staff simply refused [...]. After pleading with the staff and having to explain my situation, the answer was always negative."

Naples, the Italian city, closes the podium.