How do I tell a real guide from a fake one?
The short answer
Official guides carry a large circular brass badge.
It's issued by the Ministry of Tourism — visible, hard to miss. Official guides have completed a government training programme and are licensed for specific cities. Anyone without the badge offering to "show you around" is freelance. They may know the medina well, but there's no accountability if the tour ends at a cousin's carpet shop. Locals who offer unsolicited directions often expect a tip — 10 to 20 dirhams is standard if you accept.