Should I pay people to show me the way?

Generally, no. If someone insists on walking you to your Riad, they will demand money at the end, often aggressively. A polite but firm 'La, shukran' (No, thank you) is your best tool.

Is it safe to walk at night?

The main thoroughfares are well-lit and busy, but the deep interior alleys become very dark and lonely after 10:00 PM. Stick to the main routes when walking back to your accommodation at night.

How to navigate the Marrakech medina without losing your way

Use the Maps.me app with offline maps downloaded before you enter the souks, and always identify a landmark near your Riad. When you inevitably lose your bearings, walk toward the sound of high traffic or ask a shopkeeper—not a person on the street—for directions.

Download offline maps. Google Maps often glitches in the narrow, high-walled alleys. Download Maps.me and grab the Morocco map pack while on hotel Wi-Fi. It handles the labyrinthine layout of the medina far better.
Pick a reliable landmark. Never rely on your Riad's exact address. Find the nearest large gate (Bab), mosque, or major square (like Jemaa el-Fnaa) and memorize the path from there. Mark this location with a pin on your map.
The shopkeeper rule. If you are lost, do not ask a random person loitering in the street; they may try to 'guide' you for a fee. Instead, step into a shop and ask the shopkeeper. They are stationary, reputable, and usually happy to point you in the right direction.
Watch for the street signs. Look up. Small street names are often painted on wooden plaques or tiles high up on the walls. If you see a street name you recognize from your pre-planned route, you are back on track.
Use 'The Follow' technique. If you need to get to the main square, keep walking against the flow of the busiest foot traffic. If you feel the crowd thinning and the alleys getting narrower and quieter, turn around—you are heading toward the residential fringes.

Should I pay people to show me the way?: Generally, no. If someone insists on walking you to your Riad, they will demand money at the end, often aggressively. A polite but firm 'La, shukran' (No, thank you) is your best tool.
Is it safe to walk at night?: The main thoroughfares are well-lit and busy, but the deep interior alleys become very dark and lonely after 10:00 PM. Stick to the main routes when walking back to your accommodation at night.