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Morocco Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 13, 2023, morocco - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Morocco due to  terrorism .

Country Summary : Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Morocco. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Morocco.

If you decide to travel to Morocco:

• Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Morocco.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Morocco Travel Tips

• Africa / Fez / In the City / Marrakech / Morocco
• 33 Comments

Visiting Morocco? This is what you need to know before visiting.

More and more people are visiting Morocco every year. It’s a beautiful country, and as photographers and videographers, we had a field day.

On the flip side, there were also downsides to visiting especially as a woman. If you plan on going, we put together a few pointers to help you set realistic expectations and prepare for your trip.

Thank you Contiki for hosting our trip. See our full 15 day trip itinerary here . All opinions are always our own. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. Read our full disclosure  for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: March 16, 2023

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21 things you must know before visiting morocco, best places to stay in morocco, planning checklist, more resources, 1. dress appropriately.

Overall, guys can dress however they like, but women need to dress more conservatively. Although you see many tourists wearing whatever they want, we chose to cover up as much as possible to avoid unwanted attention.

Even if you’re traveling with a group of guys, you may still get harassed. Some of the girls in our group got groped on multiple occasions even though we were paired off with a male buddy.

It was mostly really old men, and it happened more often in crowded places. When visiting mosques, you need to cover down to your wrists and ankles.

For the ladies out there, keep a  shawl / scarf  handy (this one is reversible and great for traveling light)

See More: What to Pack for Morocco – 2 Weeks in a Carry On

2. Currency and Cost

More established shops will take credit cards, but most smaller markets, street vendors, and cabs will not. Be ready with the local currency.

The Moroccan Dirham (DEE-rahm) goes for roughly 10.4 Dirhams (DH) per 1 USD or 11.09 per 1 euro. We thought things would be cheaper in Morocco, but the prices were comparable to Europe because of how touristy the country has become.

Our guide recommended that each person exchange 100 euros daily, which was plenty for us.

3. ATMS Can be Hit or Miss

Exchange enough money when you get your chance. Ask the front desk at your hotel; they may have money to exchange.

The ATM quickly ran out when our entire group was trying to exchange money. Who knew ATMs can run out of money!

A few people from our group thought the ATM was giving an error and tried multiple times, but the ATM didn’t dispense any while still charging it from the bank for every attempt.

Also, traveler’s checks are pretty much useless in Morocco. It’s hard to find a place to cash them.

4. Keep Correct Change with You

Moroccan cab drivers rarely “have change” when you need it. At least, that’s what they tell you. To avoid overpaying, keep your coins.

Most of our cab rides within the city cost roughly 30 Dirhams. The dilemma with keeping change though is that you will not be able to exchange it back when leaving the country since they only want larger bills.

You want to keep correct change while you’re in the country, but you also want to spend it all before leaving.

5. Learn to Haggle

If you’re shopping in the markets or medinas, you will have to learn to haggle. I know some people have strong opinions about paying full price for the sake of “charity”, but selling is like their national sport and haggling is an integral part of their culture.

More likely than not, they will still get the better deal, but keep in mind if you are willing to spend the time, you can get items for at least 25-50% of the starting price.

Know what you’re willing to pay before you start the haggling process and walk out if you can’t get the price you want. They may call you back multiple times.

Also, you may want to bargain with your cab drivers before getting in. Most of our rides within the city cost 30 DH. If they demanded more, our guide told us to hand them the money and walk away.

Luckily, that didn’t happen to us because we always firmly set a price before the ride.

If you’re looking to buy a carpet or anything with a higher price tag, do your research before visiting Morocco. People get tricked into buying them as “an investment” to sell later. Don’t fall for their sales tactics and the local guide’s added pressure to buy.

Have some change ready for tips. A good general rule of thumb is 1 DH at a local place and 3-5 DH at nicer places.

7. Be Wary of Local Guides

You should absolutely hire a local guide to help you get an inside perspective on the country and navigate through the maze of the medinas (old towns). However, be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.

The local guides have built relationships with many different stores, and they are most likely getting a cut of the sales. Don’t be fooled when they say they are trying to help you haggle to get the best price, because they usually aren’t. We were able to get better prices without them. This happened in Fes.

See More: 21 Amazing Things to Do in Fes Morocco

8. Stay Away from Strangers Offering Free TOurs or Directions

Even if you don’t hire a local guide, you might find other locals offering you tours while you’re walking around the markets and medinas.

If you go with one of them you may end up completely lost and pressed to spend money. Most of the time they will ask for a tip afterward too.

This is the same with asking for directions. A lot of them will offer to walk you to where you’re going but then ask for a tip. If you’re so inclined, always keep money to pay them off, plan ahead and ask your hotel, or pull up some maps when you have WIFI.

Also, if you are  renting a car in Morocco  so that you can get around on your own, be sure to plan ahead rather than wait until you are there.

9. Fridays are Holy Days and Prepare for Holidays

Keep in mind that it is a Muslim country, so pay attention to their holidays otherwise you might be there when everything is closed.

Also, most shops and attractions will close on Friday since it’s their holy day.

A friend of mine went during Ramadan and told me it was very difficult to eat meals. We happened to arrive in Morocco on Eid al-Adha, where they were slaughtering and sacrificing animals on the street.

All shops we saw closed that day and most shops were closed the following day.

Plus it was a bloody mess, most of which we avoided. Below you can see what is usually a crowded marketplace is deserted.

10. Be Careful what Water You Use

To stay safe, drink bottled water and even use it to brush your teeth. Also, avoid using any ice when you’re out. The LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle is really useful when you’re in Morocco if you don’t want to buy a ton of bottled water. See all the top travel water bottles we tested on the road.

11. Pack Some Imodium

I don’t care how strong you think your stomach is, you should pack some  Imodium   just in case. This is always a good rule of thumb for all travel.

At least a third of our group wasn’t feeling well after the first meal in Morocco. I popped a couple of Imodium, and I was fine the next day. Others were not so fortunate.

See More: 21 Moroccan Foods You Must Try

12. Watch Your Pockets

Most Moroccans are friendly and honest, but you should always be careful with pickpockets in any major city, especially in crowded places like the markets. Pickpockets often target touristy areas.

13. What Language Do they Speak?

Moroccans speak a mixture of Arabic, Berber, English, and French. You’ll be fine with English in most of the larger cities, but you’ll probably need a translator in the rural parts of the country.

Here are a few basic Arabic words that came in handy:

• Hello  (Peace Be With You): Salam Alikome (salaam a eleikum)
• Thank You:  Choukran (shokran)
• No Thank You:  La Choukran (la shokran). This one is useful when you have a bunch of street vendors hassling you to buy something.
• Watch Out:  Balak. Although you won’t use this yourself, you’ll most likely hear this in the medinas or souks (outdoor markets). Locals will say balak if coming by with a mule, motorcycle, or cart to warn you to either get the side or get run over.

14. Visiting Mosques

If you’re hoping to see a Mosque while visiting Morocco, you might be out of luck unless you’re Muslim. Most mosques are off-limits to non-Muslims, with the exception of the massive Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. They are still beautiful to take photos from outside though!

If you’re looking for beautiful architecture,  Bahia Palace   is open to visitors.

See More: 21 Fascinating Things to Do in Marrakech Morocco

15. Alcohol, Drugs, and Parties?

Although most Moroccans are Muslims, yes, they still have all these. Hashish, an extract of the cannabis plant, is quite commonly offered to you in the streets. 

Contiki loves their parties, and we were told that only hotel bars had alcohol available for tourists, but we surprisingly found several bars and even nightclubs serving alcohol.

We decided we didn’t want to pay 300 DH (30 euros) to get into a club that already appeared like a sausage fest from the outside.

They also told us it’s pretty typical for prostitutes to hang out at nightclubs there too. There was a special DJ guest that night, but normally the club was supposed to cost around 150-200 DH.

16. Do I need a Visa or Vaccines?

Almost all English-speaking countries (except South Africa and Australia) do not require visas to enter the country. The CDC also doesn’t require any vaccines although many would recommend Hepatitis A and Typhoid shots. Find out more details from  CDC here  for the most updated information on vaccinations before visiting Morocco.

17. Have the RIght Converters

Don’t get stuck in Morocco without a way to charge all your electronics. We recommend picking up  one of these  so that you have options for wherever you travel and additional outlets in case there aren’t many in the hotel room.

Morocco uses the following: Voltage: 220 V, Frequency: 50 Hz, Power sockets: type C / E. If you have something that works in Europe, then it will be the same. If you’re traveling from the states,  the adapter  will help you get everything charged.

18. Ask Before Taking Photos (And You may have to Pay)

When you’re walking through the markets, be careful when taking photos of people and shops. Unless you are purchasing something, they may get angry at you and even demand money for the photos.

When we took photos of the snake charmers, we paid 20 DH. Some may even hassle you for more, so again, it’s good to first establish a price before taking a photo.

19. Bring TOilet Paper with you Everywhere

Don’t expect bathrooms to have toilet paper. Be prepared with your own and also have some hand sanitizer available. A lot of public restrooms have a small fee as well so if you see an attendant be sure to ask the price before using the bathroom.

Though they’re not flushable, I like to bring my  wet wipes  on all my trips to wipe my hands when I don’t have easy access to bathrooms.

20. Souvenirs to Bring Home

Fez is known for leather and carpets, while Marrakech is known for fragrances, oils, and spices (like saffron). If you’re buying saffron, make sure you’re buying the real thing. Many places sell artificial saffron for dirt cheap or mix the real with the fake stuff. No one wants saffron cut with other spices.

You can ask them to do a demonstration in water. If it colors the water yellow, it’s real, if it turns reddish, it’s the dye coming out from the artificial saffron.

You can also smell the difference (should smell more herbal), or ask for a couple of strands to put in your mouth and spit it onto a tissue to see what color it produces.

21. It’s a cat Lover’s Heaven… and Hell

There are homeless cats everywhere in Morocco. They are super cute and made us smile every time we saw them but also really sad every time we had to walk away and leave them.

It seemed that the people of Morocco took care of them in their own way. We saw them feeding them scraps of food in the markets. If you’re highly allergic to cats, don’t forget to bring some allergy meds with you.

Final Thoughts as a Woman Visiting Morocco

There were many times on our trip that I genuinely wished I was a man visiting Morocco. While others simply got annoyed (full disclosure), I was much more sensitive since I still have residual resentment from some sexual traumas when I was younger that I am working out.

It’s a work in progress, making the trip incredibly challenging personally. For the most part, we had the best-case scenario of traveling with a local guide and Contiki. Those incidences happened within the few hours of free time that we wandered off alone.

Overall, Morocco is beautiful, and we’re happy to have experienced the country.

Instead of scaring you from visiting, we hope it educates you and helps you go in with the right mindset and expectations. As long as you’re entirely aware of your surroundings and know what to expect, you can have a wonderful experience.

• Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
• Find a great deal on Morocco hotels .
• Arrange a rental car for your trip.
• Book a tour for your visit.
• Get airport lounge access .
• Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
• Get a new backpack for your trip.
• Buy a Morocco travel guide .
• Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
• Don’t forget your in-flight essentials .
• Lonely Planet Morocco  – they always have great photos and information.
• Moon Morocco  – also very photo heavy.
• Morocco National Geographic Adventure Map
• Pocket Arabic Dictionary

Is Morocco one of the top places you want to visit? Why or why not? Can you think of any other tips for visiting Morocco?

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More travel information for Morocco

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Morocco

• Culture and Etiquette in Morocco
• Eating and drinking in Morocco
• How to get to Morocco
• How to get around in Morocco
• Shopping tips for Morocco
• Travelling with children in Morocco
• Best time to visit Morocco
• How to get a Morocco Visa

Moroccan culture is a vibrant mix of Arab, Berber, and African influences, reflected in its cuisine, music, and traditions. Millions travel each year to Morocco’s cities, such as Marrakech, Fez, and Rabat, to experience the ancient medinas, palaces, and mosques that showcase their historical significance. Here’s our round-up of Morocco travel advice, to ensure you have a great trip.

Travel advice and tips for visiting Morocco

Is morocco safe, how to get around morocco, is morocco expensive, how many days do you need in morocco, do you need a visa, travelling to morocco with kids, what to wear in morocco, what to eat while in morocco.

From safety concerns to budgeting and choosing the best time to visit, there are several aspects to keep in mind when creating your itinerary. This guide is a combination of Morocco travel tips from our travel experts to answer your questions about this North African country. We’ll cover what to eat, what to wear, how to get around, and other travel advice.  

Waves on Imsouan Beach, Morocco © Shutterstock

Morocco is generally considered safe, but it's essential to keep your belongings secure. While Morocco doesn't have a high crime rate, it's wise to avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuables, especially in cities like Casablanca and Tangier, and to a lesser extent Fez and Marrakesh. 

Mugging incidents are rare; theft typically occurs through stealth or scams. Remain vigilant at transport hubs and in crowded areas where pickpockets may target tourists. Credit card fraud is also relatively common, so be cautious when using your card and keep an eye on ATMs.

To minimise the risk of scams, stick to official guides identifiable by their large brass "sheriff's badge." Unofficial guides may be genuine, but it's harder to verify their credentials.

Morocco follows Islamic laws and customs, so it's important to respect local traditions, laws, and religions. Be mindful of your actions, especially during Ramadan or when visiting religious sites, to avoid causing offense.

For more information, see the UK Government’s  foreign travel advice page , or the US Department of State’s  travel advisory .

Morocco for women travellers

For women travellers, experiencing Morocco can be incredibly rewarding, but it's important to be aware of certain considerations. Solo female travellers may encounter more challenges and potential dangers, particularly in cities like Fez and Casablanca, where street harassment is unfortunately very common. However, destinations like Chefchaouen and Marrakech tend to offer slightly better experiences.

For those less experienced with solo travel, planning a group trip might be preferable to enhance safety and ease of navigation.

While it's not mandatory for non-Muslim women to wear a headscarf in Morocco, it may be appreciated, especially when visiting religious sites. Carrying a lightweight scarf that can be draped over your head when needed is a practical and respectful option.

Morocco for LGBTQ+ travellers

For LGBTQ+ travellers, visiting Morocco can present both opportunities and challenges. Morocco continues to attract LGBTQ+ visitors, however, it's essential to be aware of the legal and societal realities.

Morocco lacks official "gay hot spots" or LGBTQ+ celebrations due to the illegality of homosexuality. Hate speech from public figures and religious leaders adds to the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Nevertheless, there are some LGBT-friendly establishments in urban areas like Marrakech and Casablanca, where a relatively more tolerant atmosphere can be found compared to rural regions.

Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals may encounter even greater discrimination in Morocco. While there are no specific laws targeting transgender people, societal attitudes towards gender identity can be conservative, leading to potential discrimination, harassment, or violence.

Despite these challenges, LGBTQ+ travellers can still enjoy a great trip to Morocco. It's important to be mindful of local laws and customs and to take appropriate precautions for personal safety.

Natural stone arches reaching over the sea, Morocco © Shutterstock

For most travellers getting to Morocco means flying into one of its international airports. Mohammed V International Airport, located near Casablanca, is the busiest airport in Morocco, welcoming flights from major cities worldwide. Meanwhile, Menara Airport in Marrakesh offers convenient access to the southern part of the country. 

Prices are at their highest during the summer months of June and August, as well as around Christmas and the New Year. 

How to get to Morocco from the UK & Ireland

If you're coming from the UK or Ireland, direct flights are readily available from major airports such as London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Dublin. Airlines like British Airways, Royal Air Maroc, and Ryanair offer frequent services to Casablanca and Marrakesh. Keep an eye out for budget-friendly deals, especially if you're flexible with your travel dates.

Alternatively, if you're interested in a more leisurely journey, you could fly into mainland Europe, particularly France, Spain, or Gibraltar. From here, you can take a cruise ship for a scenic voyage across the Mediterranean Sea. 

How to get to Morocco from the US & Canada

Many major airlines operate direct flights to Morocco from hubs like New York City, Los Angeles, and Toronto. Keep in mind that these flights can be lengthy, with durations averaging between 7 to 10 hours depending on your departure city.

If you're looking to save some cash, consider booking a flight with a layover in a European city like London, Paris, or Amsterdam. This might add some extra travel time, but it can often result in significant savings on airfare.

Traditional Moroccan mint tea with sweets © Shutterstock

Once in Morocco, getting around on public transport is generally easy. The country's railway system efficiently connects major cities such as Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fez. For a more budget-friendly mode of transportation, buses traverse both popular tourist destinations and off-the-beaten-path locales.

Renting a car gives you the ultimate freedom to explore Morocco on your own terms. Whether you're chasing sunsets along the coast or winding your way through the Atlas Mountains, having your own wheels unlocks a lot of the country that would otherwise be missed.

That said, if truly you're keen to dive deep into Moroccan culture, consider hiring a local guide.

See our in depth guide to getting around Morroco.

In general, expenses in Morocco for food, lodging, and transportation are relatively low compared to Europe and North America. Exploring medinas, visiting historical sites, or trekking through the Atlas Mountains won't break the bank. However, keep in mind that certain activities, such as desert tours or camel rides, may come with a higher price tag.

Accommodations in Morocco cater to a range of budgets, from budget hostels to luxury hotels and riads. Prices can vary depending on location. In remote areas, where goods must be transported from afar, expect higher prices for necessities.

When it comes to dining, you can find inexpensive meals at local eateries for around £6 ($7 USD), while fine dining experiences may cost up to £70 ($88 USD).

Costs per day

If you stay in the cheaper hotels (or camp out), eat local food, and share expenses and rooms with another person, £250 (or $300 USD) each a week would be the bare minimum to survive on. Spending £350 (or $450 USD) per person per week is more realistic. This budget allows for a more comfortable lifestyle, where you can enjoy a few more luxuries without worrying too much about expenses.

If comfort is your priority and you're willing to splurge a bit, aiming for a budget of £1200–1600 (or $1500–2000 USD) per week per person should provide a cushy experience with ample room for indulgence.

Keep in mind additional expenses for souvenirs, such as rugs, carpets, and handicrafts. Also, be prepared to encounter poverty during your travels. While you can't solve systemic issues, small acts of generosity, like tipping, can make a meaningful difference to those in need.

Grande Mosquée Hassan II, Casablanca © Shutterstock

For pleasant weather, aim for spring (March to May) or fall (September to November). During these seasons, temperatures are mild, and there's less rainfall compared to other times of the year.

If you're heading to coastal areas like Casablanca or Essaouira, summer (June to August) is popular, but be prepared for hot temperatures. Inland regions like Marrakech and the Sahara Desert can be scorching during summer.

Winter (December to February) brings cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and a taste of Moroccan culture without the intense heat.

For a more in-depth look, see our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.

To get a good feel for Morocco, you’ll want atleast a seven-day trip. This timeframe allows you to hit the highlights like Marrakech, Fez, and even squeeze in a day trip to the Sahara Desert.

Stretch it to ten days, and you’re likely to enjoy a more relaxed pace during your trip. This allows you to stroll the souks without rushing. Maybe even a day spent by the coast in Essaouira.

But if you want to truly dive deep into Morocco, you’ll want to aim for a full two weeks. With fourteen days, you can take it slow, explore off-the-beaten-path gems like Chefchaouen, trek the Atlas Mountains, and really see Morocco. You’ll have plenty of time for activities,to explore historical sites like the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, or embark on a camel trek into the Sahara for a night under the stars.

For inspiration, see our Morocco itineraries. 

Rose festival in Kelaa Mgouna © gary jim/Shutterstock

If you hold a full passport from the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or any EU country, you don’t need a visa to enter Morocco as a tourist for up to ninety days. However, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry, and always double-check your visa requirements before departure as the situation can change. South African citizens are among those who need a visa; applications should be made to the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your country of residence.

Travelling with small children in Morocco can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Moroccan culture tends to revolve around families, and locals often extend warm hospitality to children.

However, as a parent, you may encounter a few challenges along the way. For instance, it's important to note that amenities like baby changing rooms may not be readily available in airports, hotels, or restaurants. Being prepared with your own supplies can be helpful.

Additionally, the cultural experience in Morocco may differ significantly from what your children are accustomed to. It's wise to introduce them to the idea of embracing new sights, sounds, and customs beforehand to prevent any potential overwhelm.

When it comes to transportation, keep in mind that children small enough to share your seat on buses and grands taxis typically travel for free, while older kids may need to pay the full adult fare. On trains, there are often discounts available for children under a certain age.

Seeking out family-friendly accommodations can enhance your trip experience. Many hotels and riads offer spacious rooms, and amenities such as swimming pools, making it easier for families to enjoy their stay comfortably.

Tangia, mutton dish Marrakechia, Morocco © keeshaskitchen.com/Shutterstock

In conservative areas or when visiting religious sites like mosques or medinas, it's essential to dress modestly. For both men and women, covering your shoulders and knees is a good rule of thumb.

Opt for loose-fitting clothing that provides coverage without sacrificing comfort. Flowy maxi dresses, loose pants, and long-sleeved tops are perfect choices for keeping cool in the heat.

While swimwear is acceptable at beaches and resorts, it's polite to cover up when walking to and from these areas. Bring along a cover-up or sarong to throw on over your swimsuit when you're not by the water.

Morocco's streets can be uneven and dusty, so make sure you have comfortable footwear. 

Keep in mind that cultural norms regarding modesty can vary between urban and rural areas, as well as among different communities within Morocco. 

Moroccan food is known for its combination of sweet and savoury flavours. You’ll want to start your day with a traditional Moroccan breakfast of msemen, a flaky, square-shaped pastry. It’s often eaten with honey or jam, and accompanied by a cup of mint tea.

For lunch, try an authentic Moroccan couscous, a staple dish made from steamed semolina grains served with succulent meat or vegetables. Or try bastilla, a savoury-sweet pie filled with layers of flaky pastry, and spiced meat, and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar and cinnamon.

For dinner, don’t miss the chance to experience a Moroccan mezze spread, including Moroccan baba ganoush and tangy preserved lemons.

Another important thing to try while in Morocco is the local baklava or sfenj.

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Home » Africa » Morocco » 30 Tips to Know Before Traveling to Morocco

30 Tips to Know Before Traveling to Morocco

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: April 2, 2020

We were first drawn to visit Morocco by the photos. How could we not be? The bright blue doors of Chefchaouen, the ochre waves of desert sand, the multi-colored medinas—there are so many spectacular things to see in Morocco. We discovered that it was all of that and much more. Morocco travel is indeed alluring and thought-provoking, but it’s not without its challenges.

If much of your travel experience has been in the US or Europe, some things about North Africa may come as a surprise. From the multiple languages spoken to the traditions of a Muslim-dominant country, traveling to Morocco is different from traveling to England or Italy . And with every travel experience, setting expectations and being informed are important parts of having a great time.

Tips to Know Before Traveling to Morocco

These are just a few of the Morocco travel tips we learned from our trip.

Morocco is huge

Morocco is enormous. Wrapping around the northwestern coastline of Africa, it touches the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic and includes a huge swath of the Western Sahara Desert. Long and thin like many of the Scandinavian countries, Morocco is actually bigger than Norway . Only nine miles of ocean separate Morocco from Spain, which is how we visited Morocco the first time on a day trip to Tangier .

All this means that Morocco has soaring desert sand dunes, oases, a long coastline with magnificent beaches, thriving cities, and more.

Many things in Morocco are definitely not close together, especially with the Altas Mountains running through the heart of the country. Don’t expect to be doing a day trip from Marrakech to Chefchaouen. Of course, your itinerary will dictate the distances you cover, and Morocco may not feel large at all. We had short trips like Casablanca to Rabat and really long trips like our seven-hour drive from Fez to Merzouga. Luckily, there’s lots to see everywhere in Morocco.

See how much ground we covered in our detailed two-week Morocco itinerary

Mosques are off-limits unless you’re Muslim

Mosques around the world are often highly decorated with gorgeous scrollwork, mosaics, and beautiful carpets. From Albania to Turkey and beyond, we have been to a handful of Muslim-dominant countries and always marveled at the mosques we visited. Often, they required special coverings and removing your shoes was always mandatory, but we were allowed in, even as non-Muslims. That’s not the case in Morocco, with one exception.

The only mosque tourists can visit on a trip to Morocco is Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the 5th largest mosque in the world. Built in 1993 on land that used to be part of the ocean, the mosque is grand and open to non-Muslims for guided tours every day. While Hassan II is huge, its decorations are minimal compared to other famous mosques. If you’ve never visited a mosque before or find yourself with free time in Casablanca, it is worth a visit.

No vaccines or visas are required to travel to Morocco

For Americans, the requirements for traveling to Morocco are easy. No visas are needed, and no vaccines are specifically required. The CDC does recommend Hepatitis A and Typhoid shots, but they’re not a must. We’re a little fanatical about getting what’s best for us, and luckily we were covered from a previous trip to Africa.

Morocco is gorgeous

The landscape of Morocco has so many different natural features. There are miles of beaches and mountains that rise up over 13,000 feet high. There are dramatic desert sand dunes and palm tree-filled oases. The variety is astounding.

The cities of Morocco are a cacophony of colors, smells, and sounds. Artisans crafts shoes in the colors of the rainbow, food stands cook up the local specialty, and hawkers hawk…well, just about anything.

It all blends together to make Morocco one stunning place.

Morocco makes wine

As a Muslim-dominated country, alcohol is somewhat scarce throughout Morocco. It is found in riads and some restaurants, but you generally won’t find alcohol in stores unless you’re going to the French supermarket Carrefour. Outside of larger cities, you can pretty much forget it.

That’s why we were stunned to learn that Morocco actually makes wine. If you think about the geography—not terribly far from the European wine powerhouses of Greece , Spain, and Italy—it makes a lot of sense. Culturally, however, it is unexpected.

There are a couple of wineries in Morocco producing red, white, and rose wines, and they’re very good. We enjoyed the Cuvee du President brand and the Sauvignon from Les Celliers de Meknès in restaurants and in one small wine store seemingly in the middle of nowhere (there are big benefits to having a Moroccan guide). Wine in Morocco—who knew?!

Bread is king

Bread is a staple in Morocco. It’s at every meal, covered in argan paste, used to mop up sauce from tanjia, or even used as a replacement for cutlery.

In Morocco, families often bring their dough to neighborhood bakeries to be baked during the day and picked up before dinner time. There’s a constant stream of loaves going in and coming out of the large ovens.

You’ll also see vendors rolling their carts full of hot loaves through the streets. Don’t be afraid to stop one of them for an inexpensive snack.

Fridays are holy days

Muslims observe holy days on Fridays, which means that almost everyone goes to the mosques to pray. As a result, business hours may vary from other days of the week, especially in the afternoons. Souks will certainly be quieter and many businesses will be closed.

In the evenings, however, things can get quite busy—especially in places like Jemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech —after prayers are over.

Many main tourist attractions remain open on Friday, but it is worth planning ahead if you have a must-see sight or experience on your Morocco itinerary.

You won’t be alone in the desert

Before traveling to Morocco, I read lots of flowery accounts of people saying that visiting the desert in Merzouga was one of the best things they’d ever done—a once-in-a-lifetime highlight. My expectations were set very high for a magical experience.

What happened was a little more down-to-earth. Don’t get me wrong—we had a great time. The sand dunes were spectacular, and our desert camp was luxurious and exactly what we’d hope for.

But what we didn’t properly anticipate was that our camel ride out to our desert camp would come with dozens–if not hundreds–of other people. As we plodded our way out into the desert (just a couple of miles), there were numerous other caravans alongside us. As we waited at the top of the dunes for sunset, other visitors popped up in our photos and laughed and played music nearby. I was annoyed.

While getting to camp wasn’t the serene experience we’d anticipated, being in camp was amazing. And getting up for sunrise—which is totally NOT the norm for us—couldn’t have been better. Watching the sun cast its first rays on the ruddy dunes as we walked silently through the sand was marvelous.

We had a wonderful experience but wished we had set our expectations appropriately.

Moroccans’ language skills are extraordinary

There are two official languages in Morocco—Arabic and Berber. They’re both spoken widely, though you will probably hear more Arabic in the cities. Although French is not an official language, it seems to be everywhere, in spoken and written communication. You’ll find many people speak at least two of the three languages.

Some Moroccans even switch easily between Berber, Arabic, French, Spanish, and English. It’s mind-blowing.

Since most western tourists aren’t likely to have a good command of Berber or Arabic, knowing just a little bit of French can take you very far. English is spoken in many of the more touristy spots, but a knowledge of even a few phrases of French could be helpful.

On our trip, we encountered many restaurants that did not have English menus, and the proprietors of our riad in Marrakech didn’t speak English. The little bit of college French I remember a decade later—supplemented with some help from Google translate—was essential when ordering at restaurants and asking for simple things like a hair dryer at our riad. Our travel advice for Morocco? A basic phrase book and memorizing a handful of basic words are good ideas.

Expect to see storks

Stray cats, donkeys, and even monkeys are expected in different places in Morocco. But one animal that completely surprised us were the storks.

Considered holy animals in Morocco, storks are often found nesting in the tops of minarets and other buildings. We saw them first in the ancient site of Chellah in Rabat, but they’re fairly common in Marrakech, too.

If you see one of the huge birds building a nest or hanging around, steer clear—disturbing a stork comes with a three-month jail sentence in Morocco.

Taking photos can be a no go

Be careful about what photos you take when visiting Morocco. Some people—especially women—will not want their photo taken at all and will shield their faces. Others will expect some baksheesh (a tip).

The same can be said at shops. Don’t expect that everyone will be OK with you taking photos of their stands or shops, even in the souks. It’s always a good idea to ask before taking pictures of a person or their merchandise. And if they want some coins, establish the price before you take the photo.

It’s also worth noting that photographing many of the royal palaces, guards, and police is off-limits. It can be very tempting for photographers because of the colors of the flags flown and the variety of uniforms, but make sure you know what’s legal. When in doubt, address one of the guards, point to your camera, and wait for an affirmative response. Being cautious is always better than getting in trouble.

Each city has a specialty

Many people visit Morocco with the intention of shopping because of the unique hand-crafted products. While it’s true that most things are available in most places, each city has something it’s particularly known for.

For instance, you only have to look at the famous tanneries of Fez and Marrakech to imagine that they have high-quality leather goods. Find a shop that only sells leather or that is an actual leather workshop for the best items (and usually the best prices).

When it comes to pottery, the city of Safi on the Atlantic coast is the top place to shop. If Safi is not on your itinerary, Fez is a great option. We visited a factory there where we watched the ceramics and mosaics coming to life in front of us—truly impressive!

If you’re after argan products, be selective in your purchasing. This golden oil can be replaced by olive oil or other less expensive oils that don’t hold the same benefits as argan. Head to a pharmacy in one of the big cities. Better yet, stop at the women’s collective just outside of Essouira where you can watch the product being made to know what you’re getting is authentic. We came home with some delicious argan paste (tastes like out-of-this-world peanut butter) and cosmetic argan oil.

Whatever you’re in the market for, do a little research ahead of time so you can be prepared to get the best souvenir to remember your trip.

Immodium may come in handy

Most tap water in Morocco is generally safe to drink, especially in Marrakech. Food standards at restaurants and street food stands are also high, although we were warned against the carnival of food that is Jemaa el-Fnaa (Marrakech’s main square) at night because meat can sit out for a long time in warm temperatures.

Still, we usually stick to bottled water out of an abundance of caution. And, after a few incidents in Peru and Egypt, we’re always prepared with Immodium just in case. Vacation is a bad time to find out you’re more sensitive to certain foods (and microbes) than you thought.

Not everywhere has mint tea

Mint tea isn’t just a drink in Morocco. It’s a welcome, a ritual, and a sign of hospitality. In a country where alcohol isn’t widely consumed, the bright—and usually very sweet—beverage is as prevalent as wine in France or beer in the US.

But typical mint tea isn’t the only kind you’ll find in Morocco. When we were served plain green tea in our guest house near the desert, we learned that mint tea is less common in some areas, especially among Berbers. You may find plain tea (sweetened or unsweetened) or Berber tea, which often has a mix of herbs like thyme, geranium, sage, lemon verbena, or wormwood that vary depending on the time of year.

Chefchaouen really is that blue

Photos of brilliant blue Chefchaouen were one of the reasons we became interested in visiting Morocco. When we finally planned our trip to Morocco, I didn’t care one bit that Chefchaouen wasn’t the easiest place to get to, I was determined that it would be on our itinerary. I also thought that maybe there was a chance it wasn’t really that blue all the time. It is.

The stories vary about why Chefchaouen is blue, but it’s 100% true that most of this lovely town is painted in hues of royal, aqua, or baby blue throughout the year. It’s completely mesmerizing (maybe partially because our favorite color is blue). The best part of visiting Chefchaouen is getting lost in the medina and traversing the lanes up and down the hills while watching the colors change in front of you.

Unwanted attention is basically a sure thing

I hope it’s obvious by now just how lovely Morocco is. Most people also want to know if it’s safe to travel to Morocco and if women traveling in Morocco should be comfortable. The answer to both those questions is “yes,” but there are some caveats. A big one is that female travelers are likely to receive a lot of unwanted attention.

When we visited Egypt several years ago, my sister and I got yelled at in markets and followed through squares, and someone even offered to buy her. After that, I felt prepared for anything Morocco might bring.

While I certainly got catcalled in Fez and Marrakech, it wasn’t significantly worse than what I’ve experienced in any big city in the US. Being catcalled in Morocco is inevitable regardless of what you’re wearing or who you’re with, so do your best keep your head down, ignore it, and keep walking. And, above all, don’t let it ruin your trip.

Dressing modestly is a good idea

Everyone has a different idea of what “appropriate dress” is. When we travel, we try to respect local customs, so we dress and behave accordingly.

The truth is, you can wear whatever you want in Morocco. Wearing tank tops and short shorts isn’t a crime, but it’s likely to draw a lot of attention you definitely don’t want, and you’ll probably feel more uncomfortable in the end. Your best bet for feeling comfortable is dressing modestly, covering shoulders, legs, and cleavage.

The juice is unbelievable

Fruit is unbelievably cheap throughout Morocco. Don’t hesitate to indulge in the fruit juice stands whenever they’re available. We found them most often in Chefchaouen and Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech, but I’m sure they can be found elsewhere.

For less than $1USD, stands will juice just about any fruit you can think of right in front of you. And, my goodness, is it delicious. It’s even cheaper if you stand there to drink it than if you take away.

For the sake of comparison, we paid $1 in Chefchaouen for the same portion of fresh-squeezed orange juice that we paid nearly $5 for in southern Spain. It was so good that we had two glasses in one day. Heaven!

Traditional Moroccan food is fabulous

Food in Morocco is plentiful and super affordable. In many places, you can get delicious main dishes for about $8USD, and the portions are large enough to feed a small army. Once you add in bread and a starter to share, you’ll be looking to take the long way back to your riad to walk off a little of dinner.

Dishes vary across restaurants and cities, but there are four dishes you’ll find in most places—tagine, kefta, pastilla, and couscous.

Tagine is both the clay pot cooking vessel and the name of the dish that includes a variety of different vegetables and usually lamb, chicken, or beef. Kefta is seasoned ground beef meatballs (sometimes served on skewers). One of the best meals we had in Morocco was kefta at a roadside stop. SO good.

Pastilla is a Moroccan pie with a flaky crust that can be filled with fish, chicken, or squab (occasionally awkwardly translated as “dove”). It also has a layer of ground almonds, cinnamon, and sugar. Couscous—cooked semolina with vegetables and other accompaniments—is a regular on Moroccan tables, and particularly on Fridays to celebrate the holy day.

You’re going to get lost

The bigger medinas in Morocco have hundreds of shops, workshops, and food stands not to mention thousands of residents and visitors going about their daily lives. To say there is a lot of activity is an understatement.

At the same time, the alleys and streets twist and turn leading to squares, dead ends, and whole new sections of the medina you didn’t know existed. Even smaller medinas have an organization that is likely to confuse most visitors. Did I mention that many of the alleys are also quite dark?

The reality of visiting medinas and souks in Morocco is that you will probably get lost. It’s basically proof that you’ve had a real Morocco experience. It can be quite fun, but it can also be a little bit scary if you’re out at night. One of our top Morocco travel tips is to always carry a card with your hotel or riad’s address in case you need help finding your way back. Assume that a tip will be expected.

Having cellular or wifi access is really helpful

Having cellular or wifi access requires planning for people traveling to Morocco from abroad, but it’s a helpful thing to have. While many people like to disconnect on vacation, a smartphone is a valuable tool in a country where you may not always speak the language, or where you need directions or other information.

Cell coverage is generally good other than in the most remote areas, and 4G is available in most cities and many towns. But how do you access it?

The two best solutions for online access when you visit Morocco are to travel with an unlocked phone or to rent a wifi hotspot. If your phone is unlocked, buying a local SIM card can keep you connected very cheaply. If that’s not an option for you, consider a wifi hotspot. A hotspot will keep you connected when out and about and will come in handy if your riad or hotel has weak wifi, which we experienced several times. We wrote in more depth about our experience using a wifi hotspot in Morocco here .

You won’t find toilet paper everywhere

It’s easy to take for granted that restrooms will have toilet paper, but that’s simply not the case everywhere in the world. The best plan is to have a stash of your own with you at all times.

Americans are generally not used to paying to use the toilet—much less not having toilet paper—although that’s common in many places in the world. In Morocco, you often get lucky and find someone manning the restrooms. Usually a few dirham will get you a relatively clean restroom and a few pieces of paper. But sometimes you encounter a place without any. That’s when you’ll be glad you’re prepared.

Bargaining is part of the culture

Haggling is practically a national sport in Morocco, so be ready if you’re planning to head home loaded down with souvenirs. It can be a little uncomfortable, but if you look at it as a game instead, haggling can actually be fun.

Here’s the thing: prices at souks in Morocco are dramatically marked up. The shopkeepers expect haggling. And since no one wants to feel like they paid four times too much for an item, it’s a good idea to get comfortable with the fact that there’s going to be a good deal of back-and-forth before you walk away with your purchase.

Most Morocco travel guides advise starting your bargaining at 1/3 of the price you’re quoted, So, if you’re quoted 1000 dirham, offer 300 in return. Most of the time, you should reach an agreement at about 50-60% of the original price. Never seem too interested, and be prepared to walk away.

There are goats! In trees!

It’s hard not to be a sucker for goats. I mean, they’re adorable. And there’s a place in western Morocco between Marrakech and Essouira where you’re likely to see them in trees.

In the past, farmers coaxed the goats into the argan trees to gnaw on the tough seeds that hang from the branches. The goats ate and— shall we say, “processed”—the seeds, making it easier for farmers to extract the valuable contents inside the seeds.

Nowadays, there’s machinery to process the argan in an easier way, so the goats-in-trees thing is done for tourists who are suckers for these cuties. Although it’s not as authentic as it once was, there’s no question that it makes for an amazing photo. And, if you’re lucky, you might just get to hold a kid.

There are awesome Roman ruins

The influence of ancient Rome stretched far and wide, all the way to Morocco and beyond. Few visitors to Morocco make it to the country’s Roman ruins because of their locations, but these 2000-year-old sites are worth a detour. On this trip, we made it to two of the three sites–Chellah in Rabat and Volubilis, about two hours away.

Volubilis , located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, was at the western edge of the Roman Empire. The footprints of its buildings, its triumphant arch, and the intricate mosaics tell the tales of its wealth even 2000 years later. All this thanks to money made from olive oil.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is dominated by the remains of buildings around the forum, with arches of the basilica in front of pillars of the Temple of Jupiter. Nearby, the Arch of Caracalla is visually striking in its size and completeness. The city that was once home to 20,000 residents now seems to be in the middle of nowhere, but its large number of beautifully-restored mosaics testifies to its importance.

Scammers abound

Marrakech is known as “scam city.” In the tourist areas, there are lots of people just waiting to hassle you a little bit in hopes of separating you from your money.

There are lots of “nice guys” trying to be your friend and offering to assist you in some unwanted way. They’ll ask what language you speak or where you’re from, maybe compliment you, and then offer you a tour, to show you where to buy the best rugs, or something else you’re not in the market for. Then, there are the people who come up and immediately put an animal on your back or in your hands.

This practice not limited to men, though. When we looked a bit confused walking back to our riad at night, two different boys gave us wrong directions we didn’t ask for. Once, a woman came up to me and grabbed my hand to start doing henna, unprompted. I don’t respond well to being grabbed by strangers.

Our best Morocco travel safety tip: don’t let your desire to be polite guide you into interacting with any of these kinds of scams. Use common sense and a definitive “no” (“la” in Arabic) and keep on walking.

Tanneries look—but do not smell—beautiful

Photos of the tanneries were one of the first things that intrigued me about visiting Morocco. The circles filled with dozens of colors and the people wandering among them make for an amazing mosaic when seen from above. Not to mention that the dyers are doing something most people have never seen before in a manner that hasn’t changed much since medieval times.

The thing that may not initially be obvious about the tanneries, though, it that some of those vats hold urine, water mixed with pigeon poo, and other unsavory solutions in order to prepare the hides. In the sweltering cities of Fez and Marrakech where you’ll find the tanneries, the vats and hides get hot. And they stink.

The tannery viewing experience will come with a sprig of mint to dull the tannery scent. We even saw some people who had shoved the mint up their noses. Our best Morocco travel tip: visit Morocco outside of the summer, if you can. During our visit in April, the scent was totally bearable.

It’s not always hot in Morocco

Lots of areas in Morocco get very warm during the day. In the spring and summer, temperatures in Marrakech range from 80-100 degrees. It’s even warmer in the desert, though it cools down substantially at night. Just three hours from Marrakech on the coast, Essouira is often 30 degrees cooler and windy. Before your visit, check the weather, and always pack a jacket just in case.

Having cash is necessary

One of the first things you do on your trip to Morocco should be to get cash. Morocco has a closed currency, which means it’s generally not available outside the country, but you’ll need plenty of it. Your first opportunity will likely be in the airport when you arrive.

Few places other than more expensive restaurants and supermarkets take credit or debit cards. You’ll need cash for most meals, buying most items in the souk (outside of a high-cost rug or leather good), taxis, and tipping. Finding an ATM in larger cities is relatively easy, but planning ahead is always a good idea.

Hectic Marrakech has a garden oasis

In the middle of Marrakech is a sprawling garden complex that feels a world away from the activity of the city. Jardin Majorelle is home to hundreds of varieties of plants plus fountains, ponds, and other peaceful additions.

The brilliant garden was built by French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle over 40 years beginning in 1923 and was revived in the 1980s after being purchased by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Jardin Majorelle is now the top attraction in all of Morocco.

Visitors can walk among plants from five continents, lose themselves in the splashing fountains, and gaze at the art deco bright blue (known as Marjorelle blue) buildings. During our visit, Saint Laurent’s private garden was also open to visitors, which is a rare occurrence.

It is worth noting that the line to get into Jardin Majorelle can be long. Plan ahead and leave plenty of time for your visit. It’s worth it.

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

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Wednesday 2nd of March 2022

We are going to Morrocco very soon and have never been there. Unfortunately we have limited time.....only 2-1/2 days at the end of a European trip. Right now, we are staying in Casablanca for the 2-1/2 days, but could cut one of the days out for a day trip to Marrakech. What would you advise?

Laura Longwell

I think you would be very disappointed to spend that amount of time in Casablanca. It's the business center and has minimal attractions compared to other cities. I would definitely recommend going to Marrakesh.

Monday 5th of July 2021

Thank you for your detailed information and recommendations. We are going to Morocco in a few days and I appreciate all of your advice.

That's great! I hope you have a fantastic time.

Friday 16th of August 2019

Came across your site! Thank you for the great insight! Did you arrange your private transportation offshore or once you arrived in Morocco? Did you use any specific service.

Thursday 30th of May 2019

the goats on the trees are really unbelievable!!!!

Wednesday 19th of September 2018

Great list! I visited Morocco two years ago and it was quite an experience. It's so different to anywhere else I have been. You're very right that visitors to Marrakesh should be wary of scammers, we were a little ignorant of this when we visited and a man tried to charge us for giving us directions in the souks...

My favourite place in Morroco though was Imlil, a Berber village, in the Atlas Mountains. The people were so sweet and we even managed to hike Toubkal! I recommend it if you haven't been.

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Fast Facts about Morocco

• Moroccan power voltage  is 127/220 V 60 Hz; Power sockets C & E
• The local currency  is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) and is around 9.50 MAD to 1 USD
• In the north of Morocco, visitors will find the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, claimed by Morocco and considered by the Moroccan state to be “occupied territory.”
• In these two towns, the main currency is the euro.
• Tipping  is a way of life in Morocco; almost any service can warrant a tip so make sure to bring small bills.
• Haggling  is also a way of life in Morocco.
• NEVER  pay the asking price, vendors often double or even triple the prices of an item to allow some wiggle room through the haggling process.
• If you are not Muslim,  you are not allowed in many of the mosques. Exceptions include the partially restored Almohad structure of Tin Mal in the High Atlas, the similarly disused Great Mosque at Smara in Western Sahara, the courtyard of the sanctuary-mosque of Moulay Ismail in Meknes and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
• Moroccan laws  towards alcohol are quite liberal however drinking alcohol in public places is not recommended. During Ramandan, try to avoid drinking, eating or smoking in public during the hours of fasting.
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Things to See and Do in Morocco

• Enjoy a Four-Wheeling Adventure – join the guides of Dunes Desert Exploration and take a three hour tour in the desert on your very own dune buggy or quad bike.
• Surf’s up  – Taghazout is a small fishing village 19 km north of the city of Agadir in the southwest of Morocco and houses some of the country’s best surf spots. It is nestled amongst a set of small bays just south of the legendary surf breaks of Anchor Point, Killers, and Mysteries. 
• Go to a Hammam  – A Hammam is a hot steam bath followed by a massage. Sounds simple enough doesn’t it? It definitely can be quite the experience! 
• Visit Fes  – Fes is the oldest city in the country and the Medina (or Fes el-Bali) is a World Heritage site. Fez is also famous for its leather products and most of it comes from the leather bazaar (souq). The souq is home to three ancient leather tanneries, the largest and oldest being the Chouara Tannery, which is almost a thousand years old.
• Take a cooking course  – learn how to cook traditional Morrocans dishes from a gourmet chef while enjoying great conversations, appetizers and tea.
• Watch the sun rise on a Merzouga morning – to experience a desert sunrise is an unforgettable experience and the best place to do so is at the Merzouga sand dunes of Erg Chebbi
• Take in the colors of the Dades Gorge – There is nothing in the world quite like the Dades Valley. The mineral-rich Dades Gorge sparkles in many hues of blue and green as well as white and red.
• Spend a day in Jemaa el Fna in Marrakech  – one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakech, this square has become one of the symbols of the city.

Morocco Travel Guides

• Top 5 Things You Must See in Morocco
• Things to Do in Marrakech – Practical Travel Tips and Where to Stay
• Etiquette in the Middle East- Travel for Men and Women

Accommodation

Budget:  You can find a variety of hostels from 53-175 MAD per night. Enjoy dorms or private rooms, free breakfast, hot showers, and central locations to nearby tourist destinations. The Riad Verus in Fes even offers free Arabic classes. 

Mid-Range:  For mid-range, expect to pay around 380-860 MAD per night. These hotels come with a hotel restaurant and bar, rooms with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and room service. 

High-End:  For five-star hotels, you will pay around 860-4,100 MAD per night.Take in the best withspa services, fine dining, swimming pools with lounge areas, refined private suites with living rooms, a fitness center, and an airport shuttle. 

Moroccan cuisine has a variety of influences, including Arabic, Berber, Mediterranean, and Andalusian cuisine, among others. Staples include fruits, vegetables, meat (beef, goat, lamb, and mutton), seafood, grapes, olive oil, and spices.

Couscous is a popular dish and is often served with meat or vegetables. Morocco also has a vibrant street food scene, where you can sample dishes like harira (a soup made from tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, lamb, rice, and spices such as cinnamon) or merguez (minced beef or lamb sausages served in flatbread). There are sit-down restaurants as well where you can try more of Morocco’s cuisine. In total, expect to pay around 120 MAD per day for food. Read our full article 13 Delicious Moroccan Foods to Eat When Visiting Morocco

The Best Ways to Get Around Morocco

Getting to morocco:.

Flights:  Morocco has 25 airports, but the main airport to fly into is the Mohammed V International Airport, located 15.5 miles from the city center of Casablanca. Another popular airport is Marrakesh Menara International Airport (4.6 miles from downtown Marrakesh), but the flights are mostly from Europe. You can check for the best flights to Morocco on  Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Buses : Buses are good for traveling between cities. For more local trips between towns, expect to pay 3-5 MAD, or to go between cities, expect to pay between 210-340 MAD. A bus trip from Casablanca to Marrakesh, for example, will cost about 210 MAD.

Car Rental:  To rent a car, you need to be at least 18-21 years old with a U.S. driver’s license that you have held for 1-2 years. Car rental prices start at 450 MAD per day for drivers 25 and older.

Taxis:  Taxis are another way to get around. There are two types of taxis in Morocco: Petit and Grand. Petit taxis can seat up to 3 passengers, are metered, and only travel in the city, while Grand can seat up to and travel outside of a city. Grand taxis tend to have a fixed rate of 10.5 MAD for in-city travel.

Uber:  Uber is not available at the time.

When to go To Morocco

For cheaper hotel rates and fewer crowds, visit Morocco during the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-November. The fall season in particular is a great time for hiking.

During the summer months of June-August, temperatures can get very hot, especially the closer you are to the Sahara, while winter months see more rainfall, which can dampen outdoor activities.

Where to Stay in Morocco

Hotel Moroccan House Casablanca :  When in Casablanca, stay in this beautifully decorated hotel. Featuring traditional Moroccan-styled rooms, amenities include massage services, a restaurant, a hammam, and breakfast. For those who want to explore more of Casablanca, the tram station is just a 3-minute walk away.

Riad Rcif:  Come stay in a restored 14 th -century palace at this unique hotel in Fes. Featuring colorfully decorated hotel rooms with artwork and glass-stained windows, the hotel also comes with a restaurant, a roof terrace with great views of the city, room service, and free breakfast. The Ibn Danan Synagogue is just 1.5 miles away. 

ibis Marrakech Centre Gare Hotel:  Just a short trip to Jemaa el-Fnaa square, Majorelle Garden, and the Koutoubia Mosque, this popular hotel in Marrakesh is a great place to stay. Swim in the outdoor pool while enjoying the surrounding gardens, watch TV in your hotel room, get drinks anytime at the 24-hour bar, order room service, or dine at the hotel restaurant.

Check out our favorite booking platforms  Booking.com ,  Tripadvisor  and VRBO   for the best deals on accommodation.

What to Pack for Morocco

Morocco is about the size of France with coasts upon the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea and  has an arid climate .

The coastal regions generally have a Mediterranean climate, however as travelers move further inland the conditions can become more extreme and elevation can play a role in the changeable weather conditions.

Morocco is also a Muslim country

• Modesty is respected  and travellers are expected to follow the country’s etiquette. In villages and small towns, and even in the medinas of large cities, many women still wear the veil and the street is seen as strictly the man’s domain.
• Women travelers  should avoid wearing revealing clothes, like short shorts, low cut shirts or thin-strapped blouses.
• Sarongs  – I think we have sarongs in every packing list. From covering up when visiting mosques, being used as a towel or keeping cool on a hot night.
• Pack loose clothing with breathable fabric  – cover up with fabric you know will breathe, especially if you plan on heading into the Sahara desert or to one of the coastal regions.
• Tunics  are a great option as they can be dressed up or down, are lightweight and offer good coverage.
• Footwear  – Pack a pair of lightweight, durable and comfortable shoes. Moroccan streets can be dusty and unclean so if you are uncomfortable with the idea of getting your little piggies dirty then opt for closed-toe shoes instead of sandals/flip flops.
• Kleenex / toilet paper  – it is quite common that restaurant restrooms do not offer toilet paper to patrons, so make sure you are prepared.
• Also, don’t be surprised if you encounter squat toilets!

See our packing tips:  packing list for smart travel

And see our  Etiquette Tips for Travel to the Middle East

Morocco Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Morocco Travel Guide: Related Articles

To browse all our articles and guides about Morocco  click here.

Traditional Moroccan Food to Eat in Morocco or At Home

22 Best Things to Do in Marrakech, Morocco

Hammam Spa Tips – Our Surreal Moroccan Massage Experience

25 Essential Morocco Travel Tips, What To Know Before You Go!

25 Essential Morocco Travel  Tips for Your  Morocco Private  Tour

Planning a Morocco Private Tour or Family Vacation? Curious to know more about Morocco? Our 25 Essential Morocco Travel Tips and Information Guide will answer all of your questions. Morocco is culturally diverse. Visiting Morocco will guarantee an encounter with ancient historic traditions, customs, architecture, monuments and sites that have permeated Moroccan society for centuries. Morocco is home to 36 million people and primarily a homogenous country. The populous shares the Islamic faith yet given the country’s rich history and Jewish past remains open and unified. You can anticipate a unique Morocco tour and up an up close Morocco travel experience engaging with a people who are devout, generous, hospitable and kind.

Your Morocco travel experience would not be complete with out a reference guide to answer some of the most important questions and provide travel tips.

What is the Best Time to Travel to Morocco?

Morocco is situated on the far northwestern corner of Africa and has an expansive shoreline that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to Gibraltar .  The  Best Time to Travel to Morocco  should be ideally the considered by season. One of the best times to visit Morocco is spring or fall .  Spring (April and May) and Fall (September and October) are perhaps the best overall time to take a Morocco Tour.  Morocco has over 300 days of sunshine. During the peak summer months (June – Mid-September) it can get particularly hot. Temperatures in summer can reach as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. As a dry and temperate climate Morocco experiences very little humidity making the heat less intense. Moroccans typically take vacation time during summer months and typically head for the coast where it is cooler. Winters in Morocco (Mid-November – February) are typically mild and temperatures can reach down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In Morocco it often snows lighting during winter in some regions. The High Atlas region receives allot of snow therefore it is the perfect destination for skiing and enjoying other winter sports. Morocco has a summer climate in the south and in the mountains, as well as on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Winter can be perfect by day in the south, though desert nights can get very cold. If you’re planning to hike in the mountains, it’s best to keep to the months from April to October unless you have some experience in snow conditions.

What Languages are Spoken in Morocco?

Most Moroccans in the cities speak French as well as Arabic or the Moroccan dialect Darija. The French Protectorate was established in Morocco in 1912 and lasted until 1956. French remains the language of business whereas Darija is spoken in the street and at home, Darija itself is a mixture of languages including French words and Moroccans happily switch from one language to another in conversation. Spanish is spoken in the north and south, as there was also a Spanish protectorate. However there has been a marked increase in the number of young people speaking English as it is taught in schools. Those working in tourism will probably speak good English and the business centers of Casablanca and Tangiers also has more English speakers.

Morocco Travel Tips on Culture & Etiquette:

Moroccans in general are hospitable people. The Heritage of Moroccan people stemming from colonization and tourism has resulted in an open minded and easy going population. The country’s official religion and the majority of Moroccans are Muslims. The culture is made up of a combination of Berber and Arab, Moroccans who live peacefully together alongside a large expatriate population. The majority of Moroccan women wear a headscarf and very few wear a veil. It is recommended when traveling to Morocco to air on the conservative side and dress modestly. Wearing skimpy clothing, kissing and cuddling in public is not recommended and can be seen as a form of disrespect.

How should I Dress when traveling to Morocco:

Visitors to Morocco are often surprised about the range of ways that Moroccan women dress. Most dress modestly, in keeping with Islamic custom, many wearing the  jellaba  (a hooded, ankle length robe) and headscarf. In cities, many wear Western dress with or without a headscarf. You will see few  burqas  of the type associated with the Gulf region or Afghanistan. In order to avoid stares or unwanted attention, it is best for visitors also to dress modestly. Keep your swimwear for the beach and always cover at least your shoulders. Women will find their visit much more pleasant if they also avoid revealing necklines and cover up down to the knees. A scarf or pashmina is also handy for moments when you feel the need to conceal your head or shoulders from unwanted stares, the hot sun or over-zealous air conditioning. In the evenings in the winter months (and even more so in the mountains or the desert), sunny days become chilly nights and you will need to bring a sweater or even a jacket.

Travel Tips for Updating your Passport:

Make sure that as a traveler to Morocco you have a passport that will be valid for a further 6 months after you enter Morocco. We advise that you also carry an original or photocopy of your identification card or driver’s license. Passports can be renewed at your local consulate or passport office. For more information about travel tips on updating your passport to visit Morocco check with the Moroccan Embassy in your home city.

Morocco Travel Safety Tips:

Your national government will provide travel and security advice for visitors intending to visit Morocco. In general, the risk of international terrorism is no greater than in major cities of Europe or the US. Like in those cities, there is a risk of petty theft. Morocco is a developing country and the wealth gap between local people and tourists can drive a small minority to crime. Be sure to exercise the usual precautions on your visit regarding cash, jewelry and other valuables. Do not carry them around in large or visible quantities and make sure you are aware of the potential for pickpockets in crowds.

Overall,  Morocco is one of the safest  countries in Africa or the Middle East and North Africa region. You will be welcomed with a smile and great hospitality by virtual strangers. Enjoy your trip!

Morocco Travel Health Tips:

Morocco one of the few countries in Africa where it is not necessary to get vaccinations in order to travel. Nevertheless, if you have not received Typhoid or Hepatitis A shot in the past, it is advisable to get them. Please also inquire with your doctor to make sure you are up to date with your polio and tetanus vaccines. If you are from a country where cholera is prevalent, an anti- cholera vaccination certificate may be required. Morocco is a country where your health is not in danger when you travel. As long as you follow  Morocco Travel Tips  with regards to traveling safely in our  About Morocco  section the worst you can anticipate experiencing is an upset stomach or dryness, due to weather conditions, if you have sensitive skin.

Morocco Travel Tips on Gratuity:

Gratuity is a gift of money that is granted for service or a show of appreciate given without claim or demand. Gratuity is one of the best ways you can demonstrate appreciation for the services provided to others. Gratuity is part of Moroccan culture and appreciated by those providing a service. During a Morocco Tour what is generally recommended is to provide gratuity at restaurants, at Boutique Hotels and Riads, to drivers, licensed historical guides and also women servicing at public restrooms. It is a considerate way to thank those providing a service to you as a traveler. Our recommended gratuity is outlined below.

Restaurants : 15% of the Total Bill

Restrooms : 5 Dirham Coin (0.70 Cents)

Licensed Historical Guides : 50/ $60 Per Person/ Per Day

Drivers:  $35-$40 Per Person/ Per Day

Morocco Private Tour Gratuity: The total gratuity offered to those hosting you on a private or group tour should be approximately 10% of the rate paid to your Morocco Travel Agency.

Where to I Exchange Money in Morocco?

Moroccan Dirhams are necessary to travel in Morocco. US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted in major hotels, but only very occasionally with shopkeepers. Otherwise, we recommended that you carry Moroccan Dirhams.

The Bureaux de Change can be found in most Moroccan banks, major hotels, airports, and ports. Most currencies are accepted, including US Dollars, Euros, and British Pounds, however others, including the Australian Dollar, are not accepted. Check with your consulate or local bank to see if your currency is accepted for exchange in Morocco.

ATM machines are the quickest and easiest way to obtain Moroccan Dirhams. ATM’s accept most major debit and credit cards. Depending on your bank, you may be able to withdraw up to 4,000 Dirhams (about $500 US Dollars) per day. Contact your bank for your daily withdrawal limits.

BMCE and Credit du Maroc (CDM) do offer cash advances on Visa and MasterCard, however this process may take several hours to complete and is also quite costly.

Exchange your cash when you arrive at the airport bank exchange, or use local banks and currency exchanges in the cities and medinas as you travel. The majority of cities have banks where you can obtain money 24 hours a day from your bankcard or credit card. Bank exchanges are also located near banks and most currencies are accepted with favorable exchange rates available. Use ATM machines at the airport and in metropolitan areas and medina’s, but they are rare in rural areas. When traveling outside of the cities be prepared to have enough cash, as ATM machines are not always an option.

What is the Water Situation in Morocco?

Drink only bottled water when in Morocco and avoid ice cubes made from tap water. Be sure to brush your teeth with bottled water, too.

Can I Eat Street Food in Morocco?

Moroccan street food is safe to eat provided that the meat is fully cooked and vegetables and fruits are peeled. We particularly recommend discovering street food on a pre-arranged Moroccan Food Tour in Fes or Marrakech. This will enable you to enjoy local eats with little concern.

What Type of Internet Access in Morocco Should I Anticipate:

Internet access can be readily found at internet cafes and in hotel lobbies. Your riad and hotels will all have Wifi. Given you will most likely be staying in boutique properties that are restored palaces or villas during your trip you may find that Wifi is stronger in public areas. Occasionally, you can find free wi-fi in public places. While it is not easy to find internet access in rural areas, a smartphone with the proper plan will access the internet almost everywhere.

Morocco Travel Tips on Coverage of Mobile and Cell Phones:

Cell phone coverage is excellent in Moroccan metropolitan areas, with coverage in rural areas being more erratic. Check with your cell phone plan before you leave to make sure you have global coverage.

If you would like to enjoy using a Moroccan Mobile phone during your trip, then we recommend you purchase a cell phone SIM chip at the airport or request your driver take you to the local provider, Maroc Telecome. You will then be able to obtain a SIM chip for approximately $60 USA dollars and cards ranging from 100 MAD – 200 MAD ($12 – $25 of which will each provide you with approximately 10 + minutes of speaking time to the USA or other foreign countries.

Morocco Travel Tips on Banks and Money Exchange:

The main banks in Morocco are Banque Marocaine du Commercial (BMCE), Banque Marocaine due Commerce et de L’Industrie (BMCI), Banque Commercial du Maroc (BCM), Banque Populaire, and Credit du Maroc (CDM).

Banking hours in Morocco are from 8:15am – 3:45pm, however during Ramadan the hours are reduced to 9:00am – 2:00pm.

Where and How to Exchange Currency in Morocco:

BMCE and Credit du Maroc (CDM) do offer cash advances on Visa and Mastercard, however this process may take several hours to complete and is also quite costly.

We recommend on arrival that you bring with you approximately $500 Per Person for meals, gratuity and incidentals. You can then continue to visit ATM machines for additional cash or use credit cards.

Will I have ATM Access in Morocco?

Use ATM machines at the airport and in metropolitan areas and medinas, but they are rare in rural areas. When traveling outside of the cities be prepared to have enough cash, as ATM machines are not always an option.

Can I Use Credit Cards in Morocco:?

Major credit cards are welcomed at the larger stores, hotels, and restaurants, but use cash at the smaller shops and stalls.

Master Card & Visa are widely accepted. American Express is accepted only at certain locations. We advise you to bring more than one credit card with you.

What are the Foods to Avoid when traveling to Morocco?

Do not drink the tap water while in Morocco and avoid ice cubes made from tap water. Be sure to brush your teeth with bottled water, too.

Morocco Travel Tips on Doctors:

You can find doctors in the major cities in both the public and private sector. Please consider acquiring traveler’s insurance for your trip if your regular health insurance does not cover you overseas. If you are traveling to Morocco on a Private Tour, then consult your travel agency as they will be able to offer a complete list of authorized and approved public and private hospitals.

What is the Climate in Morocco?

Morocco has a Mediterranean climate along the coast, with more extreme temperatures and weather in the mountains and desert. Temperatures are high in the summer, mild in the spring and fall, and cool in the winter.

Can I Take Photographs in Morocco?

Most Moroccan do not enjoy being photographed by strangers. Some have recognized that travelers like to capture the different, exotic and attractive aspects of Moroccan life on film and will sell the right to photograph them. It is your choice whether you go along with this. In any case, try to be discrete in your photography (a phone camera is much less obvious than a large SLR) and ask if you would like to take a direct portrait. Don’t be surprised if your request is refused, and if so, please respect this decision. At times people will request for a small fee such as 10 Moroccan Dirhams ($1.00) if you want an up close photograph. It is best to request permission before taking a photograph. Given Morocco is a moderate, Muslim country, women in particular within rural communities and many in cities do not like to be photographed. For the best results when traveling to Morocco whether you are a novice or a professional photographer it is best to ask your subject first or have your private guide assist.

Can I Consume Alcohol in Morocco:

Alcohol in Morocco is available in the majority of touristic restaurants, at most boutique riads and hotels along with local bars. Wine and beer can be easily purchased at supermarkets and at several of the local wine markets in Morocco’s Imperial cities.

Although most Moroccans claim they do not drink alcohol due to religious prohibitions both locals and foreigners consume much of the country’s production of wine and beer. Morocco provides a home to groups of ex-patriots and foreigners from France, England, America, Spain, Germany and Italy who enjoy healthy alcohol consumption. The most popular beers made and consumed in Morocco are Casablanca and Special.

Morocco has been a leading wine producer for several years and its bold red and white grapes have become popular among the French, Americans and within Modern Moroccan households. When the French colonized Morocco, like the Romans centuries before them, they realized Morocco’s possibility of being a wine country. The French developed the Moroccan Imperial City of Meknès into a wine region. Today 30,000 acres of land in Morocco contribute to wine production and Morocco sells over 40 million bottles within Morocco and abroad. Moroccan wine is in a state of revival and wine producers are taking advantage of the country’s sunny, mild temperate climate, and high altitudes. Wine Tours are also available at designated wineries in the region of Meknes, Volubilis and Essaouira.

Morocco Travel Tips on Public Holidays:

Moroccans celebrate Muslim holidays and national holidays throughout the country, and more local festivals are held throughout the year in the Imperial Cities and small villages. The dates of religious holidays are based upon the lunar calendar and change every year. Plan your trip to Morocco during festivals and holidays for a real inside look into Moroccan daily life. Celebrations ranging from rural harvest feasts to music and film festivals in Morocco’s cultural centers demonstrate Morocco’s commitment to sustainable agricultural and artistic achievement. (Please note that the dates for Muslim holidays change annually as they are based on the lunar calendar. The following dates are accurate for 2019.)

• New Year’s Day is on Tuesday, January 01
• Independence Manifesto Day is on Friday, January 11
• Milad un Nabi is on Thursday, January 24
• Labor Day is on Wednesday, May 01
• Throne Day is on Tuesday, July 30
• Eid al-Fitr is on Thursday, August 08
• Oued Ed-Dahab Day is on Wednesday, August 14
• Revolution Day Morocco is on Tuesday, August 20
• King Mohammed IV’s Birthday is on Wednesday, August 21
• Eid al-Adha is on Tuesday, October 15
• Fatih Muharram (Islamic New Year) is on Monday, November 04
• Green March Day is on Wednesday, November 06
• Independence Day Morocco is on Monday, November 18

Morocco Travel Tips when Visiting During Ramadan:

Ramadan, considered as the most important holiday in Islam, happens on the ninth month of the twelve-month lunar calendar followed in Islam. During Ramadan all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for one month, only eating after sundown. Non-Muslims are not expected to observe Ramadan, but should be sensitive about not breaking the fast in public. As a Morocco Traveler it is important to respect those fasting and make best efforts to not eat in public places such as city and medina streets. Dining in touristic restaurants and those open to Westerners is advised. Drinking water and other beverages in public is also not advised for reasons of respect. If you are visiting Morocco during the summer, which is the warmest season, it is advised to make best efforts to drink water and beverages discretely.

Can I Visit a Mosque in Morocco?

Mosques are closed to non-believers but you can visit the impressive Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, the Berber mosque at Tin Mel outside Marrakech on the way to Ouarzazate, the former Islamic college the Medersa Ben Youssef in the Marrakech Medina and the old Medersas in Fés Bali, the Bou Inania and the El Attarine. These sites will give you some idea of the glories of Moroccan Islamic architecture.

Morocco Travel Tips on Charity for Elderly & Children:  

As a foreigner traveling in a Muslim country, following the five tenants of Islam- and offering a small amount of charity is an option but not required. If you wish to offer charity to an elderly person, to children or a poor person on the street that moves your heart, please consider the following:

Giving anywhere between15 -20 Dirhams ($2.00 – $2.50) is a considered gracious and will not place a dent in your wallet but perhaps leave you with an experience in your heart. Sometimes the reciprocity you may receive as a result of giving a small amount of charity in a Muslim country like Morocco comes in the form of a big smile, a hand shake, an invitation for tea or even a hug from the recipient.

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Morocco Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Morocco.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Morocco.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Morocco. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Morocco.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Morocco. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Morocco, rabies treatment is often available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Morocco. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• Avoid Bug Bites

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Morocco, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Morocco. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Morocco include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Morocco. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Morocco’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Morocco may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Morocco, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Morocco for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Morocco Travel Guide: Best Things To Do (10-day Itinerary)

Morocco: beautiful, diverse, adventurous, and mysterious. On the same day, you can walk with a camel in the Sahara at sunrise, snowboard in the Atlas Mountains by the afternoon, and relax in luxurious medina riads by evening. It is a large country with legendary scenery that makes it a delight to travel through. Distances can be long; however, the stunning destinations make it worth it. Follow this 10-day Morocco travel guide to include all the amazing highlights of this wonderful country!

Best things to do in Morocco

Our 10-day Morocco itinerary started in Chefchaouen , but you can easily do this the other way around. If you have the time, we would recommend extending the itinerary to 12 days (instead of 10) to have one more day in Chefchaouen and one extra for the Sahara Desert Tour . Take as much time as you can to enjoy the magic of Morocco!

Day 1 – From Tangier Airport Directly to Chefchaouen

The nearest airport to Chefchaouen is Tangier Airport. From Tangier, it’s a 2-hour drive by taxi or a 4-hour drive on the CTM bus. The bus costs around 50 DH, which is a little less than 5 USD.

From the airport, take a taxi to the gare routière (bus station), which is 1.5 km away. All buses, including CTM, will leave from here. Or, get a rental car from the airport in Morocco. You can also split the cost of a taxi to Chefchaouen with other travelers and pay around 15 USD each.  This will save you 2 hours of time on the bus and ultimately give you more time on your Morocco itinerary.

Hotels in Chefchaouen 😴

Day 2 – Explore the Blue City of Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is the one place you shouldn’t skip while creating your Morocco itinerary. It’s a mountain village painted in 100 shades of blue. Wander the beautiful streets here, explore the city’s hidden gems , and take pictures of cute doorways and cute kittens in this photographer’s paradise!

Spend one extra day in this city if you are able to, and use this day to enjoy the nature of the Riff Mountains surrounding the city.

Read more: Best things to do in the Blue City of Morocco: Chefchaouen

Day 3 – Traveling to Fes

Getting from Chefchaouen to Fes is a 4-hour bus ride along beautiful roads. You really see the countryside of Morocco , which is great to see aside from the big cities. If you’ve got your own transportation, you can also drive to Fes yourself, passing through the diverse landscape of the country.

We recommend to rent a car in Morocco through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here .

Day 4 – Wandering Around in Fes

Fes is a city that is very hard to be bored in. There is a lot to do in and around Fes. It has one of the oldest medinas, which is also the largest car-free urban area in the world! Join a guided walking tour through the Old Medina and learn about it’s rich history. It is also surprisingly not that touristy, as it’s not on most people’s Morocco itinerary.

The city is a must-see to experience true, medieval, authentic Morocco, often feeling like a step back in time! Discover towers of spices, colorful rugs, leather tanneries, and steamy hammams in this fascinating city.

Read more: Best things to do in Fes, Morocco

Hotels in Fes 😴

Day 5 – Travel to Merzouga (Sahara Desert Morocco)

Merzouga is a town on the edge of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. From here, it is a 45-minute drive to the camp where you will be staying for the night. It is an unforgettable moment on your Morocco itinerary as you witness the rippling orange and red sands for the very first time.

It is best to do a 3-day Sahara Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech. From Fes to Merzouga is a spectacular 5-hour drive through beautiful landscapes and the snow-covered Atlas Mountains. A tour will take you right into the Sahara desert and give you a true feel for these landscapes and the friendly people that live here.

Read more: Sahara Desert Tour (Discount code available for the tour)

Day 6 – Sunrise in the Sahara and Marrakech

It is an early morning wakeup on day 6, after a great evening with music, dinner, and some of the best star-gazing in the world! Hop out of bed, and go for a walk with a camel before trekking along the tops of the dunes to see a stunning Saharan sunrise. This is one of the most breathtaking moments on the Morocco itinerary!

Please note: Since this trip in 2016 we have learned a lot about animals used in tourism. We don’t recommend riding a camel anymore! Learn more about different forms of wildlife tourism and the better alternatives .

After sunrise, breakfast is served before getting back in the car again to carry on the 10-day Morocco itinerary. The car takes you to Boumalne Dades as a place to sleep on your way to Marrakech. This is a beautiful town situated on the edge of the desert, surrounded by uniquely shaped cliffs and gorges. If you’re visiting in Spring, there may be an opportunity to see the valleys full of red and pink flowers!

You will visit a lot of wonderful sights on your way to Boumalne Dades, including many typical, earthen-style villages of the Sahara.

Hotels in Boumalne Dades 😴

Day 7 – Heading to Marrakech

On the last day of the tour, you will be visiting Ait Benhaddou, a breathtaking town! Here, houses look like giant sandcastles and are built against a hilltop, surrounded by beautiful palm trees. The movie-like scenery of this town has made it a popular location for many movies to be filmed.  Additionally, you will visit one of the highest points in the Atlas Mountains. The views from up here are spectacular! 

By the end of the day, you will arrive in Marrakech , probably ready to dip in the refreshing waters of a swimming pool. Because of this, make sure to book into a great riad in Marrakech.

Hotels in Marrakech 😴

Day 8 + 9 – Marrakech

Marrakech is a fantastic city to end your Morocco itinerary. Wander through the Medina , bargain for some souvenirs, enjoy the many-colored buildings and palm tree-filled parks, and stay in the most stunning riads (guesthouses). This city is full of gems to discover, and best of all, it’s foodie heaven!

Spend days hunting for treasures in the maze of souks, and end them by enjoying the Moroccan delights of tagine and mint tea on one of the many beautiful roof terraces in the city.

Read more: Best things to do in Marrakech, Morocco

Day 10 – Flying Home

Enjoy your last delicious Moroccan breakfast, and fly home from Marrakech International Airport.

Want to see more of Morocco? Head out to Essaouira or go surfing in Taghazout. There are endless beautiful places to explore in Morocco, and your itinerary can be adjusted to account for other new and exciting places.

Is Morocco Safe to Travel?

Yes!! Morocco is really safe as a country to travel to. People are friendly and will often smile and chat. They will also politely let you know when they don’t want you to take a picture of them. At night, make sure not to walk alone and try to stay in the city center (medina) to ensure safety.

Travel Insurance Don't forget a travel insurance for your Morocco trip! Heymondo covers medical emergencies, theft, delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and more, with 24/7 worldwide assistance and medical chat. As a Salt in our Hair reader, we've got you 5% off! Check Heymondo here

Is Morocco Safe to Travel Solo as a Woman?

Yes, it’s definitely safe! However, keep in mind that this is a Muslim country, and men are not really used to ‘Western’ women. Blonde hair, in particular, will draw a lot of attention. It’s helpful to wear clothes that cover up your shape a little, so no shorts or mini skirts, for example.

This is also more respectful when traveling in a Muslim country. It’s a good idea to pack a few scarves to take out with you, just in case there are situations when you may need to cover your shoulders and arms (for religious sites, for example).

Traveling Morocco, as a woman, can definitely be an enjoyable experience. However, it’s always safer to travel together with someone else if there is the option.

Morocco Budget

Traveling in Morocco can be as cheap or expensive as you make it! A group tour to the Sahara will cost around 150 USD, and a private tour around 600 USD. Trains and buses are very cheap, whereas taxis can get pricey very fast, especially if you get stuck in Moroccan traffic! Expect food to cost anywhere between 2 and 12 USD, and fresh orange juice only 0,50 to 3 USD. 

Costs of Traveling in Morocco

Travel on a budget in Morocco, from $170 − $590 USD weekly per person, mid-range $720 − $1430 USD, and high-end from $1480 − $2320 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $20 − $150 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $10 − $30 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $2 − $25 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $25 − $50 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $5 − $25 USD
• Activities: $5 − $100 USD See tickets & tours
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Best Time to Visit Morocco

We would recommend avoiding Morocco in July and August, as it can get unpleasantly hot in the cities.  We visited in February, and we only needed a light jacket for a few days of the trip, which was the perfect climate for us.

The country is at its most beautiful from March to May when the landscape bursts into spring. During this time, you can expect to see valleys of flowers and fields of green. During Autumn (September to October), temperatures are also very pleasant, which makes traveling throughout the country more comfortable.

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• Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
• Find Flights to Morocco via Skyscanner
• Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
• Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
• Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go

Things To Do in Marrakech, Morocco: A 3-Day Guide

9 best things to do in chefchaouen, morocco, 11 things to do in fes, morocco (complete guide).

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Is it safe to travel to Morocco right now? Latest travel advice

Here is the latest foreign office advice following iran’s military attack on israel.

O n April 19, Israel reportedly launched a retaliatory attack on Iran , in response to missile and drone attacks on Israel on April 13. The UK Foreign Office’s advice for Morocco has not changed following this, however it has highlighted that the situation is “changing fast”, and that visitors should monitor its advice before their trip. Additionally, it advises visitors that it’s more important than ever to get travel insurance and check that it provides sufficient cover before visiting the country.

Just three hours’ flight away with an hour’s time difference, Morocco is a short-haul option that offers holidaymakers endless variety at often incredibly affordable prices. The earthquake in the Atlas Mountains in September 2023 has deterred some tourists, but there are still plenty of reasons to visit. In cities like Marrakesh and Rabat, magnificent examples of Arabic architecture can be found in mosques, schools and historic sites, while expansive souks offer up the equivalent of Aladdin’s cave, filled with trinkets, carpets and handmade furniture. A bohemian vibe permeates its west coast, especially in Essaouira, where surfers flock for the reliable waves and affordable hotels. And then there are the mountains and desert for those looking for adventure.

What’s the latest government advice about travelling to Morocco?

The UK Foreign Office does not currently advise against travelling to any part of Morocco. However, it does state that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks. In particular, there is an increased threat linked to the number of Moroccans sympathetic or belonging to Daesh (formerly ISIL) and other extremist groups.

The places highlighted as being at heightened risk include crowded areas, government buildings, transport networks, businesses with Western interests, and areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather. You should stay vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities, the Foreign Office advises.

• Best hotels in Morocco • Best hotels in Marrakesh

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Has morocco been affected by the israel-hamas conflict.

Geographically speaking, as Morocco is very far from Israel it’s not directly affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

At the end of December 2020, Israel and Morocco also signed a normalisation agreement, which means both nations recognise each other’s sovereignty and are committed to establishing normal diplomatic relations.

However, within Morocco there is significant support for Palestinians with rallies taking place in the capital Rabat. The Foreign Office advises avoiding any kind of political protests.

• Is it safe to travel to Jordan right now? • Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now? • Is it safe to travel to Israel right now? • Is it safe to travel to Cyprus right now? • Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now?

Is it safe to travel to Morocco right now?

There’s no reason not to travel to Morocco, but there are some safety considerations to bear in mind.

Although there have been no recent kidnappings of foreign nationals, the UK Foreign Office warns that this cannot be ruled out in advice that also applies to other countries in northern Africa. The threat comes from terror groups from Libya, Mauritania, and the Sahel, who use it for financial or political gain.

Petty crimes such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and drive-by motorcycle theft are common in Morocco, particularly in tourist areas such historic quarters and beaches. There have also been occasional reports of violent crime where weapons such as knives have been used against tourists in street attacks and burglary. The Foreign Office advises avoiding quiet areas after dark and not to carry large amounts of cash or valuables with you.

Which areas were affected by the 2023 earthquake?

Close to 3,000 people died in Morocco after a devastating earthquake hit a remote area of the Atlas Mountains on September 8, 2023. Most of the deaths and injuries occurred in the mountain villages, which are often remote and difficult to access.

In Marrakesh, the nearest tourist hub, some buildings collapsed or were damaged as a result of the earthquake. Most of the damage was in the medina, a Unesco world heritage site and the oldest part of the city. Many of the buildings here are historic, and were not built to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes.

Agadir and Essaouira also experienced some superficial damage to buildings but were otherwise unaffected by the earthquake.

The country is, however, open to tourism, and the income from tourism is certainly appreciated by those affected by the earthquake.

• Best riads in Marrakesh • Best villas in Morocco

What are Morocco’s entry requirements?

British passport holders do not need a visa to enter Morocco for the purpose of tourism, and they can stay for up to 90 days. To stay for longer than 90 days, request an extension at a local police station.

Your passport should be valid for at least three months on the day you enter Morocco. Your passport should not be damaged as otherwise you may be refused entry. You should also make sure your passport is stamped on entry, as you may experience difficulties leaving.

Is Morocco safe for female travellers?

Morocco is generally considered safe for female travellers, especially in holiday resorts. However, if you’re travelling alone, you may receive unwanted attention from men. The Foreign Office advises wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms, legs and chest.

• What can women do to stay safe while abroad?

Is Morocco safe for LGBT travellers?

Homosexuality is illegal in Morocco, although it remains a popular destination for LGBT travellers. The Foreign Office advises against public displays of affection, which may cause offence and lead to prosecution.

• Is it safe to travel to Israel right now? Latest advice • Is it safe to travel to Egypt right now? Latest advice • Is it safe to travel to Jordan right now? Latest advice • Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now? Latest advice

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Morocco Travel Guide: How to prepare and plan your Trip

Planning to travel to Morocco and looking for some trusted travel tips? Well then, read on for an adventure filled plan and our top tips! Morocco is only a four hour plane ride away from Europe – and yet it’s like you’ve just been dropped into a completely different world. Morocco is an ideal travel destination for a road trip , with adventures, oriental flair and a pleasantly warm climate.

We have compiled everything we know from our experience and all our best travel tips for Morocco in this one post so that you can best prepare for your road trip. When is the best time to travel? How safe is a trip to Morocco? How do I get from A to B? You’ll find the answers to these questions and more, in this special travel guide for Morocco. 

1. Pre-travel Tips: Important Facts about Travelling to Morocco

2. arrival tips: getting into morocco, 3. accommodation guide for morocco: where to stay, 4. eating and drinking in morocco, 5. religion and culture: dress and behaviour tips in morocco, 6. security: how safe is morocco to travel, 7. transport guide: road trip through morocco by car, 8. city transport in morocco: taxi tips, 9. travel costs: how expensive is it to travel morocco, 10. photography tips & restriction in morocco, 11. internet & apps for travelling morocco.

What to expect in Morocco

What images come up when you think of Morocco? Probably one that shows the Arabian-night lifestyle in flawless perfection, right? Yes, you can definitely look forward to that when you travel to Morocco. But: Morocco is SO much more than that.

The following three things make this country special and speak for a trip to Morocco:

• Oriental flair: it starts with the colorful markets, continues through the typical cuisine to the hamams and the wonderful hotels (riads): in Morocco you can soak up the oriental way of life from dawn to dusk.
• Landscape : From the Atlas Mountains to gigantic canyons, from the desert to the mountain passes – Morocco’s landscape will take your breath away. We had high expectations before, but we have to admit: it was even better!
• Geographical proximity to Europe : you are in a completely different world within just a few hours from Mainland Europe. No nerve-wracking jet lag, no long-haul flight. A perfect travel destination for anyone who doesn’t want to travel too far.

Do you want to know which sights you shouldn’t miss and where all the highlights are around the country? Then we recommend our detailed blog article, where we show you which places we have traveled to and what you can expect there.

You can read that here: Our Itinerary: All Destinations in Morocco

Best time and season for Travelling to Morocco

You can travel to Morocco all year round , but of course there are months that are better and those that are less suitable. It also depends on which regions of Morocco you want to travel to.

The ideal travel times for a round trip through Morocco are spring (if possible avoid the holiday season, i.e. Easter) and autumn. While it can still be cool in Europe in spring, you can usually expect bright sunshine in Morocco. And you can also spend wonderful late summer days in Morocco in autumn.

We would not recommend midsummer (July and August), especially if you want to see the desert. In addition, sand storms in the desert start brewing between April and October. Sightseeing at 35 degrees in the shade can also become unbearable. You have to expect restrictions during Ramadan , as some restaurants are closed during the day.

Around Christmas and New Year many flee into the warming sun and it gets very crowded in Morocco and accordingly more expensive. If you want to avoid this, you should also avoid this time.

We traveled to Morocco in late February / early March . During the day it was pleasantly warm, sometimes even quite hot in the sun. It cooled off in the evening. Our accommodations were all equipped with heating. Our tip: in the colder months, be sure to find rooms with heating, otherwise the nights will be rather uncomfortably cold.

Travel Guide to Morocco: Our Tip

Although you can find many tips for Morocco on the Internet, such as on our blog, we still recommend that you get a printed travel guide. Here we can highly recommend the Rough Guide Travel Guide. Rough Guide travel guides are well-known by the fact that they are fairly detailed and very well researched.

The new edition of the Morocco Travel Guide by Rough Guide was published in 2019 and is therefore quite up to date. Our conclusion: perfect for anyone travelling to Morocco!

You can buy the guide here: The Rough Guide Morocco

Good news: Austrians and Germans do not need a visa to enter the country. On the plane you will receive an entry card that you must fill out. The border police will take the card and may ask you a few questions. That was it basically.

You can expect the same procedure awaiting you as you leave. Anyone who works in journalism or in another area that could be a thorn in the side of the police should prepare for a somewhat longer question-and-answer game. That was the case with us, but all in all things are relatively relaxed, so don’t worry!

Traditionally, you spend the night in Morocco in so-called riads. Riads are traditional, multi-storey buildings that have a wonderful courtyard and often have a grand roof terrace . From the outside, it is often hard to believe which oasis is hidden behind the gates of a riad.

We swear: Nowhere else in the world have we seen such a high density of grand and stylish accommodation as in Morocco. In larger cities you are literally overwhelmed by the offerings. If possible, we definitely recommend that you stay in a riad. For about 70 to 100 Euros per night you can get a very nice room with breakfast for two people.

Here you will find all our recommendations: Hotel tips for Morocco

In Morocco, people love the combination of sweet and salty , and dried dates, apricots and raisins are used in many dishes. Honestly, we’re massive fans!

Typical of Morocco is the so-called tagine, a dish that is prepared in a clay pot (also called Tagine ) and is often served with couscous. This stew usually consists of meat and vegetables, but there are also meatless options.

Although we liked Moroccan food, to be honest the culinary offerings got a bit boring over time. Especially for vegetarians , you’ll find the same dishes being served, as the selection is unfortunately rather limited, unless you eat out at hip trendy restaurants. Meat is often eaten in Morocco, unfortunately vegetarian dishes are less common on the menu than in some other countries.

An exception is breakfast , which is almost always very bread and carbohydrate-heavy. Breakfast is included in most accommodations. You will almost always be served different dishes, including Moroccan pancakes, bread, jams and homemade yogurt.

As is well known, Islam is the state religion in Morocco. Knowing that in advance will help you adapt to the culture shock faster. Unfortunately, this means, among other things, that the patriarchal structures are very visible. You’ll find mostly men on the streets.

We therefore, especially recommend women not to wear skimpy clothing . Loose blouses, long trousers and long dresses and skirts are more practical. Honestly, as a tourist, you already stand out immediately so it’s more pleasant to be dressed as covered and casually as possible.

There is no obligation to wear a headscarf , but admittedly: even in direct sunlight we like to use a cloth. Exchanging tenderness or PDA in public is a no-go in Morocco.

Good to know: Non-Muslims can only visit two mosques in Morocco – the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca and the tomb mosque of Moulay Ismail in Meknes. But don’t worry: there are beautiful palaces and Koran schools in Morocco that you can visit.

One of the questions we were asked most often: how safe is it to travel around Morocco? First of all, we would advise you to read the most up to date section on the website of your home country’s respective Foreign Ministry Office. In terms of security, this should always be your first point of contact.

However, we will of course also be happy to share our own personal experiences and that is where the good news comes. Nothing bad ever happened to us in Morocco. We had no negative experiences. We were not robbed or harassed. Yes, we probably paid too much for a few things, but that’s about it.

Our specific tips for security:

• Travel as a couple if possible. Of course there are also many who travel through Morocco alone – including women. To be honest, we personally found it very nice to travel as a couple. 
• Avoid the medina at night. The medina (the old town) of some cities consists of very narrow streets. Especially at night, these dark alleys can feel a little shady. Try to avoid walks at night. We recommend this to women traveling alone.
• Do not flaunt your valuables. We typically are the kind of people who are often too lazy to safely stow our (rather expensive) camera gear and instead let it hang loosely around our shoulders instead. Apparently, you shouldn’t make a habit out of this – especially in crowds.
• Don’t be fooled by self-proclaimed guides. At every corner in Marrakech someone will offer to show you the way to “La Place” (the large square). In truth, he wants to take you to his shop to sell you something, or he really shows you the place and then of course charges a good amount. Our tip: If you really get lost, it’s better to ask a woman the right way.
• Cities vs. Rural region: We personally found the men in larger cities (above all in Marrakech) to be much more intrusive and uncomfortable than in rural regions. While, for example, tips are constantly demanded in cities (e.g. for photos), people in the countryside are much more chill about it. We’ll give you more tips for taking photos later in this blog article.

Morocco is a really ideal place to travel with a rental car . There are several reasons for this:

• First of all, the main streets are largely in good condition . Even with a small car you can easily reach most places.
• Traffic is very limited outside of the larger cities. It may be that you don’t see any other cars anywhere.
• There is right-hand traffic in Morocco, so you don’t have to get used to it (unless you’re from NZ, Australia, UK or other Commonwealth Countries)
• Most places are signposted in two languages ​​(English, Arabic).
• The prices for a rental car are comparatively cheap: For our Peugeot 301 we paid around 250 Euros (excluding navigation system) for a week.

Renting a car in Morocco – what should I watch out for?

Provider and deductible.

We booked our rental car through Sunny Cars . We’ve only ever had good experiences with them, because when you book through Sunny Cars you get full insurance including reimbursement of the excess in the event of damage. Sunny Cars acts as an intermediary here: You book your car on the Sunny Cars website and collect it from a local car rental company (e.g. Hertz, Europcar, etc.).

What does a deductible mean? In some countries, this is also called the ‘excess’ or ‘deposit’. e.g. If you drive a dent into the car, you will receive a refund on any additional costs incurred with that accident from Sunny Cars. However, if you book the rental car “with a deductible/excess/deposit” (this is the case with many other platforms), you have to pay a certain amount (usually a few hundred Euros) in the event of damage, which you won’t get back.

You can search for cheap rental cars (fully comprehensive) here: Sunny Cars

Is it safe to drive through Morocco with a rental car?

Honestly, we had our hesitations at first, but it was absolutely no problem ! The streets are mostly in very good condition. There is little traffic. We have never met any dubious people. We only avoided driving at night, but mostly because it is easy to miss a pothole.

Other tips for renting & driving in Morocco

We are happy to rent the car ourselves at the airport, because there is usually less traffic than in the stations in the city and you can get used to the traffic conditions in peace. We picked up our car from Marrakech on the day of departure for two reasons: Firstly, you don’t need a car in Marrakech so we were able to save costs. Secondly, as soon as you drive towards the medina, the traffic is horrendous. We didn’t want to do that to ourselves.

We bought a navigation device , but would not recommend it. It was quite expensive (approx. 12 Euros per day) and we didn’t find much benefit from having it. In addition, we couldn’t find a lot of the places in the navigation system and had to trust our own orientation or the travel guide map.We’d recommend you to better download an offline app for your smartphone. It makes a lot more sense.

An international driver’s license is usually not necessary when renting and we were never asked for it. Nevertheless, we recommend that you get one for insurance reasons alone. You can easily get your international driver’s license for around 15 Euros at the ÖAMTC (Austria) or ADAC (Germany).

In larger cities, you should avoid the car, which saves you time and stress. It is best to park the rental car as close as possible to the accommodation (e.g. in a guarded parking lot or at best at the hotel car park) and switch to taxis for the duration of the stay or cover the distances by foot.

Police controls in Morocco

What many stories are circulating on the Internet are the police controls in Morocco: Yes, it is true. They are everywhere and you are likely to be controlled if you travel to Morocco in your own car.

Our personal experience: We never had a negative experience with the Moroccan police. Even when we were stopped after crossing a stop line during an overtaking manoeuvre, the policeman was very understanding (“French campervans are always slow, I understand that.”)

However, corruption is definitely an issue: we managed to negotiate the amount of our penalty down by half. Otherwise, the control was quite heavily regulated.

Even in the larger cities ( Marrakech , Fez , Casablanca etc.) you can do most of the walking . For longer distances, it is common to take a taxi. A basic distinction is made in Morocco between Petit Taxi and Grand Taxi.

• The Petit Taxi (small taxi) is – as the name suggests – a very small car that can pass through narrow streets.
• A Grand Taxi tends to be used for longer distances, i.e. between two cities or for destinations that are slightly outside the city.

The fare is generally determined by a taximeter, but of course they will try to convince you that it is not currently working. Therefore, you should either ask another driver or negotiate the fare in advance if they try to pull the ‘taximeter trick’ on you.

Prices vary from city to city – depending on how much people are used to tourism. In Marrakech, for example, you can expect a short distance ride to cost 50 Dirhams or more. However, you should really pay a maximum of 30 Dirhams. In Casablanca, we often only paid 20 Dirhams for a longer distance. Also, you can expect a surcharge at night.

Currency & Paying in Morocco

Morocco’s currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 Euro corresponds to about 10.70 Dirham (as of early 2021). With the prices written in Morocco, you simply mentally omit a zero at the end to get the approximate amount of Euros.

You can easily withdraw money from ATMs . If you are from Austria, make sure that the GeoControl function is deactivated at your bank before you leave. You can usually do that online.

Travel expenses in Morocco: price level and price examples

What does it cost in Morocco …?

• Double room in a beautiful riad in Marrakech: 70 to 100 Euros per night
• Car rental for a week: 200 to 250 Euros
• Taxi ride in Marrakech or Fez: 20 to 30 Dirhams
• Dinner for two in a nice restaurant: 200 Dirhams
• Entry to the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech: 80 Dirhams
• Entry to the Bahia Palace in Marrakech: 50 Dirhams

We would describe the price levels in Morocco as somewhat lower than in Austria or Germany. But don’t expect to have a super cheap trip in Morocco.

Tipping Culture

Tipping is not only seen as desirable in Morocco for many services, but is actually expected . In restaurants, 5 to 10 percent is appropriate. We would also leave the service staff from our accommodation around 10 to 20 Dirham per day in the room.

If you ask for directions or if you take a picture of someone, he or she may also ask for money. We would also then give about 10 to 20 Dirhams.

Morocco is a paradise for photography enthusiasts . And yet there are a few things to consider: Especially if you want to take pictures of people (and Moroccans are really photogenic), you should always ask for permission . In larger cities where people are used to tourists, you will almost always be asked to tip if you want to take pictures of someone.

An extreme example is the Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of people who earn their daily bread as a photo model. Unfortunately, you are often asked for money here, in a not overly kind approach.

On our trip, we preferred another way to get great portraits: We would simply buy something from someone and then asked the person for a photo.

It should be borne in mind that in Islam, the depiction of people is prohibited or not welcome. You should keep this restriction in mind when taking pictures, especially if you are in highly religious areas. If in doubt, we would advise against taking a photo and retreat rather than attract attention.

Under no circumstances should you photograph military facilities and uniformed officers (police, security guards, etc.) (thanks to Ricky for the tip).

Mobile Internet: SIM card in Morocco

Nowadays, most of us are used to being online while traveling. Therefore, we would highly recommend that you buy a local SIM card for your smartphone when you get there. It is a great way to navigate from A to B and can also be used to search for tips on restaurants or sights.

You can buy the SIM card directly at the airport. It is important that your smartphone is unlocked for all networks (i.e. not limited to one provider). The SIM card is usually setup and activated directly by the staff – without any problems. The price will depend on the data volume, but generally speaking SIM cards are quite cheap.

Network coverage in Morocco is good, although there are places where you don’t have a network. Especially in sparse, barren regions between the cities you often have to do without reception. However, the reception is very good in the cities themselves.

Also WiFi is quite widespread in Morocco: the vast majority of hotels offer WiFi. However, the speed leaves somethings to be said.

Helpful apps for your trip to Morocco

• Google Translate (download the French version so you can use it offline): Especially in rural areas, you’ll find many speak little to no English, but instead speak French.
• maps.me or CityMaps2Go (download the Morocco map so that you can also use it offline): perfect for marking individual sights and restaurants.
• Maps app (iPhone) or Google Maps: Great for navigating from A to B.
• Happy Cow: great for finding vegetarian restaurants nearby.

Disclaimer: Affiliate Links

This blog article contains our personal recommendations in the form of affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, then we will receive a small commission. This will not change the prices for you at all. A million thanks from the both of us!

Do you have any other travel tips for Morocco? Let us know in the comments. We look forward to reading about your experience!

You might also be interested in this

Marrakech Travel Guide: Travel Tips and our Honest Review

Fez Travel Guide: Best Sights and Tips for the Oldest Medina in Morocco

Casablanca Travel Guide: How to Spend the Perfect Day

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Morocco Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 2, 2023

Chaotic. Colorful. Eye-opening. Visiting Morocco is an intense experience. My time there was challenging, but it was also a reminder that the best part of travel is embracing the uncomfortable.

Once part of the Carthaginian Empire, the first independent Moroccan state emerged around 225 BCE as the Berber kingdom of Mauretania. That kingdom eventually became a Roman province, though, by the 7th century CE, Muslim conquest of North Africa was in full swing. A French Protectorate from 1912-1956, Morocco gained its independence in 1956 and has been an independent state ever since.

I loved my time in Morocco. I gorged on couscous, drank my body weight in mint tea, hiked, and absorbed the hectic sights and sounds of the country.

From the high Atlas Mountains to the desert to the coasts, Morocco is a marvelous country that mesmerizes. True, the sprawling and disorderly medinas can test your patience, but they reward your senses each and every visit.

Use this Morocco travel guide to plan your trip, see the best the country has to offer, save money, and avoid the common pitfalls that waylay unsuspecting travelers!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Morocco

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in morocco.

1. Explore Marrakesh

Spend some time in the Djemaa el-Fna, where you can find exotic street performers, tattoo artists, musicians, and chefs. After that, wander around the medina, explore the souks, eat in the market, see the old city, and enjoy Morocco’s most international city. Marrakesh has it all.

2. Sleep in the Sahara Desert

The Sahara is vast, empty, and spectacular. Spending the night in a simple tent on the dunes was my favorite activity while in the country and I highly recommend you try it too. The stars go on forever and there’s no light pollution to block them out. (Skip the camel ride, though!)

3. Explore the blue streets of Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is a small city located in the middle of the Rif Mountains. It is very relaxed, offers reasonable accommodations, and is visually stunning as the streets and buildings are all painted a vibrant sky blue (you’ve probably seen it on Instagram). It’s a great place to wander, shop, and sip mint tea.

4. Visit Fez

This old and powerful city is one of the best places in the country. Its narrow streets are filled with wonderful aromas, mosques, craft shops, and crowds upon crowds of people. Though Fez can be a bit overwhelming, once you get used to the pace of the city, it’s simply magical.

5. Relax in a traditional hammam

A hammam is a steam bath popular in North Africa. They are usually found near mosques or toiletry shops and can be upscale or public (traditional). Visit a no-frills traditional bath for an authentic and enlightening experience. Public hammams cost about 10 MAD, while hotel hammams cost 300-500 MAD.

Other Things to See and Do in Morocco

1. get lost in the medinas.

The medinas are the historic hearts of each city in Morocco, part residential area, part shopping center, part food market. Shops, restaurants, markets, and homes all line the twisting and turning streets in buildings seemingly too close together and too old to stay up much longer. As someone who loves to get lost, the medinas were heaven. Word of caution: The Fez Medina is a bit unsafe, so do not go too far off the beaten path. Stick to streets with lots of people or hire a guide to show you around.

2. Trek the High Atlas

The rugged and beautiful Atlas Mountains stretch over 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles), from the West Coast of Morocco all the way to Tunisia. This mountain range is home to Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s tallest peak at 13,671 feet. You can hike all year round, but the best time is from April to May. The Toubkal Circuit (7 days) and M’Goun Traverse (3 days) are some of the more popular treks.

3. Trek through the Todra Gorge

Located near Tinerhir in the High Atlas Mountains, this gorge is one of the most recognized in the world and has become very popular with travelers looking to hike the canyon. It’s a challenging hike and takes around 4 hours but if you’re looking for something truly different and outdoorsy in Morocco, don’t miss out on this. For an even more unique experience, skip the day trip and stay overnight in the nearby village of Ait Baha.

4. Visit the Hassan II Mosque

The Hassan II Mosque, located in Casablanca, is a huge mosque with a minaret that stands 60 stories. It’s the second-largest mosque in Africa and the seventh-largest in the world. The walls are made of marble and the roof is retractable (the minaret also has a laser that points to Mecca at night). It took thousands of Moroccan artists a total of five years to build this detailed architectural masterpiece. Its mosaics, plaster moldings, marble and stone columns and floors, and wood ceilings are utterly impressive. It is big enough for 105,000 worshipers! Combined entry to the mosque and museum is 140 MAD.

5. Learn to cook traditional Moroccan food

Traditional Moroccan food is a blend of Berber, Arabic, Turkish, Middle Eastern, and French cuisine. Many hotels and guesthouses offer cooking classes in the big cities like Marrakesh and Fez. You can buy fresh produce from the local market and then make a traditional dish. Café Clock offers some of the best classes. With locations in Marrakesh, Chefchaouen, and Fez, this Western-influenced café is famous for its gigantic and delicious camel burger (which tastes a lot like spicy shawarma).

6. Wander thru Kasbah les Oudaias

Located in Rabat, this 12th-century Kasbah is found in the oldest part of the city. The citadel, with its narrow streets of white houses, and a great place to wander around and take some pictures. Its elevation offers beautiful views of the river and ocean.

7. Go surfing

Morocco is extremely popular among surfers. The best time to go is during the winter months when the waves are bigger and more consistent, and the air and water temperature is mild. Head to Taghazout, the most popular surf town, to catch some of the best surf in the country. A week-long stay at a surf camp, including lessons, equipment, accommodation, and airport transfer costs around 5,000 MAD.

8. Visit Tangier

This major city in northern Morocco is located on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The city’s location means that many civilizations and cultures have left their mark on Tangiers since at least the 10th century BCE. From 1924-1956, Tangier was an international zone separate from Morocco, and thus became a destination for many European and American diplomats, businessmen, writers, and spies during this time. Don’t miss the Grand Mosque, the Kasbah, and strolling down the beach promenade.

9. See Atlas Studios

Named for its proximity to the Atlas Mountains, Atlas Film Studios in the city of Ouarzazate is the largest film studio in the world, covering more than 322,000 sq ft of the desert. Many big films have been shot here including: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Hanna (2011), and part of the TV series Game of Thrones . Be sure to visit the nearby Ksar of Aït Benhaddou kasbah too! It plays into what people think a ksar (fortified village) should look like. I enjoyed roaming the streets and climbing to the top for the view.

10. See the Ancient City of Volubilis

A major trading center and the southernmost settlement during Roman times, Volubilis is one of the best-preserved (and least frequented) such ruins in the world. It originally dates to the 3rd century BCE and became the capital of the ancient kingdom of Mauretania, growing even more during Roman rule. I found it empty of tourists, not built up, and open in a way that lets you see the structures up close without being behind ten feet of barriers and jostled by crowds. Most of the city is still unexcavated so the site has a very “Indiana Jones” feel to it. I’ve been to a lot of Roman ruins in my travels, but this one is my favorite. Admission is 70 MAD.

11. Enjoy the Meknes Medina

Pleasantly stroll the Medina in Meknes without being pestered. Located in Central Morocco, this authentic market sells handicrafts made in Meknes such as embroidery and Meknes “Damascene” ironwork. If the Medinas of Fez and Marrakesh overwhelm you, this is the place to go.

12. Explore Essaouira

Essaouira is located a few hours from Marrakesh on the Atlantic coast and is a popular beach destination for tourists, especially Brits. I loved the relaxed atmosphere of the city, the lack of pushy touts, the sea air, and all the fresh fish. Be sure to visit the wonderful fish market in town, where all the small fishermen sell their day’s catch. Afterward, check out the small fish stalls nearby in the main square where you can enjoy fresh, grilled seafood for cheap.

  For more information on specific destinations in Morocco, check out these guides:

• Fez Travel Guide
• Marrakesh Travel Guide

Morocco Travel Costs

Accommodation – Dorm rooms with 6-8 beds cost between 80-110 MAD per night in the big cities like Marrakesh and Fez, and about 50-60 MAD in smaller places. Private rooms in hostels cost around 260-380 MAD. Free Wi-Fi is standard and many hostels also include free breakfast.

Budget hotels in Marrakesh and Fez cost around 270-410 MAD per night for a double room. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, free breakfast, and sometimes even an outdoor pool.

Wild camping is legal in Morocco for those traveling with a tent. Locals usually don’t like people camping on or near their property, however, so only take advantage of this if you’re not going to disturb anyone. Don’t be surprised if nomads or police stop by to check on you.

Food – Moroccan cuisine is a colorful, flavorful mix of Berber, Andalusian, and Mediterranean traditions with a pinch of French and sub-Saharan cuisine to round things out. It is a land of spices, so expect flavorful meals at every turn (the traditional ras el hanout spice mix is composed of 27 different spices). Beef, goat, and lamb are some of the most common meats, usually eaten with couscous. Fish like mackerel and anchovy are also quite common, owing to the country’s location on the coast. Be sure to try pastilla , a pastry filled with meat or seafood.

Eating in Morocco can be extremely cheap, especially if you eat at the many markets. A pot of mint tea costs between 8-10 MAD. Indulge in local food, including the popular tagine , a meat and vegetables dish for about 35-55 MAD. Sandwiches, pizza, and most other dishes range between 30-50 MAD.

A fish dish in coastal cities like Essaouira costs about 100-150 MAD while a lobster is about 350-400 MAD. Seafood dinners come with drinks, salad, and bread.

For more touristy or Western restaurants, expect to spend at least 150 MAD or more per main dish.

Beer and wine cost around 70 MAD for a drink (however, there aren’t that many opportunities to drink in Morocco, so I wouldn’t factor it much into your budget).

There’s no need to buy groceries here as the food is cheap and it’s far easier to eat out! But if you do, expect to pay 200 MAD per week for groceries that include pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic staples.

Backpacking Morocco Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker’s budget expect to spend around 285 MAD per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, eating at market stalls and cooking some meals, limiting your drinking (which is very easy to do here), using local transportation to get around, and sticking to free and cheap activities like free walking tours and public hammam visits.

On a mid-range budget of 525 MAD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, eat out for all your meals, take the train between cities, and do more paid tours and activities like museum visits and camping in the Sahara.

On a “luxury” budget of 1,120 MAD or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, enjoy a few drinks, fly between cities or hire a driver, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in MAD.

Morocco Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

It doesn’t cost a lot of money to travel Morocco — though it’s also easy to splash out here if you want. Here are my tips for saving money in Morocco:

• Eat from street stalls – It’s extremely easy to eat cheaply in Morocco. While restaurant meals typically cost as little as 30 MAD, street food is even cheaper. For just a few dollars, you can indulge in delicious kebabs, sausages, barbecued corn on the cob, roasted chicken, huge sandwiches, and more. Stick to eating at the local markets in the medina to spend very little money on food.
• Negotiate your cab fare – Be sure to negotiate a price before you get into the taxi. There aren’t set prices and you need to bargain hard. Ask your hotel/hostel staff for price estimates so you don’t get ripped off.
• Avoid faux guides – Faux guides (or false guides) linger in the medinas and offer you tour services. Be forceful in saying no while walking away. They are persistent but eventually give up if you keep walking.
• Be careful of thieves – Petty theft, mostly involving wallets, watches, and cameras, is prevalent in the crowded medinas around the country. Stay alert and keep your valuables out of sight.
• Avoid drinking – Even though drinking is frowned upon in the country, you can still find plenty of places that allow you to drink. They are overpriced (since alcohol is not common here) and the drinks aren’t that good. Avoid drinking during your visit, save money, and align yourself closer to local norms.
• Stay with a local – If you want to save money and get some local insight into the city, use Couchsurfing. Staying with a local is the best way to get a feel for the country and learn some insider tips in the process.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is generally safe to drink but you should bring a reusable water bottle with a filter just in case. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Morocco

Looking for a place to rest your head in Morocco? Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Morocco for your next visit:

• Riad Dia (Marrakesh)
• Riad Jennah Rouge (Marrakesh)
• Kasbah Red Castle Hostel (Marrakesh)
• Funky Fes (Fez)
• Aline Hostel (Chefchaouen)
• The Chill Art (Essaouira)
• Atlantic Hostel (Essaouira)
• Baytalice (Tangiers)

How to Get Around Morocco

Public transportation – Public transportation can be hit or miss in Morocco. The bigger cities, like Marrakesh and Casablanca, have public bus services, but the buses are old and overcrowded and the routes are hard to figure out.

Instead, most people use petits taxis to get around town. These are small vehicles that can hold up to three people and are prevalent all over the country. They’re very cheap, although there may be a surcharge after 8pm. To ensure you get a fair fare, negotiate your price upfront.

Metered taxis are also available in bigger cities like Marrakesh. Fares start around 7 MAD and then they charge 4 MAD per kilometer.

Grand taxis – Grand taxis are shared taxis that can carry up to six passengers and are used to go longer distances between neighboring towns/cities. They won’t leave until the taxi is full but generally wait times aren’t so bad. You can locate one near just about any taxi stand or bus/train station. If you have a lot of luggage, you may have to pay extra. You should arrange your fare ahead of time.

Bus – Intercity buses are a cheap and efficient way to get around Morocco, especially compared to other methods of transportation. The four most popular operators are:

• SATAS (regional)
• Ghazala (regional)

CTM and Supratours are the most reliable and have comfortable buses with air conditioning. You can book your tickets online or simply show up at the bus station. The websites aren’t terribly reliable or efficient to use. A 4-hour bus ride from Marrakesh to Casablanca is about 75-110 MAD, while a 6.5-hour ride from Marrakesh to Tangier is 260-275 MAD. Casablanca to Fez is 95-120 MAD.

Train – Morocco’s national rail network is operated by ONCF and services some of the country’s major cities like Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, and Fez. The trains are comfortable and they’re usually on time, but disruptions do occasionally happen. There is now a high-speed rail running between Casablanca to Fez too. You can look up schedules and prices on ONCF .

The 2.5-hour train trip from Marrakesh to Casablanca costs about 50 MAD, while the 4.5-hour journey from Marrakesh to Rabat starts around 150-180 MAD. Traveling from Casablanca to Fez takes 4 hours and is 50-120 MAD. The journey from Fez to Marrakesh takes 6.5 hours and costs 195 MAD.

Flying – Royal Air Maroc is the main domestic airline, and they sometimes have good sales. An hour flight from Marrakesh to Casablanca starts at around 870 MAD, while a one-hour flight from Marrakesh to Fez starts at 520 MAD.

Car rental – Car rental isn’t typically recommended in Morocco. Drivers are aggressive and accident rates are high! But if you want to venture off the beaten path, it’s a good way to go. You can find rentals starting from 200 MAD per day (sometimes cheaper).

When to Go to Morocco

The best time to visit Morocco is during the country’s shoulder seasons, which run from April to May and September to November. The temperatures are nice and warm during this time and there is less tourist traffic. (However, this changes if you plan on spending most of your time surfing the coast or hiking the Atlas Mountains.)

Summer lasts from June to August, and it can be ridiculously hot all over the country during this time — especially the further south you go (including in Marrakesh and Fez). A lot of people head to the coast to enjoy places like Tangier, Rabat, and Essaouira. Expect highs above 35°C (95°F).

Winters (December-February) are mild, but it can get quite cold in the evenings. Temperatures drop as low as -3°C (27°F) in Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains receive heavy snowfall. Winters in the north and along the coast are very wet. Overall, it’s not a great time to be here.

The best time to go hiking in the Atlas Mountains is from April to May (spring) and September to October (fall). It’s mild during these months and there’s little risk of severe weather. Summer is the best time to enjoy the coast, where temperatures go as high as 27°C (80°F) but the ocean breeze offers plenty of relief.

How to Stay Safe in Morocco

Overall, Morocco is a safe destination but traveling here requires vigilance. You’re unlikely to ever be in any real physical danger in Morocco, but the petty crime and harassment require you to stay on guard — more so than in other countries.

Women traveling alone attract a lot of attention here and the chances of being followed and possibly groped are high. This is a particular problem in crowded medinas. Always be watchful and trust your gut. Do not bring valuables with you and keep your belongings tight to your body. Dress conservatively and avoid wearing a lot of jewelry.

Walking alone at night is generally not a good idea in the cities. If you’re unsure about an area, ask the hotel staff which areas are safe. If you need a taxi, always arrange the price in advance to avoid getting ripped off.

When out and about, locals might invite you into their shops or offer to guide you around. Always politely but firmly decline otherwise you might end up getting ripped off.

If you’re worried about getting scammed, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 19 for assistance (112 for mobile phones).

Always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and get out. If your hotel is seedier than you thought, get out of there. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they know where you are.

For more in-depth coverage of how to stay safe in Morocco, check out this post that answers frequently asked questions and concerns.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Morocco Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Morocco Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Morocco and continue planning your trip:

The Best Tour Companies in Morocco

Is Morocco Safe? 11 Ways to Stay Safe During Your Visit

A Journey of 1,000 Mint Teas: Reflections on Traveling Morocco

11 Reasons Why I Fell in Love With Morocco

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• Related Blogs

23 Travel Tips for Morocco – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

What are the best travel tips for Morocco? In this article, I’ll tell you a few things that you should know before visiting Morocco. I’ll also explain some key points that make Morocco stand apart and I’ll give you travel advice that will help you enjoy your trip to Morocco even more.

Morocco is a country that attracts people from all over the world and this all year round thanks to its exotic landscapes and gorgeous traditional cities. It’s a country that has charmed our hearts with its waterfalls , port cities , and huge sand dunes .

There is definitely a lot to do in Morocco but what should travelers know before visiting this North-African country? What are the best travel tips for Morocco?

Travel tip for Morocco #1: You should definitely visit the waterfalls

Read more to find out what you should know before visiting Morocco. These are useful travel tips and small everyday life details that we couldn’t help but observe while visiting this beautiful country.

Morocco is not just a huge desert…

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Our top travel tips for Morocco

1. a lot of shops and restaurants in morocco are closed on fridays.

Morocco is a Muslim country and as such, Fridays are sacred days. A bit like Sundays for Christians. In Morocco, Fridays are usually the days when families and friends gather, stay at home and share a hearty Couscous.

Because of this a lot of cafes, stores, and restaurants are not open on Friday until the late afternoon.

Things are quiet on Friday mornings in Morocco…

Imagine walking out of your hostel in Morocco one morning with a super hungry belly just to find out that nothing is open. Not a single open restaurant in sight and no shop where you can buy some snacks.

That has happened to us on quite a few occasions and for some reason, we always forget to prepare for this ahead of time!

A quick tip: If you’re backpacking around Morocco and you’re in a small town on a Thursday night, buy food for the next morning.

In rural areas, you might not find any shop open on Friday mornings…

2. People generally get up late and stay up late

In the north of Morocco and especially in Tangier, life starts rather late in the morning. If you’re an early bird, you might have trouble finding a place open for a coffee before 10 AM.

By the same token, people stay up super late. When we were staying in a hostel in the old medina of Tangier , we could hear people talking and howling with laughter in the streets until 2 AM. Needless to say, we didn’t get much rest that night.

Two happy travelers in the old Medina of Tangier…

People in Morocco also stay up very late during Ramadan . Since they’re only allowed to eat after sunset, a lot of restaurants are opened during that month until one in the morning.

For those who enjoy a midnight snack, Ramadan will be the perfect time to travel to Morocco.

People stay up late in big touristic cities and especially during Ramadan…

3. It’s easy to travel around Morocco by bus, by train or even by hitchhiking

Trains in Morocco are super cheap and cozy. They’re also a great way to see the Moroccan countryside in comfort.

Their only downside is that they aren’t very fast except for the new high-speed train linking Tangier , Casablanca , and Rabat . That’s OK for me though since I love studying languages and long train rides in Morocco meant I had more time to study Moroccan Arabic .

Trains in Morocco are very comfortable…

In Morocco, it’s very easy to buy your train tickets in person directly at the train station. There is no need to try to buy them online ahead of time.

All the information on prices and timetables can be found on the ONCF website, once you know which train you will take you can head over to the train station to buy your ticket.

Make sure to bring cash to buy your ticket as it’s not always possible to pay by debit or credit card.

Every town or city has a bus station making it really easy to travel around the country…

It’s also equally easy to get around Morocco by bus. My advice though would be to buy a ticket from a bus company called CTM . Their buses are super comfortable, they take you directly to your destination and they don’t stop to pick people along the way.

Getting around Morocco by train or by bus is easy but hitchhiking wins the prize for the easiest means of transport around the country.

Hitchhiking in Morocco is not only possible, but it’s also super easy. We hitchhiked as a couple and almost never had to wait for more than an hour to get a ride. We also hitchhiked with two friends and our waiting time was similar, despite being 4 people and having an equal amount of big backpacks.

Hitchhiking in Morocco is super easy…

A lot of people giving us rides in Morocco invited us in their homes for a meal and they were super happy to hear our stories and talk with us. Learning a few words in Moroccan Arabic would be of tremendous help if you hitchhike around Morocco.

We sometimes got rides in pick-up trucks…

Another great tip is to ask someone to write down your destination on a piece of cardboard in Arabic.

This is a lovely family who hosted us in their home when we were hitchhiking in Morocco…

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Read our Travel Guide to Backpacking in Morocco

for mo info on how to get around the country

4. Moroccans speak so many languages!

I love learning languages and often pride myself in the fact that I speak quite a few of them. One day I was on the square of Jemma al Fenaa in Marrakesh and I was talking with two youngsters about my language skills. They didn’t seem very impressed and they quickly put me to shame by speaking in more than eleven different languages!

In Marrakesh, you’ll meet people who speak many different languages…

And that didn’t happen only once while I was in Morocco. All over Tangier, Rabat, and Meknes, I met young Moroccans who were absolute language masters.

This is a reflection of Morocco’s diverse influences. Berber, Arab, French and Spanish speaking groups of people have shaped what is now a very unique culture. It’s not uncommon to meet people who speak all of these different languages in Morocco.

Moroccans are language masters…

Want to learn Arabic?

Read: Tips and tricks to learn Moroccan Arabic

5. Morocco isn’t a party country

Morocco isn’t really the place to come and party. Although alcohol is sometimes allowed in certain hostels, generally it isn’t. Drinks in bars are also more expensive in Morocco than what you would typically pay in Europe.

Alcohol is not impossible to get though and most cities will have a few liquor stores. Because Cynthia and I are wine lovers, we continued buying our traditional weekly bottle whenever we were staying in apartments we had booked online.

Parties and drinking however always happen behind closed doors. Drinking in public in Morocco is prohibited. In general, being drunk outside is never a great idea in this Muslim country and is bound to get you in trouble.

Morocco is a Muslim country and not really the place to come and party…

6. Healthy and cheap food everywhere

Fruits and veggies in Morocco are some of the best I had in my whole life. They are plentiful, easily accessible all year round and they are super fresh. Morocco could be a very good travel option for Vegans .

Bigger Moroccan cities usually have an open-air fruit and vegetable market or they will have fruits and vegetables for sale in the old city.

Fresh fruit and veggies all year round…

My favorite fresh produce market in Morocco was the one in Tangier. It has everything you could imagine and some of the lowest prices I have seen in my life.

Apart from finding delicious food there, the place is a photographer’s paradise. Cynthia went there a few time to snap amazing pictures of the market’s atmosphere.

So many different kinds of olives…

Curious about the price of food in Morocco?

Read: Morocco on a budget

7. In Morocco always ask before taking pictures

Photographing people in Morocco is much harder than in other countries.

The Moroccans are very nice, friendly and talkative people. They usually smile, offer their help and are interested in who you are and where you come from. But the moment you aim your camera at them, their attitude changes.

Some people will suddenly cover their faces and firmly object having their photo taken, others might even scream at you.

This happened to Cynthia when she was in Chefchaouen . She had her camera in her hand and was waiting for a woman and her child to pass by so she could take a photo of the blue street. The woman thought she was going to photograph her and made a huge scene.

In this North-African country, people are rarely very keen on having their picture taken. It’s always better to approach people first and engage in conversation with them for a while to break the ice before asking to take their portrait.

approached the right way, people will gladly let you photograph them…

Taking pictures of people in Morocco is a real challenge. After a few months in the country though, Cynthia became really good at it. She wrote a cool guide in which she explains the techniques she used to approach and take pictures of people there.

With the right techniques, taking pictures of people in Morocco is not as hard as it sounds…

Read: How to photograph people in Morocco

8. Buy and register your Sim card in a shop, not on the streets

If you’re planning to stay in Morocco for a long period of time, you might be wondering how to get a good internet connection whilst in the country.

The best way to have fast, decent and reliable internet in Morocco is to buy a sim card and use your mobile data as a hotspot for your laptop.

Moroccans often sell sim cards directly on the streets…

What we recommend is that you go to an official agency to register for a sim card instead of buying one from a street vendor. You’ll need your passport to register but at least you’ll know that the number is and stays yours.

When you buy a sim card on the streets, the sim card might stop working after a couple of weeks. The agency, on the other hand, will explain how to recharge your mobile data on a weekly or monthly basis.

Read also: Surfing in Morocco – A Guide to the Best Surfing Spots in the Country

9. If you’re not Muslim you won’t be allowed to enter most of the mosques in Morocco

Unless you’re a Muslim, most mosques around the country will be off-limits. If you’d really love to see the inside of one, however, you could always visit the mosque Hassan II in Casablanca . A ticket to visit this mosque costs 120 MAD.

A mosque open to the public I highly recommend visiting is an old abandoned mud-brick mosque called Mosque Ikalane. It’s located in the small town of Tinerhir near the Todra gorges in the south of Morocco.

Mosque Ikelane in the small town of Tinghir is open to the public…

This mosque is usually guarded by a very friendly old man who will be happy to tell you about its history and the current restoration projects.

The caretaker of the mosque will be very happy to tell you about the history of the place…

Mosque Ikalane looks like a simple mud-brick building with a brown pointy cupola and is one of the few mosques you’ll be allowed to visit when in Morocco. There are no official entrance fees but if you give a small donation to the old man for the restoration work, it will be very welcome.

This is what the inside of the mosque looks like now…

10. Moroccans have the best mint tea in the world

You know how certain tastes can trigger emotions and memories? Whenever I taste mint, I can’t help but think of Morocco.

Moroccans have adopted mint tea as their national drink and they consume loads of it.

They are so fond of this sweet drink that they call it the “Moroccan Whiskey”. It is served with almost every meal and tastes absolutely delicious. I just couldn’t stop ordering this sweet drink while I was traveling in the country and it’s one of the 13 things that made me fall in love with Morocco .

Moroccans sure love mint tea…

11. Morocco has a lot of rooftop terraces

In the old Medinas of popular Moroccan cities, the streets between buildings are usually very narrow. Because of this most of the buildings have rooftop terraces and this is where women will hang their laundry and where they will socialize.

Riads in popular towns like Chefchaouen also have terraces but these are usually used by tourists to admire the sunset after a long day of hiking in the Rif mountains.

One recommendation I can give you before you visit Morocco is to take advantage of the rooftop terraces as much as you can while you’re there. They are the perfect place to see the cities from above and to get really cool views of the medinas.

The rooftop terraces in Chefchaouen are the perfect place to admire the sunset…

Tons of restaurants in cities like Meknes and Marrakesh also have rooftop terraces where you can eat while you admire the central square of the city.

Restaurant terraces will give you a cool view of the city…

12. Couscous Fridays

In Morocco, Fridays are days when families gather together and eat couscous. You’ll see this dish in every restaurant but Friday in Morocco is when it’s traditionally eaten with the families and loved ones.

I find it beautiful to see family and friends gather for that special meal. Moroccan families will also sometime put a plate of couscous with some spoons on a stall in the street for the poorest of the community or the homeless.

Nothing beats a good dish of couscous, meat, and vegetables…

When I was living in Tangier, my neighbors would always invite me for couscous on Fridays and it felt great to share that traditional moment with Moroccan friends.

Some of the different spices used with couscous…

13. Hashish is everywhere!

Hashish is absolutely everywhere in Morocco. When Cynthia and I were in Chefchaouen , we would be approached by guys who would ask us first if we were looking for a restaurant and then almost inevitably if we wanted some hashish.

This started happening so often that every time someone approached us, we knew he’d be offering us hashish at one point. Cynthia and I got offered some hashish by local dealers at least 8 times per day.

Most of the hashish is produced in the Rif mountains near Chefchaouen…

Hashish is commonly and casually offered in the streets of Morocco and you shouldn’t be alarmed by this.

I can’t tell you how much the hash costs as we don’t smoke it but apparently it’s very cheap and you won’t likely get in trouble for buying and smoking it in your hostel in Chefchaouen . However, I wouldn’t recommend smoking it openly anywhere else, you could get into pretty serious trouble.

Chefchaouen is a place where you’re not likely to get in trouble for smoking hashish…

14. Moroccan men love to sit in Cafes

Cafes are the place where Moroccan men typically socialize. Cafes are found in every popular street and they’re usually filled to the brim with middle-age men drinking coffee, and mint tea while they watch football or have long conversations about politics and the weather.

Cafe Hafa is one of the most popular cafes in Tangier…

15. Houses and hotels can be cold in winter

Because most houses in Morocco are poorly insulated, they get quite cold in winter. Most Moroccan families will have electrical heaters though but some hostels and hotels won’t.

If you plan to travel to Morocco in winter, I suggest bringing a good warm sleeping bag . Very often hostels provide very few blankets to their guests. I can assure you that I would have been cold very often in Moroccan hostels if it wasn’t for my sleeping bag.

If your hostel doesn’t have a heater or warm blankets, you can always use it for extra warmth or as an extra comfy pillow.

16. When you buy things, always bargain

If you visit Morocco, you’ll have to learn to haggle prices. Moroccans love to haggle and bargain and it’s a big part of their culture. If you’re patient enough and don’t accept the initial deal, you can lower the price by a huge amount.

Moroccans love haggling prices and some would consider it the national sport…

Another point to consider is that there are usually tons of shops in the souks selling exactly the same things. If you can’t get a good deal with one seller, don’t despair and pay the neighboring stand a visit. You’ll probably end up getting a better offer.

If you learn how to haggle, you’ll be able to reduce the price of things by a lot…

I would suggest learning a few helpful words in Moroccan Arabic before hitting the markets.

17. Juices! So many good fruit juices everywhere

Morocco is the land of fresh fruits. Every Moroccan city has a type of fresh fruit juice stores called Makshada. You can simply walk in, look at the menu and ask for a blend of your favorite fruits.

They’re filled with vitamins and they’re the perfect way to start the day. My personal favorite juice is a mix of strawberries and orange juice. I’m crazy about it, and at one moment, it was an essential part of my daily Moroccan routine.

You can buy fresh fruit juice everywhere!

18. In hammams, strangers will gladly wash your back

Visiting a Hammam is the quintessential Moroccan experience. In Essaouira, just like in most major Moroccan cities, you will have two options when it comes to visiting Hammams. You can either go to the popular local hammam where the majority of the locals go to or you could visit a spa type hammam.

I would personally recommend the first type over the latter. Popular cheap local hammams are a great part of the Moroccan culture.

All you need to do before you go is grab some natural Argan soap and your scrubbing cloth. Once there, you’ll be handed a bucket and you have to undress in the midst of locals scrubbing each other’s back while chatting about their daily life.

This is how the soap used in hammams is made…

It’s not uncommon for strangers to offer each other a good back scrub in traditional hammams. If someone offers to wash your back, they’ll probably expect the same thing in return.

Hammams in Morocco are separate for men and women. Women will typically strip down to their panties and not wear any bra while men will wear some underpants.

19. Lookout for bedbugs in hostels

Because of the temperate climate and the steady stream of travelers, Moroccan hostels can be plagued with bedbugs.

Whenever you book a hostel in Morocco, double-check the reviews. If you see mention of bedbugs, you should avoid the place unless you want to give the little fellas a free snack and carry the bugs on your trip with you.

20. Morocco is not a huge desert and its landscapes might surprise you

Before I visited Morocco, I was expecting the country to be very arid and a huge desert. I was actually surprised and blown away by how varied the landscapes are here.

You can find everything in Morocco, from green valleys, wild-flowing waterfalls, serene lakes, snow-capped mountains and beautiful coastlines to subtropical palm groves, spectacular canyons, arid mars-like landscapes and desolate sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see.

Morocco has some gorgeous waterfalls…

When Cynthia and I were traveling from region to region, we sometimes felt like we were traveling from one country to another.

Morocco also has some beautiful snow covered mountain peaks…

If you love nature and hiking as much as we do, you definitely won’t be disappointed in Morocco! I would suggest reading our hiking guides to Morocco:

• The Complete Guide to Imlil and Hiking Mount Toubkal in Morocco
• Rock climbing and other fun things to do in the Todra Gorges and Tinerhir
• How to get to the Akchour Waterfalls from Chefchaouen

If you love mountain hikes, you’ll have a lot of fun near the Todra gorges…

21. Morocco has a very varied culture

Morocco is a mix of cultures and ethnic groups. I love to say that the Moroccan culture is a rich tapestry that weaves tons of different influences and traditions together.

Morocco is a mix of Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. This also reflects itself in the language. Moroccan Arabic blends words of Berber origin with classical Arabic. French and Spanish words are also assimilated in the colloquial language.

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When we were traveling through the villages of the Atlas Mountains, we saw elderly women who wore the traditional Berber facial tattoos, a rich heritage of the Berber traditions that were widespread around the country before the invasion of the Arabs.

Morocco is a melting pot of ethnicities so it’s not uncommon to meet people with blue eyes and blonde or ginger hair in the Rif mountains.

The Moroccans living in the desert near Merzouga have a very different culture than those living in big cities…  

22. Morocco doesn’t have a tipping culture

If you’re worried about whether or not you should leave a tip to your waiter in Morocco, don’t be. Moroccans don’t have a tipping culture as it exists in America.

It will still be appreciated if you do though and you could always leave 10 or 20 MAD on the table if you enjoyed the service.

In cafes or restaurants, waiters won’t necessarily expect a tip…

23. Moroccans are very expressive and talk with their hands

Moroccans are some of the most expressive and passionate people I have met. They can sometimes talk very loudly and might swing their hands in the air while doing so. They might seem like they’re angry or arguing but they’re probably only having a casual everyday conversation.

Once, Cynthia and I were in our hostel in Essaouira when we heard a Moroccan lady shouting from the neighboring roof. Another woman popped her head from another rooftop terrace and they started shouting at each other while wildly swinging their hands in the air.

We asked the hostel owner what they were talking about with the most incredulous look on our faces. Oh them? They’re simply talking about fish he replied. I swear, I never laughed so hard!

These are just a few tips fo Morocco. Is there anything you would add to this list? What are the things you wished you knew before visiting Morocco? Let us know in the comments below.

*This article contains affiliate links. If you book a hotel/hostel or purchase one of the recommended products through our website, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra costs for you. This way you’re helping us writing more informative and awesome guides like this. Thank you!

Read the rest of our articles for more travel tips for Morocco:

• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Backpacking in Morocco
• The 17 best places to visit in Morocco
• Morocco Itinerary – Discover the best places in Morocco in 7 days
• Renting a Car in Morocco – Everything you Need to Know
• 23 Travel Tips for Morocco – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
• Is Morocco Safe? – Safety Guide to Morocco
• Planning to travel to Morocco during Ramadan? Read this first:

       How is it to travel to Morocco during Ramadan?

• Morocco travel costs: Morocco on a budget – How much does it cost to travel and live in Morocco ?
• Everything you need to know about visiting the Ouzoud Waterfalls
• How to get to the Akchour Waterfalls from Chefchaouen (Morocco)
• How to plan a desert trip to Merzouga and other fun things to do in the Sahara
• Surfing in Morocco – A Guide to the Best Surfing Spots in the Country
• How to visit Paradise Valley Agadir
• FEZ: In Photos: Visiting the Leather Tanneries of Fez
• TANGIER: Top Things to Do in Tangier – The Ultimate City Guide
• ESSAOUIRA: An In-Depth Guide to Essaouira, Morocco’s windy city
• CHEFCHAOUEN: 12 Top Things to do in and around Chefchaouen, the Blue City of Morocco
• RABAT: 10 things to see and do in Rabat
• MEKNES: The honest guide to Meknes and Volubilis– What to see and what to skip
• MARRAKECH: What to do in Marrakech – A Complete Guide to Morocco’s Red City
• CASABLANCA: What to see in Casablanca in two days – Top Things To Do in Casablanca
• AGADIR: Top Things to Do in Agadir – Our Guide to the Surfing city

MOROCCO TRAVEL RESOURCES:

• Accommodation & Lodging in Morocco: Booking.com
• Car rental in Morocco
• Travel Insurance for Morocco: World Nomads   or SafetyWing  
• Best Books set in Morocco – 10 Great Novels about Morocco   
• Lonely Planet Morocco (Travel Guide)
• The Rough Guide to Morocco (Travel Guide with Free eBook) (Rough Guides)
• Lonely Planet Moroccan Arabic Phrasebook & Dictionary

8 thoughts on “23 Travel Tips for Morocco – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go”

Another really helpful article!

Thank you, happy to hear 🙂

Hey Cynthia As local guide from morocco, i found my self learning from this wonderful completable article, and comparing what i use to say to our guests to what you wrote. Thanks a lot for sharing this Regards Ibra

Thank you Ibra, I’m really glad to hear this! Best wishes, Cynthia

Incredibly interesting review, I love reading your blog! Thanks for the tips, it’s important to know that I need to ask permission before shooting. Good luck to you!

Thank you! And yes, the Moroccans don’t like it when you bluntly point your camera at them. They appreciate it if you first have a chat with them and then ask for their permission. Enjoy your trip to Morocco!

Having been to Morocco and planning another trip, I found your article both informative and very much a nostalgic reminder of things I saw. What bothered me a lot is that, among the mentions of all of the different cultures that contributed to the mosaic of Morocco, there was no mention of Jewish culture and sites. Nevertheless, Jews contributed greatly to the construction of a number of cities, are represented in a number of buildings, and are considered by Moroccans to be an important part of their heritage. Even though the present Jewish community is very small, evidence of their contributions remain and should not be ignored.

Hi Shoshana, we don’t ignore their contributions. We write about it in our city guides like f.eg. Chefchaouen. 🙂

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Protests related to the situation in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

Since October 13, 2023, protests have been taking place in Rabat, Casablanca and other cities near government buildings. The current protests are related to the ongoing situation in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Additional protests are expected in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fez, Tangier and several other cities across the country.

Moroccan authorities may employ enhanced measures to respond to demonstrations, including:

• deploying additional security forces
• using crowd dispersal methods

If you are near an affected area:

• exercise caution
• expect heightened security measures
• avoid all demonstrations and gatherings
• follow the instructions of local authorities

Border regions

The berm (border regions of western sahara).

A militarized boundary, known as the Berm, separates the Moroccan-controlled part of Western Sahara from the rest of the Saharan territory, which borders Algeria and Mauritania. There are fatalities involving unexploded ordnance in this zone each year.

Border with Algeria

Morocco’s border with Algeria is closed. Don’t attempt to cross into Algeria by land or water. Avoid boating close to the maritime border in order not to cross it.

Western Sahara

Western Sahara is a non-autonomous territory whose political and legal status has yet to be determined through the United Nations. It’s a former area of conflict that’s still littered with unexploded landmines, particularly in remote regions and the militarized zone.

We may be extremely limited in our ability to provide assistance to Canadians in Western Sahara.

Travel in remote areas

When you travel to a remote area:

• restrict travel to officially designated tourist areas
• seek local, official tourist advice prior to travelling to the desert areas in the south
• hire only official guides recommended by hotels, travel agencies or local tourist authorities
• use only a four-wheel-drive vehicle for off-road driving in the mountains or desert
• ensure that your vehicle is properly equipped and has appropriate supplies and essentials, including potable water 

There’s a threat of terrorism, and attacks have targeted foreigners. In December 2018, 2 Scandinavian tourists were found dead in a mountainous area of ​​southern Morocco, 10 km from Imlil, a village in the High Atlas. Moroccan authorities have described the killing as a terrorist act. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels (specifically coastal beach resorts), and other sites frequented by foreigners

For your safety:

• always be aware of your surroundings when in public places
• stay at hotels that have robust security measures; keep in mind, however, that even the most secure locations can’t be considered completely free of risk

There’s a threat of kidnapping against Westerners in remote regions of Morocco and in areas bordering Algeria and Mauritania.

• Maintain a high level of vigilance at all times, especially when travelling in the southern and border areas of Morocco
• Don’t hike alone in remote mountain regions

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place from time to time, most often in Rabat. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Petty crime

Petty crimes notably pickpocketing, purse snatchings (sometimes by motorcyclists), scams and other thefts take place, most frequently in medinas, market areas, parks and on beaches but can also occur in all types of neighbourhoods.

To limit your risks:

• stay on major roads, especially when in the medinas, and exercise caution
• ensure that your personal belongings are secure
• don’t show signs of affluence, particularly when walking at night
• avoid carrying a purse
• don’t accept food, drinks or invitations from strangers, or change your planned itinerary at their request
• exercise caution in the mountainous Rif region, on the northern coast of Morocco. Drugs are produced in this area and tourists are occasionally tricked into unknowingly committing drug offences

While Moroccans are generally very friendly and hospitable, you should always exercise common sense and travel wisely.

Armed robbery

Armed robberies with knives have occurred and have resulted in injuries and in some cases, deaths. Don’t resist robbers.

Thefts occur around ATMs.

Credit card fraud

Credit card fraud is also frequent.

Forced purchases

Tourists have been forcibly taken to stores and intimidated into making purchases.

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to certain forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Advice for women travellers

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety vary greatly throughout the country, depending on location and weather (for example, in the mountains or during the rainy season).

• Avoid driving at night
• Have an accident report form (constat à l’amiable), which can be purchased at newsstands, in your vehicle at all times.

Not all drivers respect traffic regulations. Pedestrians, scooters and animals on roadways can also pose risks.

National roads

National roads are generally in good condition but are narrow and heavily congested.

Driving is generally easier on the highways.

Be extremely careful when driving on the Rabat-Casablanca highway and on certain national highways because of high traffic volume.

Accidents causing fatalities are common.

If an accident occurs and only involves material damage, the police won’t usually intervene. The parties involved should complete an accident report (joint report), which can be purchased at newsstands. If the accident involves casualties, avoid moving the vehicles before the police arrive.

Checkpoints

Checkpoints are frequent. Carry your identification and vehicle documents at all times.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Internet romances

Exercise caution if travelling to Morocco for romance, especially in cases of relationships initiated on the Internet.

Find out beforehand about the country’s customs and laws on conjugal relations and marriage.

Ensure that you retain possession of your return plane ticket, your money and your passport in case problems arise.

Useful links

• Marriage abroad
• Overseas fraud

Public beaches

While swimming conditions in tourist areas are generally safe and problem-free, public beaches in major cities are often polluted and unfit for swimming.

Swimming at some beaches on the Atlantic coast is dangerous due to strong currents and tides. Only swim at designated beaches and exercise caution.

Fondation Mohammed VI pour la protection de l’environnement - a list of beaches that meet international standards

Women and girls can be the subject of harassment when wearing swimsuits. Exercise caution and opt for tourist beaches rather than the public ones.

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Moroccan authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Morocco.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays of less than 90 days Business visa: not required for stays of less than 90 days Student visa: not required for stays of less than 90 days

Extending your stay beyond 90 days

You must secure proper authorization if you plan to extend your stay in Morocco beyond 90 days. Contact the Service to Foreigners Section (Section du service aux étrangers) at the local police station at least 15 days prior to the expiry of the 90-day limit.

If you remain in Morocco beyond the 90-day limit, you’ll be forced to remain there until seen by a prosecutor and fined.

Entering by private boat

To enter Morocco by private boat, you must do so at a recognized port of entry.

Entering with a private vehicle

If you enter Morocco with a vehicle, you must exit with it or you will be denied exit.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies is carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. Rabies treatment is often available in this destination. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

The quality of medical care varies greatly throughout the country. Casablanca, Marrakesh and Rabat have good, private medical facilities for non-emergencies. Care in public health facilities is not up to Canadian standards.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and judgment is expeditious.

Alcohol consumption outside of licensed bars, hotels and restaurants is prohibited. Offenders may be punished by detention or other penalties. Alcohol can also be purchased from licensed stores for private consumption.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Non-Islamic religious materials

Unauthorized importation of bibles or other non-Islamic religious material is prohibited, except for personal use. Religious preaching is forbidden.

Mailing identity papers

Sending identity papers, such as passports, by mail is forbidden in Morocco and authorities may confiscate them.

Extramarital sexual relations

Extramarital sexual relations are illegal. Hotels may refuse to allow couples to stay in the same room, if they’re unable to prove that they’re married. Foreigners, however, are almost always exempt from having to provide proof.

Pornography

Possession of pornographic material is illegal.

Photography

Don’t take photographs of military or security installations.

Drones and surveillance equipment

Drones and surveillance equipment are prohibited and will be confiscated by the authorities upon entry.

The Moroccan constitution states that the person of the King is inviolable and respect is due to him. It is expected that people avoid any criticism of the monarchy.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

The laws of Morocco prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Morocco.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Children and citizenship

Children of Moroccan fathers automatically acquire Moroccan citizenship at birth, regardless of where they were born. Children of Moroccan mothers may submit a request for their citizenship.

Under Moroccan law, parents may prevent their children from leaving Morocco.

Entry and exit requirements when travelling with children 

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Morocco. According to Moroccan law, however, Moroccan citizenship takes precedence over any other citizenship.

Airport authorities regularly ask dual citizens to produce their Moroccan national identification card.

If you’re a citizen of Canada, but also a citizen of Morocco, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited in Morocco. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Morocco.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Morocco, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Moroccan court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Morocco to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Dress and behaviour

Islamic practices and beliefs are adhered to in Morocco’s customs, laws and regulations. Dress conservatively, behave discreetly and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.

Public displays of affection are frowned upon.

In 2024, the lunar month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around March 10.

In public, between sunrise and sunset, refrain from:

The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). The dirham cannot be exchanged outside of the country. Exchange only as much money as needed, as it is illegal to take dirhams out of Morocco.

Unused dirhams can be converted at the airport exchange counter upon departure, with proof of your initial currency purchase.

Credit cards and traveller’s cheques are accepted in certain stores and restaurants in urban centres and in major hotels.

Morocco is located in an active seismic zone.

Rainy season

The rainy season usually extends from November to March, during which flash floods can occur frequently. These can be especially dangerous in the High Atlas valleys.

Monitor regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 190
• medical assistance: 150
• firefighters: 150

Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Morocco in Rabat and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . 

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

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Considerations For Exchanging Money Before Traveling To Morocco

• Last updated May 13, 2024
• Difficulty Beginner

• Category Travel

Morocco is a vibrant and culturally rich country that attracts travelers from all over the world. Before embarking on your journey to this North African gem, it is essential to consider the best way to exchange your money. From bargaining in the bustling markets of Marrakech to exploring the ancient medinas of Fez, having the right currency at hand can greatly enhance your travel experience. In this article, we will discuss some important considerations for exchanging money before traveling to Morocco, ensuring that you make the most of your trip.

What You'll Learn

Factors to consider, pros and cons of exchanging money, currency exchange options in morocco, tips for managing money while traveling in morocco.

When planning a trip to Morocco, one important decision to make is whether or not you should exchange your money before you travel. While there are advantages and disadvantages to exchanging your money before your trip, it is important to consider a few factors that can help you make an informed decision.

• Currency Exchange Rates: One of the key factors to consider is the current currency exchange rates. It is important to compare the rates offered by different currency exchange providers to ensure you get the best value for your money. Keep in mind that exchange rates fluctuate daily, so it's a good idea to check the rates closer to your travel date.
• Convenience: Exchanging your money before you travel can be convenient as it allows you to have local currency on hand as soon as you arrive in Morocco. This can save you time and hassle, especially if you're arriving late at night or in a remote location where currency exchange services may be limited.
• Safety: Carrying large amounts of cash while traveling can potentially be unsafe. Exchanging your money before your trip allows you to carry a smaller amount of cash and rely more on payment cards. However, it's essential to keep your money and cards secure at all times to avoid theft or loss.
• Accessibility of Currency Exchange Services: Consider the accessibility of currency exchange services in Morocco. If you will be staying in a major city like Marrakech or Casablanca, there will likely be numerous currency exchange offices and ATMs available. However, if you plan to visit smaller towns or remote areas, currency exchange services may be limited, and it may be more convenient to have Moroccan Dirhams on hand before you arrive.
• Exchange Fees and Commissions: Banks and currency exchange providers often charge fees and commissions for exchanging money. These fees can vary significantly, so it is important to compare different providers to ensure you're getting the best deal. Additionally, some providers may offer better rates but have higher fees, so be sure to consider both the rate and the fee before making a decision.
• Payment Cards: Another factor to consider is the acceptance of payment cards in Morocco. While many establishments, especially in tourist areas, accept credit and debit cards, smaller businesses and markets may prefer cash. It is a good idea to have a mix of cash and cards to ensure you can make payments in any situation.
• Local Currency Exchange Competitors: In Morocco, you may find unofficial money changers called "sarras" who offer competitive rates but operate outside the regulated banking system. While these money changers may offer better rates, there is a risk of counterfeit money or scams. It's generally safer to exchange money at authorized currency exchange offices or banks.

In conclusion, whether or not you should exchange your money before your trip to Morocco depends on several factors. Consider the currency exchange rates, convenience, safety, accessibility of currency exchange services, fees and commissions, acceptance of payment cards, and the presence of local currency exchange competitors. By evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs and ensures a smooth and enjoyable trip to Morocco.

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When planning a trip to Morocco, one of the important decisions to make is whether or not to exchange money before you travel. While it may be convenient to have local currency in hand when you arrive, there are also some drawbacks to consider. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of exchanging money before your trip.

Pros of Exchanging Money Before Traveling to Morocco:

• Convenience: One of the main advantages of exchanging money before your trip is convenience. Having local currency in hand when you arrive in Morocco can make your travel experience smoother and less stressful. You won't have to search for a currency exchange office or worry about finding an ATM that accepts your card.
• Avoid Exchange Rate Fluctuations: By exchanging money before traveling, you can avoid any unexpected shifts in the exchange rate. Currency exchange rates can fluctuate daily, and if you exchange money upon arrival, you may end up getting a worse rate. By exchanging beforehand, you can lock in a favorable rate and have peace of mind.
• Plan Your Budget: Exchanging money before your trip allows you to plan and budget more effectively. You can determine how much money you want to exchange and have a better understanding of your expenses during your stay in Morocco. This can help you avoid overspending or running out of money.

Cons of Exchanging Money Before Traveling to Morocco:

• Security Risks: Carrying large amounts of cash can pose security risks, especially when traveling. If you exchange a significant amount of money before your trip, you are at risk of losing it or having it stolen. It is advisable to only exchange a reasonable amount for immediate expenses and use other payment methods like credit cards or traveler's checks for larger expenses.
• Limited Exchange Options: Exchanging money before traveling to Morocco can limit your exchange options. If you don't know the local currency well, you might end up with a large amount of unnecessary small bills or find it difficult to get change for larger notes. When you exchange money in Morocco, you have the advantage of being able to receive smaller denominations that are more practical for everyday purchases.
• Extra Fees: When exchanging money before your trip, you may incur additional fees. Banks or currency exchange offices may charge commission fees or offer unfavorable exchange rates. These fees can eat into your travel budget, so it's essential to compare rates and fees from different sources to find the best deal.

In conclusion, exchanging money before traveling to Morocco has both advantages and disadvantages. It offers convenience, allows you to avoid exchange rate fluctuations, and helps you plan your budget. However, it also poses security risks, limits your exchange options, and may come with additional fees. Consider your personal preferences, travel plans, and the amount of money you want to exchange before making a decision. It's always a good idea to have a mix of payment methods, such as cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks, to ensure you have options available throughout your trip.

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If you're planning a trip to Morocco, one important aspect to consider is currency exchange. While many major cities in Morocco accept credit cards, having local currency (Moroccan dirham) on hand can be beneficial, especially when traveling to more rural areas or smaller towns.

Here are some currency exchange options to help you make the most of your trip to Morocco:

Airport Exchange Counters:

When you arrive at an airport in Morocco, you'll find currency exchange counters where you can convert your currency into Moroccan dirham. While this option is convenient, keep in mind that exchange rates at airports are often less favorable than other options. Consider exchanging only a small amount of money here to cover immediate expenses.

Local Banks:

Local banks in Morocco offer currency exchange services, and they generally provide competitive rates. However, be aware that the process at banks might involve paperwork and a longer wait time. It's also important to note that some banks may charge a commission or fee for exchanging currency.

Independent Currency Exchange Offices:

There are independent currency exchange offices in major cities and tourist areas in Morocco. These offices often offer slightly better rates than banks and airports. Take the time to compare rates between different exchange offices to get the best deal. Be cautious of any hidden fees or scams, and only exchange money at reputable establishments.

Credit and Debit Cards:

Using credit or debit cards can be convenient, especially in larger cities where card acceptance is more common. However, it's always wise to have some cash on hand for smaller establishments or when traveling to rural areas. Inform your bank and credit card company about your travel plans to avoid any issues with blocked transactions.

ATMs are widely available in Morocco, especially in major cities. Using an ATM to withdraw cash in the local currency is a convenient option. However, check with your bank regarding any fees that may be charged for international withdrawals. Additionally, be cautious of your surroundings and use ATMs located in well-lit and secure areas to avoid any potential security issues.

Traveler's Checks:

Traveler's checks are becoming less commonly used, but they can still be a viable option for some travelers. If you choose to carry traveler's checks, make sure they are in a widely accepted currency such as US dollars or euros. It's important to remember that traveler's checks may not be accepted everywhere in Morocco, so have alternative payment methods available.

When exchanging currency in Morocco, it's advisable to have a mix of cash and other payment options. This way, you'll be prepared for various situations and ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Regardless of the option you choose, always be cautious of scams and ensure that you are getting a fair exchange rate.

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• Research the local currency: Before traveling to Morocco, it is essential to research and familiarize yourself with the local currency, which is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). This will help you understand the value of the currency and plan your budget accordingly.
• Exchange money before your trip: While it is possible to exchange money in Morocco, it is advisable to exchange some currency before your trip. This will help you avoid long queues at the airport or any potential issues with currency availability.
• Use ATMs for local currency: Once you arrive in Morocco, it is recommended to use ATMs to withdraw local currency. ATMs are widely available in cities and tourist areas, and they offer competitive exchange rates. However, be cautious and use ATMs located in secure locations, such as inside banks or reputable shopping centers.
• Inform your bank: Before traveling to Morocco, inform your bank about your trip to avoid any issues with your debit or credit cards. Banks often have fraud detection systems that may flag international transactions as suspicious. By informing your bank, you can ensure uninterrupted access to your funds while traveling.
• Carry a mix of payment options: While ATMs are convenient, it is always a good idea to carry a mix of payment options. This can include cash, debit or credit cards, and a prepaid travel card. This way, you will have different ways to pay for expenses and can always have a backup if one payment method is not accepted.
• Be cautious with card payments: When using your credit or debit card, be cautious and keep an eye on it at all times. Avoid using your card in unsecured or suspicious locations, as card skimming can be a concern in some areas.
• Bargain in cash: In Morocco, bargaining is a common practice, especially in markets and souks. If you are planning to negotiate prices, it is better to use cash as it gives you more flexibility and can often help in getting a better deal.
• Carry small denominations: It is advisable to carry small denominations of the Moroccan Dirham while traveling in Morocco. This will make it easier to handle transactions, especially when purchasing smaller items or paying for transport fares.
• Keep emergency funds: Always keep a small amount of emergency funds separate from your main wallet or purse. This can be in the form of a backup credit card or some cash in a hidden compartment. It will provide peace of mind in case of any unforeseen circumstances, such as lost or stolen wallets.
• Monitor exchange rates: As with any foreign currency, it is wise to keep an eye on the exchange rates during your trip to Morocco. This will help you determine the best time to exchange or withdraw money and make the most of your budget.

By following these tips, you can effectively manage your money while traveling in Morocco and have a worry-free experience. Remember to plan ahead, stay cautious, and always be prepared with multiple payment options. Bon voyage!

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Frequently asked questions.

It is recommended to exchange some money before you travel to Morocco, so you have local currency on hand when you arrive. However, you can also exchange money at airports, banks, or authorized exchange offices in Morocco.

The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). It is best to bring US dollars or euros to exchange for dirhams, as they are widely accepted and easy to exchange in the country.

Credit cards are widely accepted in major establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and large stores in Morocco. However, it is advisable to carry cash for smaller purchases and when visiting local markets or smaller establishments where card payment may not be available.

The exchange rate in Morocco can vary, so it is best to check the current rates before traveling. Generally, the exchange rate for US dollars to Moroccan dirhams is around 1 USD = 9 MAD, and for euros to dirhams, it is around 1 EUR = 10 MAD. However, rates may differ slightly depending on where you exchange your money.

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An Underwater Train Could Link Europe and Africa by 2030

By Jessica Puckett

Imagine being able to board a train from Spain to Morocco , and travel efficiently—and sustainably—between Europe and Africa in under six hours. Thanks to a historic rail tunnel project currently being considered by the two countries’ transportation ministries, the first-ever rail link between the two continents could become a reality in just a few years.

Undersea tunnels connecting Southern Europe to Northern Africa were first proposed in 1979, but the project has taken on new urgency due to the 2030 World Cup, which is set to take place across Portugal , Spain, and Morocco. As such, the Moroccan National Company for Strait Studies (SNED) announced last week that it was launching initial research into the feasibility of the project, including construction costs and logistics, according to a report from The Telegraph .

The rail tunnel would streamline transportation between Spain and Morocco, making it possible to hop on a train in Madrid and arrive in Casablanca in an estimated five and a half hours. It currently takes more than 12 hours to get between the 2 cities by car and ferry, while flights are about 2 hours long.

There’s also a possibility for the new rail project to connect to existing train routes in both countries, so passengers would have the option to continue their travel on either continent beyond the two cities.

Currently, travel from Spain to Morocco involves a flight or a one- to two-hour ferry from Tarifa (pictured above) to Tangier.

Over the last year, Spain and Morocco have engaged in high-level talks about reviving the project, with transport ministers from both countries holding multiple meetings since spring 2023. “We are therefore beginning a new stage in the relaunch of the Fixed Link Project through the Strait of Gibraltar, which we began in 1981," Raquel Sánchez, Spain’s Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda said in a release after a meeting in April 2023. Last year, Spain allocated 2.3 million euros to launch its own feasibility studies into the tunnel project.

The proposed train would connect the city of Punta Paloma, Spain, to Malabata, Morocco, near Tangier with an underwater tunnnel, according to The Spanish Society for Fixed Communication Studies across the Strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA). The total rail line between the two stations would be 26 miles long, with about 17 miles of track running through the undersea tunnel. At its lowest depth, the tunnel would sit about 1,550 feet below sea level, the current plans on SECEGSA’s site show.

If built, the train line would be the first direct rail link between Africa and Europe and could carry up to 12.8 million passengers between the continents each year, per SECEGSA projections first reported in The Telegraph. The total cost of the project remains unknown, but reported estimates are clocking in at about $7.5 billion.

It’s not the first time that Spain and Morocco have investigated whether an undersea tunnel system would be doable. The two countries also launched feasibility studies back in 1981, but ultimately, the project lost momentum and the rail lines were never completed.

Although the train line would ideally be operational by 2030, there is no set deadline for when the exploratory phase might end or when the project may be greenlit by officials. But with another strategic meeting between the two nations reportedly scheduled for June, the World Cup could be enough of an incentive to jump-start construction and finally bring the historic transportation feat to fruition.

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Top 2024 Destinations: Explore Morocco with Intrepid Travel

by Good Morning Washington

WASHINGTON (7News) — Good Morning Washington is thrilled to be partnering with Intrepid Travel to take our views on an unforgettable journey through Morocco. As we kick off our weeklong Spotlight on Morocco, Kidd O'Shea sits down with James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, to discuss everything from adventure travel to how Intrepid prioritizes connecting travelers with local communities. Find your perfect itinerary at intrepidtravel.com !

Memorial Day weekend 2024 travel will be busiest at these times: How to avoid traffic jams

If you’re traveling for Memorial Day weekend , be prepared to run into some crowds. The next holiday weekend – taking place May 25 to 27 – is slated to see a record-breaking number of travelers, according to AAA. 

A projected 43.8 million Americans are expected to pack their bags for trips over 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend – a 4% increase from last year and close to 2005’s previous record of 44 million. 

“We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel, in a press release. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”

Both roads and airports will be extremely busy, with a historic number of roadtrippers since AAA began tracking data in 2000. That’s 38.4 million drivers, up 4% from last year. 

A predicted 3.51 million airline passengers are expected to hit the skies over the holiday weekend, a 4.8% increase from 2023. This will make for the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005, AAA said. 

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Here’s everything you need to know about traffic if you’re hoping for a Memorial Day weekend getaway.

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What are the most popular destinations for Memorial Day weekend travel?

Most popular domestic destinations:

• Las Vegas, 
• Anaheim/Los Angeles

Most popular international destinations:

• Vancouver, Canada

What are the best times to drive for Memorial Day weekend? 

To avoid the worst traffic, drivers leaving for their long weekend trip on Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24, should hit the road before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday. 

Travelers driving on Saturday, May 25, who leave before 1 p.m. and after 6 p.m., will be able to avoid the worst traffic jams. On Sunday, drivers should head out before 1 p.m. to avoid the worst congestion. 

Travelers returning home on Monday, May 27, should embark after 7 p.m. if they want to dodge peak traffic. 

What are the worst times to drive by car for Memorial Day weekend?

Travelers should expect the worst traffic on Thursday between noon and 6 p.m. 

Friday between noon and 7 p.m. since they’ll encounter commuter congestion as well. 

Over the weekend, peak traffic is anticipated to be between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday. 

On Memorial Day, drivers heading back home can expect peak traffic between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., aka peak rush hour time.

Peak congestion times in major US cities

Travelers who are going through major metropolitan areas should unfortunately expect travel times to be up to 90% longer than usual, according to Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary,” Pishue said in a statement. 

• Worst route: Atlanta to Savannah via I-16 E
• Worst day: Saturday, May 25
• Worst time: 4:45 p.m. 
• Estimated travel time: 5 hours, 31 minutes
• 54% increased travel time
• Worst route: Manchester to Boston via I-93 S
• Worst day: Sunday, May 26
• Worst time: 8:45 a.m.
• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 48 minutes
• 50% increased travel time 
• Worst route: Milwaukee to Chicago via I-94 E 
• Worst time: 4:30 p.m.
• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
• 27% increased travel time
• Worst route: Fort Collins to Denver via I-25 
• Worst time: 4:15 p.m.
• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 24 minutes
• 56% increased travel time

Los Angeles

• Worst route: LA to Bakersfield via I-5 N 
• Worst day: Thursday, May 23
• Worst time: 6:15 p.m.
• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
• 84% increased travel time
• Worst route: New York to Albany via I-87N 
• Worst time: 11:45 a.m. 
• Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 37 minutes

Philadelphia

• Worst route: Philadelphia to Baltimore/DC 
• Worst day: Friday, May 24
• Worst time: 7:30 a.m.
• 64% increased travel time

San Francisco

• Worst route:  San Francisco to Napa via I-80 E
• Worst time: 11 a.m.
• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Washington, D.C.

• Worst route: Washington, DC to Baltimore via Balt/Wash Pkwy N 
• Worst time: 2:15 p.m.
• Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 21 minutes
• 72% increased travel time

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .