Essential Things to Know Before Travel to Morocco

Here are the essential things to know before travelling to Morocco!

There are more and more people are visiting Morocco every year. It's a beautiful and attractive country. If you plan on going, here are a few pointers to help you prepare for your trip if you are visiting Morocco for the first time. Feel free to contact us with any questions or to have a tour with us.

Read up on these must things to know before you travel to Morocco, Morocco travel tips for the first time:

1# Dress Appropriately

Overall, men can dress however they like, but women should dress more conservatively. While you'll see many tourists wearing whatever they want, it's a good idea to cover up as much as possible to avoid unwanted attention.

When visiting mosques, you need to cover from your wrists down to your ankles. For women, it's helpful to have a shawl or scarf handy in case you need it.

If you have a trip with us, our drivers and guides will take care of you as best as they can, ensuring your comfort and safety. They are responsible for all our clients.

2# Stay Away from Strangers Offering Free Tours or Directions

Even if you don't hire a local guide or book a tour with a Morocco tour agency, there will be many 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 also ask for a tip afterward.

The same goes for asking for directions. Many will offer to walk you to your destination but then ask for a tip. It's best to plan ahead—ask your hotel for advice or use maps when you have Wi-Fi.

If you book a tour with a travel agency here in Morocco, they will take you from the airport directly to your accommodation, providing a safe experience. This is why DAYS IN MOROCCO offers professional chauffeurs and guides to protect and enhance your travel experience. Contact us to learn more.

3# Money

The official currency in Morocco is the dirham(DH), however, they accept euros(EUR) and dollars(USD) in many places.

4# 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. To know the price of Moroccan Dirham (DEER-HAM) use the app Xe Currency Exchanges (https://www.xe.com/). We recommend each person exchange more than 100 euros per day.

5# ATMs

Exchange enough money when have a chance. ATMs can run out of money especially during a holiday or on the weekend also keep in mind some machines will let you withdraw up to €400 a day. There are many exchange offices, especially in the big cities, and your tour guide will help you get the best exchange rates.

6# Money tips in Morocco

There are ATMs available at certain hotels and central locations in the cities. ATMs will charge you a commission. Have some change ready for tips. A good general rule of thumb is 3 to 5 DH at a local place and 5 to 10 DH at nicer places (coffee shops), when you dine at a restaurant a 10% tip is greatly appreciated. For your driver and guide 15 to 20% is greatly appreciated.

7# Visa

You don't need a visa if you're coming from the European Union or the USA.

When flying from Morocco, Our drivers/guides will take you from your accommodation to the airport at least 2 hours in advance of your flight. For more information about passport and visa requirements for Morocco visit our blog.

8# Safety tips

I'd say Morocco is a safe tourist destination. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

You will probably get cat-calling if you're a female solo traveler, or if you're traveling in a female group. Try to ignore them!

You won't get lost with Google Maps if you have the internet on your phone. Do not trust anyone who volunteers to guide you can end up in an unwanted situation and they will probably ask you for money.

9# Flights

Many airlines fly to and from Morocco, including low cost.

If you're planning to travel around the country, then consider flying to an airport and flying out from a different one (for example arriving in Marrakech and flying out from Fes or Casablanca or Tangier or Errachidia). For more information about planes, visit https://www.royalairmaroc.com/us-en.

10# Hotels/Accommodations

Morocco has accommodation for every type of traveler: from resorts that look like palaces to dreamy boutique riads and luxury glamping sites in the desert. And of course, budget alternatives.

11# Internet

Most hotels, restaurants, and bivouacs in Sahara offer a great connection to the internet (WIFI), so don't bother if you're on a relaxing vacation and don't need the internet 100% of your time. Use this opportunity to relax!

You can buy your SIM card upon your arrival at the airport's local shops or in the agency office of Maroc Telecom. The best SIM card in Morocco provider is Maroc Telecom. SIM cards cost around 3€ and you can recharge them with 7GB or 5GB of internet every time for around 5€.

12# Fridays are Holy Days and Prepare for Holidays

Bear in mind that Morocco is a Muslim country, so it's important to be aware of their holidays. During some holidays, stores and attractions may be closed, and you could arrive to find them unavailable.

After the mid-day prayer, most stores and attractions also close temporarily but reopen shortly afterward. During Ramadan, most food places will be closed until late afternoon. However, you can still find places to eat at hotel restaurants and riads.

If you visit during Eid al-Adha, a holiday involving the ritual of animal sacrifice, be prepared for more closures. Restaurants may close for 4 to 8 days, and banks for at least 2 days.

13# Careful what water you use

To stay on the safe side, drink bottled water and even use it to brush your teeth. the water bottle is really useful when you're in Morocco.

14# Watch your pockets

Most Moroccans are friendly and honest, but be careful about pickpockets in any major city, especially in crowded places like the markets.

15# What language do they speak?

Moroccans speak a mixture of Arabic, Berber, English, Spanish, and French. You'll be fine with English in most of the larger cities, and you will be very fine with English when you arrive in the desert.

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

This one is useful when you have a bunch of street vendors hassling you to buy something.

16# Visiting Mosques

If you're hoping to visit a Mosque in Morocco, you might be out of luck unless you're Muslim. Most mosques are off-limits to non-Muslims, except 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 and El Badi Palace...etc are open to visitors.

17# Ask before taking photos (and you may have to pay)

When you're walking through the markets, be careful about 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 taking photos of the snake charmers, you need to pay 20 DH (€2). Some may even hassle you for more, so it's good to first establish a price before taking a photo.

18# You can find and have alcohol

Morocco is a Muslim country, and alcohol is not that easy to find. That doesn't mean that it's impossible, though. You can absolutely find alcohol everywhere in Morocco.

Some Moroccans really don't drink alcohol at all, but especially the younger generation drinks and loves to have fun. Usually, alcohol is sold in hotel bars and nightclubs. In these places, you should expect to pay a lot for a drink.

In big cities like Marrakech, Fes, Ouarzazate, and Casablanca, you can find alcohol in large supermarket chains like Carrefour or Atacadão. There, they have any kind of alcohol, and it's much cheaper than in bars and clubs.

Notice: It's forbidden to drink alcohol in public streets.

19# Power in Morocco

In Morocco, the power sockets are of types C and E. The standard voltage is 220V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. If power sockets in your country are not the same as the power sockets of Morocco you will most likely need a power converter.

20# Use your left hand to eat with

Many meals in Morocco are traditionally eaten with hands. Be careful to only use the right hand to eat food with. The left hand is considered unclean as it's typically the hand used by Moroccans to clean after going to the toilet. While unwittingly using your left hand to eat is unlikely to cause any drama, it might raise a few eyebrows, snickers, or scowls.

Overall, Morocco is a beautiful country, and you will be happy to experience it. As long as you're completely aware of your surroundings, and you go in with the right mindset and expectations, you can have a wonderful experience.