30+ Important Things To Know Before Visiting Morocco
Morocco is a stunning country filled with unique culture, colorful architecture, and rich cuisine! Planning your first trip to Morocco can be daunting, so I’ve included a list of all the things to know before visiting Morocco!
Local Moroccan Currency is Dirham
The Moroccan Dirham (DEE-rahm) is the local currency in Morocco. (Don’t get confused between the Dubai Dirham and the Moroccan Dirham – they’re completely different!) It’s a closed currency, so you won’t be able to get it outside of Morocco.
Cash is definitely the preferred method of payment in Morocco, so I advise having plenty on hand. Reputable places (restaurants, hotels, spas) will accept Credit Card payment, but they’ll always prefer cash.
I recommend converting your money in the airport as the ATMs weren’t always reliable! If you’re really in a pinch, ask your hotel front desk receptionist if they can convert money for you, or find a nearby bank!
Be Respectful of the Muslim Culture
Morocco is a Muslim country – this means you will need to be respectful of their beliefs and traditions. Around 93% of the population is considered to be religious with the primary religion being Muslim.
Most Mosques do not permit non-Muslim entry, so do research ahead of time. One of the most well known Mosques that DOES allow all tourists is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
I’ve provided a list of other Muslim traditions and beliefs that you’ll need to be aware of as a tourist in Morocco:
- Fridays are considered holy day – most shops and restaurants have limited hours
- Drinking alcohol is prohibited in the Muslim culture. There will be few opportunities for alcohol.
- Be aware of Muslim holidays (ie: Ramadan)
Arabic is the most common Language in Morocco
Moroccans speak a mixture of Arabic, English, and French. In the larger cities, you’ll be fine with English but it can get trickier in the rural areas.
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).
- Watch Out: Balak. (you’ll hear this phrase in markets when vendors are carrying large items, mules are walking around, etc)
Common Nouns
There are a few nouns in Morocco that will be used in every day communication, even when translated to English.
- Riad: inner garden/courtyard, commonly used to refer to a B&B hotel
- Souk: market
- Medina: town square
- Hammam: Muslim style bath & spa experience
Weather in Morocco
When you think of Morocco, warm deserts and hot summers come to mind. BUT, be forewarned – it can be quite cold in the winter seasons!
Summer seasons are dry and hot, while winter seasons are chilly and wet.
We personally visited in April and it was still rather chilly (55-75 degrees) throughout our entire trip.
Related Post: Visiting The Sahara Desert Morocco
Morocco Tipping Expectations
Tipping isn’t expected in Morocco – but it is always appreciated! Locals know that tourists are accustomed to tipping back home, so they will go out of their way to provide you with the best service in hopes of receiving a tip.
Often times, rounding up your bill will suffice for tipping at restaurants, drivers, and guides. If you want to tip more, 10% is a solid amount.
This site offers recommendations for each and every service you should tip for in Morocco: Tipping in Morocco
Transporation in Morocco
Morocco has a good public transportation system, including buses and trains. Taxis are readily available in the larger towns and cities. They’re also very affordable, but always agree on a price before getting in the taxi. Be sure to have exact change because we found that taxi drivers often “didn’t have change”.
Trains are incredibly reliable and affordable in Morocco, making it a great option for city to city travel.
PS: It is required to wear a seat belt in all cars (private, public, etc) in Morocco – don’t break the law! There were a lot of police stops on rural roads to monitor speed and seat belts!
Learn To Haggle
Learn to Haggle, and have fun with it! Market vendors will quote tourists almost double the price they want with the expectation that you’ll haggle with them! Start low, and don’t be afraid to walk away.
If a vendor quotes you 100 dirham for a scarf, you should counter with 50 dirham. They’ll often give you a face and “oh no no, I give you good price”. But this gives you room to come up and “meet in the middle” at around 70 dirham. Never pay more than 75% of the original price quoted by the vendor.
Hotels vs Riads
You may hear about “riads” in Morocco. This Arabic word translates to “house with inner courtyard” and can be considered similar to Bed and Breakfast inns. Riad’s are located all over in Morocco and often featured on Instagram photos with adorable courtyards, swimming pools, and balconies.
Travelers seeking accommodations during their time in Morocco should absolutely consider staying in a Riad – you’ll get the more authentic experience! Many riads have less than 10 rooms so they’re quite intimate.
Vaccines Needed For Morocco
Please reference the CDC’s guide for Vaccines needed to visit Morocco.
There is a lengthy list of recommended vaccines needed to go to Morocco. Most of these vaccines you should already have (Hepatitis B, Chicken Pox, etc).
The vaccines I personally took before visiting Morocco included Typhoid and Hepatitis A. Both of these vaccines are outside of my normal and highly suggested for travelers.
Cats are Everywhere
If you’re a cat lover like me, you may be excited to hear that stray cats are everywhere in Morocco. (And probably wondering why this is one of the important things to know before visiting Morocco).
Be forewarned, these cats could have rabies! A scratch or a bite could infect you, so keep your distance from the cute critters.
In fact, a British traveler died after getting a cat bite in Morocco (source) so it is truly important to be careful.
Love on the kittens from afar without touching them! My favorite experience with cats was in Chefchaouen where cats seemed to be waiting for you on each and every corner! A cat lovers dream!
Tourist Scams
Just like most all countries, there are scams that target tourists in Morocco. Be aware of the possible scans so you can avoid them when approached.
- Pickpocketers
- Offering directions without prompting
- Charging a higher rate (get comfortable haggling)
Offering directions without prompting may sound innocent, but it is definitely one of the biggest tourism scams. Locals will approach you and offer assistance or guidance to get to a tourist destination. They’ll be extra kind, so you’ll find yourself wanting to say yes. However, they’ll always stop along the way at their shop and try to sell you their goods. Then they’ll ask for money for their assistance and directions.
Morocco Converters and Adapters
For Morocco there are two associated plug types: types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin. Morocco operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.
If you’re traveling from America, this means you’ll need a converter! This is the Adaptor I purchased off Amazon that I highly recommend – you can plug 2 USBs and 1 standard plug in at the same time!
Moroccan Food
If you’re like me, chances are you want to experience the local cuisine while in Morocco! There are so many delicious menu items to try when in Morocco. You’ll see a lot of tagines, spices, and olives in all dishes!
Popular Moroccan Dishes include:
- Chicken/Meatball Tagine
- Meat Skewers
- Couscous
- Mint Tea
- Olives and Bread (appetizer)
Drink Bottled Water
The tap water in Morocco is not safe. It is recommended that you use bottled water to drink, brush your teeth, etc.
Bottled Water is cheap in Morocco, and can be found anywhere!
Toiletries and Medicines
Plan to bring toilet paper with you everywhere you go in Morocco, as it is not commonly found in the public restrooms.
Also plan to bring Imodium for your trip to Morocco – tourists often get upset stomachs!
Other medicines I brought with me included:
- The Basics: Advil, Band-Aids, Hand Sanitizer
- Motion Sickness Medicine (roads can be windy in the Atlas mountains)
- Bug Spray / Cortizone
- Eye Drops (for the Sahara desert sand storms)
Related Post: DIY Safety Kit for Travel
Morocco is Huge!
When planning a trip to Morocco, be mindful of the vast size of this country. It is often assumed that Morocco is a smaller country in Africa, but in reality, it is almost the size of California in the USA!
This means that you’ll find yourself on 7 hour drives if you want to see and do it all!
If you don’t want to rent a car, consider booking a tour to various cities within Morocco that will arrange transportation to/from the additional cities. I advise making Marrakesh or Fes your home base and traveling to various destinations from there!
Women Traveling to Morocco
If you’re a woman traveling to Morocco, there are a few additional tips to be mindful of.
Morocco men can be relatively aggressive towards female tourists – they tend to harass, cat-call, and give plenty of unwanted attention. Be prepared for this and try to travel in groups or with men you know. The best way to prevent this is to dress modestly.
Try to avoid walking around alone, especially late at night. You’ll get additional unwanted attention at this time.
Misc Things To Know Before Visiting Morocco
- Visas are not needed when visiting Morocco
- Drones are not allowed in the country
- Many locals don’t want their photos taken by tourists – be mindful when in markets
There you have it – the most important things to know before visiting Morocco! This country will immerse you in unique cultures, sights, smells, and experiences – so its best to be prepared for as much as possible!
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Related Blog Posts on Morocco
- Things To Do in Chefchaouen
- Visiting The Sahara Desert in Morocco
- Truth about Visiting Morocco During Ramadan
Looking for more “Know Before You Go” Guides? Check out my full series below:
These are some great tips for first time visitors! Well done and thank you for sharing.
I wish I had these tips before naively travelling to Morocco as a single mother baby in tow. I wasn’t quite prepared for the aggression and shaming that I would get from the men about being a single mother. I quickly learned to say that my husband was in my room. I would like to go back and experience it more prepared.
I can’t wait to visit Morroco & this list will be so useful for planning my trip. I’m looking forward to a desert safari, visiting the souks and the exotic culture. Thanks for sharing!
Loved the info on food and dress and I heart that little kitty!!!!!
Morocco seems like such an amazing and vibrant destination! I loved following along on your trip on your stories on Instagram 🙂 I would love to stay in a riad – the courtyards are stunning and the pools look like a refreshing way to beat the desert heat. Thanks for sharing this super informative post on Morocco!
I love everything about Morocco – the colors, the spices, the geography. You inspire me to book a trip soon!