Planning a first trip to Morocco? Welcome! It is an incredible – truly outstanding – country to visit. There is so much to see, try, learn, and taste that is new. But there are a few travel tips to Morocco that make that first-time trip even better.
Morocco is a country that exists in technicolour! It is just like the photos. Then in person it is a place of dizzying sensory input: the sound of the evening call to prayer echoing around, the smell of tagines cooking and the sight of vibrant textiles and historic stone walls. For many travellers, it is the first true ‘culture shock’ they experience—and it is wonderful.
However, Morocco can also be overwhelming. The labyrinthine medinas, the persistent shopkeepers, and the unique cultural etiquette can feel like a lot to navigate if you aren’t prepared. Having spent extensive time – literally months in Morocco – exploring everything from the Mediterranean coast to the depths of the Sahara, we’ve learned that a little bit of local knowledge goes a long way.
Here is our Ultimate Guide to 10 Travel Tips to Morocco and essential things you need to know before your first trip.
1. Be Mindful of Religious and Cultural Etiquette
Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, and this faith is the heartbeat of daily life. Understanding and respecting this is a major part of the travel experience and requires a bit of intentional awareness before you arrive.
It is polite to greet people with a friendly “Salam Alaikum” and for men, a handshake is respectful when meeting them for the first time.
Handshakes are common when greeting both men and women in formal situations. Though stick to shaking hands with the same gender as yourself.
Keep an eye on the calendar for Fridays:
- The Holy Day: Friday is the holy day in Islam. You’ll find that many local shops, traditional markets, and family-run restaurants close for at least part of the day.
- Couscous Tradition: Friday is also the traditional day for families and friends to gather. After mid-day prayers, they typically share a massive, communal plate of couscous—a beautiful tradition that slows the pace of the entire country.
2. Respect the Culture: Dress Modestly
While Morocco is quite progressive—especially in urban hubs like Marrakech and Casablanca—modesty remains a core cultural value. This is particularly important once you leave the tourist bubbles and head into rural villages or the Atlas Mountains.
Both men and women should aim to keep their shoulders and knees covered.
- For Women: Think light and airy. Long, flowy dresses, linen trousers, and loose shirts are your best friends. They keep you cool in the heat while remaining culturally respectful.
- For Men: While you’ll see shorts in the main tourist centres, opting for trousers or longer shorts that cover the knee is generally more respected.
Dressing modestly isn’t just about following tradition; honestly, it’s also a practical way to minimise unwanted attention. You’ll find that when you respect the local aesthetic, your interactions with locals tend to be much more relaxed and authentic.
- Tip: For women, keep a lightweight scarf in your bag. It’s perfect for sun protection, wrapping around your shoulders if you feel exposed, or if you visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
3. Master the Art of Haggling: Travel Tips to Morocco
In Morocco, the price of a souvenir is rarely the price you are expected to pay. Bargaining is something of a cultural institution—even as a tourist. Though obviously (please!) be sure to be respectful as a visitor.
When a shopkeeper gives you a price, offer about 50% of that. You’ll eventually meet somewhere in the middle (usually around 60-70% of the original asking price).
The secret? Never start haggling if you aren’t actually prepared to buy. Once you agree on a price, it is considered very rude to walk away.
- Keep it Friendly: Haggling should never be aggressive. Keep a smile on your face, treat it as a conversation, and if the price isn’t right, simply say “La, shukran” (No, thank you) and walk away. Often, that’s when the real best price is offered!
4. Carry Cash: Travel Tips to Morocco
While luxury hotels and higher-end restaurants in the cities accept credit cards, Morocco remains a cash-heavy society.
- Dirhams (MAD) are the currency of Morocco, and you’ll need the local currency for everything from street food and souks to tips and public toilets.
- ATMs: They are widely available in cities, but can be scarce in the desert or small mountain towns. We recommend you withdraw cash before heading off the beaten track.
Note, be mindful about taking photos of people, especially street performers in Jemaa el-Fnaa or people in the markets. If you take a photo, they will expect a tip. Always ask permission first—it’s more respectful and avoids awkward confrontations.
5. Learn a Few Words of Darija
Morocco is a multilingual country. While Arabic is the official language, the local dialect is called Darija. Then French is also widely spoken due to the country’s colonial history.
While many people in the tourism industry speak English, making an effort with a few words of Darija goes a long way in building rapport with locals:
- Salam Alaikum: Hello (Peace be upon you)
- Shukran: Thank you
- La, shukran: No, thank you (Essential for turning down touts!)
- Insha’Allah: If God wills (You will hear this everywhere—it covers everything from “yes” to “maybe” to “we’ll see”).
6. Be Mindful of Friday Traditions: Travel Tips to Morocco
As mentioned in the first of our travel tips to Morocco about respecting the culture and traditions, Friday is the holy day in Islam.
In many parts of Morocco, especially in the more traditional neighbourhoods, shops and market stalls may close for several hours in the afternoon for the midday prayer.
Don’t plan a heavy shopping day in the souks for Friday afternoon. Use that time instead to relax at your riad or enjoy a long, slow lunch.
- Couscous Friday: It is a nationwide tradition to eat couscous on Fridays. If you see a small local restaurant serving a massive, steaming platter of it, join in! It is often the best meal of the week.
7. Navigate the Medinas with Confidence
The Medinas (old walled cities) of Fes and Marrakech are legendary for their complexity. Fes el-Bali, for example, has over 9,000 alleys!
Google Maps often struggles with the narrow, covered alleys of the medina. We recommend using Maps.me, which tends to be more accurate in these labyrinths. Though the truth is it’s better to wander and take it all in any way!
- Ask a Shopkeeper: If you get lost, don’t ask a random person on the street for directions, as they may expect a tip for leading you (and might lead you the long way around). Instead, ask a shopkeeper or someone working in a stall. They can’t leave their shop to follow you, so their directions are usually quick and honest.
- “Balak!”: If you hear someone shouting “Balak!”, move to the side immediately. It means a donkey, a cart, or a motorbike is coming through the narrow space behind you!
8. Drink the Water (But Only the Bottled Kind)
Traveller’s stomach is a common complaint for first-timers in Morocco. (Sorry. But it is another of those travel things to be wary of like Delhi Belly in a new destination).
It is one of the simple travel tips to Morocco. But to keep your trip on track, stick to bottled or filtered water.
Even for brushing your teeth, many travellers prefer to use bottled water.
- Ice and Salad: Be cautious with ice in drinks and raw salads in very cheap, local spots, as these may have been washed in tap water.
- Drink Tea: You must drink the mint tea in Morocco! It’s boiled, so it’s perfectly safe, and it is a delicious cornerstone of Moroccan hospitality.
9. Stay in a Riad at Least Once
Skip the big international hotel chains. To truly experience Moroccan architecture and hospitality, you have to stay in a Riad.
What is it? A Riad is a traditional house with an interior garden or courtyard. From the street, they often look like plain, windowless mud walls. But once you step inside, you are greeted by tilework (Zellij), fountains, and citrus trees. They are beautiful!
Plus, they are incredibly peaceful sanctuaries from the noise of the city. Most Riads have rooftop terraces where you can eat breakfast while watching the sun rise over the minarets.
10. Be Patient and Embrace the Pace
Morocco operates on its own timeline. Things might not always happen exactly when they are scheduled, and the hustle of the city can be tiring.
- Slow Down: Don’t try to cram too much into one day. Morocco is best experienced when you have time to sit in a cafe for an hour, sip your tea, and watch the world go by.
- The Unexpected: Some of your best memories will come from the things you didn’t plan—a spontaneous invitation for tea, getting lost and finding a beautiful hidden fountain, or a sunset conversation with a carpet seller.
11. Don’t Skip the Travel Insurance
If there is one non-negotiable tip for traveling to Morocco—or anywhere, for that matter—it’s this: don’t be a fool. Always secure comprehensive travel insurance before you leave home.
It is a common mistake to wait until the week of your flight to look at policies. Ideally, you should buy your insurance as soon as you make your first booking. This ensures you are protected if your circumstances change and you need to cancel or modify your plans before you even step foot in the airport.
A Lesson from Our Own Travels
We can’t stress this enough because we’ve lived the alternative. After traveling full-time for over six years without a major incident, we were hit with a reality check on the very last day of our trip in India before flying home to New Zealand.
We found ourselves frantically searching for a hospital in New Delhi as Gavin battled a pretty darn bad case of Dengue Fever. It was a scary situation, and being hospitalised in a foreign country is stressful enough without having to worry about how to pay the bill.
Fortunately, we had excellent travel insurance that handled the logistics and the costs, allowing us to focus entirely on recovery.
- World Nomads – This is our Recommendation. We’ve used several companies over the years, but we always look for those tailored to long-term travellers and nomads.
The Bottom Line: Travel is about freedom and joy, right? But of all the travel tips to Morocco, it’s much easier to enjoy the chaos of Morocco when you know you have a safety net waiting to catch you. Get the insurance!
Accomodation: Where To Stay in Marrakech
Marrakech is well known for its range of beautiful accommodation. But as far as accommodation tips for travel to Morocco – we recommend you stay in a traditional Riad in Marrakech.
You will definitely find something to match your budget. There is a huge range of beautiful, historical and traditional Riads to choose from.
Here is our pick of the best range of budget, mid-range and luxury Riads in Marrakech to choose from.
Budget Riads in Marrakech
Mid-Range Riads in Marrakech
Luxury Riads in Marrakech
Read more about Campsites In Morocco That We Recommend.
Final Thoughts
Morocco is a country that rewards the curious and the patient. It might challenge you at times – because its new right? But the beauty of the landscape and the warmth of the people make it one of the most rewarding destinations on the planet.
These are our top travel tips to Morocco. Bear those in mind and pack your modesty, your sense of humour, and your best haggling skills—you’re going to have the time of your life.
Happy travels!
Travel Planning for Morocco & Beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance as the best of travel tips to Morocco!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
