15 Essential Morocco Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

15 Morocco Travel Tips to help make you make the most of your trip!

Planning your first trip to Morocco? From the colourful souks of Marrakech to the majestic Sahara dunes, Morocco is a country bursting with history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. We always wanted to visit Morocco and were not disappointed. It’s a vibrant, diverse and fascinating country. 

To help you make the most of your adventure, here are 15 essential tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.

Morocco Travel Planning Cheatsheet

1. Learn a Few Arabic or French Phrases 🗣️

While Moroccan Arabic (Darija) is the most widely spoken language, French is also commonly used, especially in cities and businesses. Learning a few phrases will go a long way and will be helpful in restaurants, bartering and deterring vendors. We found that people appreciated our attempts to speak Arabic and French. 

🗣️ Arabic (Darija):

• Salam – Hello
• Shukran – Thank you
• Bslama – Goodbye
• La shukran – No, thank you (helpful in saying no to pushy vendors!)

🗣️ French:

• Bonjour – Good morning
• Merci – Thank you
• Combien ça coûte ? – How much does it cost?

💡 While English is spoken in tourist areas, a little Arabic or French will enhance your experience!

2. Dress Respectfully & Comfortably 👗

Morocco is a Muslim country, and while you don’t need to cover your hair, it’s respectful to dress modestly, especially in rural areas and when visiting religious sites. You’ll find that dressing as the locals do will also help to keep you cool in the North African climate. 

✅ Women: Wear loose-fitting clothes that cover your shoulders & knees. All travellers should avoid wearing clothing with offensive slogans or images.

✅ Men: Avoid wearing sleeveless tops & very short shorts. Linen shirts or cool cotton tops are ideal.

 ✅ Wear a hat – The Moroccan sun is strong, so wear a hat which protects your face and neck. 

 ✅ Wear comfortable shoes – You’ll be doing a lot of walking in Morocco as there’s so much to see. Wear supportive, comfortable shoes or sandals rather than flip-flops. 

💡 Pack a lightweight scarf or shawl. It’s useful for covering up when needed. 

3. Cash is King 💰

The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the local currency, and cash is widely used, especially in markets, small shops, and taxis. However, the Dirham is a closed currency meaning you can’t find it outside of Morocco. You’ll need to change your money after you arrive. 

💳 Using ATMs – ATMs are common and we recommend topping up when you see one as some ATMs run out of money. Many businesses do not accept credit cards, so always carry some cash for purchases.

💲Carry some cash – Keep loose change to pay for small purchases. If you take a taxi, try to pay the exact fare as the driver may claim he has no change to give you. However, the same rules apply to Morocco as to any other tourist destination – avoid carrying large amounts of cash, never flash your cash and use a cross body bag or neck pouch to carry your money safely. 

💡 Tipping is appreciated throughout Morocco. 

4. Be Prepared to Haggle in the Souks 🛍️

Shopping in Morocco’s lively souks (markets) is an experience. There are some amazing souvenirs and irresistible local crafts to buy but you’ll need to brush up on your haggling skills as it’s expected here. We find haggling challenging so here’s our top tips to haggle like a pro! 

✔️ Start low – Start by offering 50% less than the asking price. If you start low, you can always increase your offer.

✔️ Keep it friendly & lighthearted – Haggling is part of the culture; being rude is not.

✔️ Be prepared to walk away—Vendors often lower the price if they think you’re leaving

✔️Pay a fair price – Although haggling can be fun and you don’t want to overpay, it is also important to pay a fair price for the goods you are buying. If the item is handmade by a skilled artisan, it is worth more than a mass produced product. Livelihoods can be made or broken on tourist purchases. 

💡 Popular souvenirs include hand woven Berber rugs, leather goods, spices, and argan oil!

5. Nervous Navigating the Souks? Join a Private Tour

Souks are great fun but they can also be overwhelming. The maze of crowded lanes and alleys can be easy to get lost in. You’ll enjoy a better experience – and learn so much more – by joining a guided tour. Let someone else do the navigating whilst you soak up the sights and sounds. 

🧭 We recommend this 3 hour guided tour of the souks. You can do it as a private tour or as part of a small group. We learnt so much on this tour about Moroccan culture, the souks and Marrakech plus our guide taught us how to haggle! 

6. Friday is a Holy Day 🕌

Friday is the Islamic holy day, meaning some businesses, restaurants, and attractions may be closed or have limited hours. Plan your itinerary and transport accordingly.

The holy month of Ramadan can also affect opening hours. As the dates for Ramadan change each year, we recommend checking current dates before your visit to Morocco. 

💡 If you’re visiting a religious site, dress modestly & check opening hours in advance.

7. Get Ready for Moroccan Mint Tea 🍵

Tea is a big part of Moroccan hospitality, and you’ll be offered mint tea almost everywhere you go! It’s considered rude to refuse, so even if you only take a sip, it’s polite to accept.

💡 It’s often very sweet! If you prefer less sugar, say “bila sokkar” (without sugar).

8. Take a Guided Tour for the Sahara Desert 🐪

A visit to the Sahara Desert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it’s best not to go alone—for safety and ease we recommend booking a guided tour. Driving in the desert is not for novices! You’ll need to allocate at least two days so you can enjoy an overnight stay in a Berber camp.

Best places for a desert experience:
🐪 Merzouga – Famous for golden sand dunes & camel treks, Merzouga is the place to go for an authentic Sahara experience. You’ll need to plan your time carefully as it’s over 300 miles from Marrakech to Merzouga with a drive time of at least 8 hours. Allocate plenty of time and make stops along the route such as at the UNESCO World Heritage site Aït Benhaddou.
🐫 Zagora – Less dramatic dunes but closer to Marrakech with a drive time of around 5-6 hours. 

💡 Don’t forget to look up during your overnight stay in a Berber camp. The starry sky of the desert is incredible. 

9. Transport: How to Get Around 🚕🚆

If you don’t want to self-drive in Morocco, you’ll need to use public transport. Morocco is larger than you may expect – Agadir to Tangier is 500 miles – but luckily, Morocco has a good network of public transport. 

🚕 Taxis – Taxis are everywhere in Morocco. We recommend always negotiating the fare before getting in or asking for the meter to be turned on. Make sure the meter has been reset to zero before you drive off

🚆 Trains – We took several trains in Morocco and they were clean, efficient and reliable and, best of all, affordable. We think it’s a great way to travel between Casablanca, Rabat, Fez & Marrakech

🚐 Buses – Companies like CTM and Supratours offer reliable and affordable long-distance buses

🚙 Car – If you choose to self-drive, you should be confident driving on the right hand side of the road. Know the rules of the road and local road signs before setting off. Avoid driving at night, especially in rural areas. 

10. Use Petit Taxis

A Petit Taxi is a small, metered taxi commonly found in Moroccan cities which is used for short-distance travel within city limits. They are usually small cars (like a Fiat or Dacia) and are colour-coded based on the city.  Petit Taxis are beige in Marrakech, red in Casablanca, blue in Fez and light blue in Tangier. 

✔️ Shared rides – Petit taxis often pick up multiple passengers heading in the same direction so expect to share your ride with others
✔️ Metered fares – Always ask the driver to use the meter (some may try to negotiate instead)
✔️ No airport rides – Petit taxis cannot take you to/from airports; you’ll need to use a Grand Taxi or a private transfer for airport runs
✔️ Cash only – Have small change ready for payment

💡 Tip: If a driver refuses to use the meter, negotiate the fare before starting your journey.

11. Stay Safe & Avoid Scams 🚨

Like any popular tourist destination, it’s important to be aware of your personal safety, health and of scams aimed at tourists. These are our top Morocco travel tips for staying safe – 

❌ Fake guides – You’ll encounter fake guides throughout Morocco at major tourist sites or offering tours. Always hire an official, licensed guide

❌ Overpriced taxis – Use official taxis and either agree on fares in advance or make sure the taxi meter is on and set to zero

❌ “Helpful” strangers –  Be wary of unsolicited help in the streets. Moroccans are a friendly people but unsolicited help usually comes with a request afterwards. Also be aware of distractions in the street or in a restaurant which are often set up by pickpockets who will pounce while you are distracted 

❌ Avoid drinking tap water – The quality of tap water in Morocco is inconsistent so, to be safe, stick to drinking bottled water throughout the country

❌ Bring toilet paper everywhere – You may find a lack of toilet paper so pack some toilet paper in your daypack. It’s also a good idea to carry hand sanitiser with you.  

💡 When lost, ask shopkeepers or restaurant staff for directions instead of random strangers.

12. Expect to See a Lot of Cats! 🐈

Morocco is famous for its street cats—they are everywhere, especially in the medinas. Most are friendly but we recommend avoiding petting them, just in case.

13. Alcohol is Available, But Not Everywhere 🍷

Although Morocco is a Muslim country, alcohol is available in some hotels, restaurants, and bars. Some supermarkets in big cities such as Carrefour or Marjane sell alcohol.

14. Try These Must-Eat Moroccan Dishes 🍛

Moroccan cuisine is full of bold spices, slow-cooked stews, and delicious breads. You’ll fall in love with it as we did!  Moroccan cooking focuses on meat but vegetarians will still find some tasty options to choose from.

Don’t leave without trying some of these classic Moroccan dishes – 

🥘 Tagine – This slow-cooked meat and vegetables in a clay pot are unbelievably tender and filling
🍚 Couscous – A Friday favourite, light and fluffy couscous is usually served with lamb or chicken
🥖 Khobz – A filling Moroccan flatbread which is served with every meal
🍢 Brochettes – Moroccan-style kebabs

💡 If you’re vegetarian, we recommend trying Zaalouk (smoky eggplant dip) and Harira (a delicious soup)!

15.  Respect Local Customs & Traditions 🙏

Although it’s used to tourists, Morocco is a conservative and religious country. There are a few things we think travellers need to consider when visiting Morocco. 

✅ Ask permission before taking photos of people – Even if it’s the perfect photo you’ve waited years to take, it’s polite to ask permission first!

✅ Avoid public displays of affection—You will not see couples displaying affection in Morocco. Avoid romantic or affectionate behaviour in public, especially in rural areas

 ✅ Be mindful of Ramadan—Some restaurants and businesses may have different opening hours. Be considerate – avoid eating openly on the street whilst others are fasting. 

✅ Respect the motto ‘God, King and Country’ – You’ll see this motto throughout the country and Moroccans take it seriously. It’s illegal to be disrespectful towards Islam or the King. 

💡Tip: Note that non-Muslims are not allowed to enter mosques in Morocco except for one exception in Casablanca. 

Morocco Travel Tips – Final Thoughts

Morocco is a feast for the senses. From the bustling souks of Marrakech to the tranquil blue streets of Chefchaouen, there are unique sights, sounds and smells around every corner.

Using our tried-and-tested essential Morocco travel tips, your first trip will be a smooth, enriching, and unforgettable experience!

Global Travel Planning Podcast – Morocco Trip Report

• Morocco Trip Report Podcast Show Notes
• 10 Day Northern Morocco Itinerary (+ Intrepid Tour Review)