Morocco is a beautiful and exotic travel destination but is also very close and accessible from Europe. It has otherworldly landscapes, a long and complex history, a unique culture, Mediterranean and Atlantic beaches, mountains, and the Sahara. In this article, we want to explore everything you need to know before heading to Morocco.
Located very close to Europe, Morocco is very different culturally, making the experience even more enriching. It is an ideal destination for traveling independently, making the most of everything the country offers. And believe me, it’s a lot!
So that you have a dream trip, we have organized in this guide the 50 most crucial travel tips, covering all the relevant topics for those visiting Morocco, including safety, how to travel, costs, what to see, what to take, the people, the culture, among many other topics.
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Morocco and the Moroccans
Where is Morocco?
#1 Located in the Maghreb region of North Africa, Morocco is bathed to the north by the Mediterranean Sea and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. It borders Algeria to the east, while to the south, we have the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
Unfortunately, the border between Morocco and Algeria has been closed since 1994, so visiting both countries by land is impossible.
#2 If we consider the Western Sahara part of Morocco, then south of Morocco, the border is with Mauritania. Western Sahara was a Spanish colony annexed by Morocco in 1975, and Morocco considers it part of its territory.
To the north, we have 2 Spanish territories in Africa bordering Morocco: Ceuta and Melilla. There are also other small enclaves, but they are not very significant, such as Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Peñón de Alhucemas, and the Chafarinas islands.
#3 Morocco is characterized by a mountainous and rugged interior with the Atlas Mountains running through the entire country, large expanses of desert, and a very long coastline, both facing the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean.
Toubkal Mountain is the highest point in Morocco and all of North Africa at 4,167 meters high.
#4 One of the most important things to note before going to Morocco is its size. At 446,550 km2 (excluding Western Sahara), Morocco is almost 5x larger than Portugal and roughly the same size as California.
So it’s essential not to be too ambitious, especially if you have little time. In addition to its enormous size, the territory is arid and mountainous, so travel times are still relatively long.
#5 The current capital of Morocco is Rabat, but the main city and its largest port is Casablanca. Both Rabat and Casablanca are very modern cities with some similarities to European cities. Despite not being one of the most popular destinations, they are exciting destinations to realize that Morocco is much more than deserts and souks.
Other historically significant cities of considerable size include Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes, and Tangier.
Who are the Moroccans?
#6 Morocco has an estimated population of around 40 million inhabitants and, therefore, four times that of Portugal and slightly smaller than that of Spain.
Practically, the entire population is of Arab or Berber origin, estimated at between 33 and 67% Arab and between 31 and 41% Berber. It is important to note that the Berbers have a different culture and language than the Arabs.
Morocco also has a vast diaspora spread across some European countries, but mainly in France (more than 1 million), Spain (around 700,000), the Netherlands (350,000) and Belgium (300,000).
#7 Since both Arabs and Berbers are Muslims, practically the entire population of Morocco is Muslim, and among these, practically all are Sunnis.
According to the Moroccan constitution, Islam represents almost the entire population and is also the official state religion.
Despite this, some cities in Morocco have a small Christian community, estimated to number around 300,000.
#8 The Berbers are a group of indigenous people from the North African region who lived there even before the Arabs migrated to this region. These have their own languages (Amazigh) and cultures.
Although they are usually grouped as a whole, there are many different tribes with unintelligible languages. Morocco has the most Berbers, with an estimated number of between 15 and 20 million.
Visiting Morocco is a unique opportunity to explore its culture and local products, such as kilim (a type of carpet), handicrafts, scarves, and other objects with Berber colors and alphabet.
One of the most curious things is actually the Amazigh alphabet because, at first glance, it seems like an alien language; it is so different and fascinating.
#9 Due to the very conservative Muslim culture, one of the most common questions before going to Morocco is what to take and what to wear.
In our experience, you can wear whatever you want on the street, in markets, and attractions in general. It is ordinary to see very short shorts, hollow sleeves, and even prominent necklines on foreigners (mainly Europeans).
Moroccans are much more conservative when it comes to dressing, as is normal and expected. Some wear traditional clothing, but most dress in everyday Western clothing. Many more people are expected to wear traditional clothes and footwear on festival days.
The big issue is in religious places, and then we need to be careful and dress more conservatively. Do not wear short shorts or show too much skin, both men and women.
How do you communicate in Morocco?
#10 Communicating in Morocco is incredibly easy as many Moroccans speak practically every language, including Portuguese.
Morocco has two official languages, Arabic and Amazigh. Everyone speaks Arabic, and Berbers speak both languages, but no one expects you to communicate in those languages. If you know a few words in Arabic, you will get an even bigger smile.
In addition to Arabic and Amazigh, many Moroccans speak French, as Morocco was a French colony for some years until not long ago. If you know French, you won’t have any problems.
If you don’t know, you will also do quite well because almost all Moroccans involved in tourism know some Spanish and English and many of them know a few words in Portuguese. Everything mixed is a mix of languages that almost always ends in big smiles and moments to remember.
#11 And how is contact with Moroccans? It’s effortless, relaxed, and laid back. Moroccans are incredibly friendly, and this ease of contact is an excellent asset to the country.
In practically every interaction, you feel that they enjoy welcoming visitors and feel good.
They are also born salespeople and naturally try to offer their services, whether restaurants, shops, souvenirs, taxis, or guides. And herein lies one of the problems with traveling to Morocco.
Sometimes, Moroccans are too pushy and even annoying. It’s not as bad as you often hear, but it’s tiring because it constantly forces us to say no.
Weather in Morocco
#12 One of the most important things to know before traveling to Morocco is the climate, as it varies greatly depending on the region of the country where we live.
In general, we can say that the climate in Morocco has:
- Hot, dry summers and colder, wetter winters.
- The climate in the North is Mediterranean, similar to that of the south of Portugal and Spain.
- Coastal areas have a much more temperate climate than the interior.
- Morocco’s huge mountains have an alpine climate and lots of snow, and skiing is possible in winter.
- Inland summer temperatures reach very high values, regularly approaching 50ºC.
Therefore, when planning a visit to Morocco, choosing the regions carefully and adapting your itinerary to the time of year you will visit is essential. Going to the Atlas in winter is almost the opposite of going to the Sahara in summer.
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
#13 In our opinion, spring is the best time to visit Morocco and see a little of everything. You can visit the entire country without experiencing extreme temperatures at this time of the year. You will likely experience pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain between March and May. The landscapes will be greener, and you will still see snow in the Atlas.
Autumn has similar temperatures, but it won’t be as green and flowery as spring; therefore, it won’t be as beautiful. On the other hand, the seawater temperatures are excellent, so it is the ideal time to go to the beach.
In summer, expect scorching temperatures. We strongly advise against visiting the interior and desert, as they will be very unpleasant, which is a problem as they are one of the country’s biggest attractions.
In winter, temperatures will generally be lower, and visiting the Atlas region will be more complicated, but it could be a good chance if you don’t like high temperatures. But expect more rain, humidity, and cold weather on the coast. You can’t go to the beach.
Is it safe to travel to Morocco?
#14 Morocco is a safe country to travel in, and Moroccans are generally peaceful and friendly despite being pushy to make sales or try to be guides.
Violent crime is rare, so it will take some bad luck to get involved in any violent situation. On the other hand, it is crucial to be very careful not to display luxury products or large amounts of money.
Despite this, we recommend always being alert in areas with many people (especially in the medinas) or touristy areas. Petty theft is common in these areas. In fact, Morocco is the only country we have visited where they tried to rob us, fortunately, without success and any consequences.
#15 One of the things that impressed and surprised us the most was the very high number of visible police officers. Especially traffic police. At practically every entrance to the city, police officers randomly stopped cars and checked documents.
There are also other dangers in Morocco, and the biggest is perhaps traffic, as it is chaotic and has very little respect for traffic rules. That’s why Morocco has a road mortality rate of 18.8 fatal accidents per 100,000 inhabitants per year, which is above the world average.
You can see more details about security in Morocco on the Communities Portal. This site also tends to have fascinating information about safety in the different countries we travel to.
#16 Despite the general security and relaxed atmosphere, Morocco is also known for schemes used to take advantage of distracted tourists or those who have fallen into a well-laid trap.
Some of the most popular schemes include:
- Henna Tattoos – Be very clear about what you want and where you want it, as some artists take advantage and extend tattoos without being asked and then ask for larger payments.
- Taxis – Always use metered taxis, as taxi drivers often try to charge tourists absurd amounts.
- Fake guides – avoid guides on the street as much as possible. These will inevitably lead you to places to buy things and try all sorts of schemes. It’s a very annoying and unpleasant situation (but that’s it). Ask and negotiate directly at the hotel or tourist office if you want a guide.
- Counterfeits – Morocco has many fake and counterfeit products, from argan oil that is not real to fake fossils and branded products. Pay special attention to this; if the deal is too good to be true, the product is probably fake.
It’s not exactly a scam, but don’t forget that everything is negotiable in Morocco. So, expect the first price you receive for any product to be extremely high and simply a starting point to make the deal.
Tourism
#17 Tourism is one of Morocco’s most important economic activities, and its trend is still growing. Morocco is also one of the most popular destinations in Africa, as it offers exoticism and adventure in relative safety and at low costs.
Nearly 15 million tourists visited Morocco in 2023 despite the massive earthquake that devastated part of the country. This number represents a 14% increase compared to 2019 numbers, before Covid, and the highest absolute figure ever.
The increase in international flights to Morocco, particularly the increasing presence of low-cost flights from companies such as Ryanair, Easyjet, and Wizzair, suggest a substantial increase in tourism in the future, especially from Europe.
#18 In Morocco, there are 96 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Some are well known, others not so much. All others are part of the cultural heritage of humanity, which is why there is no natural UNESCO heritage site, despite the fabulous natural places in the country.
You can see the complete list, but below, we’ll explore some of the most popular ones we suggest visiting.
What to visit in Morocco?
#19 Marrakech is probably the most visited city in Morocco and one of its biggest tourist attractions. That’s why it’s also a very touristic city, where you’ll find an excellent support infrastructure, many hotels and restaurants, and the main attractions are open and well looked after.
The Marrakech medina is walled and has Berber origins dating back to medieval times. It’s like a massive labyrinth of streets where you sell some of everything in the souks, from fabrics and leather to ceramics, traditional jewelry, and many other artisanal products.
It’s worth taking a day to explore and get lost in the streets of Marrakech. There is a lot of confusion, but the city’s energy is overwhelming. In addition to the Medina, Marrakech has many attractions and monuments, such as:
- Koutoubia Mosque
- Marjorelle Garden
- Bahia Palace
- Ben Youssef Madrasa
- El Badi Palace
- Saadian Tombs
#20 Although Marrakech’s Medina is massive and chaotic, Fez’s is even bigger. It is even considered the largest and oldest in the world. In our opinion, it is also more beautiful because it was built on a hill, creating spectacular scenery. To see them, just go to one of the many rooftop restaurants in Fez for tea or a meal.
The Fez Medina is also considered the largest urban pedestrian area in the world. Cars are not allowed, and motorcycles are rare because there are some stairs, making them impossible to ride. This is a fundamental advantage over the Marrakesh Medina, making the experience much more pleasant.
In addition to the medina, Fez is known for the massive 9th-century Al-Quaraouiyine University. However, non-Muslims are not permitted to access it. The medina’s doors and entrances, such as the Bab Guissa and the Blue Gate, are other attractions in the city.
#21 Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and is an entirely different destination from Marrakech and Fez. Casablanca was especially important during the French Protectorate period, and much of its development occurred during this time.
Therefore, it is possible to see a different, more cosmopolitan side of Morocco. It has modern buildings and architecture of European origin but with Arab features. It has the largest port and the largest industrial and commercial center in Morocco.
The city’s main attraction is the large Hassan II Mosque, built between 1986 and 1993. It is considered the third largest in the world and has a 200-meter-high minaret.
Arab League Park and United Nations Square are other places to explore.
#22 Essaouira, also known as Mogador in Portuguese, is a coastal city with a fortress and a beautiful natural landscape. The atmosphere is Atlantic and fresher than in inland cities, making it an excellent destination for relaxation.
It is a relatively small city, and the Medina is beautiful, with active markets, but without the chaos of Marrakech or Fez. It was one of our favorite cities in Morocco and reminds us of some coastal cities in southern Portugal.
You can even go to the beach if the weather is good and warm enough. We went to Essaouira at the beginning of April, and although possible, it was still not hot enough for our taste.
#23 North of Essaouira is El Jadida, known in Portuguese as Mazagão, or the Portuguese town. Located just 90km from Casablanca, Mazagão was a colonial fort built by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
The walls and bastions are an excellent example of Renaissance military architecture and are a UNESCO heritage site. The Assumption church and the cistern are perhaps the city’s greatest monuments but are in poor condition. In fact, the entire historic area is destroyed and poorly preserved, which is quite sad and disappointing for us Portuguese.
If you are considering following our itinerary, Mazagão is a good stopping point. It’s a shame it’s so poorly preserved and dirty, but that’s the current reality. Even so, we think it’s worth a visit, especially for those who like history.
#24 Between Casablanca/Rabat and Fez, we have the city of Meknès and the ruins of Volubilis. Despite being one of the historic capitals of Morocco, Meknès is often forgotten, but we believe it is well worth the visit, and even spend a night there.
The Medina of Meknès is much smaller and, therefore, easier to navigate. As it is less touristy, the prices are also more affordable, and we are a little closer to the daily reality of Morocco and not just the big tourist attractions.
Relatively close to Meknès are the Roman ruins of Volubilis, which have been considered a UNESCO heritage site since 1997. These ruins are beautiful, and it’s a great place to take photos and stroll around for one to two hours. The environment and landscape remind us of some Roman ruins in Jordan.
#25 Going to Morocco and not seeing the dunes of the Sahara Desert is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope…
The most popular place to see the Sahara dunes is Merzouga. If you have a car, you can go to Merzouga and tour the dunes, whether by camel, 4×4, or even a buggy.
We took a camel ride, including spending the night in the desert in Berber tents. It was a spectacular experience, seeing the sunset and sunrise over the dunes. Riding a camel was also extremely interesting and much easier than we expected. This was the tour we took.
An important observation: one of the things that worried us most about this type of tour was the camels. We constantly read that they are poorly cared for, smell bad, and have fleas and ticks. This was not our experience at all. The camels were clean, had no smell, and were very well cared for.
#26 Of all Morocco’s attractions, the Atlas Mountains are perhaps the most forgotten or even despised, when in reality, it is a brutal mountain range with otherworldly landscapes.
The atlas crosses Morocco from one side to another and then enters Algeria. The mountains are enormous, becoming an unforgettable landscape with an extremely dry environment. In winter, there is snow and even several ski resorts; in summer, there is heat and an almost alien scenery.
It is possible to see the Atlas Mountains differently, whether on the road between Marrakech and the desert, in the numerous gorges, or on the roads between Fez and Merzouga. Some of the best destinations and attractions include:
- Ouzoud Waterfall – Largest waterfalls in North Africa
- Tizi n’Tichka – the mountain road between Ouarzazate and Marrakesh.
- Mountain Cities of Ifrane and Azrou—These cities are very different from what we expect from Morocco. There are also wild monkeys in the region.
- The more adventurous and fit can always try to climb Jebel Toubkal, the highest point in Morocco and North Africa.
The entire region is very popular for hiking, off-road trails, motorcycling, and other types of outdoor activities.
#27 On the route between Merzouga and Ouarzazate, we have two monumental gorges that are well worth visiting. We are talking about Dades Gorge and Todgha Gorge.
Both are spectacular, with the rivers carving deep gorges into the mountains and parts where the gorge is so tight that only the road and the river can fit in. Another curiosity is to notice how all the river’s areas are green and productive while everything around it is arid. There is a stunning dichotomy of ambiance and color.
This type of landscape is closely associated with Utah and Arizona, but it is possible to explore in Morocco. The ideal way to get to know the canyons is to take a car along the roads that run parallel to the rivers along the gorges.
An important note: the roads along the gorges are good, but to connect between them, it is best to return to the main road. If you want to go through the mountains, you must have a 4×4 car, as some roads are still dirt and stone. You can get there by car, but it’s challenging and stressful.
#28 Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou are two destinations close to each other and less than 200km from Marrakech, on the other side of the Atlas Mountains.
Ouarzazate is known as the gateway to the desert and is a calm and more organized city than others in the region. It is quite popular for having film studios, where many films have been recorded since the 1960s. It is possible to visit the studios and the film museum. The Taourirt Kasbah is another of the city’s great attractions, but unfortunately, on our visit, it was closed for improvement work due to the earthquake.
Ait Benhaddou is the most famous Ksar in Morocco. It has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1987 and became known worldwide as one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones.
The Ksar is truly beautiful, both from afar and from inside, but for that reason, it is also extremely popular. We strongly advise you to stay close to Ait Benhaddou and visit the fortified village first thing in the morning, just before the souks open. You will have the village to yourself and the opportunity to visit it at your leisure. Later, it is also worth visiting when everything is open to see the shops, especially those selling crafts and arts, and feel the difference in atmosphere.
#29 These were our favorite destinations in Morocco, but as we said initially, Morocco is a huge country with many other places worth visiting. Some we haven’t yet seen that are on our list for a future trip include:
- Rabat – The capital of Morocco and a UNESCO heritage site due to its unique nature and early 20th-century architecture.
- Tanger – a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty.
- Chefchaouen is the famous blue city and one of the best destinations in Morocco for photos.
- Tetouan – has a well-preserved medina and a rich Andalusian heritage. It is famous for its unique architecture and the influence of Spanish culture.
- Agadir – a beach destination facing the Atlantic. It is a resort town, with good weather and warm water almost until December.
- Saidia is a Mediterranean resort town famous for its fine golden sand and crystal-clear water.
Suggested itinerary for Morocco
#30 Due to Morocco’s enormous size and geography, it isn’t easy to visit the entire country. In our opinion, in around 14 days, it is possible to see a good part of the country, but it forces us to make choices.
We suggest that they stick to the central area and ignore the extreme north and south of Morocco. This is not because they are not interested, but because traveling across the country ends up being very tiring and taking too long.
This itinerary will focus on history, the desert, and the mountains. When we visited Morocco, we didn’t go to the beach, despite having some good beaches. Since most people fly to Marrakech, we will eat and finish there. To follow this route, it is mandatory to have a car.
Therefore, the route we recommend for two weeks is:
- Marrakech – arrival, two nights, second day to visit Medina.
- Essaouira or Mogador in Portuguese – one night
- Casablanca – two nights. You can do one night in Casablanca and another in Rabat, or if you have another day, add Rabat to the itinerary.
- Meknes – one night, visit the city and enjoy going to Volubilis.
- Fez – two nights; the second day is a long drive into the desert
- Merzouga – spending the night in the desert
- Tinghir – one night
- Ouarzazate – one night
- Aït Ben Haddou – one night
- Marrakech – two nights, the last day is travel.
Food in Morocco
#31 Moroccan Food results from the country’s rich history and cultural and geographic diversity, with some differences between the different regions. However, the best-known and most popular dishes are available everywhere.
One of the most surprising things about Morocco is the lack of diversity of dishes that generally appear on the menus, which can be tiring and repetitive.
The menus of more traditional and local restaurants consist mainly of tagines and couscous. Sometimes, one or another dish appears (such as pastilla or tangia), but it is limited to that.
Another issue that surprised us significantly was the absence of salt in most dishes and soups in Morocco. Never in the more than 50 countries we visited have we noticed food with so little salt and consequently little flavor. Initially, we thought we were having bad luck, but after dozens of meals, we can say that we rarely got food with enough salt.
#32 Tagine is Morocco’s most emblematic dish, with several types of tagine. The dish is a stew of meat, vegetables, or fish cooked slowly in steam, which leaves the ingredients soft. It is made and served in a cone-shaped pate, also called a tagine.
You will have the opportunity to try this dish several times because, as mentioned above, they are ubiquitous. We especially recommend Kafka, sardine meatballs, and vegetable and lamb tagines.
#33 Coscous is a famous Moroccan ingredient and Berber dish from the Maghreb region. It is made with wheat semolina crushed into small grains and steamed. It is so important that it is on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
It is traditionally consumed on Fridays or festive days, associated with family gatherings. However, it is served in all restaurants in Morocco. We recommend that you try the seven-vegetable couscous and the couscous with meat.
#34 Besides couscous and tagine, Morocco has other dishes and ingredients you must try. We can’t stop complimenting Moroccan bread, especially Msemen, a laminated bread with thin layers made with wheat flour, a little semolina, and a lot of butter or oil.
There is also Khobz, the most common bread in Morocco, and Beghrir, a crepe with 1000 holes. We must also mention that breakfast in Morocco includes divine crepes, bread accompanied with honey and amlou, almond paste, argan oil, honey, orange juice, and coffee. It is one of the best meals in Morocco.
During your visit, try to eat traditional Pastilla, Keftas, grilled Kebabs, soups such as harira, and Moroccan salad. Not to mention that there is good fish in the coastal areas. Don’t limit yourself to tagines and couscous.
#35 If you have a sweet tooth, Morocco has a variety of very satisfying sweets. Generally, Moroccan sweets consist of small pastries made from thin dough or filo dough and contain a lot of almonds or other nuts and honey.
During Ramadan, sweets are especially popular and made in large quantities. One of the most popular sweets you must try is Kaab Ghazal and Chebakyas.
#36 Another thing that Morocco is very famous for is mint tea, which is Morocco’s national drink. Made with green tea, mint leaves, and lots of sugar, it is served in decorated glasses.
The preparation is ceremonious: the mint is infused, and the tea is poured repeatedly between cup and teapot until it reaches perfection. The tea is then served from a height to form an arch.
It is served more simply daily. However, it is always served as a sign of hospitality, and many Ryads and establishments offer this drink to customers upon arrival.
For more information, read this article: What to eat in Morocco.
Currency and Costs of Traveling in Morocco
#37 One of the things you need to know before going to Morocco is that the official currency is the Moroccan Dirham. In 2024, the Euro-Dirham exchange rate is between 10.5 and 11. In other words, 1 Euro is worth 10.5 to 11 Dirhams. Just remove a zero from the price, and we will have a very approximate value in Euros.
Our suggestion is not to take Dirham. Morocco’s ATM network is good; you can withdraw money anywhere and anytime. In our experience, withdrawal costs are acceptable (around 3 Euros), and there are even some accessible ATMs (from Al-Barid Bank, usually next to post offices).
The exchange rates are also similar at ATMs, so it is not worth the work and time wasted. Finally, there are ATMs right at the exit door of Marrakesh airport (we don’t know the others), so you really don’t need to worry.
#38 Practically no store or restaurant accepts card payments (credit or debit), so it is essential to always have cash, especially outside big cities. In any case, take the opportunity to make as many payments as possible with a card, as it is safer and reduces the number of withdrawals to be made.
Almost all stores and hotels accept payment in Euros (and probably dollars). As a last resort, you can use Euros, but you will probably lose out on the exchange rate. If you want to save money, it’s not the best option, but it’s always good to know there is a chance if we run out of Dirham.
How much does it cost to travel in Morocco?
#39 One of the fundamental things to know before traveling to Morocco is that it is still relatively cheap. In fact, at the end of the trip, when we did the final calculations, we were surprised at how low the amount had been, as it wasn’t one of the trips where we were more careful with our budget.
But analyzing retrospectively, we consider it a globally cheap country in which none of the leading travel items are expensive, be it accommodation, internal travel, food, tours, entrance fees to monuments, souvenirs, etc.
To help, air travel (from Portugal and other European countries) is very cheap if you use low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet, or Wizzair.
#40 Excluding flights, we spend on average a little less than 50 Euros per day per person. But this was a special trip as we traveled as a group of four and not just as a couple. This reduces some costs a little, namely everything related to the car and even some accommodations.
It is important to note that travel costs also depend on the time of year and largely on the type of traveler you are. If you stay in more luxurious hotels, do a lot of sightseeing and shopping, and travel in high season, these values will increase exponentially.
As we said, this is a globally economical destination where no cost stands out as being particularly high. Even so, car rentals and some hotels were very inexpensive, almost on par. Eating good local food for 5-6 euros per person is perfectly possible.
We like to try all the local specialties, so we eat mostly local food at local restaurants.
#41 there are natural options for all tastes in accommodation, but it’s truly incredible what you can get for between 20 and 40 Euros. It’s one of the best quality-price ratios we’ve ever found.
We recommend using booking.com, as this is how we find the best accommodation deals.
A key thing to remember when choosing accommodation is that many of them include breakfast, and breakfast in Morocco is usually delicious, as mentioned above. With breakfast included, you can save money on food and a lot of time as you don’t have to worry about it constantly.
Lastly, try your best to stay in Ryads, especially in the medinas of the more historical and traditional cities like Marrakech, Meknes, and Fez. It is an experience that should not be missed in Morocco.
What are Riads? They are traditional Moroccan houses with a central courtyard, many hundreds of years old. They are usually located in the heart of the medinas on narrow, cramped streets.
Typically, these houses resembled palaces and had gardens, fountains, and even pavilions inside to receive guests. Many riads are now restaurant accommodations and offer an authentic Moroccan experience! Prices and quality vary greatly, but it is possible to find excellent places for prices below 50 Euros.
Is it necessary to tip in Morocco?
#42 No. We didn’t feel much pressure to tip, nor did we think that it was expected or mandatory, but of course, it is very welcome, especially because salaries in Morocco are quite low.
The most significant exception is organized tours, where it is customary to tip the guide, but this happens in practically every country.
Of course, if you feel that someone has provided you with exemplary service, a tip is always appreciated.
How to travel in Morocco?
#43 In Morocco, we chose to travel only by car, as there were four of us, and traveling with our parents is always different. We didn’t use any public transport, as we rented the car at the airport and delivered it back on the last day.
Therefore, we cannot give great tips on public transport, but there is good public transport in Morocco, especially between the main cities.
The main reason for using a car is the freedom and flexibility of schedules it gives us. Some attractions would be very difficult to visit by public transport, and it is impossible to go to so many places in such a short time.
The other option would be to establish bases and take tours to each (or several) of the destinations to be visited. However, this option is much more expensive and less flexible.
Things to know about renting a car in Morocco
#44 Renting a car in Morocco can be very cheap if you choose a more local rental car or a search aggregator. We used Discovery Cars, found some fabulous deals, and ended up renting a Dacia Logan for less than 150 Euros.
So, since this is our suggestion for getting to know Morocco, let’s explore what you need to know to travel to Morocco by car:
- Car rental is very simple, similar to other countries. We did not come across any relevant specifics.
- The roads are quite good. Some have potholes, so attention is always needed, but they can be done in any vehicle when paved.
- Be aware that in the Atlas area there are some “piste” roads, that is, dirt roads. These are local roads, but if you are thinking of leaving the national roads, check carefully whether they are paved or not.
- We did about 20km on the track and survived to tell the story, but I don’t recommend it. It’s quite stressful because you need a lot of attention to avoid having any problems with your car.
- Despite this, renting a 4×4 car is not necessary, but it will certainly make the trip more comfortable.
- Moroccans are kind and very friendly, except when they are behind the wheel. There, they are some of the worst drivers we have encountered, not following traffic rules and making many dangerous maneuvers.
- In cities it’s much worse, on state roads it’s calmer. Driving near the Medina of Marrakesh is an experience in itself, but it is not at all something that I would recommend to anyone who is not used to chaotic traffic.
- Moroccans love to honk their horns! They honk because yes, and because not… so, when driving, be patient, a lot of patience; of the countries we visited, worse only in Angola and Southeast Asia.
- Morocco has some tolls, especially on the central and northern coasts.
- Fuel in Morocco is relatively cheaper than in Portugal, but the difference is not that big. About 20-30 cents per liter.
- Parking is very difficult in cities, especially in historic ones and large medinas like Fez, Meknes, and, of course, Marrakech.
- The best thing is to go to an organized parking lot and pay a tip. Negotiate a lot because they stretch a lot!
Other things you need to know before traveling to Morocco
What is the Internet like in Morocco?
#45 Just like pretty much every other country these days, all accommodations have free WI-FI, so this shouldn’t be a big concern. It’s only worth confirming the signal quality in the comments, especially in the rooms.
If you want to use mobile data, you will have to buy a local data card or an eSim. Buying the card is relatively easy; you can do it at any street market or at the airport’s exit door.
We ended up using a local card and an e-Sim card, and both worked quite well. The network was relatively good and reliable, although, in a few more isolated areas, there was no internet, as would be expected. The advantage of the e-SIM is that it barely has internet, and it is one less thing to worry about. The advantage of the local card is that it is cheaper and allows you to have a local phone number and make calls.
If you want an e-sim for Morocco, you can buy one here. It’s very simple to use and ensures you have data as soon as it arrives.
Do I need an adapter in Morocco?
#46 In Morocco, the sockets are type C and E, with a voltage of 230 V and a voltage frequency of 50Hz.
Type C sockets are European and, therefore, the same as those in Portugal. Type E also works with type C sockets. So, if you come from Portugal (or the rest of continental Europe), you don’t need an adapter!
Anyway, if you want to buy one, we suggest this adapter, and if you need a frequency converter, we suggest this one.
What to buy in Morocco?
#47 Morocco is an exotic destination full of peculiarities, and consequently, it is culturally very different from Portugal. So, buying souvenirs ends up being easy and fun. Most souvenirs are relatively cheap and easy to buy in the many shops and souks. Our suggestions:
- Leather products: include all types of products, from bags, belts, and wallets.
- Paintings and other types of local art
- Scarves – besides being very useful during the trip, they become a beautiful souvenir when you get home.
- Traditional lamps
- Tea sets
- Rugs and kilim – in addition to being traditional, Moroccan rugs and Berber kilim are spectacular.
- Spices
- Tagines – you’ll see them absolutely everywhere, and there are few things more striking in Morocco than tagines.
- Argan oil and Amlou: Two typical Moroccan products that are quite difficult to find elsewhere.
Remember that in Morocco, all prices are negotiable. So when you ask about a price, know that this is just the starting point.
Some sellers start with very high values and then drop to values up to half. Others reduce, we can only reduce 15 or 20%. There really isn’t a secret, and just by doing it a few times and starting to be aware of the local prices, you get better at it.
Despite this, please note that if you find that the price is not to your liking, you are not obliged to buy! You have no problem simply abandoning the business because you changed your mind.
Cleaning, pollution, and recycling in Morocco
#48 This is perhaps the most negative point about Morocco, and it made us very sad because the country seems to be evolving a lot in almost everything else. Despite all the natural beauty and spectacular attractions, Morocco is still a pretty dirty country.
You see trash and pollution practically everywhere, including near tourist attractions, popular neighborhoods, historic centers, and even on beaches, rivers, and lakes. We don’t want to be too pessimistic on this issue, but it’s important to be prepared to deal with and see a lot of trash.
We also note that there is some government effort to implement some recycling measures and, above all, waste processing, but they are clearly insufficient. You see a lot of employees cleaning up trash in big cities, but even then it’s not enough, and the winds carry the trash everywhere.
Do I need a visa to enter Morocco?
#49 No. Portuguese people are exempt from visas for tourist stays of up to 90 days, but they must have a valid passport. Vehicle entries and exits are recorded electronically and the corresponding number is stamped in the passport.
It is important to note that it is not possible to travel by land to Algeria. If you want to go to Mauritania, you need to apply for a visa at the Mauritanian Embassy in Rabat.
Finally, drones are not permitted to enter Morocco without prior authorization.
Morocco Travel Guide
#50 Finally, if you want to buy a Morocco travel guide, we suggest this Eyewhitness guide. It has a lot of helpful information.
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