Are you looking for tips and advice for travelling to Morocco ? You already have your flight but you don't know where to start organising your trip? Do you need a visa? How much will you need to budget for it? Are you going to be kidnapped and your parents will be held to ransom you for 50 camels? We are going to try to answer the most frequently asked questions that arise before this trip and give you a few tips for travelling to Morocco on your own (and not screwing up).
We visited this extraordinary country twice, which is right next to ours and yet seems like another world. We have to say that we fell in love with it 🙂 Morocco is a country of contrasts, where one day you can be lost in the labyrinths of a medina and the next you can be crossing the golden dunes of the desert. But it is also a destination that generates many doubts before traveling.
Tips for traveling to Morocco
We already know it: organizing a trip to Morocco can be a bit overwhelming. There are tons of places to visit and many worries… Is it safe? Is there good food? Do I need a visa? Which desert should I visit? Ah, let's not get overwhelmed: below we have tried to resolve the main doubts when traveling to Morocco.
If you think we have left something out, please feel free to leave us a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
1. Do I need a visa to travel to Morocco?
If you are a European citizen like us, you will NOT need a visa to travel to Morocco . All you have to do is fill out an entry form with your details. Tip: bring a pen with you 😉 When leaving the country you also have to fill out another form, it is the only bureaucracy you have to do. The maximum stay you can stay is 90 days, oh and the permit is free!
Update: We've been notified that it seems that there is no longer a need to fill out a form thanks to a new regulation. Better yet, isn't it? 😉
For other nationalities, such as Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile or Mexico, the conditions will also be the same. However, citizens of other Latin American countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, etc. will need to apply for a visa before arriving in Morocco, which must be done at the Moroccan embassy or consulate and costs approximately $20.
2. How to get to Morocco?
To get to Morocco you have two options: by air or by sea.
– Flight to Morocco :
In recent years, the number of routes between different cities in Morocco and Europe has increased. And the best thing is that many of these flights are with low-cost companies such as Ryanair, Easyjet or Transavia, so the flights are usually very cheap and the best option to get to Morocco. We always use the Skyscanner website to compare prices and alternatives.
– Boat to Morocco :
You will have to go to the Andalusian coast ( Almeria , Motril , Malaga , Algeciras or Tarifa ) and from there jump to a city in the north of Morocco ( Nador , Alhucemas or Tangier ), where you can start your adventure. The best thing about this option is that you can take your own car or motorcycle (properly documented to be able to drive in Morocco), otherwise, we prefer to take a flight. To check the different shipping companies and prices, we always look at the DirectFerries website .
⭐ If you arrive at night, it is better to book the transfer from the airport . You can do it online from this website , or directly with your hotel/riad. Arriving so late and having to find your way around and, even worse, being lost in the medina is not an ideal welcome.
3. How to get around Morocco?
We rented a car both times we made long trips through Morocco and in general we found the roads were not in bad condition, except for certain stretches under construction and others where the asphalt had potholes. As for traffic, in the big cities it was quite chaotic, but when travelling between cities or places, it was not a problem at all.
⭐ Here we give you tips for driving and renting a car in Morocco
You can also get around by public transport . We didn't do it, but we met other travellers who were travelling around the country by bus and they were getting by. It's also a fairly common way of getting around and, although it is often said that traffic in Morocco is crazy, we didn't find it particularly dangerous. The only inconvenience may be the departure time (there are frequent delays and, sometimes, buses only leave when they are full).
There are two main bus companies in Morocco ( CTM and Supratours ) that offer various routes throughout the country, we recommend checking their websites and apps for timetables, prices, etc. There are also other local companies for shorter trips, which can be used without a reservation by going directly to the bus stations.
For the most popular routes, you can use the Bookaway comparison tool and book the option that interests you most directly there.
The train follows a set schedule and, although it is more expensive, it can be a better option. Note that the train network in Morocco is quite sparse (limited to a line connecting Marrakech with Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier, and an internal line between Meknes and Fez that continues eastwards). If you want to travel by train in Morocco, take a look at the country's official train page .
4. Currency and how to withdraw money in Morocco
The official currency in Morocco is the dirham (MAD) , with a fairly simple exchange rate: €1 is equivalent to 10 dirhams . Travelers will have a very easy time “deciphering” how much things cost. However, on many occasions merchants, restaurants, hotels, will accept payments in €. But don't take any chances and get dirhams instead.
Withdrawing money without fees in Morocco
The important question now is how to obtain dirhams ? To obtain foreign currency there are several ways, more or less convenient, which we will explain to you:
- Reserve dirhams at your bank . It is a good option and the exchange rate is usually good.
- Exchange € on arrival . This is a quick way to get dirhams, but you usually lose some money. If this is your chosen option, be aware that the exchange rate at airports is usually much worse than at the exchange offices/banks in the cities. Still, check and compare.
- Withdrawing money from an ATM . This is the option we recommend, provided you have one or more cards with benefits for travelers .
Cards for travelling without commissions
We are currently using the Revolut card as our first option , one of the most reliable on the market (they also have a €10 promo for new users!) and then the N26 card . They are free and perfect for travelling (by carrying several you can increase the limits). If you do not have one of these cards, check with your bank, because the fees are going to be quite high.
The maximum amount that can be withdrawn from an ATM in Morocco is 2,000MAD (about €200).
5. How much does it cost to travel to Morocco?
The easy answer would be: it depends. Morocco is a destination where you define your budget . You can travel around the country spending just a few euros a day or, on the contrary, indulge yourself and spend your monthly salary on luxury riads, dinners of a thousand and one nights and exclusive experiences. It all depends on your travel style and how you want to experience the adventure.
Typical prices in Morocco
We have followed an average budget, with these reference prices:
- Accommodation : we almost always stay in riads ( 30-70€/night )
- Food : We went to tourist restaurants, but with affordable menus and good recommendations. Main dishes were usually around €5-8 and drinks around €1-2. The famous tea is available for €1 for a pot, with enough for 2 or 3 glasses (in other places we saw it for double that). But we also went to local places, with sandwiches (for €1), bakeries with delicious breads at super cheap prices, or restaurants with elaborate but more humble dishes, with cheaper menus. Bottles of water cost 6 dirhams.
- Transport : We rented a car to get around, which was a good value. Calculate around €15-30 per day , plus petrol (€1/l) and a one-way tax of around €75. Compare car rental prices here .
- Other expenses : you have to take into account the entrance fees to tourist attractions (whose prices have multiplied absurdly in recent years) and essential excursions , such as to the desert ( Er Chebbi desert , and Erg Chigaga desert ).
⭐ We will give you a more detailed estimate of a 2-week trip to Morocco .
Tipping in Morocco
As for tipping , we didn't get the impression that it was a very widespread custom, but we used to leave something in restaurants (5-10%) as long as it was good service and good food. When we didn't leave anything, we didn't feel bad either. It's a somewhat complex issue, which depends more on the culture of the traveler than on the country where they are traveling.
Bargaining in Morocco
If you want good prices in the souks, haggling is not optional, it is almost an unwritten law! Bring out your most negotiating side and fight for the price of what you are really interested in. Of course, if you are not sure what you are going to buy, it is better not to bother the seller or waste his time. And remember: do not obsess over whether to scrape together a dirham more or less, as in the end the difference is usually minimal.
6. SIM card for Morocco
It is one of the expenses that we see as necessary on all trips. Buying a local SIM (or carrying a special eSIM with data from Spain) to have internet at all times. Not so much to use social networks, but to have the possibility of consulting any information at any time (whether it is reviews of a restaurant, uploading a map, using it as a GPS on your car route...).
In Morocco, you will have two options for having internet on your mobile: get a local SIM at the airport or in a phone shop, or resolve the issue before leaving on your trip and buy an eSIM to leave it installed and working as soon as you land.
If you prefer the second option, take a look at the Holafly eSIM card (you have a 5% discount already applied in the link). The price will be more expensive but you save the trouble of looking for it in Morocco.
⭐ We tell you in more detail about which SIM card to buy in Morocco to have internet on your mobile .
7. Is it safe to travel to Morocco?
In general, yes, Morocco is a safe country for travellers, but as with any destination, it is advisable to take certain precautions. Tourist areas such as Marrakech, Fez, Chefchaouen or Essaouira are generally safe, but in the medinas (the historic centres of cities) it is important to be vigilant, especially at night.
Some key tips for travelling with peace of mind:
- Avoid walking alone at night on poorly lit or deserted streets, especially in the medina of large cities such as Fez or Marrakech.
- Do not carry valuables in plain sight , such as flashy jewelry or large amounts of cash.
- Beware of pickpockets , especially in markets and souks, where there are crowds and they may try to take advantage of any carelessness.
- Beware of “fake guides ” who approach you on the streets offering help or improvised tours. It is best to hire official guides or use map apps to find your way around.
But don't come to the country with any prejudices: Morocco is a hospitable country with a fascinating culture and we have always felt welcome.
Traveling to Morocco as a woman
I traveled with Rober, so I can't give a first-hand opinion, but I think the advice I can give you (from previous trips) applies here as well: dress appropriately for the country, be polite but firm, and if you notice something isn't right, follow your instinct . It's not a bad idea to bring a ring and to the question "Are you married?" say yes, even if it's a lie.
I know girls who have travelled alone and had a bad time and others who have not had a single problem... I suppose it depends a bit on each person's luck, but you do have to take certain precautions.
8. Travel insurance for Morocco
The Moroccan authorities do not require you to have medical insurance to visit the country, but our advice is not to travel to Morocco (or anywhere else) without being insured . The best thing is that you will not need to take out expensive travel insurance, as healthcare in Morocco is not expensive and the proximity to Spain makes transfers feasible.
Taking this into account, we recommend the IATI Standard (with a limit of €300,000) for a trip to Morocco, preferably including the cancellation clause , in order to be entitled to compensation in the event that the trip is cancelled due to force majeure. The price of this insurance for 2 weeks (with discount) is only €23 .
→ Here we give you a 5% discount for your IATI insurance
⭐ If you don't have one yet, we'll tell you everything you need to take into account when choosing the best travel insurance . We've been traveling with Iati for years and every time we've used it, they've been great.
In case of emergency, large cities usually have good hospitals and private clinics , with professionals, many of them trained in Spain or France. In rural areas, you can imagine that things are different.
9. What is the best time to travel to Morocco?
With such a wide variety of climates and geographical areas (remember that there is coast, mountains and desert), you will find different conditions in the same season of the year. But in general we would say that spring and autumn are the best times to travel to Morocco, especially because in summer, especially in the south, it is extremely hot and doing the desert excursion will be an odyssey. In winter, moving around the Atlas can be complicated due to rain and snow.
But if you want to travel to the big cities (Marrakech, Fez, Tangier or Casablanca...) we believe that you will not have any problems (perhaps we would avoid July and August because of the heat).
10. What is the best itinerary for a first trip to Morocco?
We don't know if it's the best one, but we personally found it to be the most complete considering the number of days we were travelling, so that's the one we followed. This was our 18-day travel itinerary to Morocco:
- Arrival in Marrakech (3 days)
- Roadtrip through the interior of the country (10 days)
- Departure from Fez (3 days)
Here is a 2-week travel guide to Morocco by car , from Marrakech to Fez, with an itinerary and map, and lots of useful information.
We left out essential visits to places like Essaouira , Agadir , Chefchauen, Tangier and Tetouan, but we plan to return!
11. Travel to Morocco during Ramadan
During this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. As a tourist, there is NO obligation to fast, but you may have trouble finding open restaurants… One solution is to buy food the night before (or in supermarkets) and eat at the hotel (don't go out into the streets with a sandwich either… it's a slap in the face for those who are fasting!).
If you have no choice but to travel during this time, you'll just have to adjust your habits a little. But if you have the option, it's better to choose another month to travel to Morocco.
12. Do I need to speak Arabic to travel to Morocco?
Absolutely NOT. Moroccans are language experts and many speak Spanish (or even break it down). You already know that Morocco was a French protectorate and since then French has remained the official language, so if you feel more comfortable using a “ bonjour ” or a “ merci ”, that’s fine too 😉
Of course, if you want to make them smile, practice your “Salam alaykum” (hello) and “Shukran” (thank you). Moroccans are a very hospitable people and, even if it means mixing languages, using sign language or making faces, you will end up communicating.
13. Free tours in Morocco
Sign up for free tours , wherever they are. Getting to know cities with the help of a local is something that is always recommended, especially in places with such a different and fascinating culture:
- Free tour in Marrakech
- Free tour in Fez
- Free tour in Tangier
- Free tour in Tetouan
14. Moroccan gastronomy
Dare to try the local cuisine . Here we tell you 10 typical dishes to try in Morocco . And if you travel by car, take the opportunity to buy the typical products of each place you pass through: apples, dates... You will see that they put up stalls on the sides of the road where you can stop and buy directly.
Running water is a problem in Morocco, and although we read that it is safe to drink in the big cities, we recommend buying bottled water . The price of a bottle should not be more than 6 dirhams and it can be bought in any local shop. In Marrakech, for example, we were warned that the water has a large amount of minerals, and on another occasion we were told that the dental problems suffered by a large part of the population are due to drinking tap water.
15. What to visit in Morocco
In this post we tell you in detail the best things to see and do in Morocco , but here's a spoiler with our top 5:
- Marrakech , the pink city: a charming chaos of souks, spices and palaces. Visit Jemaa el-Fna square, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Gardens and lose yourself in the medina. At dusk, the square fills with food stalls and street performances, offering a unique experience.
- Sahara Desert and Merzouga Dunes: Spending a night in the desert is one of the most memorable experiences in Morocco. A walk through the Erg Chebbi dunes, a dinner under the stars and the sunrise in the desert are enough reasons to include it in the itinerary.
- Chefchaouen , the blue city: Located in the Rif Mountains, this small town stands out for its blue-painted streets, its relaxed atmosphere and its natural surroundings. It is an ideal place to wander aimlessly, discover its medina and enjoy local crafts.
- Fez , the cultural capital: its medieval medina is one of the best preserved in the world. Among its main attractions are the University of Al Qarawiyyin, considered the oldest in the world, the tanneries of Chouara and the Bab Bou Jeloud gate. It is an ideal destination for those looking to immerse themselves in Moroccan history and authenticity.
- Essaouira , the city of winds, perfectly combines Moroccan culture with the relaxed atmosphere of the Atlantic. Its walled medina, declared a World Heritage Site, the fishing port and its beaches make Essaouira a perfect destination for those looking for a quiet getaway after visiting the big cities.
More recommendations for traveling to Morocco
Before you go, take a look at our latest tips that are sure to come in handy:
- Be careful with those who “want to help you” . I mean, it’s not about being constantly suspicious, but keep in mind that there are a lot of opportunists, especially in the medinas. If someone approaches you saying they want to show you the real market (or excuses of that kind) don’t follow them! They usually take you to lonely places and intimidate you into giving them money. Or if you find yourself lost and need someone to take you to your accommodation, you can be sure that they will ask you for a tip afterwards (it’s best to negotiate it beforehand if you really need it).
- In order not to get lost (too much) in the medinas , we used the Maps.me app , which gives you an almost precise location at all times. The Google Maps GPS worked worse. It is best not to stray too far from the main streets and to take certain reference points, such as minarets, restaurants, etc. If things go wrong, you can always ask (preferably the owners of shops or restaurants).
- Unfortunately, it is common to see exotic animals (from monkeys to snakes) being used as souvenir photos for tourists. Please travel responsibly and do not be part of this business. More info FAADA
- Stay in riads whenever you can. These are typical Moroccan hotels, with rooms arranged around an interior courtyard and exquisitely decorated. For us, staying in a riad is one of the best experiences to have in Morocco. Plus, there are options for all budgets and breakfast is included!
- Be respectful and careful when taking photos , especially in souks and rural areas. It is always best to ask permission, whether you are photographing a shop or people.
- Be careful with drugs . In Morocco there are very severe penalties for consuming drugs…
We hope that our tips for travelling to Morocco (and not screwing up) are useful when it comes to organising your trip. We have one last recommendation: enjoy every moment… Morocco is addictive! And of course, if you have any further questions, we are here for you 😉
