Travels Morocco

Morocco frequently asked questions

Morocco Travel FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Visas, safety, money, weather, dress, phones and tours

Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Planning a trip raises many questions, from visas and money to what to wear and when to go. This Morocco travel FAQ gives clear answers to the questions travellers ask us most, grouped by topic so you can find what you need quickly.

Can’t find your answer? Contact us and we will help. You can also read our Morocco overview, our guide to the culture of Morocco or our page on accommodation in Morocco.

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Morocco Basics
Visas, Flights & Health
Money & Tipping
Phones & Electricity
Safety & Dress
Weather & Seasons
Food & Activities
Our Tours

Morocco Basics

The country, its languages, religion and government.

Morocco is a country in the north-west of Africa, with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Algeria lies to the east, and the Sahara Desert stretches across the south. At the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco is only about 14 kilometres from Spain.

Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight) are the official languages. Moroccan Arabic, known as Darija, is the language of daily life, and Amazigh languages are widely spoken in the mountains and the south. French is used in business and higher education, Spanish is understood in the north, and English is common in tourist areas. See our guide to the culture of Morocco.

Islam is the state religion, and there are also small Christian and Jewish communities. Read more about religion in Morocco.

Officially the Kingdom of Morocco, the country is a constitutional monarchy. King Mohammed VI has been on the throne since July 1999.

The capital is Rabat, on the Atlantic coast. Casablanca is the largest city and the main business centre, while Marrakech and Fes are the most famous cities for visitors.

Morocco uses GMT+1 for most of the year and moves back one hour during Ramadan.

Visas, Flights and Health

Entry rules, health advice and how to get to Morocco.

Citizens of many countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK and most European countries, can enter Morocco without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Rules depend on your nationality and can change, so check the requirements with the Moroccan embassy or your government’s travel advice before you book.

Yes. You need a valid passport to enter Morocco, and airlines may check its validity before you board. Check the exact validity rule for your nationality before you travel.

No vaccinations are required for most travellers arriving directly from Europe or North America. Health advice can change, so check with your doctor or national travel health service before you go.

Bottled water is widely available and inexpensive, and we recommend it for visitors. Ask your hotel or riad about drinking water, especially if you have a sensitive stomach.

We recommend travel insurance for every trip. Choose a policy that covers medical care, cancellations and your belongings, and check that it covers activities such as trekking or camel rides if you plan them.

Morocco is easy to reach from Europe and North America. Direct flights serve Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, Agadir and other cities, and ferries connect southern Spain with Tangier. Read our guide to getting to Morocco.

Royal Air Maroc, the national airline, flies to many European and international destinations. Other airlines that serve Morocco include Air France, Iberia and British Airways, and low-cost airlines such as Ryanair offer flights to major Moroccan cities from several European countries. Check current routes on your favourite flight search site.

It depends on your tour. Marrakech is the usual starting point for Sahara tours from Marrakech, Fes suits tours from Fes, and Casablanca is convenient for imperial city tours. We can start your tour from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco, so tell us where you land.

Money, Tipping and Bargaining

Currency, cards, tips and haggling in the souks.

The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is the official currency. ATMs are common in cities and larger towns, so you can withdraw dirhams after you arrive.

Cards are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and many shops in the cities, but cash is still important in the souks, small cafes, taxis and villages. Carry some dirhams, especially before you head to the mountains or the desert.

It is usually easier to get dirhams in Morocco, at ATMs, banks or exchange offices. Ask your bank about foreign transaction fees before you travel.

Tipping is customary in Morocco, and small tips are appreciated by guides, drivers, porters and restaurant staff. In restaurants, around 10% is common if service is not already included. Tips are not included in our tour prices.

Yes, in the souks and many small shops. Start well below the asking price, keep it friendly and be ready to walk away politely. Prices are fixed in supermarkets and most restaurants. In city taxis, ask for the meter or agree the fare before you get in.

Phones, Internet and Electricity

Plugs, power, Wi-Fi, SIM cards and calling codes.

Morocco uses 220 V at 50 Hz, with European-style plugs (two round pins, types C and E). Most phone and laptop chargers accept 100 to 240 V, but check the label on your devices.

Yes, most electronics from the USA and Europe work in Morocco as long as you have a plug adapter. Adapters are sold at airports and electronics shops, but it is easier to bring one with you.

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, riads and cafes in towns and cities, though the speed varies. Mobile data is widely available with a local SIM card, while coverage in the mountains and the desert can be limited. Check any Wi-Fi charges with your accommodation.

Most modern phones work if international roaming is enabled, but roaming can be expensive, so check with your provider first. You can also buy a Moroccan prepaid SIM card from operators such as Maroc Telecom, Orange or inwi (bring your passport), or use an eSIM if your phone supports it. To use a local SIM, your phone must be unlocked.

The country code for Morocco is +212. When calling Morocco from abroad, dial +212 followed by the number without the first zero. To call the USA from Morocco, dial +1, then the area code and number.

Safety, Dress and Etiquette

Staying safe, what to wear and how to behave.

Morocco welcomes millions of visitors every year, and most trips are trouble-free. As anywhere, take normal precautions: keep valuables out of sight, be careful in crowded markets, agree prices before you accept a service and check your government’s travel advice before you go.

Many women travel in Morocco alone or in small groups and have wonderful trips. You may receive unwanted attention in busy areas, so dress modestly, stay confident and follow local advice. If you prefer company, see our women’s tour in Morocco and read what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist.

There are no legal restrictions for visitors, but modest dress shows respect and attracts less attention. Cover your shoulders and knees, especially in small towns, rural villages and when visiting religious sites. In big cities and resorts you will see Western clothing, and swimwear is fine at the beach and hotel pools.

Yes. Many Moroccans wear the djellaba, a long hooded robe, and many women wear headscarves, while some older men wear traditional caps. In the cities you will also see Western clothing. What people wear depends on the region, age and occupation.

Always ask permission first, especially when photographing women, and accept a polite refusal. Some people may ask for a small tip. Read more etiquette tips in our culture guide.

Alcohol is available in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars in the main cities and tourist areas, but not in most local cafes. Drinking in public places is not appropriate.

In busy medinas, some people offer unrequested help or directions and then ask for money. A polite “la, shukran” (no, thank you) is usually enough. Book official guides through your hotel or tour company, and agree the price beforehand.

Weather and the Best Time to Visit

When to go, what to pack and what to expect.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal for most tours, with warm days and comfortable temperatures. Winter is mild in the cities but cold at night in the mountains and the desert, and summer is hot inland, especially in Marrakech and the Sahara.

Days are warm to very hot from late spring to early autumn, with summer temperatures often above 40°C. Winter days are pleasant, but nights can be close to freezing, so bring a warm jacket if you plan to sleep in a desert camp.

Yes. Winter is a good time for the cities. The High Atlas gets snow, and Oukaimeden has a ski area, but mountain and desert nights are cold. For a winter highlight, see our New Year’s Eve in the Sahara tour.

Pack light, breathable clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a scarf. Add warm layers for the mountains and the desert. Many riads are reached on foot through narrow lanes, so a light bag is easier to carry.

Yes. Ramadan moves about ten days earlier each year. Hotels, tours and attractions continue to operate, though some restaurants close during the day and opening hours can change. The evenings, when families break the fast, are lively. Tell us your dates and we will plan around it. See our culture guide for more.

Food, Nightlife and Activities

What to eat, where to go out and what to do.

Start with tagine, couscous, pastilla and harira soup, and drink the mint tea you are offered. Read our guide to Moroccan cuisine.

The large cities are lively in the evening. Marrakech and Casablanca offer restaurants with live music, cafes, bars, clubs and shows, and Jemaa El Fna square in Marrakech fills with food stalls and performers at night. Smaller towns are quieter, and in the desert the highlight is an evening in a camp under the stars.

Football (soccer) is hugely popular, and Morocco reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, the first African team to do so. Every city has local clubs with passionate fans, and watching a live match is a fun experience. Basketball, tennis, golf, horse riding and boxing are also popular.

You can trek in the High Atlas, including Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, ski at Oukaimeden in winter, surf or windsurf on the Atlantic coast, play golf, ride horses, cycle and take camel treks in the Sahara. See our High Atlas trekking tour.

Explore the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, ride a camel and sleep in a desert camp, visit Ait Ben Haddou, walk in the Atlas Mountains and enjoy the coast at Essaouira. See our list of things to do in Morocco and our day trips.

Booking Tours with Travels Morocco

Private tours, customisation and how to book.

We are a local travel company created in Ouarzazate in 2009, specialising in private tours across Morocco. Read more on our About Us page.

Yes. Our tours are private for your group, and we adapt the route, pace and accommodation to your needs.

Yes. Every itinerary can be modified and designed around your requirements, including the dates, route, length and style of accommodation. Contact us with your ideas.

Yes. We can start from any airport, hotel, town or city in Morocco.

Each tour page lists what is included and what is not. For example, our New Year’s Eve tour includes a private driver-guide, 4×4 transport with fuel, accommodation with breakfast and dinner (bed and breakfast in Fes and Marrakech), a camel ride and desert camp, city guides and airport transfers. Flights, lunches, drinks, museum fees and tips are not included.

For a short trip, our 2-day and 3-day tours from Marrakech reach the Sahara. To combine the imperial cities with the desert, plan 7 to 11 days, and allow up to 12 days for special-interest tours such as trekking. Browse our tours in Morocco or tell us how much time you have and we will suggest a route.

Yes. We offer a Morocco Family Tour of 7 days and 6 nights, and our itineraries can be adapted for families.

Yes. See our women’s tour in Morocco.

Yes. Choose from our 2-day, 3-day and 4-day tours from Marrakech to the Sahara.

Yes. We offer day trips to places such as Essaouira, the Ouzoud Waterfalls, Ait Ben Haddou and the High Atlas. See all our day trips.

Send us your dates, group size and interests on our contact page or by email at travelstomorocco@gmail.com, and we will reply with a free quote.

Still Have Questions?

Send us your question and we will reply as soon as we can. We are happy to help you plan your trip to Morocco.

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Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com  |  Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95