The Essential Morocco Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
If you’re looking for information or tips for traveling to Morocco for the first time, you’re in the right place. In this travel guide to Morocco, we made a list of the most important things to make your trip as organized as possible.
Morocco was our first country on the African continent, and we hope to soon call it the first of many! 😉
Even though we stayed in Morocco for only two months, we learned a lot about this fascinating country, its culture, and its history, which we want to share with you in this travel guide to Morocco.
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So, let’s get straight to the point. We hope you enjoy this post and you can make the most of these travel tips in your next trip to Morocco.
1. Safety– Morocco travel guide
Is it safe to travel to Morocco?
The first thing we should mention in our travel guide to Morocco is safety. While many may believe that this country is complicated and not as safe for the average traveler, we personally didn’t encounter any issues and traveled quite peacefully throughout the two months we spent there.
People are very friendly, and the country is heavily investing in tourism, which means they tend to keep tourists happy since it’s a source of income for many people.
That being said, we did witness a few scam attempts (both minor and significant) during our stay, so you should be cautious to ensure your trip to Morocco is as safe and peaceful as possible. We think this happens mainly in the larger cities, where, due to high poverty rates, people may try to make a living through small tricks or scams, which can be annoying for travelers who aren’t used to these things.
We will address this topic in more detail in another travel guide, which you may find helpful.
Remember that taking travel precautions, respecting local customs and rules, and being mindful of your belongings are basic guidelines you should follow in Morocco, just as in any other destination.
In general, if you follow basic precautions and stay alert, Morocco is a safe place to visit.
However, it’s always advisable to stay informed about the current situation and any safety updates before planning your trip.
If you want more information on travel safety, here is an article on the topic that we hope will be useful to you.
Grab our Travel Checklist and Let the adventure begin!
2. Visa – Morocco travel guide
Next thing in our travel guide to Morocco is a visa. Do you actually need a visa to visit Morocco? It all depends on your country of origin and the diplomatic relations your country has with the Moroccan government. For example, we (Czech Republic and Italy) could travel for tourism purposes for up to three months with just a single entry stamp.
You can easily find a page from Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs online that is super easy to use and will answer any questions you might have on this topic. Here’s the link to the page.
Our advice: While travelling, we start to use eSIM, and we can say that it is perfect for travel bloggers like me who need to stay online without worrying about local SIMs or roaming charges.
3. Vaccinations – Morocco travel guide
We want to start by saying that we are not health experts, and the information we provide in this travel guide to Morocco is based on our experience. It is always best to consult medical professionals in your home country.
As far as we know, there are no mandatory vaccines required to travel to Morocco.
However, if you plan to stay in the country for an extended period or visit rural areas, doctors recommend vaccinations against rabies and hepatitis A and B. Again, as I mentioned earlier, it’s better to share your travel itinerary with a specialized doctor who can give you expert advice.
4. Currency and Exchange – Morocco travel guide
The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), and as of the time of writing this post, the exchange rate is 1 Euro = 10.83 MAD or 1 USD = 9.71 MAD. To check the updated exchange rate during your visit to this beautiful country, we recommend using the platform Xe.com.
You may be wondering: How should you pay on your next trip to Morocco?
Morocco is visited by millions of tourists every year, so it won’t be difficult to exchange money or use your cards. In this travel guide to Morocco, we’ve listed step-by-step the various options for exchanging money for your trip.
Exchanging your currency to Moroccan dirhams
This is the most traditional method. Despite that, it’s still widely used by travelers worldwide, especially for those visiting the country for just a few days.
Our advice is that if you decide to go with this method, avoid exchanging money at the airport, as the commissions tend to be very high. Take advantage of exchange offices in the major cities, as they generally offer better rates and lower commissions. However, make sure to exchange money at registered exchange offices and avoid doing so on the street, even if the rate seems better, as scams of this type are common in Morocco.
Paying directly with credit/debit cards in Morocco:
Using cards is becoming increasingly common in shops, restaurants, and accommodations, especially in tourist-heavy areas.
If you decide to pay by card, always choose to pay in the local currency rather than your home currency, as exchange fees can be quite high. These fees are typically set by a foreign bank.
We paid for most of our accommodations by card (which I’ll explain further in the Accommodations section) as well as in restaurants that accepted cards, and at large supermarket chains like Carrefour or Marjane. It was much more convenient than carrying a lot of cash.
However, many places prefer cash payments, and when shopping on the street, you’ll need cash. Therefore, we recommend withdrawing some cash for situations where cards aren’t accepted.
Which credit/debit cards work in Morocco?
The major international cards (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay, American Express) are widely accepted, so we don’t think you’ll have any trouble using your cards during your trip to Morocco.
However, keep in mind a few important points before using your cards:
When paying by card in Morocco, merchants typically won’t charge extra fees, but your bank may apply currency exchange fees.
Notify your bank that you’ll be using the card abroad to avoid any blocks due to suspicious activity.
Always pay in the local currency to avoid additional bank fees.
To minimize banking fees, we recommend using some of the new-generation virtual banking cards that are great for travel. In our travels, we’ve been using Wise , and we’re very happy with it. It’s a virtual bank with incredibly good exchange rates and low fees, perfect for traveling to Morocco. Two other great alternatives are Revolut and N26, which we also use alongside Wise in our travels.
Withdrawing money directly from an ATM
This is another option we should mention in this travel guide to Morocco if you don’t want to exchange money at currency exchange offices, or like us, if you’re traveling indefinitely and don’t carry cash to exchange.
There are thousands of national and international banks and ATMs in Morocco where you can withdraw money. However, most of them charge fees for using the ATM, and the fees vary since there’s no national rule. You should always factor in this cost.
So, is there a bank in Morocco where you can withdraw money without an ATM fee?
Good news—there is! (I can already imagine the smile on your face.)
Moroccan postal ATMs (Poste Maroc) don’t charge any fees for withdrawals. It’s worth knowing that most cities have a post office, although it’s not guaranteed they will have a functioning ATM. Still, if you want to save some money, it’s a good idea to search in advance (using Google Maps, for example) for post offices with an ATM. These ATMs are usually affiliated with banks associated with another entity called Al Barid Bank.
Aside from this useful information, here are some points to keep in mind if you decide to withdraw money from an ATM anywhere in the world, including Morocco:
- Notify your bank that you’ll be traveling abroad to avoid your card being blocked for suspicious activity.
- Be aware that your bank might charge internal fees for withdrawing money in a foreign country or currency.
- Although we mentioned that there are no fees at postal ATMs, carefully review the information displayed by the bank on the ATM screen.
- If you withdraw money from a non-bank-affiliated ATM, there’s a 90% chance you’ll be charged a fee.
- We also recommend withdrawing money from ATMs or post offices located in banks that are open to the public so you can resolve any issues if the machine swallows your card or doesn’t dispense cash.
- Some banks may charge additional fees for withdrawing money over the weekend (for example, Revolut does). Check this in your contract.
Paying with apps and mobile phones during your trip to Morocco
Although I’m sure this method will soon be widely available in Morocco, we didn’t use it at all during our two-month trip.
Our advice: Wise is an excellent card designed to make your life easier when traveling to a foreign country that has a different currency than yours. We always use your physical card during our travels and never had a problem, even in some of the most remote parts of the world.
5. Internet and SIM Cards – Morocco travel guide
Staying connected online, whether for work or leisure, is one of the most important things for travelers around the world.
Knowing which SIM card to buy once you arrive or whether there’s good coverage in a particular area is essential today. In this travel guide to Morocco we give you our tips about the best SIM cards if you need to work during your trip.
What’s the best SIM for the internet during my next trip to Morocco?
In general, looking for a company that offers a SIM card upon arrival in the country comes down to three options: Orange, IAM (Maroc Telecom) y INWI.
You can find kiosks offering these cards at the exit of any international airport (you won’t miss them). Although it might be slightly more expensive to buy from an official store in the city, it’s definitely the most convenient option if you need the internet as soon as you arrive.
By “more expensive,” I mean just a few dirhams difference, which likely won’t break the bank for your trip.
During our trip, we tried two of the three companies, Orange and IAM. If I had to choose based on coverage, I’d say Orange is the better option. Both have decent coverage, but Orange helped us out in several places where the Wi-Fi connection in accommodations wasn’t stable. We haven’t personally tried INWI, but some travelers mentioned it had the least coverage of the three, especially in rural areas. In terms of pricing, they are roughly similar, although INWI has better deals, followed by Orange and then IAM. Keep in mind that prices can vary based on the offer you choose.
Recharging a card or changing plans is super simple, as all companies have apps, and you can pay through the app or at the many local kiosks selling top-ups.
What about Wi-Fi if I don’t want to buy a SIM card?
If you’re traveling for just a few days and you don’t want to buy a SIM card, you could rely on public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi is available at major international airports, the port in Tangier, and many restaurants that offer this service for customer convenience.
However, if you plan to work, we do not recommend it, as it tends to be unstable (depending on your accommodation).
We experienced numerous times where the internet worked decently upon arrival but lost signal after a few hours. This seemed to depend on the plan the accommodations had with their router, as it appears you can buy data for home routers in Morocco like you would for a phone, and if you’re using it heavily for work, you can easily use up a lot of data.
If your goal is to use the internet occasionally without spending money, you could manage with the free Wi-Fi provided by accommodations and restaurants. If you choose this connection method, we recommend downloading a good VPN like Surfshark to stay as protected as possible and avoid potential hacking.
How’s the coverage in the country?
We’d say the coverage in Morocco is quite good, and in most cities and tourist spots, you shouldn’t have any problems. However, remember that there are many sparsely populated areas in Morocco where getting a good signal can be challenging.
For instance, we spent almost three days without signal in the Er Chigaga desert (we knew this would happen), and I can assure you it was a great experience to disconnect for a while.
During our travels in Asia, we discovered that electronic SIM cards are also available in the market. Basically, using an app, you can get a number, data, and calls without having a physical SIM card in your phone. We think this eSIM is a fantastic invention and will surely revolutionize how people move from country to country.
6. Transportation – Morocco travel guide
What are the main means of transport to get around in Morocco?
Let’s focus on transport in our travel guide to Morocco and see all options:
TRAINS
Trains are a great way to travel in Morocco if your itinerary includes cities like Marrakech, Fes, or Rabat.
Currently, there are two main lines: one from Marrakech to Tangier (via Rabat) and another from Fes to Marrakech, also passing through Rabat.
Moroccan trains are comfortable, modern, and punctual, comparable to trains in many European countries. The ONCF is the train company in Morocco, and you can easily purchase tickets online or at their beautiful stations (payment by card is accepted). There are two classes available; while the first class is much more comfortable, the second class is still decent.
BUSES
Buses are the most economical and common means of transport throughout the country, making them a good option if you’re on a tight budget. The two main companies dominating the tourist and middle-class market are CTM and Supratours.
CTM has many routes, reaching almost all major tourist destinations, including the desert in Merzouga and the blue city of Chefchaouen.
Supratours, operated by ONCF, has fewer routes but good coverage, often located just outside train stations. Both companies are punctual, comfortable, and you can buy tickets in advance on their websites (links are included in their names above).
There are also other private bus companies connecting various destinations across the country. While they are generally cheaper, these buses tend to be older, slower, and make more frequent stops, often resulting in delays, making them less suitable for short trips or tightly scheduled itineraries.
TAXIS
There are two types of taxis in Morocco: grand taxis and petit taxis.
Grand taxis travel to almost any part of the country and can carry up to 5 passengers. They tend to be more expensive and harder to negotiate with since drivers know tourists may not be aware of the real prices. Always negotiate, and if you’re unsure of a fare, ask your accommodation or a local.
Petit taxis operate only within urban areas; you’ll recognize them by their older, slightly battered appearance. Depending on the city size, they usually have fixed rates that vary between day and night and may be shared with other passengers. While they have set fares, it’s wise to confirm the price before starting your trip or negotiate for a better deal.
Although taxi apps are technically illegal in Morocco, many people (including us) use them daily to avoid scams and save time. The most popular and functional one is Careem, and in Marrakech, you could also use Roby Taxi.
FERRIES
Although we didn’t use this mode of transport, we know that Tangier and other cities are connected to Spain by ferry lines. If you want to learn more (as we don’t have personal experience), we can provide a link with more information.
TRAM
You can find this mode of transport in two cities for now: Rabat and Casablanca. Both cities have a modern, clean, and efficient tram system.
AIRPLANE
Naturally, if you’re not arriving by boat or overland from another African country, flying is your best option. Morocco has several well-connected international airports (like Casablanca and Marrakech), and most major cities have an airport. If you’re short on time, flying within the country is an option, although it’s not the cheapest.
RENTING A CAR
This is a great option if you want to visit rural areas or prefer the freedom of independent travel. We rented a car AUTOEUROPE to explore the two deserts, as Er Chigaga is inaccessible without private transport. It’s crucial to thoroughly research car rental companies to avoid scams; don’t rely solely on Google reviews, as they often don’t reflect the actual situation, and be cautious of the lowest prices, as they can be misleading.
7. Accommodations – Morocco travel guide
Morocco offers a wide range of accommodations to cater to the diverse array of tourists it attracts each year, from budget-friendly options to luxurious stays. Your choice will largely depend on your budget and what you’re looking for during your visit.
For the average traveler, the best options are typically Riads or Dars—traditional Moroccan houses that have been renovated to accommodate tourists. Based on our research, a decent room for two people with air conditioning or heating (depending on the season) can cost between €20-35/$ per night. Often, this price includes a delicious and plentiful breakfast.
If you’re traveling solo or looking for something cheaper, a night in a shared hostel can start from €5-10. Prices can vary significantly based on the season and the cities you plan to visit, with places like Marrakech and Chefchaouen often being pricier than others.
What are the best pages to search for a hotel?
For booking accommodations in advance, we recommend using online reservation platforms. During our trip, we primarily used two apps: Booking.com and Airbnb, depending on whether we wanted a private place or a riad/hotel with a more communal atmosphere. Other options include Agoda and Hostelworld. Alternatively, you can arrive at a destination and ask around (the old-fashioned way), which could potentially lead to cheaper deals, though this comes with more risk. For this option, a good level of French would definitely be helpful.
8. Food– Morocco travel guide
The aromas, traditions, and flavors rooted in Morocco’s past, along with the use of spices and respect for religion, make it a gastronomic destination full of diverse culinary experiences.
We’ve written a detailed post about the best Moroccan food, which you can find in this link.
Below, we address some questions that might interest you for your upcoming trip to Morocco.
What is the average cost of a full meal at a typical Moroccan restaurant?
Eating in Morocco is generally very affordable and hearty (if you avoid tourist traps).
The price largely depends on whether a place is frequented by tourists or locals. We usually seek out spots where locals eat, not just for the better prices but also for a more authentic experience.
Typically, in most restaurants, the meal price includes bread and a small starter (like olives or a sauce). A main dish such as tagine usually costs between 30 and 70-80 dirhams, depending on the type of meat or ingredients. Overall, a meal or dinner for two can range from €5 to a maximum of €20.
What to eat on a tight budget in Morocco?
As mentioned, food in Morocco is quite inexpensive. If you want to spend even less, there are countless street food options that allow you to eat well while saving money. From local tacos (which aren’t really tacos) to sandwiches with tuna or cold cuts (not pork), you can enjoy a variety of dishes without breaking the bank.
What variety of international restaurants can you find in Morocco, and what types of foreign cuisine are available?
In any respected tourist country, you’ll find plenty of international restaurants offering French, Italian, Spanish, and fast food. Most of these places maintain fairly affordable prices. We had several occasions where we enjoyed good pizza or sandwiches without spending much.
It is very common to find French-style bakeries with top-quality products such as croissants or pain au chocolat at a very reasonable price. In addition, in the same establishments you will find the best of Moroccan pastries, which are quite nice and varied.
9. Insurance– Morocco travel guide
In our opinion, having travel insurance is essential when traveling to Morocco (as it is for any destination). We never travel anywhere without insurance because we consider it a basic necessity that shouldn’t be overlooked. Having insurance can save you a lot of money and trouble in case of health issues or other inconveniences during your trip.
We personally use TrueTraveller and highly recommend it. It’s a reputable company with good coverage options. One of the unique aspects of TrueTraveller is that you can purchase insurance even while you’re already traveling, which is great for travelers and digital nomads like us. So, if you’re planning a trip to Morocco, don’t forget to get appropriate travel insurance to ensure your peace of mind and safety during your stay.
10. Habits and Culture – Morocco travel guide
When visiting Morocco, it’s important to consider the local culture in your choice of clothing. While Morocco is relatively liberal compared to other Muslim-majority countries, it still has deep Islamic traditions, so dressing respectfully, especially in public and religious places, is advisable.
Morocco is a fascinating blend of cultures and deeply rooted traditions. You may feel, at times, like you’re in any European city (especially in larger cities), and at other times, you might feel transported to another era. This is due to the mixing of Arab, Berber, and French influences over the years, creating the unique world that is modern Morocco.
Islam is the predominant religion in Morocco, with the vast majority of the population being Muslim. This influence is apparent in daily life, with calls to prayer echoing from mosques five times a day. Morocco has always been a country of cultural exchange and diversity, allowing for coexistence between Islam and other religions, such as Christianity and Judaism. In fact, especially in larger cities, you can still find Jewish quarters (mellah) and Westernized areas, highlighting Morocco’s rich history of immigration and colonization.
11. Other Travel Tips and Curiosities
- Moroccans speak French fluently, as the country was a former French colony.
- Many Moroccans also speak Berber.
- Additionally, given the number of tourists, you can easily find people who speak different languages (possibly even yours!).
- Although the Sahara Desert is vast, if you’re looking for sand dunes, you should head to two specific areas: Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga.
- If you decide to visit less crowded areas of the country, it’s best to rent a car.
- Be careful not to exceed speed limits; the country is full of police with radars, and it’s not uncommon to see a patrol in the middle of nowhere.
- Bargaining is normal, so don’t expect to be offered a good price right away; it will usually be much higher than the actual price.
- Couscous is traditionally eaten on Fridays, so that’s the best day to try it.
- Drinking mint tea is a deeply rooted tradition; it’s common for it to be offered as a welcome in accommodations, as it is the national drink and a symbol of hospitality.
- Coffee is also widely consumed by locals and is of good quality.
- Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, and the royal family is very present and respected by the locals.
Conclusions– Morocco travel guide
Traveling to Morocco has been a very interesting experience for us, and I hope all the information we’ve just provided will be useful for your next trip to this beautiful country.
Now tell us,
Do you have any more questions about Morocco?
Did you find any errors in this information?
Let us know in the comments below or send us a message.
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