Morocco

No matter how long you have, Morocco is seriously flexible. A long weekend is enough for a city trip to Marrakech or Fès — you’ll get a real taste of the place.

With a week, you can combine a city visit with a few relaxed days at the beach. Want to explore more than one or two regions? Plan for around ten days.

And if you want to do Morocco properly — royal cities, Atlas Mountains, desert, beach — you’ll want at least three weeks.

Even in spring, when it’s pleasantly warm during the day, pack a layer for the evenings. The desert can get surprisingly cold at night, and mountain temperatures drop sharply after dark.

A lightweight scarf or wrap is super practical — use it for sun protection, or drape it over your shoulders when visiting mosques or museums if you’re showing too much skin.

In general, clothing that covers knees and shoulders is appropriate out of respect for Islamic customs.

One practical note: if you’re traveling from Europe, standard European plugs fit Moroccan outlets, so no adapter needed.

Morocco is generally a safe country — a World Economic Forum study actually ranks it 20th among the safest travel destinations in the world.

That said, pickpockets and scammers are something to watch out for, especially in larger cities and popular tourist areas.

As long as you use common sense, there’s little to worry about. The usual basics apply: keep an eye on your belongings in crowded spots, and avoid dark, deserted streets at night.

Don’t drink the tap water in Morocco. When buying bottled water, make sure the seal is intact and the original cap is on.

In Moroccan cities, the water is chlorinated, so it’s fine for brushing your teeth — just don’t drink it.

Arabic and various Berber dialects are Morocco’s official languages. Don’t speak either? No problem.

French has been the lingua franca since the colonial era and is a required subject in schools — so if you know some French, you’ll get along just fine throughout the country.

In tourist hubs like Marrakech, Fez, Essaouira, or Agadir, and in hotels and larger restaurants, English and Spanish will also get you pretty far.

Beyond the main tourist areas, though, it gets trickier. Try to memorize a few basic French phrases and keep a dictionary handy.

In remote villages and the mountains, you may only encounter Arabic or Berber speakers — in those situations, having a guide or driver who can translate is really helpful.

A fair question — Islam prohibits alcohol, and Morocco is an Islamic country. In public, you should avoid beer, wine, and the like.

In hotels, bars, and restaurants, it’s a different story. Nobody minds if you order a drink there.

In the larger cities, you can also find alcohol at dedicated liquor stores and some supermarkets.

In Morocco’s cities, you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving both Moroccan and European (often French) cuisine. The old towns tend to have more simple, affordable street food stalls.

There are also loads of small cafés — they’re real social hubs for locals, and you should definitely stop into one during your stay. Order the traditional Moroccan mint tea (thé à la menthe). Seriously, don’t skip it.

Note: If you’re traveling solo as a woman, be a little selective about which café you choose. Some strictly traditional cafés in the Medina are off-limits to women according to Islamic custom — you can usually tell by the exclusively local male clientele.

Haggling is simply part of the experience in the souks — don’t be shy about it. At tourist stalls, you can usually negotiate down to about half the asking price. Start your first offer even lower so there’s room to meet in the middle.

Haggling isn’t just for tourist areas either. In less touristy neighborhoods the margins are smaller, but you can almost always get around 20% off.

The same goes for taxis — always negotiate the fare before you get in.

Thoughtful photography is key here.

There are so many amazing subjects to photograph in Morocco, but not everything is fair game. Photos of military facilities are strictly prohibited.

When photographing people, always ask for permission first — basic respect goes a long way.

Also be careful around snakes, monkeys, and other animals — for example on the Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech. Point your camera at them and you’ll be expected to pay.