So, you’re off to Morocco? Exciting!
There is so much to think about when visiting any new country, from making sure you’ve got the right adaptor to what to pack for your excursions!
To help you focus on the excitement instead of the admin, our Morocco travel specialists have used their own personal experience for making your trip hassle-free and answered some of the most frequently asked questions from our travellers below.
Whilst we have done our best to cover as much as possible below, please feel free to get in touch if you still have any questions and we will do our best to help.
Before departure
If you’re a British passport holder, your passport should be valid for at least 3 months on your date of entry to Morocco.
Head to our visa and passport page for more in-depth information.
If you are a British passport holder you do not need a visa to visit Morocco for stays of up to 90 days.
Yes, we would always recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance when travelling, especially overseas, that is suitable for your requirements and needs.
Morocco’s climate varies greatly, so what you pack will be dependent on the time of year you travel and the destinations you visit in the country. It gets very hot during the summer months so we recommend taking lightweight clothing, ideally made from natural materials. In the winter it can be cold and sometimes wet. If you are staying overnight in the desert or the mountains we recommend taking something warm for the evenings as the temperature drops significantly – even during the hotter months. For more weather information visit our ‘When to go’ page.
Whether you are sightseeing or hiking you’ll want some comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses, and a waterproof jacket just in case. Don’t forget your swimsuit either. You can swim in the Atlantic Ocean and some of the hotels also have a pool.
Out of respect for local customs, we recommend that you do not walk around in very short skirts/shorts or vests. You don’t have to cover your body completely – a knee-length skirt / shorts and a short-sleeved t-shirt is fine for a woman – although we suggest you dress modestly in more rural regions.
It is always best to get the advice of a GP or travel nurse before travelling overseas to check which vaccinations you might need or if any boosters are required. The Travel Health Pro website provides a comprehensive guide on all the vaccinations you should consider.
Departure
We know heading off on holiday is always a little bit stressful, especially on the day you leave, so we would advise doing these things before you depart:
- Check you have all your necessary documentation, including your passport!
- Take a photo of your documents and email it to yourself and travelling partners. Having a copy on your phone always comes in handy too.
- Ensure you have all your chargers and converters for any phones, cameras, tablets you are taking. A portable battery pack is a handy item to have in your hand luggage.
- Take snacks and a big bottle of water for your flight.
- Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare, we advise arriving 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
- Pack a change of clothes in your hand luggage and take a photo of your checked bag in case it goes missing en route.
- Sit back and relax knowing we have your holiday sorted!
Arrival
In Morocco there are two official languages, Arabic and Amazigh. Typically you will hear Moroccan Arabic spoken. There are also many Berber tribes that have their own dialect and sometimes cannot speak Arabic at all. French is also widely spoken in Morocco.
Here are some helpful phrases and words:
Es salaam alaykum – Hello
Bessalama – Goodbye
Shukran – Thank you
Afak – Please
Eeyeh – Yes
La – No
Bshhal? – How much is it?
Ghir tan chouf – I’m just looking
Moroccan cuisine is a Rickshaw Travel favourite and is likely to be one of your holiday highlights. Couscous is Morocco’s national dish and you’ll find it on menus throughout the country. How do they get it so light and fluffy? The country is also well-known for its slow cooked stews such as the famous tajine and lamb mechoui. You can enjoy colourful salad mezzes served with freshly baked breads and a variety of seasonal fruit including apricots, watermelon, pomegranates and figs. If you’re travelling to Fes then be sure to try Pastilla – a savoury-sweet pie flavoured with spices, and on the coast in Essaouira you’ll find mouthwatering, freshly grilled sardines.
If you’re eating street food, remember queues are a good thing; a busy stall means food is prepared and eaten fast so is less likely to have been sitting around.
As Morocco is an Islamic country, you’ll find that alcohol is not widely available. However, most tourist hotels and restaurants frequented by foreign visitors do serve alcohol. Please respect local customs as much as possible by not consuming alcohol in public.
You can expect to be drinking a lot of mint tea in Morocco, as it’s part of the culture to offer this refreshing drink as a welcome gesture.
Moroccan culture revolves around family and religion, with a strong sense of community. The majority of the population follow Islam and are largely Sunni Muslims. Whilst some of the bigger cities are becoming more modernised and tolerant, traditional values and practices remain central to everyday life, especially in the rural areas.
Out of respect for local customs, we recommend that you do not walk around in very short skirts/shorts or vests. You don’t have to cover your body completely – a knee-length skirt /shorts and a short-sleeved t-shirt is fine for a woman – although we suggest you dress modestly in more rural regions.
It’s also worth pointing out that Morocco is not the most gay-friendly destination: homosexuality is illegal and punishable with imprisonment, so public displays of affection should generally be avoided.
Ramadan is practiced by almost all Moroccans. During this month, Muslims are prohibited from drinking, eating and smoking from sunrise to sunset. If you’re visiting Morocco during Ramadan you should avoid eating and drinking in public. You may find that opening hours of shops and tourist sites may have been adjusted, but we will adapt your itinerary to fit in with any time changes.
Safety
Morocco is a safe country to travel to. Moroccans are naturally very friendly, hospitable and helpful. As with most destinations, we recommend to be aware of, and respectful of, the local cultural customs. Crime rates are relatively low but keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of scam artists and pickpockets, especially in the big cities such as Marrakech and Fes.
We are contactable in the UK during office hours and our local partners in destination are available 24/7 for any support or help you might need. They are in the best position as they will be on the same timezone, they should be your first contact in a case of emergency.
Tips and practical information
The currency in Morocco is the Dirham. ATMs are widely available in cities and most main towns. Most major credit cards are accepted in larger towns. However, we recommend that you do not rely on it and always take some cash with you, as our Morocco trips take you to smaller places.
For more information visit our visa and money page.
In Morocco, tipping is customary whenever you use a service such as guides, drivers, taxis and in restaurants. Wages are low in Morocco, so many people rely on tips. There are no hard and fast rules about how much to tip. For a small service, 10 dirhams (approx. 1 euro) are enough. If you have a private driver on a tour and are really happy with the service, then you may wish to tip a little more. It is customary to tip around 10% in restaurants and around 1 dirham per drink in cafes.