Morocco Travel Guide
March–May and September–November are ideal. Summer is very hot inland in Marrakech and Fez, and the Atlas can be snowbound in winter.
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Morocco at a glance
Best time to visit Morocco
March–May and September–November are ideal. Summer is very hot inland in Marrakech and Fez, and the Atlas can be snowbound in winter.
Peak: Easter and the Christmas–New Year fortnight in Marrakech.
Shoulder season: March–April and October: warm days, cool evenings, good riad availability.
Visa and entry
Visa-free for 90 days for most Western nationalities. No advance application needed — stamp on arrival.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Morocco uses the MAD (د.م.).
Appreciated. 10% at restaurants; 10–20 MAD for guides, porters, and henna artists. Bargaining is expected in souks — leave a tip only after a fair transaction.
Getting around
Marrakech and Casablanca have cheap buses and trams (about MAD 6–8). Petit taxis should use the meter — roughly MAD 10–30 for city trips. ONCF trains link the main cities cheaply.
When a pass pays off: No tourist pass. Insisting on the petit-taxi meter, or agreeing the fare first, is usually a 2–3× difference on a MAD 20 ride.
Local etiquette
Do
- Accept mint tea when it's offered — refusing outright can read as rude.
- Bargain in the souks; opening prices are typically two to three times the expected sale.
- Dress modestly, particularly in Fez and smaller towns.
Avoid
- Don't enter mosques unless you are Muslim — Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque is the notable exception.
- Don't photograph people without asking, including Jemaa el-Fnaa performers, who will charge.
- Don't drink tap water outside the main cities.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Unofficial “guides” who lead you into the medina and then demand payment, or who claim your riad is closed — call the riad and they'll send someone.
- Henna artists in Jemaa el-Fnaa who start on your hand uninvited, then charge.
- Tannery “free mint” tours in Fez that end in a hard sell — agree the tip up front or decline.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Morocco. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| lunch | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM | 2:30 PM |
| dinner | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
Useful Arabic and Amazigh (Berber); French is the second language of business phrases
French is far more useful than English outside major hotels; Spanish helps in the north.
- Hello
- السلام عليكم (Salam)(sa-LAM)
- Thank you
- شكرا (Shukran)(SHOOK-ran)
- No, thank you (declining touts)
- لا شكرا (La shukran)(la SHOOK-ran)
- How much is this?
- بشحال؟ (Bshhal?)(bish-HAL)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Morocco: Airalo, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Morocco travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Morocco?
- March–May and September–November are ideal. Summer is very hot inland in Marrakech and Fez, and the Atlas can be snowbound in winter.
- Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?
- Visa-free for 90 days for most Western nationalities. No advance application needed — stamp on arrival. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Morocco?
- Appreciated. 10% at restaurants; 10–20 MAD for guides, porters, and henna artists. Bargaining is expected in souks — leave a tip only after a fair transaction.
- What currency is used in Morocco?
- Morocco uses the MAD (د.م.).
- What power plug and voltage does Morocco use?
- Morocco uses Type C and Type E sockets at 220V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Morocco?
- In Morocco, call 19 (police) / 15 (ambulance) / 15 (fire).
- What time zone is Morocco in?
- Morocco is in the Africa/Casablanca time zone (UTC+01:00).
- What language is spoken in Morocco?
- The main language is Arabic and Amazigh (Berber); French is the second language of business. French is far more useful than English outside major hotels; Spanish helps in the north.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Morocco?
- Marrakech and Casablanca have cheap buses and trams (about MAD 6–8). Petit taxis should use the meter — roughly MAD 10–30 for city trips. ONCF trains link the main cities cheaply. No tourist pass. Insisting on the petit-taxi meter, or agreeing the fare first, is usually a 2–3× difference on a MAD 20 ride.
- What health precautions should I take in Morocco?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Morocco. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made Morocco itineraries
Plan a Morocco trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Morocco tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.