Morocco Travel Guide

Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most Western countries do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. You receive a stamp on arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date.

A few things immigration will ask: where you are staying (have a hotel address ready), how long you are visiting, sometimes to see your onward ticket. Having these prepared makes entry faster.

Check current requirements before travel — rules change and some nationalities require visas that others do not.

Morocco uses the dirham (MAD). The dirham is a closed currency — you cannot buy dirhams abroad or take significant quantities out of Morocco. Exchange on arrival at the airport, at banks (BCP, Attijariwafa, BMCE), or at ATMs.

ATMs are reliable in cities and most towns. Carry cash for the medinas — many small vendors and traditional restaurants do not take cards. Large riads and restaurants accept cards; small ones often do not.

As of 2026: approximately 1 EUR = 11 MAD, 1 USD = 10 MAD, 1 GBP = 13 MAD.

Tipping: expected but not mandatory. For restaurants, 10% is appropriate. For guides, 50–100 MAD per day per person is standard. Drivers, porters, and hammam attendants all expect tips — 20–50 MAD is reasonable.

Train (ONCF) is the best option between major cities. The network connects Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakech, Tangier, Meknes, and Oujda. First class is comfortable and affordable — Marrakech to Fes is around €25 first class, 8 hours. Book at oncf.ma or at the station.

CTM buses cover routes the train doesn't — Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Chefchaouen, Agadir. Reliable and used by Moroccans. Book online or at the terminal.

Petit taxis (small, colored by city) operate within cities on meters. Insist the meter is on. Grand taxis (larger, shared) run fixed routes between towns — you pay per seat or hire the whole vehicle.

Rental cars: driving in Morocco is manageable once you understand that lane markings are suggestions. The road between Marrakech and Ouarzazate (Tizi n'Tichka pass) is spectacular and worth driving. City driving, particularly in Casablanca, is best avoided.

Everyday language is Darija (Moroccan Arabic), which sounds quite different from the Arabic spoken in the Middle East. It is a mix of Arabic, Amazigh, French, and Spanish — if you speak some Arabic, you will recognize pieces but not follow conversations.

French is the practical second language. Almost all educated Moroccans speak it. Menus, road signs, and official documents are in Arabic and French. If you speak French, Morocco is easy to navigate.

Tamazight (Amazigh) is an official language spoken widely in rural areas, the Atlas, the Rif, and the south.

In the north — Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen — Spanish is common. In tourist areas of Marrakech, Fes, and Essaouira, English is widely spoken.

A few words of Darija go a long way. Shukran (thank you), labas (how are you / fine), bslama (goodbye). The Darija dictionary on this site has 10,000+ entries if you want to go further.

Morocco is a Muslim country. Modest dress is appropriate everywhere — shoulders and knees covered for both men and women. In tourist areas of Marrakech this is less enforced, but it remains a matter of respect.

In the medinas, loose comfortable clothes in neutral colors attract less attention than bright or revealing clothing. In rural areas and smaller towns, modesty is more important.

For women: loose trousers or long skirts, tops that cover the shoulders. Scarves are useful — to cover shoulders, as shade, in hammams, in mosques (where women are sometimes permitted).

For the desert: layers are essential. Desert days are very hot; desert nights, even in summer, can be cold.

For the Atlas: trekking clothes appropriate to the season. In winter the mountains are genuinely cold.

Tap water is not safe to drink in most of Morocco. Bottled water is widely available and cheap. A filtered water bottle reduces plastic waste significantly.

No vaccinations are mandatory for most nationalities, but standard travel vaccinations are recommended: hepatitis A and B, typhoid. Check with your doctor before travel.

Pharmacies (pharmacies) are common in all cities and well-stocked. Many medications available by prescription elsewhere are sold over the counter in Morocco. Pharmacists speak French.

Morocco's public health system is limited. Private hospitals in Casablanca and Marrakech are adequate for most situations. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is recommended for trips beyond the cities.

Sunscreen, rehydration salts, and any prescription medications you need should be brought from home.

Morocco has good mobile coverage in cities and on main highways. Coverage in the mountains and deep desert is limited.

SIM cards from Maroc Telecom, Orange, or Inwi are available at the airport and in any phone shop. A local SIM with a data plan is significantly cheaper than roaming. Bring an unlocked phone.

WiFi is available in most riads, hotels, and cafés. Speed varies. For navigation in medinas, download offline maps before arrival — Google Maps has good coverage but requires data; Maps.me works offline.