Travelling
to Morocco.
Visa requirements, flights, transport, money, tipping, health, safety, and what to pack. Everything on one page. Written from eleven years of living here, not from a week of research.
Sections
8
Visa-free nationalities
100+
Moroccan dirham to 1 EUR
≈ 11.1
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Visa & Entry
Most Western visitors do not need a visa. At the border: a short entry form, a passport stamp, and you are in.
Visa-free entry — 90 days
The following nationalities enter Morocco without a visa for stays up to 90 days.
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
New Zealand
All EU member states
Switzerland
Norway
Iceland
Japan
South Korea
Brazil
Argentina
Mexico
UAE
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Qatar
Tunisia
Senegal
Not exhaustive. Always verify with the Moroccan consulate before travel.
Passport requirements
Valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Morocco. At least one blank page for entry stamps. Keep your entry card — hotels will ask for it at check-in.
At the border
Entry through Marrakech (RAK), Casablanca (CMN), or Fes (FEZ) is straightforward for Western passports. Fill in an arrival card, hand over your passport, receive a stamp. Land borders from Ceuta or Melilla have longer queues.
Countries requiring visas
Nationals of many African, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries require a visa in advance. Apply through the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your country. Allow 4–6 weeks. We can provide an invitation letter — contact us if needed.
Extending your stay
Apply at the Préfecture in your city of residence before 90 days expire. In Marrakech: Boulevard Mohammed VI. You need passport, proof of address, financial documentation, two photographs. Extensions are typically 90 additional days.
Visa requirements change. Verify with the Moroccan embassy in your country before booking. Information current as of March 2026.
Getting There
Morocco has five international airports that matter. Fly into the one that matches where your journey starts — not which city has the cheapest fare.
Marrakech Menara
Most direct entry for southern routes. Served by all major European low-cost carriers. 6km from the medina.
Casablanca Mohammed V
Main international hub. Best for connections from North America, West Africa, and the Middle East.
Fes–Saïs
Best for northern itineraries. Direct from London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels.
Agadir Al Massira
Atlantic coast, Anti-Atlas, Souss Valley. Mainly European charter and low-cost.
Tangier Ibn Battuta
The north. Well-connected to Spain and France. Ferry alternative from Tarifa.
From Europe
Under 3 hours from Spain, France, and the UK. Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia, and Vueling serve most Moroccan airports directly. Royal Air Maroc covers all hubs.
From North America
Royal Air Maroc flies direct from New York (JFK) and Washington (IAD) to Casablanca year-round, and to Marrakech seasonally. Most travellers connect through a European hub.
Overland from Spain
The Tarifa–Tangier ferry takes 35 minutes across the Strait of Gibraltar. Algeciras–Tangier Med (1.5h) is better for vehicles. Book in advance in summer.
Getting Around Morocco
The train handles the imperial cities. Buses cover the rest. For the south and desert, hire a driver or rent a car.
Train (ONCF)
Imperial cities corridor
Casablanca → Marrakech (3h), Casablanca → Fes (4h 30m), Casablanca → Tangier (2h 10m via Al Boraq high-speed). Air-conditioned, reliable, affordable. Book at oncf.ma.
CTM Bus
Routes the train doesn't reach
Premium intercity buses. Marrakech → Fes overnight (9h), Marrakech → Essaouira (3h), Marrakech → Agadir (4h). Air-conditioned, assigned seats, luggage in hold.
Grand Taxi
Short intercity routes
Shared Mercedes sedans on fixed routes. Pay per seat. Depart when full (6 passengers). Faster than buses for routes under 2 hours. Buy all seats to leave immediately.
Petit Taxi
Within cities
Metered city taxis. Always insist on the meter. Red in Marrakech, blue in Fes, beige in Casablanca. Cheap. Can pick up additional passengers en route.
Rental Car
The south and mountains
Essential for the Draa Valley, Sahara loop, Anti-Atlas, Route of a Thousand Kasbahs. Useless in medinas — parking is near-impossible and the old city is pedestrian-only.
Private Driver
All overland journeys
The most practical option for multi-day routes. Driver handles navigation, parking, and local knowledge. All Slow Morocco journeys include a dedicated driver.
Money
Morocco runs primarily on cash. Cards work in hotels and upscale restaurants. The medina, taxis, street food, and most of daily life require dirhams.
The dirham (MAD)
Partially convertible — cannot be exchanged outside Morocco. 1 EUR ≈ 11.1 DH · 1 USD ≈ 10.2 DH · 1 GBP ≈ 13.2 DH (January 2026). Calculate carefully; do not dramatically over-obtain.
Exchanging money
Best rates at bank exchange bureaux in city centres. Avoid airport counters — rates are consistently poor. Euros are the easiest foreign currency to exchange. Street money changers in tourist areas always offer worse rates. Avoid.
ATMs
Widely available in cities. In rural areas — Sahara, Anti-Atlas, small Atlas villages — may be absent or unreliable. Carry sufficient cash before heading south. Notify your bank before travelling to avoid cards being blocked.
Cards
Accepted at international hotels, modern restaurants, and supermarkets (Marjane, Carrefour). Some add a 2–3% surcharge. In the medina — souks, street food, taxis, hammams, small cafés — cash only.
Tipping guide
Tipping is expected. Morocco's service industry wages are low; tips form a meaningful part of income.
Restaurant (no service charge)
10%
Café, tea
2–5 DH
Petit taxi
Round up
Porter (airport, hotel)
10–20 DH / bag
Hammam attendant
20–50 DH
Day guide
100–200 DH
Driver, multi-day
100–200 DH / day
Parking guardian
5–10 DH
Toilet attendant
2–5 DH
Health & Safety
Morocco is a safe and healthy destination for most travellers. The risks are real but manageable. No vaccinations required. No malaria.
Vaccinations
None required for entry. Hepatitis A and tetanus recommended by most travel clinics. No malaria in Morocco. No antimalarials needed.
Water
Drink bottled. Tap water is treated in cities but the mineral content causes stomach upsets in visitors. Bottled water is cheap and everywhere.
Food
Street food is generally safe at high-turnover stalls. Fresh salads washed in tap water carry a small risk in the first week. Cooked food is lower risk.
Sun
Dehydration and sun exposure are the most common health problems tourists experience. High SPF, a hat, and consistent water intake matter most.
Pharmacies
Well-stocked and staffed to a high standard. Many prescription medications available over the counter. A pharmacist is a sensible first stop for minor ailments.
Medical care
Private clinics in Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, and Rabat offer good care. Polyclinique du Sud is commonly recommended in Marrakech for visitors.
Safety reality
Morocco is one of the safest countries in Africa. Both the UK FCDO and US State Department rate it Level 1 — exercise normal precautions. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The actual risks are petty theft in crowded tourist medinas and persistent touts in Marrakech and Fes. Keep wallets out of back pockets in the souks. If someone offers to guide you "for free," there is a carpet shop at the end. Outside tourist cores, you will likely experience no hassle at all.
Emergency numbers
Police
19
Ambulance / Fire
15
Gendarmerie
177
Tourist Police (Marrakech)
+212 524 384601
What to Pack
Morocco spans five climate zones. What you need depends entirely on when and where you go.
March – May
Warm days, cool evenings, occasional rain in the north
- —Light layers (15–25°C days)
- —Light jacket or fleece for evenings
- —Rain layer for Fes and the north
- —Sunscreen — UV is strong already
- —Comfortable walking shoes
Always, regardless of season
When to Go
Best months
March–May and September–November. Comfortable temperatures across the country, good light, manageable crowds. Spring brings wildflowers in the Atlas and the rose harvest in the Dadès Valley in May.
Avoid inland in summer
July and August in Marrakech, Fes, and the Sahara region regularly reach 42°C. The Atlantic coast is pleasant year-round. The Atlas has a ski season December–March.
Ramadan
Dates shift annually (lunar calendar). Not a reason to avoid Morocco — the evenings are spectacular and the atmosphere is unlike any other time of year. Some restaurants are closed by day. A different rhythm to city life.
Key festivals
Rose Festival, Kelaat M'Gouna: May. Gnaoua Festival, Essaouira: June. Fes Festival of World Sacred Music: June. Cherry Festival, Sefrou: June. Imilchil Moussem: September.
Essentials Checklist
Print this. The things that matter before you board.
Passport valid 6+ months beyond travel dates
Cash in dirhams — carry enough for a full day before entering any medina
Travel insurance with medical repatriation
Modest clothing — covered shoulders and knees outside beach areas
Comfortable shoes — medina cobblestones are uneven
Sunscreen SPF 50+
Headscarf or light layer (for women, useful in conservative areas)
Power adapter (Morocco uses EU Type C/E sockets, 220V)
Offline maps downloaded (Google Maps or Maps.me) — medinas are a labyrinth
Morocco — The Country →
Safety data, infrastructure, demographics, and 2030 context.
Cultural Stories →
222 pieces on the history, food, people, and architecture of Morocco.
Private Journeys →
Slow Morocco's cultural journeys, shaped around what matters to you.
Slow Morocco · slowmorocco.com · Information current as of March 2026 · © Dancing with Lions 2026