Morocco Travel Guides
Practical Information for Morocco
The small things that are easier to know before you land: money, phones and internet, health and safety, when to go, what to pack and how to enter the country. These Morocco travel tips cover the questions we are asked most, in one place.
Entry, customs and health rules can change – confirm current requirements before you travel.
Before you go
Morocco Travel Tips: Entry, Timing and Packing
Visa & passport
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Some travellers enter visa-free, some can apply online for the Morocco eVisa, others need a consular visa. Passports should be valid for at least six months from your entry date. Start with the eVisa requirements.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn suit most itineraries: warm days, cool nights, comfortable in the cities, mountains and desert alike. Summer is very hot inland but pleasant on the coast; winter is mild by day in the cities and cold at night in the mountains and desert.
What to pack
Light, modest layers; comfortable walking shoes for medina lanes; a warm layer for evenings, the mountains and the desert; sun protection; a scarf; a plug adapter for European-style two-pin sockets (220 V); and a soft bag rather than a hard case if you are staying in riads.
Money & connectivity
Money, Phones and Internet
Currency
The Moroccan dirham (MAD). It is a restricted currency, so plan to obtain dirhams on arrival – at airport exchange desks or ATMs – rather than at home, and change any surplus back before you leave.
Cash & cards
Cards are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and modern shops; the medina, taxis, small cafes and rural areas run on cash. ATMs are common in cities. Keep small notes and coins for taxis, tips and market purchases.
SIM cards & Wi-Fi
Local prepaid SIMs from the national operators are inexpensive and sold at airports and in town; you will need your passport. eSIM options also exist. Mobile coverage is good in cities and along main roads, patchier in the mountains and desert. Most accommodation has Wi-Fi.
Health & safety
Staying Healthy and Safe in Morocco
Morocco is a well-travelled destination and most visits pass without incident. The everyday risks are the ordinary ones – an upset stomach, too much sun, a pickpocket in a crowded square – and the same everyday precautions deal with them. Pharmacies are widespread and well stocked in towns, and private clinics in the main cities treat visitors; both usually expect payment at the time, which is where insurance matters.
Check your own government’s travel advice and any vaccination guidance before you go, and carry a copy of your passport, eVisa and insurance details separately from the originals. For cover options, see our travel insurance service.
Everyday precautions
- Water: drink bottled or filtered; be cautious with ice and raw salads in the first days
- Sun: hat, sunscreen and water, especially inland and in the desert
- Valuables: front pockets or a zipped bag in crowded squares and on public transport
- Unsolicited “guides”: a polite, firm “la, shukran” and keep walking; use licensed guides via your riad or a tour
- Night: take a taxi rather than a long walk through unfamiliar lanes
- Emergencies: note the local emergency numbers and your embassy’s contact on arrival
Quick reference
Morocco at a Glance
Languages
Arabic (Darija) and Amazigh; French widely used; Spanish in the north; English in tourism.
Electricity
220 V, European-style two-round-pin sockets. Bring an adapter if your plugs differ.
Time & week
Morocco keeps a single time zone year-round, with clocks typically set back for Ramadan. The working week runs Monday to Friday; Friday midday prayers briefly close some businesses.
Tipping
Customary but modest: small change at cafes, around ten percent in restaurants, a little for porters, guides and drivers.
More Morocco Travel Tips
- Customs. Declare anything you are unsure about; drones and certain medicines are regulated, so check the current rules with the Moroccan authorities before packing them.
- Carry your eVisa printout with your passport; airlines and border officers may ask for it. An approved eVisa does not by itself guarantee entry – border officers make the final decision.
- Keep the arrival stamp legible and note your permitted stay; overstaying causes problems on departure.
- Ramadan and public holidays shift each year with the lunar calendar and change opening hours; check the dates against your trip. See Food & Culture.
- Plan realistic distances. See Getting Around before fixing an itinerary.
- Help with the arrangements. Travel Entry can arrange transfers, hotels, tours and insurance information on request; nothing is booked or charged until you confirm.
Morocco Travel Tips: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Morocco?
It depends on your nationality: some travellers are visa-exempt, some can apply online for the eVisa, others need a consular visa. Check the Morocco eVisa requirements – the rules are set by the Moroccan authorities.
Can I bring dirhams with me?
The dirham is a restricted currency, so it is generally not available abroad in meaningful amounts. Bring a card and some euros, dollars or pounds, and change or withdraw on arrival.
Is tap water safe to drink?
Most visitors stick to bottled or filtered water, which is cheap and everywhere. Tap water in the main cities is treated, but a different mineral balance can upset unfamiliar stomachs.
Is Morocco safe for solo and female travellers?
Many travel solo without trouble. Unwanted attention in busy tourist areas is the most common complaint; modest dress, confident walking, ignoring persistent approaches and taxis at night all help. Riads and guided activities add an easy layer of support.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is strongly advisable. Clinics and pharmacies expect payment at the time, and cover for cancellation, baggage and activities such as trekking is worth having. See our travel insurance page.
Will my phone work in Morocco?
Yes on international roaming, but a local prepaid SIM or an eSIM is usually far cheaper for data. Coverage is good in cities and on main roads, patchier in the mountains and desert.
Ready to Go?
Sort the visa first, then let Travel Entry help with the rest of the trip. Back to all Morocco travel guides.