The Ultimate Guide For Your Journey

Planning a trip to Morocco? This North African country offers a captivating blend of ancient history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes.

To make your trip comfortable, easy, and budget-friendly, follow these essential Morocco travel tips.

Essential Preparations

Essential preparations are important to have a safe and sound tour. Here are some Morocco travel tips to follow when you prepare for the tour.

Travel Documents

Visa Requirements: Check if you need a visa to enter Morocco. Many countries like Canada, the US, the UK, EU countries, New Zealand, and Australia have visa-free arrangements for stays less than 90 days.

Passport Validity: No photocopies or photos of the passport will be accepted. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your entry date.

Travel Insurance: Have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost belongings.

Health and Safety

Health Insurance: Make sure that your health insurance covers international travel. If it doesn’t cover, purchase a travel health insurance plan before traveling to Morocco.

Travel Advisories: Stay careful while traveling to Morocco because of the threat of terrorism. Also, stay updated on the local situation.

Packing Tips

Packing the right items can make a significant difference in your travel experience. Here are some packing tips in this Morocco travel guide to keep in mind:

Clothing

Seasonal Attire: Pack light, breathable clothing for the summer and warmer layers for the cooler months. Keep in mind that it gets extremely hot during Summer days in Morocco.

Cultural Sensitivity: As Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, dress modestly. Women should consider covering their shoulders and knees and carrying a scarf for visiting holy places.

Essentials

Sunscreen: The Moroccan sun can be intense, so bring a high-SPF sunscreen.

Comfortable Shoes: Expect to do a lot of walking, so pack comfortable footwear.

Reusable Water Bottles: Stay hydrated by refilling a reusable water bottle whenever possible.

Electronics and Accessories

Adapters and Chargers: Morocco uses European-style power sockets. Bring an adapter if you’re from another region.

Travel Gadgets: Consider packing a power bank, portable Wi-Fi, and a good camera to enhance your travel experience.

Navigating Moroccan Cities

Give yourself plenty of time in Morocco to explore it all in its diverse, vast glory. Follow these Morocco travel tips for transportation, language, and safety issues.

Transportation Options

You can not use Uber to book vehicles in Morocco. “Careem”, an app available in many major cities in Morocco, is a good alternative to Uber.

Taxis: In Morocco, there are two types of taxis: grand and petite. Petit Taxis are smaller vehicles capable of carrying three passengers.

Grand Taxis are larger vehicles, which can carry up to 6 passengers. These taxis can be used to travel between cities, or even within the same city.

Public Transport: Buses and trains are economical options for longer distances. Trains in Morocco are quite comfortable and mostly on time. Buses can be slower and overcrowded compared to trains.

Car Rentals: Renting cars can be ideal for exploring at your own pace. But be prepared for varying road conditions.

Language Tips

Learn some basic Arabic and French for your interactions. Common phrases include “Salam” (Hello), “Shukran” (Thank you), and “Combien ça coûte?” (How much does it cost?).

Safety Tips

Focus on ensuring your safety all over Morocco. Here are some safety tips for you to follow:

Staying Safe in Crowded Places

• Stay careful when you visit crowded places in Morocco.
• Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places.
• Whenever you need help, ask for it.

Handling Scammers

• Be cautious about asking for help from strangers.
• Try to avoid overly friendly strangers offering unsolicited help or deals that seem too good to be true. Almost everyone will try to help you and ask for a tip at the end. And handling the situation might be hard as Moroccan men get angry quickly after refusal.

Top Destinations and Activities

Explore the rural and city areas of Morocco to get an idea about the culture and enjoy the scenic beauty. Here are some Morocco travel tips on what to see and do in Morocco.

Cities to Visit

Marrakech: Marrakech is famous for its bustling souks and historic palaces. Koutoubia Mosque, Jemaa el-Fnaa, Bahia Palace, and Jardin Majorelle are some of the most beautiful and historically enriched places in Marrakech.

Fez: Fez is home to one of the world’s oldest universities and a labyrinthine medina. Narrow streets lead to a trip through Medina with its rowdy crowds and majestic mosques.

Chefchaouen: This city is known for its blue-painted streets and stunning mountain scenery. You can visit “Ras El Maa”, a scenic waterfall to enjoy the natural beauty.

Outdoor Activities

• Hike on Morocco’s breathtaking Atlas Mountains.
• Experience camel trekking in the Sahara Desert.
• Experience camping, a day trip, or dinner in the desert.
• Relax and indulge in water sports activities on Morocco’s stunning Atlantic coast.

Cultural Experiences

Market: Morocco’s markets are colorful, chaotic, and exotic. Aromas of spices, baking bread, and centuries-old tanneries mix with the sour smells. Merchants shout out in more than a dozen languages.

Festivals: Attend festivals like the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music to experience Moroccan culture.

Historical Sites: Discover Morocco’s history at sites like the Hassan II Mosque and Volubilis to explore the enriched Moroccan history.

Food and Dining

If you are thinking about what to do in Morocco, then don’t forget about the foods of Morocco. Here are some must-try Moroccan foods that will give you an authentic taste.

Local Cuisine

• Couscous – A traditional Moroccan dish of steamed semolina grains often served with vegetables and meat.
• Harira – A rich tomato-based soup made with lentils, chickpeas, and meat, typically enjoyed during Ramadan.
• R’fissa – A savory chicken and lentil dish served over shredded msemen or trid pastry.
• Tagine – A slow-cooked stew of meat, vegetables, and spices, named after the clay pot it’s cooked in.
• Tanjia – A Marrakech specialty, slow-cooked meat marinated in spices and preserved lemon.
• Pastilla(bastilla) – A sweet and savory pie made with layers of thin pastry, pigeon or chicken, almonds, and cinnamon.
• Zalouk – A flavorful dip made from cooked eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, and spices.

Street Food

• Khobz – Traditional Moroccan bread, often served with meals.
• Sfenj – Moroccan donuts, deep-fried and dusted with sugar.
• Kebabs – Skewered and grilled meat, typically beef or lamb, seasoned with Moroccan spices.
• Sardines – Freshly grilled sardines, a popular and tasty street food.

• Brochettes – Marinated meat skewers grilled to perfection.
• Shawarma – Thinly sliced meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, served in a wrap with vegetables and sauce.
• Pastries – Sweet treats made with nuts, honey, and spices, often in intricate designs.
• Babbouche – Snails cooked in a flavorful broth, often enjoyed as street food.

• Sugar-Coated Peanuts – Crunchy peanuts coated in a sweet, sugary shell.
• Merguez – Spicy lamb or beef sausages, often grilled and served in sandwiches.

Accommodation Tips

Accommodation can make a big difference in your overall experience of the tour. So follow these Morocco travel tips to get the best experience.

Types of Accommodations

Riads: A Riad in modern times is a guesthouse or hotel with gardens and common areas. It also has private rooms. Often, these are restored palaces or mansions. They are mostly located in the Medinas, making them ideal for shopping and dining.

Hotels: If you want something quieter, go for hotels outside the Medina. You will get hotels of various prices and facilities.

Booking Tips

• Always look for the best deals.
• Use comparison websites.
• Read reviews to get an idea about the services.
• Book in advance to save money and ensure your accommodation in popular destinations.

Money and Budgeting

A simple miscalculation of your money and budgeting can have a huge impact on your overall tour. Follow these Morocco travel tips so that you don’t face any problems during your trip.

Currency and Exchange

The Moroccan currency is the Dirham. You will get 9.92 Dirhams in exchange for 1 USD. But Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency so you can not use it outside Morocco.

Budgeting Tips

Public Transportation: Use public transport like buses and trains to minimize your costs. Use these transports while traveling from one city to another.

Low Season: Plan a tour in the low season(July & August) to get discounts on accommodation. It will also reduce your travel and food costs.

Payment Methods

Cash: In rural Morocco, cash is still the currency of choice. You should also carry some change for the toilet, taxis and other things.

Card Usage: Cards are accepted widely in cities and towns. You may have to use ATMs a lot because very few places outside the big cities accept cards. Nevertheless, ATMs may run out of cash, so don’t withdraw money at the last minute.

Conclusion

Morocco offers vibrant cultures, rich histories, and breathtaking landscapes; traveling here will surely become an experience to cherish and remember for a lifetime! Use these Morocco travel tips to navigate the beautiful chaos and immerse yourself fully in the magic of Morocco.

Take all your essential documents, pack your bags according to the condition, and go for the tour while keeping all safety tips in mind. Find out the places you want to visit and the things you want to do.

Taste the authentic Moroccan foods. And don’t forget to plan your accommodation based on your budget.

FAQs