Updated: April 2020
With a rich history, landscape, and culture, Morocco is one of my favorite spots on Earth. From the vibrant red Atlas Mountains to the explosion of colors in the endless markets scattered around the ancient medinas, this place has a unique beauty all its own.
For all things boho chic, it’s a dream shopping destination. It’s also a perfect spot for lingering in French-inspired sidewalk cafés or riding a camel into the desert to spend a night under the stars.
Ready to explore this North African gem? Here are a few essential tips for your first trip to Morocco.
Languages Spoken in Morocco
English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Berber—you’ll hear it all here! On a daily basis, most people speak Darija, or Moroccan Arabic, while the sizable Berber community has their own indigenous language.
In official settings, you’ll hear Standard Arabic and French. Spanish is very popular in the north, while English is becoming increasingly popular everywhere.
As a traveler, you’ll be able to get by with English, although knowing a few words of French can be very handy.
Currency + Conversion
The local cash is the Moroccan dirham. One US dollar will get you just under 11 dirhams. Prices can vary a lot depending on your travel style but, on average, travelers can spend around $40 per day, per person, here.
The majority of businesses in Morocco are cash only so make sure you’ve always got enough handy to cover your purchases. The best way to do that is to withdraw cash from an ATM once you get into the country.
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Get Phone Data in Morocco
While you’ll find that most cafés, restaurants, and hotels in the city have Wi-Fi, it’s handy (and cheap!) to have 4G when you’re exploring the country. You can grab a Maroc Telecom SIM card for only 40 dirhams (just over 4 USD) and get 10GB of data for 100 dirhams (10 USD).
Helpful Tip:
Male Intimidation in Morocco
The vast majority of Moroccans are very friendly and will make you feel welcome. However, street harassment is an issue for local women and tourists alike. The best policy is to just ignore it. If men are catcalling, keep moving.
It’s also very common for men to offer directions and that can quickly escalate into harassment or demands for money. Don’t feel like you have to be polite to anyone who’s being rude to you. Be firm in saying no and just walk away, if you’re ever feeling uncomfortable.
I personally never felt “scared.” It just became incredibly annoying. It’s sometimes worth covering your head and walking quickly through more aggressive areas if you want to avoid it completely.
What to Wear in Morocco
Opt for lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. Be sure to always cover your shoulders and knees. Think shawls and maxi skirts. They’re ideal for warm, sunny conditions and it shows respect for the culture- which, in turn, will get you treated with respect.
I always carried a scarf or shawl to wear over my shoulders, tie in my hair, or cover my head depending on where my adventures would bring me each day.
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Getting Around in Morocco
Trains are ideal for city hopping. I’d recommend buying first-class tickets because they’re not much more than the second class and it’s well worth it. In first-class, you’ll have a comfortable experience that is comparable to anything you’d find in Europe.
They typically offer snacks, but not a huge variety, so it’s usually better to buy what you like in advance and bring it with you. If you decide to take a night train, get the first-class sleeper tickets.
If you’re a solo female traveler or in a group of girls, you’ll be booked into a female-only cabin. We had a mom with her young child and another single woman in our cabin, and it made for a very relaxed atmosphere.
Generally speaking, trains are comfy. They provide you with a pillow, a blanket, and a bottle of water. Expect them to be quite hot though, especially in summer. Make sure that you stay hydrated and wear lightweight clothing.
For everything else, taxis are the way to go. You can usually negotiate a price beforehand—especially if you’re looking to travel a long distance. Please keep in mind that driving can be quite dangerous in Morocco, so speak up if your driver is driving erratically.
Helpful Tip:
Hi!! Great post! How did you get to the desert? Did you hire a private driver or was offerd by the luxury camping? I want a 2 nights at the desert trip from marrakesh to fes! Can you recommend the best way for me to hire such a trip?
Thanks a lot!!!! 🙂
I hired my driver through Luxury Desert Camp for the 4 days of travel to and from. Any private driver will be expensive, but I wouldn’t recommend driving yourself. It’s kind of the only option if you’re planning to do the desert. You need a 4×4 to get through the dunes. Also, it’s a big drive (10+ hours without stops) from Marrakech to the Sahara and back. I recommend adding 1 night stop to and from the desert. You can email them for a quote.
this is an amazing post and pictures as well. I have read your maximum post all are informative.
Thanks for sharing.!!