First time in Morocco: everything you need to know

First time in Morocco: where to start

Morocco is one of European travellers'' favourite destinations: close, affordable, exotic and varied. But a first visit can be disorienting: the intensity of the souks, pushy vendors, different cultural codes, choice of itineraries...

This guide compiles the essentials to calmly prepare your first stay.

Formalities

Passport and visa

• No visa required for citizens of the EU, Switzerland, UK, Canada, USA, Japan, Australia: 90 days allowed.
• Passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry.
• On arrival, your passport is stamped and you receive a landing card to keep for departure.

Vaccines

• No mandatory vaccines from Europe.
• Recommended: be up to date with standard vaccines (DTP, hepatitis A).
• Tap water is drinkable in cities, but bottled water is the safer choice.

Travel insurance

Strongly recommended. The Moroccan healthcare system is decent in major cities (private clinics) but a medical evacuation can be expensive.

Which itinerary to choose

7 days — First taste, "essential Morocco"

• Day 1-2: Casablanca (Hassan II Mosque) + Rabat
• Day 3-5: Marrakech (medina, Majorelle, palaces)
• Day 6-7: Essaouira (ocean, rest)

10 days — Imperial cities

• Day 1: Casablanca
• Day 2-3: Rabat + Meknes/Volubilis
• Day 4-6: Fes
• Day 7-9: Marrakech
• Day 10: return to Casablanca

14 days — Grand tour

• 3 days northern imperial cities (Rabat-Fes)
• 4 days Marrakech + Erg Chebbi desert
• 3 days Atlas (Imlil, Aït-Ben-Haddou)
• 2 days Essaouira
• 2 days relaxation

7 days — South and nature

• Marrakech 2 days
• Agafay or Merzouga desert 2-3 days
• Essaouira 2 days

When to go

★ = recommended.

Transport

See our route comparator.

• ONCF train: excellent network Casablanca-Tangier-Rabat-Fes-Marrakech. The Al Boraq high-speed train connects Casablanca to Tangier in 2h10.
• CTM and Supratours buses: cover destinations off the rail network (Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Merzouga, Agadir).
• Rental car: useful for the High Atlas and the south, optional for the cities.
• Private driver: €80-150/day, comfortable for complex itineraries.

Avoid shared grand taxis on a first trip: a local practice, not very comfortable.

Money and budget

The dirham (MAD) cannot be exported. Exchange at the airport (enough for 24h) then at an official bureau de change.

See our Morocco travel budget guide for details by traveller profile.

Culture and codes

Dress code

• Women: shoulders and knees covered in the medina, especially in Fes. Trousers or a long dress, shawl in your bag. No shorts in town. At the beach, a swimsuit is fine.
• Men: shorts are tolerated but trousers are more respectful. Torso covered outside the beach.
• Mosques: closed to non-Muslims (except Hassan II in Casablanca).

Behaviour

• Greet with "Salam aleikoum" (peace upon you) — reply "wa aleikoum salam".
• Accept mint tea when offered: it is hospitality.
• Do not enter a mosque even if invited (except Hassan II).
• Ask before photographing people.
• Eat and drink with your right hand as a rule.

Ramadan

During the month of fasting, many shops and restaurants are closed until sunset. Travelling during Ramadan is possible but the atmosphere is different. Life resumes in the evening.

Alcohol

• Sold in some supermarkets (Carrefour, Marjane).
• Served in most hotels and tourist restaurants.
• Not in the medinas (except hotels), not in most local restaurants.

Safety

Morocco is overall very safe for tourists. A few points of vigilance:

• Souks: pickpockets, fake guides, pushy sellers. Nothing dangerous.
• Taxis: insist on the meter or negotiate before getting in.
• Solo women: feasible, simply be prepared to be firm with solicitations.
• Tourist police: present in the medinas.
• Useful numbers: 19 (police), 15 (emergencies).

Internet and phone

• Local SIM card (Maroc Telecom, inwi, Orange): €5-15 for 20 GB, available at the airport or in agencies.
• Wifi available in all hotels, riads and cafés.
• WhatsApp is used everywhere to communicate.

Mistakes to avoid

Detailed in our article mistakes to avoid on a first trip to Morocco.

Going further

• How to get around Morocco
• Morocco 7-day itinerary
• Morocco travel budget
• How much does a trip to Morocco cost