Travel Tips for Morocco

"A Guide for First Time Travellers to this Fascinating Country "

These travel hints for Morocco are a guide for those travelling to this amazing country. The culture and expectations of tourists are different to those of a Western country. Knowing something of the culture, what to expect as you walk the medinas, souks and cities , how to bargain, a little about the food etc will help you make the most of your Moroccan experience

Dress and What To Wear

Being a Muslim country, women usually wear full length clothing, although some of the younger city women don't wear the veil or scarves. What you will see in the major cities is different to the more rural areas where the traditional dress seems to be observed pretty universally. It is important to respect their culture.

Modest Dress - Cover your shoulders, arms and legs - The shoulders and legs are considered private parts of the body - you should be sure even as a tourist you wear clothing that covers these parts of your body....unless you want unwanted harrassment from local men! Too many tourists wear what they wear at home - short shorts or skirts and spaghetti strap or even strapless tops.At minimum, wear a short sleeved though preferably long sleeved top, and three quarter, or long trousers.

Men should not wear tank tops with no sleeves, but T shirts or long sleeved shirts and below the knee or long trousers
Footwear - flat, comfortable shoes or sandals. The paving and cobblestones are not suitable for heels.
Shoes are removed when you go inside a home.
Morocco is very hot in the summer - cotton is definitely coolest, and long sleeves stop sunburn

Avoiding Harassment

There is no doubt, especially for younger women, Morocco can be a challenge with the local men.

If you don't show some consideration for their dress, you can expect unwanted attention.
Smoking in public is unacceptable - especially during Ramadan
Wearing sunglasses helps you avoid direct eye contact
Public displays of affection are unacceptable - although it is good to have a "husband" with you!
There should be no physical contact with Moroccan men - they are likely to get the wrong idea. If they touch you even just on the hand - they have gone too far.
You do not need to accept harassment from local men. Avoid being overly friendly

Need to Know Facts

You can only visit a mosque in Morocco if you are Muslim. In the Medina in Fez a man took our camera and took some photos inside the Mosque for us - for a small fee.There are only three or four mosques around the country it is possible to visit
Tipping - Some tipping is expected - Waiters in cafés (1dh) and restaurants (5dh cheaper places) (10–15 % in upmarket places) - Museum and monument curators (3–5dh) - Petrol station attendants (3–5dh) - Porters loading your luggage onto buses (5dh) - Taxi drivers don't expect tips, but appreciate one
Bargaining - When you buy in Morocco expect to bargain. This "game" is all part of your Moroccan experience so learn a few of the tactics before you go. Remember to stay polite and pleasant, but stick to your guns. You are likely to see the same items in many stalls so you can walk away if they don't meet your price....although you need to be realistic. You need to allow time.

Bargaining Tips

Never show you really want the item - in fact start asking prices for a couple of other items first
Offer around 50% less than their first offer
Be prepared to keep negotiating in a good humoured but firm manner, as you go back and forth with ever lowering price from his end
Be prepared to walk away if you really aren't willing or can't pay the price they eventually insist on - they will sometimes come after you to finish a satisfactory deal.Or you are likely to find the same item elsewhere
Be sure you negotiate in dirhams not Euros or some other currency they may suggest - but also keep the price in your own currency in mind so you don't pay too much
They will not sell if they are not making a profit - so stand your ground and if they sell, they will be happy
Allow plenty of time when you are on your spending spree
Expect to bargain for many things - even taxi fares.

4. Smoking and Eating in Public are not acceptable - especially in Ramadan

5. Beware of men and boys offering to help you find your way, or take you to special shops or events etc ! They will be demanding money from you on arrival. They can be persistent - Tell them you have already been, then keep walking and ignore them.

6. Beware of offers to show you the way from men on bikes at the airport ( Marrakech) where the rental cars are - again you will be asked for large sums of money for guiding you through the streets to the petrol station and/ or your road out of the city. If they do offer, make it clear you will not be paying. If you want to give them something on arrival this is then up to you. Moroccan are generally friendly and helpful but some spoil it by ripping tourists off!

Driving in Morocco

Driving in Morocco is relatively comfortable in the countryside. The roads are in reasonable condition generally except in the very northern part that was originally Spanish.

You must keep right unless overtaking
You must slow down through all the little villages - there are usually....but not always..... signs with the speed limit - and often police stopping those who don't adhere strictly to these limits! We were stopped - because we hadn't seen a speed limit sign and warned there is an instant 350 dirham fine
The signage is pretty poor however, so you need to check maps and be willing to ask for directions Even finding the airport in Marrakech was a mission. We got so far, came to a T junction and there were no signs.
Most roads don't have a shoulder and have a big ridge from the seal to the edge so drivers tend to stay near the middle of their lanes
The roads in the north over the Rif mountains are not for the faint hearted
Petrol stations are not that frequent so get petrol when you see it
If you have a car and are staying in a Medina you will have to park outside the Medina. On booking, check if carparks are provided by your accommodation - some do, others don't.
Try not to arrive in busy cities at peak hours. You can read the story of our nightmare arrival in Fez on my blog

Local Food and Eating

Tajines are the traditional meat meal in Morocco. They come in many different flavours with different condiments. These delicious meals are cooked slowly in a tajine. Vegetables come separately.
Couscous is traditional to some areas of Morocco
Fresh fruit salad is a popular dessert
Traditional breakfast has pancakes with preserves
Freshly squeezed orange juice is readily available. It is good to see them squeeze the juice or it may be watered down if you buy from a stall .
Bread and pastries are delicious
Most riads will cook an evening meal so long as you pre order it in the morning, and breakfast is standard but check when you book you accommodation
There are some very nice restaurants but not all were cheap. Ask your host for recommendations. Food is generally really tasty and delicious in Morocco