Morocco Travel Tips: 15 Things to Know Before Your First Trip

Morocco is one of the most rewarding first international trips you can take — but it is also one where preparation makes an enormous difference to how much you enjoy it. After years of guiding first-time visitors, here are the fifteen things we wish everyone knew before they arrived.

1. Hire a licensed guide for the medinas. The medinas of Fez and Marrakech are extraordinary places, but they are also genuinely confusing even with GPS. More importantly, a licensed local guide gives you access to context and stories that no map app can provide. The difference between walking the Fez medina alone and walking it with a knowledgeable local is like the difference between reading about a place and actually understanding it. Unofficial touts who approach you near the Blue Gate are not the same thing — always book through your riad or a reputable tour operator.

2. Bargaining is expected in the souks, but not everywhere. In the souks of Fez and Marrakech, prices on handcrafted goods (carpets, leather, ceramics, spices) are always negotiable — the opening price is typically two to three times the expected selling price. Counter with 40-50% of the asking price and work from there. That said, do not bargain in restaurants, taxis (where the meter should be used), or modern shops where prices are clearly marked. And never start bargaining unless you genuinely intend to buy.

3. Carry small denomination cash at all times. Morocco is still largely a cash economy outside of major hotels and restaurants. ATMs in cities are reliable and accept most international cards, but many medina restaurants, market stalls, and rural accommodation only accept dirhams in cash. Carry a mix of 20, 50, and 100 MAD notes. Change for large bills can be genuinely difficult to find in small shops and stalls.

4. Dress modestly, especially in medinas and rural areas. Morocco is a Muslim country and modesty is appreciated — both as a matter of respect and because it significantly reduces unwanted attention. For women: shoulders and knees covered in the medina and any religious site; a scarf is useful. For men: avoid very short shorts in traditional areas. At the beach, resort pools, or tourist restaurants, normal Western clothing is completely fine. Use your surroundings as your guide — if the people around you are dressed conservatively, adjust accordingly.

5. The best riads require advance booking. The finest riads in Fez and Marrakech book up months in advance, especially for spring and autumn travel. A riad — a traditional house built around a central courtyard — is one of the defining Morocco experiences, and staying in one genuinely changes how you experience the medina. Do not leave accommodation to the last minute. Our team can recommend and arrange riads to suit any budget; contact us when you first start planning.

6. Learn a few words of Darija or Arabic. A warm greeting goes an enormous distance in Morocco. "Salam alaykoum" (peace be upon you) and "shokran" (thank you) and "la shokran" (no thank you — essential) will serve you well constantly. Even a fumbled attempt at Arabic is met with genuine delight. French is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas; Spanish is useful in the north near Tangier and Tetouan.

7. Tap water is not reliably safe to drink. Stick to bottled water throughout your trip, including for cleaning your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach. Bottled water is cheap and available everywhere (8–15 MAD for 1.5 litres). Ice in tourist restaurants is generally made with filtered water, but if you are in doubt, ask.

8. Morocco is safer than most visitors expect. Morocco consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in Africa and the Arab world for international tourists. Violent crime against visitors is exceptionally rare. The most common issues are petty theft in crowded areas (use a money belt or leave valuables at your riad), fake "students" in medinas who offer to help and then ask for payment, and aggressive carpet shop tactics near the major tourist sites. A private tour with a licensed guide eliminates virtually all of these concerns. Solo female travelers are welcome on our tours and report feeling comfortable and safe throughout.

9. Food is extraordinary and largely safe. Moroccan cuisine — tagines, couscous, pastilla, harira soup, mechoui roasted lamb, fresh-squeezed orange juice — is one of the great pleasures of any Morocco trip. Street food in the medinas (msemen flatbreads, brochettes, fresh-pressed juice) is generally safe if it is being cooked to order and served hot. Avoid uncooked salads and unpeeled fruit from street stalls if you have a sensitive stomach. Restaurant quality in Fez and Marrakech ranges from excellent to tourist-trap mediocre; ask your guide for recommendations specific to your location.

10. The Sahara is farther from Fez and Marrakech than it looks on a map. Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes) is approximately 9 hours by road from Fez and 10 hours from Marrakech. This is why the best Sahara tours run over multiple days, using the drive itself as part of the journey — the Middle Atlas, the Ziz Valley, and the Dades Gorges are all worth experiencing along the way. Do not try to do the Sahara as a day trip. The minimum that gives you a genuine experience is two nights in the desert.

11. Tipping is not mandatory but is greatly appreciated. As a rough guide: licensed guides, 100–200 MAD per person per full-day tour; private drivers, 50–100 MAD per day; restaurant service, 10% of the bill if service is not included; hotel staff who carry bags, 20–30 MAD. None of these are demanded or expected in an unpleasant way — but in a country where service sector wages are modest, tips have real impact.

12. A private tour is worth the extra cost. Group tours have their advantages — lower price, social atmosphere, fixed schedule — but in Morocco, the private tour difference is particularly marked. The medinas move at your pace. The guide spends the full day with your group only. If someone is tired, you stop. If the carpet souk is more interesting than planned, you stay longer. If you want to duck into a neighborhood school or watch a craftsman at work for 20 minutes, the guide can make that happen. This is how we operate: every tour is 100% private, 100% your schedule.