Africa
Morocco
A short flight from Europe: medinas, the Atlas, Sahara camps and Atlantic surf towns like Taghazout. Cheap and easy to cross by train and bus; touts and harassment are the trade-offs.
- US travel advisoryLevel 2Exercise increased cautionDetails
- Visa73 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyMADUS$1 ≈ DH9.88Details
- Price level42%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English2/5LimitedDetails
- PlugsType C, E220 V, 50 HzDetails
- Emergency190Police 190 · Ambulance 150 · Fire 150
- Tap waterFilter or boilCity tap water is treated and many locals drink it, but visitors usually stick to bottled or filtered; it tastes chlorinated.Details
- LGBTQ+CriminalizedArrests happen, often after public affection or dating-app entrapment; discreet travellers usually have no trouble, but online outing campaigns have occurred.Details
- Internet57 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 70 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the rightCarry a 1968-Convention IDP with your home licence; the 1949 version is no longer accepted. Police speed checks are frequent.
Where to go in Morocco
14 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarrakechCity | 3/5 | $1,110–1,720 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 44/100 |
| FesCity | 3/5 | $911–1,420 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 69/100 |
| ChefchaouenMountain town | 4/5 | $810–1,210 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 83/100 |
| CasablancaCity | 3/5 | $1,420–2,230 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 38/100 |
| EssaouiraTown | 4/5 | $810–1,320 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 85/100 |
| TangierCity | 3/5 | $1,010–1,620 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 65/100 |
| AgadirCity | 4/5 | $1,010–1,620 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 72/100 |
| TaghazoutTown | 4/5 | $911–1,420 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 81/100 |
| MerzougaTown | 4/5 | $708–1,010 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 90/100 |
| RabatCapital city | 4/5 | $1,210–1,920 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 62/100 |
| OuarzazateCity | 4/5 | $759–1,110 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 88/100 |
| ImlilMountain town | 4/5 | $607–911 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 94/100 |
| MeknesCity | 4/5 | $810–1,320 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 80/100 |
| AsilahTown | 4/5 | $810–1,270 | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | 83/100 |
When to visit Morocco
March–May and September–November. Summer is very hot in Marrakech, Fez and the desert; the Atlantic coast stays mild. Winter nights are cold, with snow in the Atlas.
Good to know
Entry
- Visa-required nationalities can often apply online through the official eVisa portal (acces-maroc.ma); avoid paid look-alike sites.
- Passport must be valid at least 3 months on arrival and undamaged; damaged passports have been refused entry.
- Make sure your passport gets an entry stamp; travellers without one have had trouble leaving.
- Drones need advance permission from civil aviation (DGAC) or are confiscated at the airport.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Cannabis is illegal for visitors despite open use in the Rif; sentences are long.
- Drinking alcohol in the street or anywhere outside licensed venues can lead to arrest.
- Unmarried Moroccan–foreign couples can be refused a shared hotel room; sex outside marriage is illegal for Moroccans.
Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees, especially outside Marrakech and beach resorts
- Haggle with a smile in souks; start well below the first price
- Non-Muslims can't enter most mosques; Casablanca's Hassan II is the exception
- In Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public by day
Tipping
Expected: about 10% in restaurants, 10–20 DH for porters and small help, more for guides and drivers.
Neighbouring countries
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Morocco
- Morocco eVisa portal (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- ONCF (Moroccan railways)
- Speedtest Global Index: Morocco
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.