13 Essential Morocco Travel Tips - Don't Learn These The Hard Way!

Morocco is a predominantly Islamic country, as such, there are a lot of behavioural nuances that travellers will find unfamiliar or miss completely. Here we have compiled a list of Morocco travel tips that will help you better understand and prepare for when visiting the country.

As Morocco is one of our most popular destinations on Skyhook, we often get asked what to expect on arrival. Whether you are hiking in the Atlas Mountains or going camel trekking in Morocco, these tips will help you navigate the local etiquette and make the most out of your time in the country.

Tea Culture: Moroccan tea, known as "Maghrebi mint tea" or simply "Moroccan mint tea," is a symbol of hospitality. It's customary for Moroccans to offer tea to guests as a welcoming gesture. You will probably even be offered a cup while browsing a store. The tea is usually a blend of green tea, fresh mint leaves, and sugar. Accepting a cup of tea is seen as a sign of respect and appreciation, it'll also get you off on the right foot for price negotiations!

Handshakes are common when greeting both men and women in formal situations. However, between members of the same gender, a friendly hug or cheek kisses (starting from the left cheek) may be exchanged. It's polite to greet people with a friendly "Salam Alaikum" and a handshake when meeting them for the first time.

In Moroccan culture, the left hand is traditionally considered unclean. When greeting, giving, or accepting items, it's considered respectful to use your right hand. You should also only use your right hand to eat or handle food although if you are using cutlery you may use both.

It's customary in Morocco to remove your shoes when entering a home or mosque. Some restaurants and other establishments also have a no-shoes policy. If you are unsure, ask or look to see what locals are doing then follow suit.

One of the best things to do in Marrakech is go shopping for locally made items. A huge part of the Morrocan tourist economy is street markets (souks) and souvenir shops. Haggling prices is very much part of the culture here and vendors will expect at least a short negotiation before you pay. Usually, the first price you hear is 25-50% above what the seller actually expects to get.

Of course, if you think the initial offer is reasonable, you are welcome to go straight ahead and pay the full price. Just know that you will be missing out on an integral cultural experience!

Cards are widely accepted in big cities but in more rural areas, smaller stores, and markets, you will only be able to pay in cash. Be sure to carry a sufficient amount for the day.

On this subject, Moroccan ATMs are notoriously unreliable. Those in busy tourist areas often run out of cash. You may need to try several machines or ask the reception desk of your hotel if they can exchange currency.

I'd strongly advise against drawing and carrying around more cash than is strictly necessary as this opens you up to a big loss if you are the target of pickpockets. Best leave extra cash stashed safely in the hotel safe.

One frustrating aspect of visiting Morocco is that taxi drivers regularly take advantage of tourists by inflating prices. This is particularly true when leaving the airports. It's always a good idea to save yourself some stress and use an official, airport transport service. If you do hail a cab. Be sure to confirm the price with the driver, before you get in the vehicle.

Uber is not currently functioning in Morocco (at the time of writing at least). There are a few ride-hailing apps you can use including Careem (which is available in Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier).

Roby is another alternative app that calls city taxis for you. Roby uses official taxi rates according to distance. Roby is available in Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, Tangier, and Fes. When using these apps, you will still need to pay the drivers in cash but it alleviates the need for fare discussions (which is worth the extra fee if you ask us!).

For many, one of the top things to do in Morroco is eat! Moroccan cuisine is renowned for its flavours and variety of spices. Be sure to try traditional dishes like tagine and couscous. It's a good idea to be cautious with street food to avoid any stomach issues. Stick to bottled water and avoid tap water unless you're in a reputable establishment.

Moroccans are generally friendly and sociable people, and personal space may be smaller than what you're accustomed to. It's common for people to stand closer during conversations, and gestures like touching the arm or shoulder can be considered friendly.

Unfortunately, even in this day and age, women travelling in Morocco still suffer quite a bit of harassment in the streets and markets. You should put up with any kind of behaviour that makes you uncomfortable.

Islam is the predominant religion in Morocco, and it's important to show respect for religious customs and traditions. Be mindful of prayer times and etiquette when visiting religious sites (i.e. don't go barging in, cameras flashing while people are busy with prayers of ceremonies).

Be aware that some shops and attractions are closed on Fridays. This is a holy day across the country.

In this Muslim-dominated country, it's respectful to dress modestly, particularly in more conservative areas. For women, it's advisable to carry a scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders when visiting religious sites. You should also cover up to wrists and ankles for visiting mosques.

Tipping, known as "baksheesh" in Morocco, is a common practice and is appreciated for good service. Below you will find a general guideline for tipping.

In restaurants and cafés, a tip of around 10% of the bill is customary. Some upscale establishments may add a service charge to the bill

It's common to tip hotel service staff a small amount for their assistance. Around 10-20 Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) per service is typically appropriate. If you have a private tour guide or driver, a tip of around 100-200 MAD per day is a good general guideline.

Taxi Drivers: Tipping taxi drivers is not mandatory, but it's common to round up the fare or add a small amount as a tip.

Remember that gratuities are at your own discretion and depend on service satisfaction.

Once you land in Morocco, it won't be long before someone offers you a 'free guided tour' or kindly offers to show you to your destination. Be wary of accepting these offers. At the very least, the kind stranger will be asking for a tip afterwards.

In a worse scenario, you can become very lost following a stranger through winding alleys or be pressured into buying things when your guide gets you a so-called 'special rate'. If you are planning to travel to Morocco solo, you should be particularly wary. You are way better off booking a legitimate guided tour or downloading offline maps.