Morocco is a fascinating country, filled with bustling cities, beautiful architecture and incredible scenery. The many attractions on offer have led to a huge up increase in people visiting Morocco in recent years, including Adventures with Sarah, but despite this, we often get asked ‘is Morocco safe’?

The short answer is yes, it is a largely safe country, but there are some things to be aware of when planning your travel to Morocco and that will help ensure you have a great time while you’re there – keep reading to find out more.

Aftermath of the earthquake near Marrakech

On September 8, 2023 a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco, near Marrakech, with severe damage caused and many casualties and people injured. The worst effects were felt in the countryside but Marrakech itself saw significant damage as well, with some structures in the older parts of the city collapsing.

While the rebuilding process will take a long time, the immediate impact of the earthquake has passed. Air travel to Morocco is operating as normal and while some itineraries in the tourist areas of Marrakech have had to be adapted, it is entirely safe to visit Morocco after the earthquake.

In fact, the Moroccan government has stated that preventing disruption to tourists is of the utmost importance – the money that visitors bring into the country is incredibly important.

Personal safety in Morocco

Staying safe when you visit Morocco is no different from visiting most other countries, with personal safety being top priority.

Preventing petty crime

Morocco relies heavily on its tourism industry so there is a strong focus on keeping visitors safe. Violent crime and gun violence is extremely rare in Morocco, especially in regards to tourists, but as with most major cities, petty crime is common.

You can protect yourself from petty theft by taking normal precautions. Minimize the amount of jewelry you wear when out and about to avoid attracting unwanted attention, and use a money belt and/or anti-theft bag to stop pickpockets. Be careful when using hotel safes, and if you’re keeping passports in there, set yourself a reminder to prevent you from forgetting about them when you check out.

When in crowded places remain aware of your surroundings and exercise caution if you are approached out of nowhere by friendly strangers offering to help you or people on the street offering you special tours or experiences in their shop.

There are much safer ways to book tours and get help when you need it than going along with these unprompted offers and falling into a tourist trap, no matter how attractive they may sound in the moment.

Staying safe at night

You do not need to avoid going out at night if you are in one of the big cities, but stick with the areas around the main tourist attractions and stay away from poorly lit areas and shortcuts that take you away from the crowds and stay with your group.

Female travelers in particular should not walk around alone at night. Regrettably street harassment of women can be common in Morocco, so for solo female travelers it is advisable to stay in groups to minimize the chances of a negative interaction.

If you are in a more remote part of Morocco you should exercise increased caution when going out in the evenings.

Be aware of local customs and laws

When it comes to Morocco safety, it’s important to be aware of, and comply with, the local laws and customs.

Morocco dress code

While there is not a specific dress code in place, wearing clothing that covers your legs, arms and shoulders is sensible for both men and women. This is especially important outside of the major cities, with the smaller towns and countryside areas of Morocco being more conservative.

With Morocco being a Muslim country, it’s important to be respectful of Islamic customs. Dress modestly and remove your shoes if you visit a mosque, and if you visit Morocco during Ramadan or another religious festival, follow the relevant advice of your tour leader or hotel staff.

Alcohol laws

Alcohol may only be served in licensed locations, including hotels, bars and restaurants. Drinking in the street or any other unlicensed location is illegal so if you purchase alcohol, wait until you are back in your accommodation before opening it.

Public displays of affection

Premarital sex is technically illegal in Morocco, and in theory hotels can ask for proof of marriage before providing a room to a couple. However it is rare for hotels to do this with foreign guests so it is unlikely to be a problem (you can always contact a specific hotel to check if you are concerned).

When it comes to same sex couples, Morroco is unfortunately nowhere near as lenient. LGBTQIA+ people should be aware that homosexuality is illegal in Morocco so they may be faced with discrimination and a lack of understanding. Attitudes vary significantly so it is best to avoid any overt public displays of affection.

This is the case for all couples, even very mild affection like holding hands is frowned upon by some, so it’s best to avoid it all together.

Public demonstrations

You may well see rallies or public demonstrations during your visit if you’re staying in a city. These tend to attract large crowds of locals and can become overwhelming quickly if you get caught up in one.

Avoid demonstrations like this to the best of your ability, your hotel will know when they are happening and can advise you on how to avoid them.

Staying healthy

Our top Morocco safe travel advice for staying safe and having a wonderful trip is to keep yourself healthy.

Tap water

While the tap water is mostly okay in the larger cities, it’s better to rely on bottled or filtered water to be safe. There can be unfamiliar chemicals or mineral levels that your body is unused to, causing stomach problems that can severely disrupt your travels.

Hot drinks are safe as the water has been boiled, but you should check where the ice has come from in cold drinks.

Street food

Similarly, be aware of the standards for any street food stalls you visit. Moroccan food is absolutely delicious, but food hygiene standards can vary. Go with the recommendations of your tour leader, or look out for the stalls that are busy with locals, who will know the top quality spots to visit.

Remember that the spice level and richness of the food may be not what you are used to eating, so try not to go crazy on your first day – as tough as that will be when faced with all the tasty options!

Protecting yourself

Being in North Africa, Morocco can get extremely hot in the summer, especially as you get further inland and of course, anywhere in the Sahara desert. Remember to use a high SPF sunblock and strong insect repellent to protect yourself.

There are no compulsory vaccinations needed to travel to Morocco, but most travel advice suggests being vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting some of the more remote regions.

If you need specific medication while you travel, be sure to bring it with you in your carry-on bag. If it is in your checked suitcase and this gets lost or delayed, it is very difficult to get medication without a prescription and the available medicines are not always the same.

Traveling safely in Morocco

While Morocco is generally a safe destination, you should consider how you will be getting around during your trip.

Public transportation

If you are not part of a tour where travel is taken care of, you essentially have two transport options, taxis or city buses. There is a good rail network but it only operates north of the high Atlas mountains, not the whole country.

City buses have routes both within cities and long distance between major cities. Tickets are best bought in person at the offices in bus stations and offer relatively comfortable and reliable travel. Solo travelers, especially women, should be mindful of their belongings as well as looking in advance at how long they will be on the bus and whether rest stops will be safe.

Taxis

Taxis are either ‘petit’ or ‘grand’. Petit taxis are smaller cars, intended for short journeys around a city or airport runs and are mostly safe to use – check for seat belts before getting inside as these are not standard. Make sure to negotiate the price before you set off if there is no meter, or insist on using the meter if there is one (this varies from city to city).

Grand taxis take people on longer routes, and have a reputation for being much more unsafe. In the past these were often very old cars with no seat belts for passengers, but the Moroccan authorities have been working on getting the drivers to upgrade to newer and better quality cars more suited to longer journeys. If you are looking to take a Grand taxi, check the specific car before agreeing to anything.

Driving in Morocco

Driving a rental car in Marrakech and the other cities in Morocco is not advisable, road rules, lights and signals are all routinely ignored and it is truly chaotic.

If you are exploring the wider country and want the flexibility of having your own car, you can pick up rental cars at various places, with the process being much the same as in other places around the world. The main roads are generally good quality, but be careful of potholes, people and animals on the road – driving at night is particularly hazardous due to the lack of street lighting.

As with all self drive travel advice, do not leave any valuable or belongings in the car unattended and keep the doors locked while in the car.

Plan ahead

Travel to Morocco is best done with plenty of planning. Make sure you know how to access your consular services while traveling, and that your travel insurance covers all your needs in the event of something going wrong.

Think about what equipment you will need to be safe, like anti theft bags and perhaps a water bottle with a filter, and get this well in advance of your trip so you’re completely prepared.

If you want to take the stress out of planning your Morocco trip yourself, or just want the peace of mind of traveling with experienced guides, one way to minimize uncertainty while traveling is to adventure in a group. Joining our Morocco tour means we take care of all of the important stuff so you can make the most of your trip – find out more details here or get in touch today.