Marrakech Travel Tips

Banks are open Monday to Friday, from 08:30 to 11:30 and 14:30 to 17:00 in the winter or 08:30 to 14:00 in the summer. Shops and souks are generally open from 09:30 to 13:00 and again at 15:00 to 16:30. Hours vary during Ramadan.

Banks: 08:30 to 11:30 and 14:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday (winter) and 08:30 to 14:00, Monday to Friday (summer)
Post Offices: 08:30 to 14:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 09:30 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 16:30, daily
Museums: opening times vary; check individual museums for opening hours
Business Offices: 08:30 to 12:00 and 14:30 to 18:30 (09:00 to 15:00 during Ramadan)

Marrakech is generally a very safe place for travellers; however, be watchful and use common sense while travelling. Pick-pocketing occurs from time to time and you should watch your belongings carefully. Many countries are also warning their nationals to beware of terrorism in Morocco. 

Visitors should be careful while on the road in Marrakech as accidents are frequent, especially on busy major routes. Road laws are different in Morocco and many drivers do not consider those around them and will often drive excessively fast.

The culture here is very conservative and women should not dress provocatively as this is asking for unwanted attention for many local men who feel that they have the right to leer at women who aren’t covered up.

Electricity: 110/220V, 50Hz

You can only obtain Moroccan Dirham (MAD) in Morocco and should exchange money at official bureaux de change only. These are identified by a golden sign and these booths do not charge commission. You must, however, keep your receipt so you can change the MAD back to your nation’s currency before you depart. Although many people will offer to change money for you on the street, you should be aware that this is illegal.

Limited credit cards (mostly Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in some restaurants, hotels and shops. You can also use your credit card to withdraw money in banks or directly from ATMs. It is possible to change cash travellers checks issued in pounds sterling or US dollars in banks.

You may bring the following goods into Morocco without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g of tobacco; one litre of spirits and one litre of wine. A special permit is required to import sporting guns and ammunition. This can be obtained upon arrival from the police authorities if the passenger has a permit from their country of origin.

Morocco is a religious Islamic nation. There is a prayer call five times a day, and during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims will fast from sunrise until sunset. Although visitors are not required to fast, eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum in public would be frowned upon.

Although Morocco is more relaxed than some Islamic countries and women for the most part walk around without veils or restrictions, visitors should be sensitive to the culture and dress conservatively. It is not acceptable for men or women to wear shorts when visiting religious sites or if invited to visit an Arab family.

Moroccans’ most cherished possession is their honour and dignity, and hshuma (shame) occurs when other people know that they have behaved inappropriately. To avoid hshuma, many Moroccans will say or do things publicly because it makes them look good or helps them avoid embarrassment or awkwardness. You should take care not to shame a Moroccan.

When Moroccans greet each other they take their time and converse about their families, friends, and other general topics. Weak handshakes are the customary greeting between individuals of the same sex but people who know each other well may kiss on both cheeks, starting with the left cheek while shaking hands. When men and women meet, the woman must extend her hand first and if she does not, the man can greet by bowing his head.

If invited to a Moroccan’s home, you should dress well to show respect to your hosts and remove your shoes before entering the house. Check to see if your spouse or partner is included in the invitation as some conservative Moroccans will not entertain mixed-sex groups. You should bring a small gift of sweet pastries, nuts, figs, dates or flowers to the hostess and a small gift for children. Do not bring alcohol unless you are certain your host drinks. When passing or receiving any item, in particular food, the right hand should be used.

While service charges are usually included with hotel bills, it is customary to tip service personnel such as waiters, hairdressers, and housekeepers 10 or 20 dirhams.

Food is generally served at a knee-high round table and the guest of honour will normally sit next to the host. Before the meal is served, a wash basin will be brought to the table and you can hold your hands over the basin while the server pours water over them. Do not start eating until the host blesses the food or begins to eat. 

Food is served from a communal bowl and you should only eat from the section of the bowl that is in front of you and never reach across to get something from the other side. Scoop the food with a piece of bread or the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand.

Eat and drink only with the right hand and do not wipe your hands on your napkin as the wash basin will be brought out again at the end of the meal. Water is often served from a communal glass and if you prefer to use your own glass, you should ask for a soft drink.

Immunisations are recommended for Hepatitis A and B, tuberculosis, polio, typhoid and diphtheria. Rabies is present and if you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. There is a minimal malaria risk especially for those staying in the cities.

It’s best to drink bottled water while in Marrakech. In general, milk is unpasteurized but should be boiled before use. You should avoid locally handmade dairy products as these are likely to have been made from un-pasteurised milk.

It is advisable not to swim in fresh water or pools that are not well chlorinated as Bilharzia, a parasitic disease, is present. You are also advised to wear shoes while walking outdoors as parasites live in the soil.

Summers can be very hot in Marrakech and you should be careful to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke by taking in enough fluids and staying cool when possible.

Mosquitoes can spread dengue fever and it would be wise to carry a mosquito repellent. Additionally, sand flies have a terrible, itchy bite and sometimes spread a rare skin disorder. 

There are also scorpions in Marrakech and you should check your shoes before putting them on.

There are good medical facilities in Marrakech, including emergency pharmacies that are open outside of normal opening hours.

Hospital Ibn Tofaïl: Tel: 044 448 011 / 044 448 585

Visitors to Morocco must possess a passport which is valid for six months from the date of entry into the country. Citizens of the UK, USA, New Zealand and Australia, among others are not required to have visas for stays of less than 90 days. For visits of more than 90 days, you are required to obtain a residence permit and a return visa from immigration authorities.

Nationals from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and South Africa require visas. Entry visas are valid for three months and visitors wishing to stay longer should apply to the local police station within 15 days of arrival.

You can find a tourist information office (at the Délègué Règional du Tourisme, ONMT) on Place Abdel Moumen ben Ali, avenue Mohammed V, Guéliz. The telephone number is +044 436 239/131 and opening hours are Monday through Friday 09:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 16:30.