Visa and formalities
| Nationality | Visa‑free stay |
|---|
| European Union (except Ireland) | 90 days |
| USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland | 90 days |
| UK, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil | 90 days |
| Other nationalities | Check with Moroccan embassy |
Passport valid for 6 months upon entry. Landing form to be completed on the plane.
Languages spoken
- Darija (Moroccan Arabic) – official language
- Amazigh (Berber) – spoken by about 40% of the population
- French – widely used, used in administration and tourism
- English – common in tourist areas
- Spanish – spoken in the north (Tangier, Tétouan, Chefchaouen)
Currency and budget
The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is the official currency. Indicative rates: 1€ ≈ 11 MAD, 1$ ≈ 10 MAD, 1£ ≈ 13 MAD.
Average budget per person per day:
| Type | Low budget | Medium | Luxury |
|---|
| Accommodation | 15-30€ (hostel) | 40-80€ (3* hotel / riad) | 150-500€ (luxury riad / palace) |
| Meals | 5-10€ (street) | 15-25€ (restaurant) | 40-100€ (gourmet) |
| Local transport | 2-5€ (bus/taxi) | 10-20€ (car) | 50€+ (private driver) |
Climate – average temperatures (°C) by city
| City | Jan | Apr | Jul | Oct |
|---|
| Marrakech | 18/5 | 25/12 | 38/22 | 28/16 |
| Fez | 15/4 | 22/10 | 36/20 | 25/13 |
| Casablanca | 17/8 | 20/12 | 26/20 | 23/16 |
| Tangier | 16/9 | 18/12 | 28/20 | 22/16 |
| Agadir | 20/8 | 22/13 | 28/18 | 25/16 |
| Merzouga (desert) | 20/2 | 30/12 | 45/25 | 30/15 |
Transport
- Train (ONCF) : Main lines (Tangier – Casablanca – Marrakech). Comfortable and punctual.
- Bus : CTM, Supratours (air-conditioned, online booking).
- Petit taxis : Red or blue, for intra-urban trips. Negotiate or ask for meter.
- Grand taxis : White or beige, shared (6 seats) for inter-city trips.
- Car rental : International agencies (Hertz, Avis, Budget) and local. Toll highways.
Health and safety
- No mandatory vaccines (except yellow fever if coming from an endemic area).
- Bottled water recommended (Sidi Ali, Ain Atlas).
- Pharmacies: green signs, easy to find, often with French-speaking staff.
- Emergency numbers: Police (19), Fire (15), SAMU (150).
Annual cultural events
| Event | City | Period |
|---|
| Fes Sacred Music Festival | Fez | April/May |
| Marrakech International Film Festival | Marrakech | November/December |
| Essaouira Gnawa Festival | Essaouira | June |
| Moussem of TanTan | TanTan | June (UNESCO) |
| Rose Festival | Kelaat M’Gouna | May |
| Marrakech du Rire | Marrakech | June |
| Marrakech Popular Arts Festival | Marrakech | July |
Travel tips
- Dress modestly in religious places (mosques forbidden to non-Muslims except Hassan II in Casablanca).
- Always negotiate prices in souks and for taxis (the first price quoted is often double).
- Tipping (5-10% at restaurants, a few dirhams for porters) is appreciated.
- Avoid drinking tap water. Prefer bottled water.
- Respect prayer times (shops may close for 15 minutes).
- Credit cards are accepted in hotels and large stores, but cash remains king in the souks.