Travel Tips for Travelling in Morocco/North Africa

Considering making a trip to Morocco? This North African country attracts people from all over the world and is a popular tourist destination year-round. This is largely due to its stunning coastlines, ancient cities, and exotic landscapes, all of which capture the hearts of anyone who visits. Due to Morocco’s mix of Arabian, Berber, and European cultural influences, you won’t find a country like this anywhere in the world. In this article, we’ve gathered our top travel tips for traveling in Morocco, so you can feel prepared before exploring this gorgeous North African country.

Transportation

While hitchhiking or “autostopping” as it is known locally, is fairly common in Morocco, it is still met with mixed views, so we wouldn’t recommend it. However, access to both busses and trains in Morocco is easy to find, and you can easily buy your train tickets directly at the train station.

Journal of Nomads tells us more about traveling by train in Morocco:

“Trains in Morocco are super cheap and cozy. They’re also a great way to see the Moroccan countryside in comfort. Their only downside is that they aren’t very fast except for the new high-speed train linking Tangier, Casablanca, and Rabat. That’s OK for me though since I love studying languages and long train rides in Morocco meant I had more time to study Moroccan Arabic.”

Safety

While Morocco is largely considered a safe country, tourists should be aware of con artists or “faux guides” that roam the city. This is a common issue in Morocco, where men will offer to help tourists with their English, only for them to pressure you into buying something in their shop - which doesn’t sound fun. We suggest that you become familiar with giving potential scammers a firm, strong, “no”.  

Adventure in You tells us more about safety precautions in Morocco:

“Traveling in Morocco is generally safe for tourists, but as with any other North African country, the culture is very different from the West so it is good practice to be aware of these. The risk of crime is fairly similar to any other city, so be cautious in crowded areas and aware of your valuables as pick-pocketing and bag snatching can occur.”

Language

Unsure of the language they speak in Morocco? Odds are, locals will speak several. In fact, some Moroccans can effortlessly switch between French, Spanish, English, Berber, and Arabic, making your chances for basic communication with locals promising.

Travel Addicts explains what the official languages are of Morocco:

“There are two official languages in Morocco—Arabic, and Berber. They’re both spoken widely, though you will probably hear more Arabic in the cities. Although French is not an official language, it seems to be everywhere, in spoken and written communication. You’ll find many people speak at least two of the three languages.”

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