Safety in Morocco

At a glance

Violent crime

Low

Petty theft

Medium

Scams

Medium

Terrorism

Low

Our own assessment of the risk to visitors, not an official rating.

1. 1
   Keep valuables hidden and avoid displaying expensive jewelry, watches, or electronics in crowded areas. Use the hotel safe for passports and excess cash.
2. 2
   Photocopy your passport and important documents. Store copies separately from originals and keep digital copies in your email or cloud storage.
3. 3
   Stay in well-reviewed accommodations and let someone know your daily plans. Share your itinerary with a trusted contact back home.
4. 4
   Carry a card with your accommodation's name and address written in Arabic. This helps when taking taxis or asking for directions.
5. 5
   Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas at night, especially in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Stick to main streets and well-trafficked areas after dark.
6. 6
   Be aware of your surroundings in crowded spaces like souks, bus stations, and festival crowds. Pickpocketing is the most common petty crime.
7. 7
   Register with your country's embassy in Rabat and enroll in travel alert programs. Carry your embassy's emergency phone number.
8. 8
   Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) for all cities on your route. Cell coverage is good but data can be slow in rural areas.

1. 1

   Fake Guides in Medinas

   Unofficial "guides" approach tourists at medina entrances, offering to show the way to a riad or attraction. They lead you through confusing alleys and then demand a large payment, sometimes becoming aggressive if you refuse.

   How to avoid it

   Politely but firmly say "La, shukran" (No, thank you) and keep walking. Use GPS or download offline maps before entering the medina. If you need a guide, book an official one through your hotel or a licensed agency.

   If it happens

   If cornered, stay calm and offer a small tip (10-20 MAD) to end the interaction. If they become aggressive, walk toward a shop or busy area and ask for help. Report persistent harassment to the tourist police.

2. 2

   "My Shop Is This Way"

   A friendly person starts chatting, claims to work at a nearby shop, and offers to show you something "interesting" or "free." They lead you to a carpet, argan oil, or leather shop where high-pressure sales tactics await. Your "friend" earns a commission on anything you buy.

   How to avoid it

   Be skeptical of unsolicited friendliness that quickly steers toward shopping. If someone says "come see my shop" or "I know a special place," politely decline and continue your route. Genuine friendly encounters rarely involve shopping.

   If it happens

   You are never obligated to buy anything. Thank them, say you need to go, and leave. No matter how much time was spent or tea was served, you do not owe a purchase. Simply stand up and walk out.

3. 3

   Henna Artists (Forced Application)

   Women in tourist squares (especially Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech) grab your hand and start applying henna before you consent, then demand 200-500 MAD for a design you never asked for.

   How to avoid it

   Keep your hands in your pockets or behind your back when walking through areas with henna artists. If someone reaches for your hand, pull away immediately and say "No" firmly. If you want henna, go to a salon or ask your riad to arrange it.

   If it happens

   If henna is already applied, do not pay the inflated price. Offer 20-30 MAD maximum and walk away. The design washes off easily if you scrub quickly with soap and water.

4. 4

   Taxi Meter Tricks

   Taxi drivers refuse to use the meter, claim it is broken, or start the meter with an inflated starting amount. Some take unnecessarily long routes. This is especially common at airports and tourist hotspots.

   How to avoid it

   Always insist on the meter before getting in. If the driver refuses, find another taxi. Know the approximate fare for common routes (ask your hotel). Use ride-hailing apps like inDrive or Careem for transparent pricing.

   If it happens

   If you realize mid-ride that the meter is off or rigged, note the taxi number and calmly tell the driver to use the meter. At your destination, pay what you believe is fair based on the distance. If there is a dispute, suggest going to the nearest police station.

5. 5

   Carpet Shop Bait-and-Switch

   A friendly local befriends you, invites you for tea, and leads you to a carpet or craft shop. Inside, high-pressure sales tactics are used with inflated prices. The "friend" receives a commission on any sale.

   How to avoid it

   Be wary of overly friendly strangers who steer the conversation toward shopping. Visit cooperatives and fixed-price shops for pressure-free browsing. If you want carpets, research prices before your trip and visit multiple shops.

   If it happens

   You are never obligated to buy. Thank them for the tea, say you need time to think, and leave. If pressured, simply stand up and walk out. No purchase is required, regardless of how much time was spent.

6. 6

   Spice Market Rip-Offs

   Spice vendors in tourist areas sell common spices at extreme markups, often claiming they have medicinal or "Viagra-like" properties. Pre-mixed spice blends are presented as rare finds. Saffron is frequently fake (safflower dyed red).

   How to avoid it

   Research fair spice prices before shopping. Real saffron costs 30-50 MAD per gram. For quality spices, shop at Cooperative stores or supermarkets like Marjane. Compare prices at multiple stalls before buying.

   If it happens

   If you suspect you overpaid, it is a learning experience. For future purchases, always ask the price per gram or kilo before the vendor starts scooping. Never let a vendor package spices before agreeing on a price.

7. 7

   "It's Closed" Scam

   Someone near a monument, tannery, or attraction tells you it is closed today but offers to take you to their "cousin's shop" or an alternative attraction instead. The original site is usually open.

   How to avoid it

   Ignore anyone who tells you a public attraction is closed unless they are clearly official staff at the entrance. Walk past them and check for yourself. Research opening hours in advance.

   If it happens

   Thank them and proceed to the attraction entrance. If it genuinely is closed, check the official sign or ask nearby shop owners (not touts) for confirmation.

8. 8

   Restaurant Menu Without Prices

   Some tourist restaurants, especially in Jemaa el-Fnaa and medina alleys, do not display prices on their menus. When the bill arrives, items are significantly overpriced, and unexpected "extras" like bread, olives, or sauces are added.

   How to avoid it

   Always ask for a menu with prices before ordering. Confirm the price of individual items, especially fish and meat which may be priced by weight. Avoid restaurants with aggressive touts pulling you inside.

   If it happens

   If overcharged, calmly question each item on the bill. Refuse to pay for items you did not order. If the restaurant will not negotiate, pay what you consider fair, note the establishment name, and report it to the tourist police.

Dress modestly

Covering shoulders and knees significantly reduces unwanted attention and shows respect for local culture. Loose-fitting clothing is also comfortable in the heat. In Gueliz (Marrakech) or the Corniche (Casablanca), standards are more relaxed, but conservative dress is always appreciated.

Harassment

Street harassment is usually verbal (comments, catcalling) rather than physical. Do not engage or make eye contact. A firm "La, shukran" (No, thank you) or "Sir f-halek" (Go away) usually works; sunglasses help. Walk with purpose. If someone follows you, walk into the nearest shop or restaurant and ask for help: Moroccan women and shop owners will almost always step in.

Practical tips

Consider wearing a ring on your wedding finger; mentioning a husband "waiting at the hotel" is effective. Use taxi apps like Careem or InDriver instead of hailing cabs. Avoid walking alone in dark areas at night. Travelling with at least one other person cuts approaches significantly.

Safe spaces

Riads and reputable hotels are safe havens. Women-only hammams are a good cultural experience. Cafes and restaurants in the ville nouvelle are comfortable for women dining alone. Essaouira, Chefchaouen and Rabat tend to feel most relaxed. For detailed advice, see our Solo Travel Guide.

As a driver

Drive defensively. Avoid night driving outside cities: unlit vehicles, pedestrians and animals are serious hazards. The autoroute (toll motorway) is generally safe and well-maintained. Atlas roads need extra care for sharp curves, narrow widths and occasional rockfalls.

As a pedestrian

Cross carefully; drivers do not always stop at crosswalks. In medinas, watch for motorbikes and delivery carts in the narrow alleys. Wear visible clothing at night near roads.

Public transport

CTM and Supratours buses are modern and well-maintained. ONCF trains are safe and comfortable. Avoid grand taxis that look overcrowded or in poor condition. Petit taxis (small, colored by city) are generally safe.

1. 1

   Extreme heat and sun

   Summer temperatures in Marrakech, Fes, and the interior regularly exceed 40°C (104°F). Heatstroke is a genuine risk. Stay hydrated (drink at least 3 liters of water daily), wear a hat and high-SPF sunscreen, avoid strenuous activity during midday (12pm-4pm), and rest during the hottest hours as Moroccans do. The Sahara is even more extreme, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 50°C. Sunburn can occur even on cloudy days: Morocco's UV index is very high.
2. 2

   Cold and altitude in the Atlas

   Winter in the High Atlas brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, especially above 2,000 meters. Mountain passes like Tizi n'Tichka may close temporarily. If trekking in winter, bring proper cold-weather gear, check conditions before setting out, and hire an experienced local guide. Even in spring and autumn, mountain nights can be bitterly cold. Altitude sickness is possible above 3,000 meters: ascend gradually if climbing Jebel Toubkal (4,167m).
3. 3

   Flash floods

   Flash floods can occur in dry riverbeds (oueds) and gorges, particularly in the Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, and southern oasis regions. These are most common in autumn and spring. Never camp in a dry riverbed. Check weather forecasts before gorge hikes. If you see rising water or hear rushing water in a gorge, move to higher ground immediately.
4. 4

   Earthquakes

   Morocco lies in a seismically active zone, as the September 2023 Al Haouz earthquake (magnitude 6.8) near Marrakech showed. Significant earthquakes are infrequent, but know the basics: if indoors, shelter under sturdy furniture away from windows. If outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings. Know the exit routes in your accommodation.