Morocco is one of my favorite countries. There are a lot of misconceptions concerning the country. To be honest, I was kind of scared before going to Morocco. The day I landed in Marrakech I realized I had nothing to worry about. Here, I tell you everything I wish I had known before going to this incredible country. I hope you will like Morocco as much as I do!
- The people
- When to go
- The religion
- What to eat
- Basic words
- Cats and dogs
- Money currency
- Insurance
- Some facts
- Different accommodations
- Essential apps to have
The people
This one is 50/50.
Some people don’t like the way Moroccans interact with tourists, especially in souks. In Marrakech, it can be overwhelming the way Moroccans try to sell you things constantly. As in most countries, some locals can be very rude to tourists who don’t want to buy their articles or food.
As for other people like me, I loved Moroccans. I found most of them to be so nice. Take the time to talk with locals, and learn about their ways/culture. Making simple efforts to interact respectfully with them can change how they interact with you. + If you speak French, they will love you even more because most people speak French in Morocco.
When to go
The summer – I don’t recommend going to Morocco in the summer. First, you are going to die from the heat. In Marrakech, it can reach over 50 degrees in the summer. No one likes to walk in a city and do activities when it’s that hot. Second, there are so many tourists. Most people go to Morocco in the summer, so trust me, you won’t have a nice little relaxing vacation.
The winter – I went to Morocco in November, and honestly, it was the perfect time to go. In some cities, such as Marrakech, it reached 30 – 35 degrees in the day. In the north, such as Tangier, it was colder but still a nice temperature. There are fewer tourists in the winter so I enjoyed visiting the cities more. You won’t die from the heat, and you can relax without having other tourists in your ears all the time.
The religion
Morocco is a Muslim country. As tourists, we always need to be respectful of their culture. Wear long sleeves, cover your shoulders, breasts and legs. Be as discreet as possible. Don’t judge, everyone has a different way of living. If you make an effort to respect their culture, they will treat you with the same respect.
What to eat
There are so many good restaurants and food in Morocco. Of course, everyone has heard of Tajine. This is a must-try when you go to Morocco. Packed with vegetables and meat or fish, it is delicious.
Most of the cities you go to have a medina and souks. Everywhere you walk there are desserts, chicken and fish. Baklava fresh from a local is so underrated. Don’t hesitate to try some new things!
Basic words
Arabic is a difficult language to learn. Here are the 3 words I used every day. You don’t need to learn more to be respectful but try to use them as much as possible.
- Thank you (very much) – Choukran (bezaf)
- Excuse me – Smahli (to a man) / Smahaliya (to a woman)
- Please – Min fadlak
Cats and dogs
As in many countries, cats and dogs are very common in the streets of Morocco. The cat is a revered animal in Islam. It was the favorite animal of the prophet Muhammed. That’s why most people give food to cats in the street. Another good thing I learned about Morocco is its initiatives with dogs. Dogs with a yellow tag on one of their ears are vaccinated for rage. You can pet them, they are safe.
Money currency
Morocco’s currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). In most places, you will pay with cash. There is usually a big fee when getting money out of an ATM. You should always try to pay by card. Go get Dirham at your local bank in your country before travelling. You will save a lot on the ATM fees.
Insurance
Searching for travel insurance can be a hard task. But, it’s also a very important one. Since there are so many options out there, here’s one that is easy to understand and well known : World Nomads.
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Some facts
- French is the most spoken language in Morocco, with 33% of Moroccans speaking it, after Dajira Arabic.
- The Sahara Desert is the biggest desert in the world.
- Morocco has the world’s oldest university: The University Of Al Quaraouiyine.
- Independence Day is November 18th.
- Morocco is known for its colorful souks. You won’t be disappointed!
Different accommodations
Villas/Apartments: Renting a villa/apartment is definitely the most eye-pleasing option. You can find some crazy original stays! Most of the time it is equipped like an apartment, so you will have a fridge and a cooking space. It will be pricier, but you can save on eating out if you cook at your villa. It is a good option for families or if you are a big group of people. You can split the price, and it can be more fun than being all separate in hotel rooms.
Hotels: Hotels are a classic. There are plenty of them with a huge price range. You will be well welcomed and have access to services you don’t get in a villa. Some hotels have spas, some have yoga classes and so much more. Your room will get cleaned every day, and you will have access to room service. If you are an anxious person, hotels are your best option. You will definitely feel more secure since there is always someone working nearby.
Hostels: If you are a backpacker, this is the cheapest option for you. It is less luxurious, less comfortable, less a lot of things. But it is an amazing experience to live while you are young. You will have one bed in a shared room with others. This is the best way to meet people if you are travelling solo. Some hostels have group activities to help with that. You are young, your back is not broken yet, and you can sleep in a less comfortable space in exchange for living an incredible experience.
Essentials apps to have
Places to stay:
- Booking: You will find all three types of accommodation.
- Airbnb: You will find amazing and original villas/apartments.
- Hostel World: This is an app for hostels only. You will find the best ones with an amazing rating system to help you make your choice. There are also group chats on the app with the people who will be staying at the same place as you.
Others:
- Maps.me: You can download any maps and use them without Wi-Fi.
- WhatsApp: It’s a classic. Everyone in North Africa/Europe uses WhatsApp to text or call.
