Honestly, I don’t have a clear answer to that question. Why not?! Because my response would depend on who I’m talking to:
- If you’re an experienced traveler who has visited various countries, with different cultures and has previously traveled solo, I would say you can visit Morocco alone. If you know what to expect, especially when visiting Marrakech, then you know how to behave.
However, as a young female adult, I advise all of my solo girls out there to be careful and always watch your back when visiting a country with different cultural norms than your origin country. After traveling to more than 25 countries, I would gladly return to Morocco solo tomorrow. But ONLY because I know how to be discreet, make friends who can look out for me (and vice versa), and dress appropriately for their culture!
- If it’s your first time traveling, or you’ve never been on a solo trip, I recommend visiting Morocco with someone else. I visited Morocco with my mother, and it was the best decision I made. Why? Because I had an experienced traveler with me who was familiar with the Middle Eastern/North African lifestyle (which is very different from Europe and Canada). She taught me how to negotiate, dress appropriately, and handle various situations.
Overall, Morocco is becoming a popular destination, so there will always be tourists around. That being said, everything I share in this article is based on my personal experience. Whether you go alone or with someone else, here are some things you should know before planning your trip:
The culture
Morocco is a Muslim country, which means it has a different culture than mine as a French atheist Canadian. Since I chose to visit their country, it is only appropriate to respect their beliefs.
I made sure to be as discreet as possible by wearing long sleeves and covering my shoulders, chest, and legs. This is especially important when visiting cultural and religious sites.
The people
I was pleasantly surprised by the majority of Moroccans I encountered. Before traveling to Morocco, I had the misconception that they were “not friendly people,” but I was mistaken. Around 80% of the local shop owners, guides, restaurant and hotel staff, and even people on the street were very kind to my mother and me. They were always happy to help us, which was a good surprise!
BE PREPARED: If someone offers to trade you for camels or something else, it’s actually quite “normal.” When men asked my mom how much they could buy me for, they were always very polite when she declined. They don’t do this to be degrading or mean; it’s more of a compliment.
The fact that my mother and I speak French may have influenced their attitude (who knows?), as many Moroccans speak French better than English. However, it doesn’t matter if you don’t speak French. A significant number of tourists who visit Morocco do not speak it and still have a wonderful experience.
That said, be aware that not everyone may be as friendly. In busy cities with crowded medinas like Marrakech, some locals may try to pressure you into buying their goods. Not everyone will behave this way, but some may follow you for a while and become upset if you refuse to make a purchase. Over time, you’ll be used to this and realize that they don’t hold any personal grudges. They are simply trying to make a living and will move on once you’re no longer in their view.
Watch out for pickpockets!
As I said earlier, I never felt in danger in Morocco. However, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious. Like in every country in the world, there are people with bad intentions. The negative aspect you always need to look out for is pickpockets:
Pickpocketing and theft are a common practice in some cities like Marrakech, Tanger & Casablanca. You need to always have an eye on your belongings, that’s why having an expensive, cute purse is not the best way to go. You do not want to attract attention to yourself. I suggest having a fanny pack instead. It might be a little less cute but this way you can keep your most valuable belongings like phone, cards and passport close to you. Click here to see mine!
Safety tips
- Never walk at night by yourself: If you plan on going out during the night, make sure you have someone with you. You are more vulnerable when it’s dark outside, and you don’t know the city. Always be careful!
- How to stay safe in taxis: I have 2 recommendations for taxis.
– I highly suggest using a taxi app like Careem (Uber isn’t available in Morocco). You know the fixed price in advance, which avoids any scams, and have access to the driver’s details. Also, it makes them very unlikely to commit a crime, since they will be identified very easily.
– You can also organize a taxi pick up and drop off at the airport, for example, with your hotel/hostel. That is what I did, and they organized everything. This way, a driver is already waiting for you wherever you are. + If anything happens to you, your hotel/hostel will know you didn’t make your way back.
- Buy padlocks for hostels: If you plan to stay in hostels, almost every single one of them will have lockers. They’re available for you to leave the most important stuff locked and secured. The thing is you have to bring your own locks. Click here to see the ones I have!
- Small alarm: When I went solo traveling, I bought this little alarm. It might not be magic, but the sound being very strong, it surely scares the criminal, calls for help and/or will buy you some time to react. Click here to see one you can get on Amazon!
- Stay connected: Make sure to keep your loved ones informed about your itinerary and stay in touch with them regularly. I have an iPhone and I love the localization app. I share my location with my parents, boyfriend and friends.
- Trust your instincts: If a situation feels uncomfortable or unsafe, trust your gut and remove yourself from it. Your safety is the top priority.
- Respect the local culture: I am repeating myself because it’s very important in Morocco. Dressing modestly and showing respect for religious sites will help you blend in and minimize unwanted attention.
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