Frequently Asked Questions

What is Morocco like as a country?

Beloved by artists and photographers, Morocco is a beautiful, welcoming country with a wealth of heritage and cultural diversity. The official languages are Arabic, Berber (or Amazigh as it is more correctly known) and French and Spanish is also widely spoken. In regional areas a traditional way of life continues, and with the help of our Berber drivers it is possible to get an inside view of Moroccan culture, music, cuisine, and the wonderful hospitality of the Moroccan people.

The country itself stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Atlas and Rif mountain ranges to the Sahara desert. This geographical diversity is reflected in our tours, where you experience the jaw-dropping heights of a steep mountain pass, visit tranquil towns nestled among the cedar forests of the High Atlas, travel along luxuriant valleys and scale the searing dunes of the Sahara.

What can you tell me about eating and drinking in Morocco?

Eating in Morocco

• Moroccan food is very tasty and fresh, and mostly organic
• Moroccans use warm spices — cumin, coriander, cinnamon — rather than hot spices such as chilli
• A restaurant meal often begins with a salad, followed by a tagine, couscous, brochette (meat skewer) or special main dish, and ends with fresh fruit for dessert
• Cheese, except for processed cheese, is rarely available, except at breakfast
• Bread is served with every meal, and traditionally replaces cutlery (although as a westerner you will be given it); it is generally white rather than wholemeal
• For anyone with a gluten allergy or intolerance, we recommend bringing your own supplies of gluten-free bread to enjoy with meals, as it’s not readily available in Morocco; or bypass bread altogether
• Morocco caters to vegetarians, with veggie cous-cous and tagine options on most menus, and breakfasts are generally vegetarian
• Breakfast usually consists of bread and homemade pancakes, yoghurt, fresh fruit, and an omelette; Moroccan omelettes are usually made just with eggs (not stuffed with filling)
• Most auberges, riads and hotels serve meals, including for non-residents.

SUGGESTION: Your driver may be able to arrange a picnic lunch if you ask in sufficient time in advance.

Drinking in Morocco

• It is unsafe to drink tap water in Morocco; bottled water is readily available at all hotels and eateries, as well as corner stores; always make sure that the lid is sealed before drinking; and  also recommend brushing your teeth with bottled water, to be on the safe side
• Most restaurants and cafes serve soft drinks; some also serve milk shakes made with fruit such as bananas or dates
• Mint tea is a very popular Moroccan drink; it’s made (and tastes best) with quite a lot of sugar, so be sure to brush your teeth regularly
• The coffee standard is usually quite good in Morocco
• As Morocco is a Muslim country, alcohol is generally frowned upon; only the more upmarket, western-style restaurants or cafes serve alcohol, and only select shops sell it; occasionally a riad will serve it.

SUGGESTION: Ask your driver where to purchase alcohol.

What is a bespoke tour?

We’ve created a range of Essential Tours  that offer you the perfect introduction to Morocco, for 4, 7 or 10 days.

If you’re looking for something different we offer a range of bespoke tour options, to suit your special requests, interests, party size and more. These customised tours might include:

• Accommodation at the start and/or end of your tour
• Increase in luxury level of accommodation (from our standard 3 star to 4/5 star)
• Travel to more cities than are included in our Essential Tours, or more nights in any of our tour stops
• Creation of a unique itinerary for you and your party, to suit special interests and requests
• An officially-accredited guide to accompany you on the entire tour, in addition to your driver
• The presence of an experienced, Australian tour coordinator with specialist knowledge.

Bespoke tour options and extras such as these will lead to an increase in price. The price increase will vary depending on the type of bespoke tour or extras. Get in touch to find out more.

Should I travel to Morocco during Ramadan?

While travelling during Ramadan in Morocco is certainly possible, it comes with its considerations.

• Ramadan falls on different dates each year, so you’ll need to plan ahead
• The locals will fast sunrise to sunset (including liquids), so you may experience a slower pace, lower energy and potentially shorter tempers from locals. Patience is key during this time!
• You may notice more limited opening hours of businesses, for example opening later in morning, and closing at sunset, to allow for them to break their fast. Locals may also shut shop in order to take a much-needed siesta in the afternoon.

How tolerant is Morocco?

While Morocco is an increasingly modern Muslim country, there are harsh penalties for sexual relations out of wedlock and same-sex relationships.

Please let us know if you identify as a same-sex couple or you are a couple who is not legally married, so we can assist you in navigating the local laws and penalties safely.

Morocco is a country that has so much to offer everyone, and we want to make sure you feel as welcome and as safe as possible without exclusion.

What do I need to wear in Morocco?

In the main cities like Marrakech, Fez and Casablanca, many people dress in Western style, as in London or Paris, but in the countryside we recommend that both men and women wear long trousers or skirts and a top covering the upper arms to the elbows.

In the mountains and the desert, you need a hat to protect you from the sun, and a warm fleece or jumper and long trousers for the evenings. For camel trekking, loose long trousers are the most comfortable. In winter, you need warm layers, including hat, scarf and gloves – temperatures can be nice and warm in the daytime, but really drop at night.

Once you book and pay for your tour with us, we’ll share with you our extensive written guide on how to pack and what to wear in Morocco, for every season. Plus you can check out our Pinterest account here

What do things cost in Morocco?

In regional areas, the price for personal services, such as having your hands painted with henna or getting a scrub in the hammam, is often left to your own discretion. If in doubt about any prices, ask your driver.

Here is a very rough guide of 2020 prices for some items and services (but after COVID is past us, we would expect these to increase):-

• a woollen djellaba for winter: 500 dirhams
• a half-day walking with a local guide, for example in a particular town: 300-350 dirhams
• a light-weight djellaba: 200 – 300 dirhams
• a linen shirt/blouse with hand-embroidered seams and buttons: 150-200 dirhams
• a pair of leather babouches (Moroccan slip-on shoes): 75-100 dirhams
• Moroccan pastries: 70 dirhams per kilo — considerably more in Marrakech
• meat: 60-70 dirhams per kilo
• hairdresser or barber: 30 dirhams
• henna painting: around 30 dirhams per hand or foot
• fruit and vegetables: around 4-10 dirhams per kilo.

SUGGESTION: In large cities like Marrakech, prices for henna painting may be extortionate. Arrange with your driver to get it done in regional areas.

Moroccan souvenirs – how do I shop and what can I buy?

How to shop

Many tourists are nervous about shopping in Moroccan shops and markets (souks), where it is unusual to see fixed prices displayed and where bargaining for items worth 100 dirhams or more is the norm. If in doubt about how to bargain, ask your driver, but remember that saving 50 dirhams means very little to a tourist, but can make a big difference for the Moroccan seller. For more information, head to our Morocco Insider blog.

As with any tourist location, you have to be wary of fakes. For instance, imitation Amazigh (Berber) jewellery may be made of plastic, whereas true artisanal Amazigh jewellery is highly decorative, symbolic, beautiful, and often inlaid with semi-precious stones. If in doubt, ask your driver where you can buy the genuine article. We can also advise you where to buy authentic souvenirs and Moroccan products, if you request this.

SUGGESTION: Once in a particular town or city, you may be able to hire a local guide through your driver or hotel, but be sure to ask (with a friendly smile!) for someone honest. Because of the culture, all certified guides are likely to receive some sort of commission in relation to any purchases you make whilst with them, but if you have an honest guide, they will not only take you to the shops which give them the most commission.

What to buy

As well as popular items such as carpets, pottery and leather goods, there are other very nice smaller souvenirs to buy:

• rose products – toiletries, face creams, rose water and perfumes
• argan oil products – there are very effective creams for the treatment of skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis, as well as face creams and perfumed argan oil
• argan soap, which has a slightly nutty scent and makes a great present for men
• local crafts such as woodcarvings
• Moroccan spices
• fossils from the desert
• bric-a-brac.

SUGGESTION: Before returning to Australia, check out the Department of Agriculture web site at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ for information on which products to declare to Customs.