Travel with Smart Insiders to Morocco
Who’s ready to travel to Morocco? This amazing country has much to offer, including adventurous activities, amazing cuisine, and a ton of beautiful scenery. It’s a whole new world to explore and we want to share some advice before traveling to Africa with Smart Insiders’ Ultimate Morocco Guide.
Smart Insiders knows how to have a blast in Morocco, and we would love for you to come with us on one of our future trips. If you want to learn more about traveling to Morocco with Smart Insiders, click on the options below! Hurry! These trips sell out fast.
Step 1: Begin your research
The Language
Modern Standard Arabic (Moroccan) is the official language of Morocco, with French being the second “unofficial” language. Both are spoken all over the country. Don’t speak either Arabic or French? No problem. Other languages are emerging in this country, especially in larger cities. If you are traveling to one of the more popular areas, you will most likely be able to find someone who can communicate with you in English. You also might hear plenty of English on the street as many merchants try to attract tourists’ attention by calling out in English. Spanish is also more common in the northern regions thanks to its proximity to Spain.
Important Arabic Sayings:
- Salam Aleikum (salaam a eleikum): Peace be with you / hello.
- Choukran (shokran): Thank you.
- La Choukran (la shokran): No thank you.
Morocco is an Muslim-majority country, which greatly affects the culture and daily life of the region. Practicing Muslims are expected to pray five times a day, starting at dawn. You’ll be able to hear the call to prayer (adhan) throughout the day from the speakers on the tower of the mosque. Friday is the holy day, so shops and markets will likely be closed around midday. The biggest rules Muslims follow are that they are expected not to expose their bodies, drink alcohol or eat pork (though these items may be available for tourists in some locations).
Step 2: What should I pack?
What documentation do I need?
Remember, you are going to another country on another continent, so DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT. A copy of your passport or other forms of identification won’t be enough! Only your original, valid passport will grant you access to the shores of Morocco. Second, the Moroccan government requires people of certain nationalities to have a visa to enter Morocco. Click here to see if your home country is exempt from the visa requirement, or click here to learn more about the visa process.
When preparing your suitcase, there are a few factors to consider, including your specific city destinations and the time of year. Cities in the mountains will typically be cooler than cities in the desert, though temperatures can drop overnight in both destinations. During the winter months, it’s especially important to pack layers because it can be chilly in the morning and evening, though temperatures are higher than Madrid during the day.
The most important element to take into account is the dress code for an Islamic country.
Dress Code for Women
As part of their religion and culture, Moroccan women tend to cover almost their entire bodies. Though this is not a strict requirement for tourists, it is still recommended that foreign women dress modestly, making sure to cover cleavage, shoulders, backside and upper thighs. Our recommendation is to wear long pants or skirts with modest short- or long-sleeved shirts. We don’t recommend tank tops. It’s not against the law to wear something other than these recommendations, but by dressing modestly you will avoid unwanted attention.
Guys tend to have more liberty in clothing. Though Moroccan men don’t tend to wear shorts or sleeveless shirts, these are generally acceptable for tourists. Make sure to consider what time of the year you will be traveling to dress for your comfort.
Seasonal Recommendations
Warm Seasons:
- Loose-fitting pants
- Comfy, loose-fitting T-shirts
- Sunglasses or a hat
- Comfortable shoes or sandals
- Rain jacket (if necessary)
Cool Seasons:
- Jeans or warm pants
- Scarves
- Jacket
- Light long-sleeve shirts
Step 3: What is the cuisine like?
- Tagine is one of the most famous and most typical Moroccan dishes. “Tagine” refers to a round clay dish with a lid where the food is cooked and served, and this special cooking method gives the food a delicious, unique flavor. There are many types of tagine, including chicken, beef, fish or kefta (meatballs).
- Couscous is a small, round pasta. It’s usually served with vegetables, meat and sauce.
- Harira is a typical meal eaten during the holy month of Ramadan. This thick soup includes tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas and lamb, and it can be eaten as an appetizer or main course.
- Fish chermoula is another typical dish. “Chermoula” refers to the spices and herbs that are used to marinade the fish, giving it a spicy kick!
- Mint tea is the best way to end a Moroccan meal. This tea is often served in fancy teapots and poured into small glasses. Be warned, this tea is much sweeter than the mint tea you might be expecting!