Who travels to Morocco thinks of colorful markets, old cities and of course the desert. Here is the gateway to Africa, here you can experience oriental charm. We have compiled some information that helped us plan our stay in Morocco.
The Kingdom of Morocco is located in northwest Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Algeria lies on the eastern border of the country. The territory of Morocco is geographically very varied. In addition to the coastal regions, there are distinct mountain massifs of the High and Middle Atlas, the Rif Mountains and the Anti-Atlas in the hinterland. Border areas of the Sahara are also located in Morocco.
The most famous cities in Morocco are Casablanca, the capital Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier and Meknès.
Almost the entire population of the country is Muslim.
Morocco: Destinations
On the Atlantic Ocean, about 500 kilometres from Casablanca, lies the Moroccan port city of Agadir. The city is known for its beaches and is a popular holiday destination not only among foreign tourists.
Essaouira is located on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. The medina of the port city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.
Marrakech is located at the foot of the High Altas and is one of Morocco's royal cities. The city is also nicknamed the "Pearl of the South" and was once an important caravan port in Morocco.
Information for a vacation in Morocco
We’re discovering Morocco in winter so far – the ideal place to escape to the warmth without having to take on long flight times.
Arrival
There are 15 international airports in Morocco. There are numerous air connections to the country, many of which bring tourists to Agadir.
By ship, for example, you can enter Tangier on car-passenger ferries from southern Spain.
The national German driver’s license is sufficient for a stay of 3 months. Those who wish to stay longer in the country must apply for a Moroccan driver’s license.
Within the country, it is possible to travel through large parts of the country by train or via the well-developed roads, especially in the northwest. It is not possible to drive across the border into Algeria.
Within the cities there is a lot of taxi driving. Small taxis drive only within the city, larger taxis also drive on routes outside the city.
Entry and visa
Who enters Morocco from Germany needs a passport valid for at least 6 months and a valid return ticket. The identity card is not sufficient for entry into Morocco!
It is no longer necessary to have a visa since 2019!
Who wants to enter with his car must also export this again. A green insurance card is required.
Best time to travel
The coast has a warm Mediterranean climate almost all year round. Those who like to spend beach vacations should go to the coast from April to November.
Spring attracts many travelers to Morocco. From March to May it is warm with little rain. In summer (June to August) the temperatures in the interior rise far. On the coasts, a cooling wind blows. In winter, temperatures in Marrakech can sometimes be around freezing point.
Clothing
It is recommended to dress respectfully. This means skimpy clothing belongs only on the beach. There it is also possible to swim in trunks, bikini or swimsuit, nudism or topless bathing is strictly forbidden for women in Morocco.
Otherwise, you should keep your armpits and knees covered if possible. Especially in summer temperatures, long and airy clothes are especially good.
Language
About 90% of Moroccans speak Moroccan Arabic (Darija). There is also a wide population group that uses Berber language (e.g. Mazirian).
Officially, Arabic, Tamazight and French are spoken in Morocco. English is becoming increasingly important among some segments of the population. In the vacation regions, many Moroccans also speak German very well.
Currency
In Morocco, payment is made in Dirham (Dh, MAD). There are the following banknotes: 200,100,50,25,20Dh and coins in 10,5,2,1 and ½ Dh, as well as 20 and 10 centimes. Dirham are only available in Morocco and cannot be purchased abroad.
In larger cities you will find many ATMs where you can withdraw cash. In small towns and remote areas, you should expect only cash to be accepted.
It is not allowed to import or export cash sums. However, up to 1000 Dh per entry and exit is usually tolerated.
It is possible to exchange the money back into foreign currencies. In this case, the regulations apply:
- up to 48 h stay in the country – 100% of the amount exchanged at the time of entry
- more than 48 h stay in the country – 50% of the amount exchanged at the time of entry
Tip
The income in Morocco is very low. For many residents the tip or baksheesh is an important source of income. Often the tip is expected and sometimes even demanded.
If you want to make it easy for yourself, you can orientate yourself by the following values:
- In the hotel for maid, porter, waiter 3-15 Dirham. A little tip, if you give something during your stay, the service often improves.
- In restaurants 10-15% of the bill is appropriate as a tip.
- On excursions, you pay guides up to 100 Dirhan, depending on their personal commitment. For bus drivers, the value of the tip is about 20-50 Dh.
Often for photos, for example of the camel on the beach of Agadir, a financial consideration is also expected.
Power plug
No travel plug is required. Type C and E sockets are used in Morocco.
Telephone/Internet
Since Morocco does not fall within the tariffs of the EU, there are rooming costs when making phone calls. It is recommended to purchase a phone card from a local provider.
We bought a 10 GB card for 10€ (as of 2019) from Orange directly at the airport. With this we got along very well.
There are two major network providers (Maroc Telecom and Meditel) that have very good network coverage within the country. In the meantime, I read that there is a prepaid card from Maroc with which you can surf unlimited for a month.
Health
The medical care is not comparable with the general care in Germany. It is recommended to take out a travel health insurance.
It is warned not to drink non-packaged water, to brush teeth or to take it in ice cubes. Here there is an increased risk of intestinal infection.