Clothing
- The weather ismostly dry; clothing advised for the day: cotton apparel, sunglasses, hat, comfy shoes, and sunscreen.
- The daytime temperature variation (especially in Southern Morocco) is quite sensitive in both inland and mountain areas and the desert, therefore, even in the summer, it’s better to have something warm to wear for the night.
- Winter in Morocco is not rigid but the housing rooms are rarely heated; it is advised to bring warm clothing for the night (even in spring\fall) and lighter clothing for the day.
- If the trip includes mountain areas, proper clothing is advised, on the Atlas mountain range it can snow during the winter.
Shopping
- In Morocco, shopping usually means souk (market) where every product of local craftsmanship can be found: from traditional cotton and silk dresses, also embroidered, silver jewelry and pietre dure, copper and brass objects, carved wood, terracotta vases, leather bags, babouches (slippers), to carpets and housewares.
- The big cities also have many stores that offer traditional products reinterpreted with a more European look.
Accommodation
- Very wide hotel accommodation offer: many hotels from the most affordable to the very luxurious ones (especially in the big cities).
- Staying in Morocco mostly means “riad,” the Arabic term for “garden.” It is indeed around the garden or patio that these buildings develop; in the past they were manor houses, nowadays many have been converted in beautiful tourist accommodations.
Children
- There are no foreclosures to traveling with children.
- The night spent in a tent in the desert and quad excursions or dromedary riding will be wonderful experiences.
- It is important to know that some routes may require many hours by car.
Beverages
- The quintessential drink in Morocco, as well as in many Arabic Countries, is mint tea: you will be offered it quite often, with the traditional small glasses, as a welcoming gesture in both the hotels and the stores.
- Tap water is drinkable but it is best to drink from a bottle.
- In the squares and on the street sides you will find numerous stalls that sell freshly squeezed fruit juices sold in single-use cups.
- Alcoholic beverages can be found in the more well-stocked supermarkets or dedicated stores in the big cities.
- Alcoholic beverages can also be found in some bars and restaurants in the big cities, but rarely in those located inside the medinas; they are always served inside but never in outdoor spaces.
Credit Cards
- Credit cards from principal circuits are usually accepted by most touristic facilities and in some cases, also by the shops.
- With credit card and debits from principal circuits is possible to withdraw at the ATMs in the major cities.
- Daily withdrawal is limited to a sum equivalent to roughly 200 Euros.
Food
- The Moroccan traditional cuisine is rich in flavors, aromas and colors, with frequent combinations of sweet and savory tastes.
- The cuisine uses several local spices and the dishes are often accompanied by spicy sauces.
- Among the national dishes besides the couscous, the traditional Friday dish, we find:
- Various kinds of tajines: beef stew, chicken and legumes, vegetables, onions.
- Lemon chicken.
- “Pastilla” – a thin sheet of dough, stuffed with pigeon meat, grapes, almonds and spices.
- Harira – legumes soup, more or less spicy, traditionally served with dates.
Weather
- On the coastline, the climate is mild; summer temperature is not too high and the winter is not too cold.
- Inland, the temperature is very high during the summer with peaks of 40/50°, whereas in winter the climate is mild but always with sensitive daytime temperature variation.
- In winter, there is significant snowfall on the Atlas Mountains Range.
Haggling
- In Morocco, selling and buying is an art.
- The price haggling is part of the purchase: it starts with a price suggested by the salesperson followed by a counteroffer by the buyer; generally speaking, the starting price in higher than the actual value of the product, but this is all part of the game.
- The agreement upon the price is reached once both parties consider themselves satisfied.
- It is not considered correct to leave the haggle with no explanation of why the buyer is refusing to purchase the product.
Documents
- To enter Morocco, European and North American citizens only need to have a valid passport.
- No VISA is required.
- The maximum stay for tourism reasons is 90 days.
Electricity
- In most of the hotels in the main places there is alternating current to 220V with electric sockets that are the same as the Italian ones.
- In the rest of the Country instead, the current to 110V is mostly used with sockets with 2 holes (type C and type E) for which it is necessary an adapter.
Photos
- It is good practice to always ask before taking a picture of someone.
- Do not take photos of strategic or military targets.
Time Zone
- In 2019 Morocco adopted the daylight-savings time year-round, so:
- No time difference when in Italy there is the winter time.
- 1 hour behind Italian time when in Italy there is the daylight-savings time.
- 2 hours behind Italian time during the Ramadan (the winter time comes back during this month).
Language
- The official languages are Arabic and Berber (Amazigh).
- French is widely spoken and also Spanish on the coastline.
- Many people speak English and Italian.
Tips
- Tips are not mandatory, but they are surely appreciated.
- They are recommended for hotels and restaurant staff and for tourist guides and drivers.
Useful Numbers
- Emergencies: 112.
- Police: 19 (from a landline) and 112 (from the cellular phone).
- Ambulances and Fire department: 15.
- Royal Gendarmerie: 177.
Religion
- The official religion is Sunni Islam; the practice of other religions is guaranteed by the Constitution.
- The day in the whole Country is marked by five calls to prayer by the Muezzin from the minaret of every mosque.
- In Morocco, access to the mosques is forbidden to non-Muslims except for the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
- Ramadan\Sawm:
- For one whole month a year, which varies according to the Islamic lunar calendar, the Sawm (fasting) is practiced by almost the entire population.
- During the Ramadan, everything functions in slow-motion,the majority of attractions work on reduced hours, and, in the smaller towns, restaurants might be closed.
- During the Ramadan, it is advised not to eat, drink or smoke in public in the daytime.
Healthcare
- Public healthcare guarantees first intervention also to non-residents, but not always hospital facilities are not state-of-the-art.
- The several private facilities (either clinics or medical practices) have good standards but are generally very expensive.
- There are many pharmacies and generally they are well supplied.
- Health insurance is not mandatory but it is advised.
Safety
- Morocco is generally a safe Country.
- It is recommended to be careful especially in the bigger cities and in crowded places to avoid showing off valuable items,keeping bags and purses well closed and the eyes open to avoid mugging or pickpocketing.
- The control by the police force, also in plainclothes, is very capillary and this contributes to the general safety of the Nation.
Telephones and Internet
- Area code to call Italy: 0039 + Phone Number.
- Area code to call Morocco: 00212 + Urban Code + Phone Number.
- Cellular Phone: good cell coverage all over the Country, some internet connection issues in very remote Southern areas and up in the mountains.
- Free Wi-Fi is widespread across hotels, restaurants, riads and cafes.
- The use of personal roaming data is very expensive.
- In Morocco, it is possible to purchase a pre-paid SIM card with internet data in the airport and in various stores in many cities.
Currency
- The official currency is the Moroccan dirham (DH), it can be purchased once you arrive because it is not possible to purchase it abroad. Many places of business accept Euros.
- The exchange can be done at the airport, at the banks’ exchange offices or in some hotels.
- It is forbidden to leave the Country with local currency, you must exchange it with Euros or other currencies before exiting the Country, or you must spend it all, which is not a hard thing to do!