{"id":13256,"date":"2017-04-18T11:59:39","date_gmt":"2017-04-18T10:59:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/?p=13256"},"modified":"2025-08-15T02:08:38","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T09:08:38","slug":"safety-morocco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/safety-morocco\/","title":{"rendered":"5 TIPS FOR FEMALE TRAVELLERS IN MOROCCO"},"content":{"rendered":"

A couple of weeks before I was due to depart for Marrakech, my excitement turned into anxiety. I had overheard from someone that Morocco wasn\u2019t a safe place for a woman traveller, and, being a natural worrier, really freaked out.<\/p>\n

Coffees with my female friends who had been to Morocco turned into quizzing them about their travel experiences. I no longer cared about the beautiful landscapes and the incredibly affordable Argan oil \u2013 all I did was query them about whether they had experienced any trouble.<\/p>\n

I realised that I must put an end to this madness when I woke up in the middle of the night with a pounding heart a few days before my trip. So I packed my bags (with plenty of space for purchases from the souks!), and went to see it for myself.<\/p>\n

And let me tell you this: don’t let the horror stories put you off. Morocco is a beautiful country with amazing people and culture, and is as safe as any other place for a female traveller – if you play by the rules.<\/p>\n

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1. What You Wear Matters (More Than You Think)<\/h2>\n

I don\u2019t mean to sound like a bore, but if you\u2019re heading to Morocco, choosing suitable clothing is key. The outlook there really differs from non-Muslim countries. Women who wear clothes that would never seem too revealing in Western culture (a knee-length skirt, really?) could offend the locals there \u2013 especially the older generation.<\/p>\n

While many Moroccans are very tolerant and modern, religion plays a huge part in their culture, and people, especially in rural areas, are generally more conservative. Body parts such as legs and shoulders are considered private and should be covered in public. Western women also tend to receive a little too much attention from local men, and wearing clothes that are revealing could make unpleasant experiences more likely.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> <\/em>Avoid uncomfortable experiences and unwanted looks by packing some light, flowy trousers, skirts, and dresses. When wearing tighter jeans\/ trousers, pair them with a longer, looser top (low-cut tops stay at home, full stop). I\u2019d recommend keeping your shoulders covered too \u2013 either wearing t-shirts under your sleeveless dresses or bringing a light silky scarf to cover your shoulders with. Remember that all of these things can be bought without breaking your piggy bank at Moroccan souks! Just don\u2019t forget to haggle\u2026<\/p>\n

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2. Ignoring Is Fine (And Necessary)<\/h2>\n

Being a travelling female who stands out from the local crowd means that there will be men whose attention you\u2019ll attract, even if you\u2019re wearing loose-fitting clothing. It could be that all they\u2019ll do is look at you, but they might also make comments, or try their luck and see if they can start a conversation with you.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/em><\/strong> You may find the compliments and the gazes flattering at first, but it\u2019ll get annoying after a while. My tip is to simply ignore. This may sound a little bit odd, but I was advised to keep my smiles to a minimum when mingling in the souks or busy areas by the manager of our riad \u2013 and I think it\u2019s one of the best tips I received.<\/p>\n

Since I\u2019m used to wearing a constant grin on my face, I found it challenging at first, but when I realised that it was making my life in Morocco much easier, I gladly wiped that grin off my face.<\/p>\n

Oh, and don\u2019t forget your sunglasses. Yes, it\u2019ll most likely be sunny, and your eyes need to be protected, etc. etc., but you\u2019ll find that\u2019s not their only use. Sunglasses are a little magic trick that helps you avoid unnecessary eye contact which could lead to men trying to engage in a conversation.<\/p>\n

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3. Don\u2019t Be Afraid To Say \u2018No\u2019<\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve never said \u2018no\u2019 as much as during my trip to Morocco. We\u2019ve had people randomly approach us on the streets and ask us where we\u2019re from, where we\u2019re staying, telling us that they can show us a quicker way (no, we\u2019re not interested in a shortcut that requires us to go down this dark alleyway with you).<\/p>\n

Similarly, in the souks, everyone will try and get you to come into their shop so that they can \u2018show you something\u2019 (and make it difficult for you to leave without buying their stuff). And don\u2019t even get me started on the local kids promoting restaurants in the touristy areas, such as main squares. They\u2019ll follow you around until they hear you say \u2018no\u2019.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/em> <\/strong>If someone starts bugging you or trying to sell you something that you\u2019re not interested in, just say \u2018Non, merci\u2019 and carry on walking. It feels odd (and rude) to do that at first, but it\u2019ll save you a lot of time and energy.<\/p>\n

If you are on a quieter street when someone starts bothering you, it\u2019s best to make your way to a busier road \u2013 being surrounded by people means that you\u2019ll also be surrounded by tourists, and that immediately makes the situation safer.<\/p>\n

If their behaviour is persistent or starts getting aggressive, just tell them you will call the police, and they\u2019ll back off. If not, actually find a police officer to tell \u2013 they take tourist complaints about harassment seriously.<\/p>\n

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Pay Less, Travel More eBook<\/h2>

Subscribe to get our FREE eBook with tips on saving money when you travel!<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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4. Night-Time Strolls Are For Tuscany, Not Morocco<\/h2>\n

Sure, the idea of taking an evening stroll in the medina of Marrakech, Fez or any of the other lovely Moroccan cities may seem romantic. The truth is, the adorably quiet terracotta streets that look so attractive in the day can have a really different vibe in the dark of the night. Especially if you are staying in the old town\/medina.<\/p>\n

Those quiet streets can create perfect hangout spots for local criminals and opportunistic thieves, who know that unsuspecting tourists will be returning to their riads<\/a> after dinner in town. Same applies (even more so!) to remote areas, such as beaches, sand dunes and forests. You should never ever hang out in places like that alone at night \u2013 not even with a friend or partner, really. Daytime Morocco is pretty mad \u2013 but night-time Morocco is just too unsafe.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> <\/em>If you\u2019re visiting a Moroccan city, best to do your exploring in the day and grab a taxi if you\u2019re heading out or back to your riad at night. Taxis in Morocco are really cheap (ask your taxi driver to use the meter and agree on a price upfront to avoid surprises!), and the staff of your riad will be happy to organise it for you.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve spent a lovely evening in the medina tasting tajine and sipping mint tea, why not hop on a tuk-tuk for a fun, quick and quirky way to get home? Tuk-tuks are a perfect vehicle for those little streets, which could be tricky to navigate in a taxi. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask the manager of your restaurant or bar to book one for you \u2013 they are normally really happy to help. If you\u2019re keen to visit the remote areas of Morocco, book a tour through your riad.<\/p>\n

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5. Roads Are For The Reckless<\/h2>\n

Disagree? Well, not if you are a Moroccan driver. Two words perfectly sum up the situation on the roads of Moroccan cities: absolute mayhem. Reckless drivers, pedestrians and stray cats all share road space and you are rarely more than an inch away from a vehicle of some sort.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be surprised to see a whole family on one moped \u2013 yes, four people riding a moped in Morocco is a perfectly normal occurrence. In all seriousness, roads are really quite unsafe in Morocco and it\u2019ll take you a little while to get used to their pace.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong><\/em> As a pedestrian, be aware and very careful on Moroccan roads, especially in the big cities. Somehow, the mayhem just works, and after a few days you’ll get the hang of it and begin to navigate these streets more confidently. But do stay switched on at all times. If at any point you’re unsure of how to cross a particular road…follow the locals (sensibly). They do it with such ease that it makes you envious.<\/p>\n

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Morocco is a unique place, and it should definitely be on your bucket list of countries to visit. When you know how it works, it\u2019s just as safe as other places for a woman \u2013 but it\u2019s important to be a \u2018switched on\u2019 traveller there.<\/p>\n

I fell in love with Marrakech, the Ourika Valley in the Atlas Mountains<\/a> and Essaouira<\/a>, and can\u2019t wait to go back to explore other parts of this awesome country. I hope that if you\u2019re deciding whether or not to take a trip to Morocco, you go for it \u2013 and if you\u2019re already going, drop me a note at info@borrowedroads.com for more tips on how to travel safely in Morocco!<\/p>\n

Join A Getaway: <\/strong>Another great way to see Morocco in a safe and organized way is to join one of our Travel Girls Getaways<\/a>! View all of our trips, including Morocco, here<\/a><\/div>\n

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We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Morocco. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our <\/i><\/b>Contribute<\/i><\/b><\/a> page for guidelines and to submit your article.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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Pay Less, Travel More<\/h2>

Subscribe to get access to our FREE eBook with tips for saving money when you travel!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/span><\/h6>\n

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Our Top Places To Stay In Marrakech<\/em><\/h4>\n

Read our complete guide to all the neighborhoods and hotels in Marrakech<\/a><\/p>\n