Trip to Morocco: 5 Tips to Travel to Morocco in 2023
Morocco is a country on the African continent, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Its neighboring countries are Spain, Mauritania, Western Sahara, and Algeria.
The official currency of Morocco since 1882 is the Moroccan dirham and its capital is Rabat. The most professed religion in this country is Islam, which has many believers and covers almost the entire population.
Morocco is a destination that stands out for its colors, its music, its traditions, and its incredible landscape of mountains and deserts. Some of its most distinguished cities are Fez and Casablanca, which you will find in several of our tours of this beautiful country.
Are you looking to get to know a different culture and be amazed by its traditions? Do you want to have a good time in the mountains or discover incredible deserts? Would you like to delight yourself with a gastronomy full of flavors or buy the most exclusive clothing?
Without a doubt, you will enjoy Morocco's cultural wealth and traditions. Below we leave you 5 tips to keep in mind if you are planning to visit this country.
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1. Best Time to Visit Morocco
The high season in Morocco is between April and November, so we recommend that you take these months into account if you want to enjoy long days and the heat of summer.
In case you prefer to visit the country when it is less crowded, you can consider the rest of the months since Morocco has a very privileged climate that will allow you to discover its main attractions throughout the year.
Also, you should consider its calendar is crossed by various religious ceremonies.
2. Prove the Traditional Moroccan Food and Drink
Morocco is an excellent destination if you love trying new flavors, as its influx of different cultures has provided this country with a culinary tradition full of exotic flavors and diverse combinations and preparations.
Even in the simplest dish in Morocco, you will find spices and textures that will make your taste buds fall in love. Some dishes that we recommend you try are:
- Zaalouk of aubergines, which is a very typical salad and very different from this land
- Tajine, a dish that owes its name to the container in which it is prepared, a clay pot with a lid, and which has different varieties.
- We recommend the Lamb Tajine with legumes, almonds, and plums, seasoned with cinnamon or saffron.
- And you cannot leave Morocco without trying its sweets, such as Ghazal, a jam that is usually eaten with green tea.
Something important to consider when you are a new traveler in Morocco is to always have mineral water by hand, wash all your fruits and vegetables with it, and even use it to wash your teeth. In the case of drinking tea, this won’t be a problem if the water is boiled.
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3. Dare to Bargain in Morocco
In Morocco, you will find souks and medinas where you can find a wide range of typical products from the country. These handcrafted objects range from clothing with brightly colored fabrics dyed using ancestral techniques, to intricately worked copper, ceramic, glass, and wood products.
Unlike other countries, where trying to get a discount is not viewed favorably, in Morocco there is a whole culture of haggling. The first price offered is usually excessively high, as it is expected to have to lower it.
Buying in this country is one of the most authentic experiences, since it involves long conversations with the seller and, usually, a mint tea, courtesy of the house, to accompany the negotiations.
So now you know, if you plan to go shopping, don't be ashamed, bring out all your persuasion skills!
4. How to Pay in Morocco?
If you are planning to visit Morocco, always try to have cash in your wallet. Believe me, you are going to thank me for this tip.
Although in some hotels you can pay by credit card, it is really common to use cash in this country.
Remember, the Dirham is the official currency there. In case your country doesn’t sell it, you can obtain this coin at the airport of Morocco. Normally one dollar would be equivalent to ten Moroccan Dirham, and you don’t need any documentation to buy the currencies.
One last thing to keep in mind here is that most people will help you in exchange for a little money.
5. Respect the Cultural Differences with Morocco
In Morocco, as it was said before, most of the homes are crossed by the rules that govern Islam, and this religion is found in its Constitution, so when planning your trip you must take into account some issues of culture.
To begin with, the Koran, a Muslim holy book, dictates that 5 prayers must be performed throughout the day, so if you witness someone's prayer time, keep in mind that it is something very special, so wait I'm done if you want to ask something.
Then, if you travel to Morocco during Ramadan, the traditional time of fasting, you should know that on these days activity is reduced to the maximum, and eating and drinking in public are not welcome.
In addition, in Morocco women must dress very discreetly and use a Hijab, an accessory that covers their heads, so we recommend you wear modest clothing to avoid conflicts.
Finally, in this country, the possession of any type of drug is penalized, and taking any type of substance with you could land you in jail.
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At Greca we present some of the proposals for tourist packages to Morocco, which you can modify and adapt according to your needs and times. There are travel packages for all tastes. Choose your own adventure according to your needs!