Practical Travel Guide
The unglamorous details that make a trip run smoothly — sorted so you can find what you need fast.
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Visa
Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. Requirements do change, so check your country's current rules with the Moroccan consulate or your foreign ministry before you travel.
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Money & currency
The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), a closed currency — you generally can't buy it before arrival and shouldn't leave with large amounts. ATMs are widely available in the Medina and Gueliz. Cash is still preferred in the souks; cards are increasingly accepted in hotels, riads and larger restaurants.
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SIM cards & data
Prepaid tourist SIMs from Maroc Telecom, Orange or Inwi are sold at the airport and in Gueliz, and are inexpensive. eSIMs are also an option if your phone supports them, worth setting up before you fly.
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Safety
Marrakech is generally safe for visitors, including solo travellers, with petty theft and overcharging the most common issues rather than violent crime. Usual city precautions apply: agree taxi fares (or insist on the meter) before you set off, be firm but polite with unsolicited "guides" in the Medina, and keep valuables out of sight in crowded areas like Jemaa el-Fna.
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Getting around the city
The Medina is walkable and cars can't reach most riads directly. Petit taxis (small, metered or negotiated) cover the rest of the city cheaply — always agree the fare before getting in if the meter "isn't working." Ride-hailing apps operate in Marrakech and can be more predictable on price. A tram-style bus network covers Gueliz and the newer districts.
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Getting to Marrakech
Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is around 15 minutes from the Medina and well connected to European hubs, plus a growing number of direct long-haul routes. See our full guide to flights and the airport.
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Language
Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are the official languages; French is widely spoken as a result of the colonial-era administration and remains common in business and tourism. English is increasingly spoken in hotels, riads and tourist-facing shops, especially by younger staff.
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What to pack
Modest, breathable clothing works best for the Medina regardless of season — light layers in summer, warmer layers for winter evenings (see our weather guide), comfortable closed shoes, and a scarf that doubles as sun protection or hammam cover.