Is It Safe to Travel to Morocco in 2026? Advice from Marrakech

We are a Marrakech-based team and look after guests in the city and the Agafay desert every day. This is the practical advice we give our own guests.

Emergency numbers in Morocco

Marrakech also has a tourist police unit (Brigade Touristique) at Jemaa el-Fnaa. Save your riad’s address and phone number before you go out.

Common Marrakech scams and how to avoid them

• “That road is closed.” Someone tells you a street or the square is closed and offers to show you another way. It usually ends in a shop or a request for money. Say no thanks and keep walking.
• Unofficial guides. Only use licensed guides with an official badge, booked through your riad or an agency. Our guide to hiring a private guide explains what to pay.
• Henna and photos. On Jemaa el-Fnaa, henna artists may start on your hand before you have agreed, and performers with snakes or monkeys expect money for photos. Agree a price first, or politely say no.
• Taxi fares. Petit taxis in the city should use the meter. If the driver won’t, agree the fare before you get in.
• Directions for a tip. People may offer to walk you back to your riad and then ask for money. Use an offline map and your riad’s directions instead.

Getting around safely

Petit taxis are cheap and fine for short trips inside Marrakech. For the airport, late nights and the desert, pre-booked transport is easier: you know the price in advance and the driver knows where you are going. There are no taxis waiting at the Agafay camps, so always arrange your ride back before you leave the city. Our Agafay taxi guide explains fares and how to negotiate.

Advice for women travelling alone

Many women travel solo in Morocco without serious problems, but unwanted comments in the medina are common. A few things help:

• Clothes that cover shoulders and knees attract less attention in the medina and in villages.
• Walk with purpose, ignore comments, and don’t feel you have to reply or explain.
• Use pre-booked transport after dark, and choose a riad with good reviews from solo women.
• If someone won’t leave you alone, step into a shop or café, or ask a police officer for help.

Food, water and health

• Most visitors drink bottled water, which is cheap and sold everywhere.
• Street food is part of the experience: choose busy stalls where the food is cooked in front of you.
• Pharmacies are easy to find, and pharmacists can help with minor problems.
• From June to September, heat is the main risk: drink often, wear a hat and avoid long walks at midday.
• Take travel insurance that covers medical care.

Is the Agafay desert safe?

Yes. Agafay is about 45 minutes from Marrakech and well visited, with established camps that have staff, food and shade. The main risks are the sun, the heat and dehydration, plus the occasional fall from a quad bike or a camel. Wear closed shoes, follow the instructions on quads and camels, and bring a warm layer, because evenings cool down fast. Agree your transport back before you set off.

Before you go

• Read your government’s current travel advice for Morocco, for example from the UK Foreign Office, France Diplomatie or the US State Department.
• Keep a photo of your passport on your phone, and leave the original in your accommodation’s safe if there is one.
• Carry some cash in small notes: many small shops and taxis do not take cards.
• Save your accommodation’s address and phone number, and download an offline map of the medina.

Frequently asked questions