Morocco
Phone Code
+212
Capital
Rabat
Population
37 Million
Native Name
المغرب
Region
Africa
Northern Africa
Timezone
Western European Summer Time
UTC+01:00
On This Page
Morocco is a North African country with Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, distinguished by its Arab, Berber, and European cultural influences. Located just 14km across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, Morocco serves as a gateway between Europe and Africa. A constitutional monarchy under King Mohammed VI (since 1999), Morocco is known for its four historic imperial cities and distinctive riads (traditional houses with interior gardens). Citizens of over 70 countries, including most of the EU, the US and the UK, enter visa-free for tourism.
Visa Requirements for Morocco
Morocco offers visa-free entry to citizens of over 70 countries for tourist stays up to 90 days, including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many others. This generous policy makes Morocco one of Africa's most accessible destinations for Western travelers. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay. No visa required for short tourism - simply receive entry stamp at airport or land border (many visitors arrive via ferry from Spain). Extensions beyond 90 days are possible through police offices but require proof of funds and accommodation. For nationalities requiring visas, applications must be made through Moroccan consulates before travel with invitation letter, hotel bookings, and proof of funds. Morocco is generally safe for tourists, with established tourism infrastructure and millions of European visitors annually.
Common Visa Types
Visa-Free Entry
For tourism or business for citizens of 70+ countries including US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, Japan.
Visa Extension
For tourists wishing to extend stay beyond initial 90 days.
Embassy Visa
For nationalities not eligible for visa-free entry, primarily African and some Asian countries.
Long-Term Residence Permit
For stays exceeding 90 days including retirees, workers, or students.
Important Travel Information
Morocco is one of the most visited countries in Africa and the closest North African destination from Europe — just 14 km across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. The country offers an extraordinary range of experiences: the imperial cities of Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, and Rabat with their medinas, souks, and palaces; the Sahara Desert with camel treks and luxury desert camps; the snow-capped Atlas Mountains for trekking and skiing; the Atlantic coast with surfing in Essaouira and Taghazout; and a cuisine celebrated worldwide. Morocco's tourism infrastructure is well-developed, with direct flights from most European cities.
Discover Morocco
Fez's medina became the world's largest car-free urban area not by modern planning choice but because its centuries-old street layout — narrow, winding passages built for pedestrians and pack animals long before the automobile existed — physically cannot accommodate vehicles. Goods still move through the medina by handcart and donkey, the same method used for over a thousand years, which is part of why the medina's tanneries, workshops and souks function today much as they did in the medieval period rather than as a museum recreation of it.
Ways to Experience This Destination
Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fna square and labyrinthine souks, the medieval medina of Fez (UNESCO, world's largest car-free urban area), the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Meknes's Moulay Ismail mausoleum, and Rabat's Kasbah of the Udayas and Hassan Tower. The medinas offer sensory immersion in Moroccan craft, cuisine, and daily life.
The Saharan ergs near Merzouga and M'Hamid offer camel treks, 4x4 excursions, and luxury desert camp experiences. Watching sunrise over Erg Chebbi's dunes is Morocco's most iconic moment. The Draa Valley, Todra Gorge, and Dades Valley provide dramatic landscapes on the route south from Marrakech.
The High Atlas offers trekking to North Africa's highest peak (Jebel Toubkal, 4,167 m), Berber village homestays, and the ski resort of Oukaimeden. The Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou features cedar forests and Barbary macaques. The Anti-Atlas offers remote desert trekking.
Essaouira's windy beach, Taghazout's surf breaks, Agadir's resort coastline, and the rugged coast between Sidi Ifni and Mirleft offer diverse coastal experiences. Morocco is Europe's closest world-class surf destination, with consistent Atlantic swells and affordable surf camps.
Tagine, couscous, pastilla, harira soup, mint tea, and fresh-baked msemen are staples of a cuisine that blends Berber, Arab, Mediterranean, and sub-Saharan traditions. Cooking classes in Marrakech and Fez, food tours through the medinas, and farm-to-table experiences in the countryside draw culinary travellers.
Money & Currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Currency code: MAD
Practical Money Tips
Moroccan Dirham (MAD) — a restricted currency
Morocco's official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), divided into 100 centimes. The dirham is a restricted currency: you generally cannot buy it outside Morocco, so plan to exchange on arrival. Banknotes circulate in 20, 50, 100, and 200 MAD denominations; coins in 1, 2, 5, and 10 MAD (plus smaller centime coins that are rarely used). The dirham is loosely pegged to a basket of euros and US dollars, so it remains relatively stable against both currencies.
ATMs are widely available
ATMs (called distributeurs or guichets automatiques) are plentiful in all Moroccan cities and most tourist towns. Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro/Cirrus are widely accepted. Major banks include Attijariwafa Bank, BMCE Bank of Africa, Banque Populaire, and CIH Bank. Withdrawals dispense dirham — typically up to 2,000–4,000 MAD per transaction. Airport ATMs are available at Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez, Agadir, and Tangier arrivals. Check with your home bank about foreign withdrawal fees before departure.
Cards accepted in tourist establishments
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, riads, upscale restaurants, major shops, supermarkets, and petrol stations across Morocco. Contactless payment is increasingly common in cities. However, cash remains essential in the souks, at street food stalls, in taxis, in small guesthouses, and throughout rural Morocco. American Express has limited acceptance. Carry enough cash for day-to-day spending in traditional markets and smaller towns.
An affordable destination with excellent value
Morocco offers excellent value for travellers. A sit-down meal at a local restaurant costs 30–80 MAD, a tagine at a tourist restaurant 60–120 MAD, a café au lait 10–15 MAD, and a fresh orange juice in the Jemaa el-Fna 5–10 MAD. Budget accommodation starts at 200–400 MAD/night; a mid-range riad in the medina 500–1,200 MAD. A 3-day Sahara tour runs 1,000–3,000 MAD per person depending on comfort level. Bargaining is expected in souks — start at 30–50% of the asking price.
Exchange euros, pounds, or dollars on arrival
Licensed bureaux de change are found in airports, city centres, and tourist areas. Banks also exchange foreign currency during business hours (typically Mon–Fri 8:15–15:45, with some closing for a midday break). Euros get the most favourable rates given Morocco's proximity to Europe, but US dollars and British pounds are equally easy to exchange. Hotels can exchange money but at worse rates. Avoid informal street changers — it is illegal and unnecessary given the abundance of legal exchange points.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Cities
Explore our city travel guides
Morocco — Embassies worldwide
Popular Destinations
Top destinations with verified missions
All Countries by Continent
Embassies in Morocco
These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.
Key origin countries
All countries by continent
Most Western nationalities don't — citizens of over 70 countries including the US, Canada, UK, EU states, Australia and Japan enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Other nationalities apply through a Moroccan consulate before travel.
A week covers Marrakech, a Sahara excursion from Merzouga or Zagora, and either Fez or the Atlas Mountains. Two weeks allows a fuller loop taking in Chefchaouen and the Atlantic coast as well.
Yes — fixed prices are rare in the souks and for taxis and tours. Starting at 30-50% of the asking price and negotiating from there is the norm and not considered rude; restaurants and larger stores have fixed prices.
Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.