Morocco

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.