Morocco is a stunning country with a vibrant culture that will intrigue all of your senses. Unfortunately, it also is not known for its overall safety for solo female travelers. There are petty street crimes and scams like you will find anywhere, but there is also a different attitude towards women that can be intimidated. So let’s dive into the real question at hand: Is it safe to be a solo female traveler in Morocco?
Is Solo Female Travel in Morocco Safe?
The number one concern of any female traveling alone is of course safety. This may seem ridiculous, but you’re on your own in a foreign country where you don’t know the local customs or culture and likely don’t speak the language. Not to mention you might not look like a local, dress like a local, and you definitely don’t sound like a local.
Fortunately, throughout much of Morocco, they are used to tourists. You will find the country to be friendly and welcoming overall, but it is not without its challenges. There are a lot of places where you will run into street harassment, rude or inappropriate comments and gestures, people following you, etc. But don’t let that discourage you, as you are generally not in any physical danger.
Of course, not being in danger and enjoying a trip are two very different ballgames. Let’s take a look at how you can travel Morocco safely as a woman and enjoy your time there.
12 Tips for a Positive Experience & Safe Travel in Morocco
Here are 12 tips to help you safely travel Morocco as a woman, by yourself. Not only will you be able to minimize your risk but you can also encourage positive interactions.
1. Dress Appropriately
To stay under the radar and minimize the unwanted attention you may draw, dress somewhat modestly. As a 6 foot (~183 cm) tall blond, I don’t “blend in” well, but dressing appropriately and a bit more conservatively goes a long way. It is also simply a sign of respect for their culture.
How do you gage what is appropriate? Take a look around at what the local women wear. While you don’t need to wear the same clothing, take a hint from them. If they are all covering their shoulders, knees, or ankles, consider following suit. It will let you enjoy the destination with far less unwanted attention. There are also endless posts online about what to wear in Morocco.
2. Be Polite but Firm
Learn to say no thank you to anyone offering help or trying to sell you something you do not want. Be polite but firm. Do not let them cross any lines or boundaries. If you’ve told them to stop bothering you, following you, harassing you to buy something, etc. and they continue to do so, it’s time to be louder and more aggressive.
3. Do Not Pull Out Your Map
If you are lost, don’t stand staring at a map on the street. Nothing signifies, I’m a tourist and don’t know where I am or what I’m doing quite like staring at a map. Duck in somewhere and ask a shopkeeper, hotel staff, etc. or open your map once you are inside to gather your bearings away from the public eye.
4. Decline Help from Suspicious People
On the street many people will offer help but may or may not be genuine. There are many scams to be aware of, and many of these occur from people who offer unsolicited “help”. If you need help, find someone to answer your questions that seems trustworthy.
5. Trust Other Women
If you have questions ask a woman. Whether you need directions, are looking for advice on how much something should cost, or whatever it may be, they are often willing and able to help and are far less intimidating. If there are no women around, ask a shopkeeper. They will also be helpful and cannot then follow you as they have a shop to attend to.
6. Find Your Exit for Uncomfortable Situations
You know how some people (military mostly) want to be able to see the exit of a room and know how to get out quickly if needed? It’s a skill travelers need too. Learn how to bow out of unwanted situations gracefully rather than letting them escalate. If you’ve been a solo female traveler before, you’ve probably already nailed this. If not, no worries as everyone starts somewhere. When in doubt reach out to other women or tourists to get out of a questionable scenario.
7. Make Friends Along the Way
There is safety in numbers, and it can be a pleasure to share experiences with others. Staying at a hostel is a great way to make friends to explore with. You can also join a tour, like a free walking tour, to meet other travelers. In addition to comfort and safety, you may create lifelong friends or shared memories.
If you’re a solo female traveler because you like your me time, are an extreme introvert, or simply haven’t been able to meet other travelers, you can get some similar benefits by even walking close to other tourists – particularly if it is a family or foreign men. The local men are less likely to harass you if you by any chance are walking with another man. Annoying, I know, but it can be useful!
8. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
There are always a lot of things to take in, but don’t forget to notice the people. If someone has been following you through the Medina or keeping pace with you, it’s important to know. If you’ve wandered off the main path and find yourself suddenly alone – turn back!
9. Have Confidence
Walk like you know where you’re going – even if you don’t. Act like you know the price something should be as you haggle over an item in the souks or the price of a taxi. There’s a reason that people say fake it ’til you make it! Often people are often looking for the easiest target to take advantage of. Don’t be that person. You can do it. You’re strong.
10. Use Extra Caution at Night
Don’t wander the streets alone at night, particularly in the Medinas where you may get lost or end up in a dark alley alone. Many of the cities in Morocco have a completely different look and feel after dark. Try to stick with other travelers if you wish to go out at night – particularly as things settle down after the dinner rush.
One thing to note is that many of the street vendors sleep under their stalls at night. This can be extremely shocking if you find yourself walking through the Medina in the middle of the night. There will be a lot of movement and sounds on the “empty” roads.
11. Have Tough Skin
Unfortunately, no matter how hard you try to avoid rude stares or inappropriate comments and gestures, you are likely to get some while traveling solo in Morocco. It’s just part of how it is. Try not to let it fluster you or take it personally. It says far more about the person doing it than about you.
12. Take a Breather When You Need It
Being always “on” is exhausting. If you need a break, take it. Spend some time relaxing at your beautiful riad, in a coffee shop, or on a bench in a tourist attraction, like a garden. It’s good for your mental and physical well being.
These safety tips for solo female travel in Morocco are not to scare you. They are simply a way to help make your trip memorable in the best of ways and minimize risk. Even without these tips, it is quite likely your trip will go off without a hitch, but why take a chance? Anything you can do to hedge your bets will make your trip all the more enjoyable.
My Overall Impressions Traveling Morocco as a Solo Female
I found people in Morocco to be very lovely. From helping me find the right bus to getting out at the correct train station or even walking me to my hostel at night. That being said, there are also many people trying to make an extra Dirham (money) where they can, so use a little common sense. If it doesn’t feel right, get out of there. Always trust your gut instinct.
First Impressions: Traveling with Family vs. Solo Female Travel in Morocco
I had the good fortune of arriving in Marrakech, Morocco with my family at the end of a family trip. Having just been in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt the month prior with a female friend, I was amazed to find it very tame by comparison. It was much easier and safer for solo female travel in Morocco than in Jordan or Egypt. Not that that is a great bar to really judge it by…
Traveling with my parents and 32 year old sister, everyone we met was highly delightful and respectful. It was actually fascinating as many times people would talk directly to my father rather than one of us. This seemed to be true in the souks, at the restaurants, and really all throughout the Medina.
The true test came in how the attitude changed towards me once my family left, and I continued on as a solo female traveler. I had big plans to explore Marrakech, the Sahara Desert, Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Fez using mostly public trains and buses. So what did I find??
Drum roll please…
Experiencing Solo Female Travel in Morocco
When traveling alone, people were mostly just as pleasant as when I was with my family! Surprised? I don’t think you need to be. It was actually quite common for people to approach me to help out. Of course, as always, you have to keep your guard up some – much more so than when traveling with say, my family.
The only truly negative experience I had was when a man got in my face and yelled “puta” for no reason. However, the number of positive interactions by far outweighed the negative. Especially when you consider that over ~2-3 weeks, I had only one negative experience.
3 Incredible Positive Experiences
You’ll be sure to encounter some delightful people and memorable experiences while in Morocco. To help drive the point home, here are three examples of my positive experiences throughout Morocco and how locals and travelers alike went above and beyond.
1. Escorted through the Fez Medina at Night
Due to a bus I needed being sold out, I took a roundabout way to get to Fez and arrived at ~2am. A man on my bus who knew the way through the Medina offered to walk me to my hostel. When weighing the odds of trusting him or everyone else in the dark alleys of the Medina… he won out, and safely guided me to where I was going.
2. Nighttime Snacks Delivered
When at a small town bus station at night, I chose to stay on the bus rather than pursue snacks in the bus station. One of my seatmates actually brought me food and drink because “They noticed I hadn’t gotten off the bus”. And they wouldn’t even let me repay them for it. It was prepackaged snacks and sealed drink – so nothing to worry about there!
3. Comradery at the Bus Station
When waiting for a bus at the hectic and overcrowded bus stations, one of the men who worked in the station asked where I was going, and would then frequently stop by to update me on the arrival of my bus. He assured me that he would tell me when my bus arrived, and indeed he did. This was a great kindness as the bus stations are pure mayhem!
Of course there are also awkward experiences. Such as those who tell you they love you or that you are their angel. But, most of the time I encountered truly genuine people who wanted to help me get where I was going with hopes of me remembering Morocco fondly.
First Time Traveling Alone?
I personally would not hesitate to travel Morocco alone again, but if you’re a brand new solo female traveler, I’d ease in a bit to solo travel to build confidence before tackling Morocco. This is simply because it can be overwhelming with the maze like Medinas, bargaining as a norm, and the sensory overload.
You’ll also gain more “street smarts” and learn about your own travel style before tackling a country that could be more intimidating.
In any case, Morocco offers unique experiences and a vibrant culture perfect for any traveler – even the solo female traveler. So take a chance and stay safe. Good luck!
Looking for more information on Morocco?
Check out my other Morocco posts on the Sahara Desert, Chefchaouen (my favorite), Marrakech and more!
- What to Wear in Morocco as a Female Traveler
- An Introduction to Marrakech
- Top 5 Things to Do in Marrakech
- 3 Day Excursion from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert
- How to Spend One Day in Tangier
- The Ultimate Guide for Exploring Chefchaouen: The Famous Blue City of Morocco
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