Is Marrakech Safe to Visit? 19 Local Safety Tips for 2024 

Is Marrakech safe to visit? Absolutely! I get this question a lot and honestly, it is very safe and way safer than other major cities, like Casablanca. 

The worst thing that you might experience in the Medina are aggressive vendors and scammers offering unsolicited advice. The scammers do this so that you think you’re lost and ask them for help. 

They will then either take you to a family shop to buy something or demand that you pay them for taking them to your final destination. 

Either way, just ignore these people and you should be fine. I live just three hours away from Marrakech and have been there dozens of times. 

I’ve never had a problem but as a solo female traveler, I would not walk around the Medina alone at night, at least not after 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm  

I just found it to be a little sketchy and did get hassled by some guys while I was walking back to my hotel. 

Nothing major but if you plan to go out at night then you may want to travel with a group, especially as a woman traveling alone. 

However, this post will answer all of your biggest questions about safety in Marrakech and give you local tips on how to stay safe in Marrakech right now. 

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Is Marrakech Safe To Visit for Tourists?

Is Marrakech safe to visit? Yes! Marrakech is very safe for tourists. Like I mentioned, the only time I felt mildly uncomfortable was when I was walking around the Medina alone at night. 

However, don’t take my word for it. The International SOS considers Morocco a low-risk country, just like Europe.

So, most professionals in the travel industry would agree that Marrakech is safe to visit. 

Just use the Marrakech safety tips I outline in this post and you will have an amazing time in the red city. 

Is Marrakech Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Yes, Marrakech is very safe for solo female travelers. I have traveled to Marrakech alone many times and have never had an issue. 

Just don’t walk around the Medina at night alone and be sure to dress a bit more conservatively and plan out what to pack for Marrakech accordingly.

As a woman traveling alone, you will get a lot of male attention. So, if you wear super revealing clothing then you will get even more unwanted male attention, which can get really annoying. 

TBH, the cat-calling and unwanted male attention isn’t as bad in Marrakech as in other cities.

But, to avoid it all together just make friends with people at your hostel in Marrakech and walk around with them during the day. Any time I walked around with a man, the attention immediately stopped. 

However, if you do get unwanted male attention, most of it is harmless. Just ignore it and keep walking. You can also wear headphones if you want to really ignore it.  

Although, this may not be the best idea in Marrakech since the Medina is packed with bikes, people, carts, donkeys, cats, motorbikes, and more. 

Yeah, it’s a place where you really want to be aware of your surroundings so that you stay out of the way of an on-coming motorbike. 

Overall though, Marrakech is safe, just like Morocco is safe for women.

Is Marrakech Safe for Families?

You’re in luck because Marrakech is safe for families. In fact, Moroccans adore children and you’ll probably have an even better time spending 2 days in Marrakech with kids then without. 

Not only do many Moroccans have big families since society here is very family-oriented, but children are sacred and many Moroccons will be very loving and caring towards them. 

Plus, kids just do a lot of really cute things accidentally and can help make things feel less awkward. 

The presence of kids also means that you probably won’t get hassled as much by scammers. 

So is Marrakech safe to visit if you are traveling with kids? I would say that it is!

Is It Safe to Drive in Marrakech?

Yes, it is safe to drive in Marrakech. But, there are a lot of accidents in the city. So, I personally would either walk, take a taxi, or use the bus to get around. 

Honestly, the Medina is very walkable, with many top attractions being well-located near one another. 

So, the only time you’ll really need to walk for, at most, 30 minutes is to get to New Town or to Jarden Majorelle. In both instances I would walk, take a bus, or hail a taxi.

The same goes for getting to the Medina from the airport. Just head to the designated taxi stand to the right of the exit at Arrivals and use that kiosk to book a taxi so that you don;t get overcharged. 

In general, if you rent a car in Morocco try to avoid driving in major cities like Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech. 

Just use a rental car to drive through the countryside where roads are less crowded and driving is much easier and safer. 

Local Tip: Please note that there are two types of taxis in Marrakech and Morocco, Grand Taxis and Petit Taxis. 

Petit Taxis are like regular taxis and will take you anywhere you need to go in the city. In contrast, Grand Taxis are group taxis that wait to depart for a specific location until you have at least four or five passengers. 

They are cheaper because everyone splits the cost of the fare. But, Grand Taxis go to a set location and will not just take you anywhere you want to go in the city. 

Is Public Transportation in Marrakech Safe?

Is Marrakech safe to visit when it comes to public transportation? Yes, public transportation in Marrakech is safe. I have felt unsafe or had a problem using the bus. 

Just keep an eye on your belongings when buses are filled with people. Pickpockets like to target tourists when buses are pack with people. 

Petti Taxis are also safe and generally come with seat belts that you can use while driving around town. I also found taxi drivers to be safe and didn’t feel like they were reckless drivers. 

Local Tip: Try to avoid using late buses when traveling in Marrakech.

Usually if you hop on the bus between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm, it is packed with people since everyone is trying to get home before the buses stop running. 

Is the Food in Marrakech Safe?

Is Marrakech safe to visit when it comes to food?

Yes, the food in Marrakech is very safe. TBH, I have never had any issues with food poisoning while living in Morocco and love couscous, harira, and tagine. I got violently ill in Bali and in Jordan but never Morocco.

Just avoid eating at the stalls in Jemaa el-Fnaa since I’ve  heard that the way they prepare food is not super hygienic and can make you sick. 

But, on the plus side, food is super affordable and you will usually pay 100 Dirham ($10.00) per person for a meal at a sit down restaurant and 200 Dirham ($20.00) per person for a meal at a really fancy restaurant. 

Again, just avoid eating at the food stalls/restaurant in Jemaa el-Fnaa since they can tell you water and bread are free and then try to charge you for it. They also may try to charge you for food you didn’t order. 

Additionally, restaurants in the square like to use two menus and show you a cheaper menu when you order. 

Then, when it’s time to pay, they switch to a more expensive menu to convince you that you are wrong and this is the real price. 

To avoid this, just take a pic of the menu with your phone when eating in the square. This way, you can prove to them that the price of your food was cheaper then what they are showing you. 

You can also just pay the initial price listed on the menu and then leave since the restaurant is running a scam and would get in trouble if they reported you to the police. 

Can You Drink the Tap Water in Marrakech?

Some people say yes, some people say no. I definitely used the tap water to brush my teeth and absolutely drank the tap water in Essaouira. 

I am sure at some point I have drank the water in Marrakech but can’t really remember for sure. I know my partner has drank the water since he went to college in Marrakech and has never had a problem. 

But, everyone is different. If you have a sensitive stomach or are super concerned then pack a water bottle with a filter or buy bottled water while traveling. After all, no one wants to spend their day in Marrakech vomiting into the toilet. 

Also remember that many people living here, like me, have gotten used to the water over a prolonged period of time.  So, while I may not have an issue drinking the tap water as a local, you might. 

How is the Healthcare System in Marrakech?

The healthcare system in Marrakech is not great since public hospitals offer low-quality service due to minimal government regulations. In contrast, private hospitals offer better care but are very expensive. 

I personally went to a doctor in Marrakech for some stitches that opened back up. I only paid 200 Dirham ($20.00) for the visit, but she didn’t really help me with the wound. 

I had to go back to another doctor in Turkey who stitched up the wound and took care of everything. 

So, if you can, avoid visiting doctors in Marrakech. If you do need a doctor since it is an emergency, visit a private hospital and make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance with a company like Safety Wing. 

Two hospitals that have a reputation for excellence in Marrakech are Clinique Internationale and Polyclinique du sud. Both are centrally located, modern, and have staff who speak English. 

Do I Need Travel Insurance in Marrakech?

Yes, you 100% need travel insurance in Marrakech. On the whole though, Marrakech is a safe city with a low violent crime rates. And if there are violent crimes in the city, tourists are rarely targeted. 

So, you can comfortably walk around the city and don’t have to worry about getting mugged or seriously injured. 

But, theft of personal items is much more common in the bustling souks of the Medina. Vigilance is key to preventing pick-pocketing in this congested part of the city. 

To ensure your valuables remain secure, it’s wise to leave them locked up in your hotel and carry only what you need for the day.

Moreover, taking additional precautions, like purchasing travel insurance from Safety Wing with theft coverage, can provide further peace of mind.

For day-to-day security, consider carrying money in a money belt, or investing in an anti-theft bag. I have one from PacSafe and I absolutely love it. 

Is Marrakech Safe at Night?

Yes, Marrakech at night is safe. I would avoid walking around the Medina after 10:00 pm since the Marrakech souks start to close. I would also not venture out into the suburbs or far outside the city center. 

On the whole, though, your risk of getting mugged or assaulted is pretty low. 

You also may want to steer clear of Gueliz and Hivernage since this is where many Marrakech nightclubs are located. But, in the early evening, these posh areas in Marrakech are pretty safe to walk around.

Therefore, the area is filled with prostitutes in the evening (very late) and fights regularly break out since everyone has been drinking. 

Is There Terrorism in Marrakech?

While terrorism is very rare in Marrakech, and Morocco as a whole, it does happen. In 2011, Argana Cafe in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square was bombed by terrorists and 17 people were killed. 

ISIS has also launched several other attacks in Morocco, focusing on tourists and foreigners. This includes a tragic incident in 2019 where two Scandinavian hikers were killed near Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains.

In response, the Moroccan authorities have significantly increased security measures nationwide. As a result, Marrakech is now more secure, allowing visitors to explore the vibrant streets with confidence and peace of mind.

Helpful Phrases in Moroccan Dialect

• Fin – “Fin” means “where” in English. So, you can ask “where is the toilet” by saying, “Fin al toilet afak?” You can also ask “where is the cafe” by saying “Fin al cafe afak?” 

• Afak – “Afak” means “please”. You can also use it with “heda” to say “heda afak”. It means “this please” in English is really useful if you want something.

• Shokran – It means “thank you” in English. If you only learn one word in Moroccan dialect let this be it. 

• Besh Hal or Sh Hal – “Besh hal” means “how much” in English. You can also say, “Besh hal heda” if you want to ask, “how much is this in English?”

• Smeetee – “Smeetee” means “my name is” in English. So, to say your name you would say, “Smeetee Kelly”. 

• Shno Smeetek – After saying your name, ask people what their name is. You cna do this by saying, “Shno Smeetek”. 

• Bislama – “Bislama” means “good-bye” in Moroccan dialect. 

• Sabah al Khayr – “Sabah al Khayr” means “good morning” in Moroccan dialect

• Le Bass – “Le Bass” means, “how are you” in Moroccan dialect. 

• “Wesh Kat-ahder bil inglizia”  – ““Wesh Kat-ahder bil inglizia” means, “do you speak English” in Moroccan dialect. 

How to Stay Safe in Marrakech: Safety Tips

1. Do Not Walk Around the Medina at Night (after 10:00 pm)

A couple of things happen when the Medina starts to shut down at around 10:00 pm. The streets start to empty out, the vendors start to close their shops, and some of the streets close to pedestrians. 

So, the path you used to get to the main square in the morning may not be open. Yeah, it can get really confusing. 

As a result, you may get lost in a dark, labyrinth of streets that are dimly lit and filled with very few people. 

Add in some unsavory characters and you just don’t want to be in the Medina after 10:00 pm, especially if you’re alone. 

So, if you are worried about safety in Marrakech then it is best to either take a taxi home or to walk back to your hotel/riad before 10:00 pm. 

2. Do Not Accept Help from Strangers in the Medina

If you’re wondering, “Is Marrakech safe to visit?” then this tip is for you. As you wander around the Medina, you are gonna get lost. 

It will inevitably happen and people in the Medina will immediately take advantage of this. They will seem nice as they try to help you get where you need to go. Seems great, right? Wrong!

The second you accept their help they will, at best, take you to a family shop and pressure you into buy somethings. At worst, they will get you to where you need to go and DEMAND an obscene amount of money. 

So, just ignore these people and use your GPS/offline map to get around. Maps.me is a great tool and you can download a map of the city before you arrive. 

3. Never Accept the Initial Fare Quoted By a Taxi Driver

I hate to say this but taxi drivers in Marrakech are total scammers. Ask them to take you from point A to point B and they will charge you some outrageous fee that is like 300 times higher than it should be.

They even tried to do this to my boyfriend and he’s Moroccan! So, what should you do? 

First, ask your hotel/riad what it should cost for a taxi to take you from point A to point B. 

Next, hail a taxi driver and ask the driver to use the meter. Also, pull up driving directions to your final destination and use them since many drivers like to use a longer route so that the fare is higher. 

If the driver refuses to use the meter, just mention the “police”. Nine times out of ten, the driver will instantly turn on the meter because the police do not tolerate this sort of thing and they will get into trouble. 

FAQs

Is Marrakech Safe for Americans?

Yes, Marrakech is very safe for Americans to visit. Morocco has historically had a great relationship with the United States and Americans are warmly welcomed to the country. 

I was also in the city during and after, the earthquake and can assure you that city is safe and that all of the local infrastructure is now secure and has been rebuilt. 

Is Marrakech Safe for LGBTQ+?

I am not part of the LGBTQ+ community and cannot speak from personal experience. But there is gay culture in Morocco, with Marrakech, Tangier, Casablanca, and Agadir all having LGBTQ+ friendly spots. 

However, being gay is illegal in Morocco and so members of the community should exercise caution. Do not kiss in public (the same goes for straight couples), but you can hug each other or put your arm around your partner since Moroccans do this regularly with friends of the same gender.  

Is It Safe to Walk Around Marrakech? 

Yes, it is safe to walk around Marrakech. I just wouldn’t walk around the Medina after 10:00 pm. 

Is It Safe to go to Marrakech Right Now?

Currently there are no government advisories against travel in Marrakech or Morocco. So, it is absolutely safe to travel to Morocco at this time. 

I hope this post has answered your question, “Is Marrakech Safe to Visit?” You can now plan your trip with peace of mind and enjoy your time in Marrakech and beyond. 

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