Morocco
Africa's gateway to Europe - medinas, mountains, desert and Atlantic surf
Key Scores
Why people move to Morocco
North African Arab-Berber kingdom on the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Islamic culture with strong French/Spanish colonial layers and Berber bedrock.
People, religion & languages
Moderate in tourism/business; French much more useful.
Sunni Muslim majority; the king holds religious title (Commander of the Faithful).
Visible - call to prayer, Ramadan publicly observed, modest dress preferred.
Culture & etiquette
What locals value and what to watch for
- Accept mint tea - refusing offends
- Use right hand for eating and giving
- Dress modestly especially outside Marrakech tourist zones
- Bargain at souks - it's expected
- Public alcohol (licensed venues only)
- PDAs
- Photographing locals without consent
- Criticism of the monarchy or Islam
Casablanca fast and modern; Fes and the south slow and traditional.
Welcoming; large French/European expat presence in Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier.
Holidays & food culture
Tagines, couscous, mint tea, preserved lemons - one of North Africa's great cuisines.
Lunch 13:00–15:00 (main meal), dinner 20:00–22:30.
Halal default; veg options widely available. Alcohol at licensed venues.
Work culture & business norms
Hidden Gems
Off the beaten path
Aït Benhaddou - UNESCO mud-brick kasbah that has starred in Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia
Dades Gorge - spectacular red canyon narrower than the Grand Canyon, almost no tourists
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun - Morocco's most sacred town, the only city non-Muslims were once banned from
Single person, before income tax