Avoid These Mistakes while planning your trip to Morocco

After reviewing hundreds of travellers’ Morocco itineraries and creating many custom-made itineraries, I made a list of the top five mistakes people make while travelling for their dream vacation in Morocco. Trust me, I lived in Morocco for 10 years, toured the country in every way possible, and made all these mistakes myself.

Let’s plan your Moroccan adventure wisely! 

1. MOROCCO IS HUGE

This one is the biggest mistake I see in many self-made itineraries!  Many travellers want to include everything in their seven-day trip. They forget that it takes a nine-hour direct drive to reach the Sahara desert or Chefchouen. So, if you have only one week in Morocco and don’t want to spend the trip on the road, choose only a few locations. 

📍 My advice: For the first trip, focus more on the Marrakech/Sahara desert and coastal towns such as Essaouira/Taghazout/Imsouane, etc., or the High Atlas mountains closer to Marrakech (if you like hiking). 

2. Be aware of RELIGION  and other customs

Morocco is a Muslim country, so keep in mind:

• Ramadan: Check the dates before booking flights, as travel during this holy month may differ.
• Prayer: The call to prayer (adhan) occurs five times daily and can be loud, especially near mosques. Expect it to start around 5 a.m. If you are a bad sleeper, read reviews before booking a hotel. 
• Public Displays of Affection: AVOID IT! Kissing in public is unacceptable. Hand-holding is fine, but be modest, especially in rural areas. 
• Photography: Avoid taking pictures of people without permission. Never photograph someone praying; it’s a sign of respect.
• In Morocco, women greet women by kissing both cheeks – they won’t kiss your cheek but will “kiss the air” (similar to Spain or France). Men will usually shake hands. With friends or acquaintances in Morocco, we also greet each other by kissing both cheeks – it doesn’t matter the gender.
• In Morocco, people consume alcohol (also locals), and there are many alcohol stores (close at 8pm). However, you cannot drink in public places or terraces. Even restaurants with terraces serve alcohol only inside. Read more in my article There is no alcohol in Morocco.
• Fridays in Morocco are a sacred weekly celebration time during which Moroccans gather for a big Friday prayer (known as Jumu’ah or Salat al-Jumu’ah) from 12 to around 1.30 p.m. After the prayer, everyone rushes to eat couscous, which is also traditionally made only on Fridays. So you will see many people (men) in the streets, often wearing white, with praying rugs in their hands. If you are driving after the prayer times, you might get stuck in the traffic, so plan accordingly.

Your Morocco trip begins here

10 years in Morocco. Boutique planning for curious travellers

3. SUMMERS CAN BE SOOO HOT 

Yep, I know most of you travellers have vacations in summertime. But the hottest season in Morocco is July and August when the temperature in Marrakech or the south can reach up to +50C. If you still want to come during these months, choose more beach towns or the Nord of Morocco. 

📍 My advice: Plan a trip to Morocco in October-May. Don’t forget that during school vacations, it’s a high tourism season in Morocco, so book everything in advance. 

4. SLOW TRAVELLING 

Morocco offers more than just sightseeing. While many travellers focus on must-see attractions, major cities, museums, and monuments, immersing yourself in Moroccan culture often involves more personal experiences. What truly sticks with us are the people we meet, the tagine we enjoy, and those spontaneous conversations with locals. 

📍 My advice:  Add some slow experiences to your trip, like meeting locals, taking a cooking class, hiring a local guide in the city or mountains, or spending a few hours wandering through souks and savoring a coffee. 

I always say: If your entire vacation in Morocco went 100% according to plan, you might have missed out on the true Moroccan experience.

5. SPONTANIOUSITY

Morocco is more than just sights. Beyond attractions, the real highlights are personal experiences—meeting locals, enjoying tagine, and spontaneous conversations. Places will be closed when they are supposed to be open, and late drivers or restaurants will forget your reservation. Don’t get frustrated; Morocco will teach you to relax and enjoy simple things more.