Moroccan people are kind, humble and hospitable. At Runway Trip, we work with a very select group of people who have been proven to make our tours a memorable experience every time.
Even though most Moroccan people are religious, they are also very easy going and tolerant. However, it’s important to understand their religious beliefs so as not to offend the older more conservative section of society. As a rule, we recommend that you avoid kissing in public, wearing revealing clothes, making sure you cover your arms and legs when in a religious building, and avoid eating or drinking in the street during Ramadan.
Clothing
People in rural areas of Morocco would expect you to cover up your legs, shoulders, and arms when you’re out and about at local cultural attractions. Although most young women don’t wear a veil, they often wear headscarves and dress modestly i.e., covered from wrist to ankle. Men can wear sleeveless T-shirts and knee length shorts. We think that it’s a good idea to try to follow the dress etiquette and generally follow what the locals wear to avoid causing any offence.
Eating and drinking
Traditionally when eating in Morocco, locals will use their right hand rather than a knife and fork. They will use bread to scoop up food and when eating from a communal plate, they will take the food that is closest to them. If you are invited into someone’s home for dinner, you would remove your shoes and take a gift of sweet pastries or tea. When eating in a restaurant, it’s worth noting that you would generally tip waiters between 5 and 15% of the total bill.
Mosques
If you are not Muslim, you will not be allowed to enter a mosque. Although it can be disappointing when travelling abroad, it’s important that you do not try and enter and when doors are open, please be mindful of not peering in too obviously. There are a few exceptions – for example the partially restored Almohad Tin Mal structure in the High Atlas, the disused Great Mosque at Smara, the courtyard of the sancturary-mosque of Moulay Ismail in Mekmes and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Non-Muslims must understand that it’s essential you don’t approach a shrine, tomb, or graveyards too closely as these are sacred sites.
Female travellers
Being a female traveller in Morocco can be challenging and so we would always recommend that if you’re a lone traveller, you join an organised tour. It is very different to Western countries with more defined differences between the genders and less freedoms for women. In smaller towns and villages, women still wear a veil and would not drink or smoke in a public establishment. Among the youth, this is slowly changing but we would still recommend you act with caution so as not to offend. If you are a lone female traveller, you could find it challenging having unwanted attention and so it would be safer to travel as part of one of our tours or experience days.
It’s worth noting that homosexual acts are still illegal under Moroccan law so you must be mindful of this if you are travelling with a same-sex partner.
Group travel
When travelling in a group you not only have the comfort of other people, but tour guides who can mitigate any risks by ensuring that you dress and behave appropriately according to where you are visiting.
For more information on how to act or behave when out and about in Morocco, our tour guides are on hand to offer advice and help whenever you need it.
