Is Morocco Safe For Female Travelers? Here’s What To Know Before You Go
Morocco has been one of the most majestic countries that I’ve visited to date, thanks to their unique desert ecosystems that contain gems like Ouzoud Falls, the High Atlas Mountains, and ancient earthen community Ait-Ben-Haddou. As someone who has explored 5 continents mostly through the eyes of a solo female traveler, safety is always on my mind. So before I ever touched down in the ever-shifting Moroccan sands last year, I had to wonder: is Morocco safe for female travelers?
Is Morocco Safe For Women To Travel?
This answer will be different for everyone based on their personal experience and gender, but in general, yes: Morocco is safe for female travelers when compared to other destinations around the world. I’ve experienced higher levels of unease and safety issues in places like the US, London, or Germany. Aside from the low levels discomfort that I felt as a westerner in Morocco (which all had to dow with people aggressively trying to sell me something or kids following me and asking for money) I felt safe in Morocco as a female traveler. We’ll get into the details of the dress code and laws here soon, but it’s important to note that female travelers should be firm with their “no” in Morocco.
When I felt Uncomfortable In Morocco As A Female
During your Morocco travels you’ll find that people will aggressively follow you, tag along, and try to pressure you into buying a trinket or tour, regardless of sex or gender. If you have a hard time setting boundaries and saying no to people, you can start to feel unsafe and incredibly uncomfortable. (I actually interviewed a somatic practitioner about people-pleasing and like, which is a great episode to listen to before visiting Morocco!) Even if it’s not natural for you, a firm “no” and walking away without haggling or looking back will be your greatest tool when it comes to feeling settled in everyday experiences in Morocco. Aside from that, the only other time I felt really uncomfortable was when kids were standing out in the middle of the road in Morocco, forcing us to bring our car abruptly to a stop before they hit the windows and asked for money, blocking the road in front of us. You can read more about that on my blog and how to prepare for it if you decide to rent a car and road trip in Morocco.
What Women Wear In Morocco
I’d like to note that I’m a white, non-binary person who can easily pass as a woman, and I’m sure that that’s what people perceived me as in Morocco. That’s the only experience that I can speak to; no two experiences are ever exactly the same, especially when it comes to global travel. Trans women and trans people in general experience higher levels of violence all over the world, so in this article I’m speaking outside of that experience.
Now on the to dress code. If you’re coming from a country where pretty much anything goes when it comes to clothing, the biggest change you’ll feel when you get to Morocco is women’s clothing and dress. In Morocco, many of the (who I perceive as) women wore a hijab, headscarf, or bushiyya, leaving their skin partially or fully covered. This was the case from the bustling cities to the quieter, more rural parts of the country that we passed through on our High Atlas Mountain road trip. But just because some women choose this dress doesn’t mean that it’s mandatory for all.
In Morocco, women are generally free to choose whether or not to cover up and wearing a hijab, headscarf, or anything else is not enforced by law. It’s considered a personal religious decision, so you’ll see various levels being displayed. For travelers, you get the general sense that females (and really anyone, for that matter) are expected to dress “moderately,” which means covering the shoulders and knees at least. Most of the Westerners that I passed wore pants and t-shirts, or dress and skirts that reached their knees.
While you won’t catch me in a dress or skirt, I mainly sported comfortable, light-weight pants that protected me from the sun but were breathable enough to adapt to our adventures that took us through various climates. Additionally, I left my cut-offs and crop tops at home and brought t-shirts and light long-sleeves that covered my chest instead. I never wear a bra in the US, and I rarely wore one in Morocco unless we were hiking or doing something active. If you’re like me and like to free the nips as a general rule, I suggest bringing along a lightweight bra just in case you’re feeling too uncomfortable with unwanted attention.
Can Women Wear Shorts In Morocco?
In Morocco I dressed more modestly and plainly that I would in the US or other place like Europe or South America, mainly because I wanted to enjoy my time without sticking out more than I already did. While I’m all for challenging social norms, sometimes you want to kick back and have an easier trip, so deciding what clothing to pack is entirely up to you.
While I never saw any Moroccan women in shorts, I did see a handful of tourists sporting them, but they were never cheeky. On the flip side, I saw a female tourist in Tangier rocking a low-cut, body-clinging dress and they seemed unbothered. I also saw a local woman dressed in a slim-fit business suit with a low cut top and high heels; no one seemed to be bothering her either.
What To Wear In Morocco As A Female Traveler
If I had to do my trip in Morocco over again, I would pack about exactly the same. In addition to basics (like socks and underwear), here are some things to consider packing:
- Lightweight, breathable pants (Great for sun protection, versatile enough for layering in colder climates and breathable in warm climates)
- Water-resistant light jacket (loose enough for layering underneath when the temperature drops, light enough to stuff in your backpack when the sun comes out)
- Sunglasses
- Scarf (Can be used as sun protection or to cover your shoulders – consider buying one locally at the market in Morocco)
- Reef-friendly sunscreen
Is Morocco Safe For Solo Female Travelers Overall?
In summary, there is no legal dress code in Morocco, so that’s left up for you to decide what you’re comfortable with. Outside of the stresses that I explained in this article, I was accompanied by my partner during my time in Morocco, so I didn’t have the full solo experience. With that being said, I did venture out multiple times alone: to shop in the maze of the Medina, grab a plant-based lunch, or even go on a run (which I did in a crop-top sports bra and athletic leggings). I surely got more glances when I was alone, but I never felt threatened.
If you’re looking for extra layers of comfort and protection, consider bringing a wedding ring with you (fake or real) to wear when you’re alone. One of my close friends who traveled Morocco said this brought her a sense of comfort and warded off some unwanted attention, though she did get a couple marriage proposals throughout her journey when her male friend wasn’t near.
Is Morocco Safe For LGBTQ+ Travelers?
When it comes to LGBTQ+ travel in Morocco it seems to be a mixed bag. On one hand I’ve read blogposts from queer travelers in Morocco who had a wonderful time (especially in more progressive cities like Tangier), and on the other hand queerness is penalized in the country. The Humane Dignity Trust states: “Same-sex sexual activity is prohibited under the Penal Code 1962, which criminalises ‘lewd or unnatural acts’. This provision carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine. Both men and women are criminalised under this law.” I recommend queer travelers do research and seek out blogposts from people whose identity is similar to their own before heading to Morocco.
Regardless of queer relations, any type of PDA is seriously frowned upon in Morocco, even for cisgender and heterosexual couples. There were a few times I went to grab my partners hand in public but had to remind myself that this behavior wasn’t acceptable. You’ll notice that this attitude extends into accommodations as well.
Unmarried non-Morrocan couples are allowed to share hotel rooms generally, but some hotels won’t allow this as a matter of personal discretion. Even if you’re not married, those you book accommodations through may assume that you are and it’s generally easier just to go along with it. Outside of these cultural and ideal differences, I found Morocco to be a welcoming place filled with warm people who were happy to invite you in, always with a cup of mint tea in hand.
