Is Morocco Safe for Female Travellers?

This is the question I am asked most often by women thinking about travelling to Morocco. And the short answer is yes!

Morocco often gets a bad rap when it comes to safety for women. Sometimes this is based on experiences from decades ago. Sometimes assumptions are made by women who have never set foot in Morocco, but who think of it as the same as other Muslim countries with strict cultural regimes. As a woman who has spent a lot of time in Morocco over the last few years, both escorting small groups and exploring on my own, I consider Morocco to be safe for female travellers. But like any unfamiliar destination, it helps to have an understanding of the culture, and what to expect.

The Historical Context

In the 1970s, '80s and into the 1990s, independent travel in Morocco was very different. Tourism infrastructure was limited outside the main cities. There were few hotels, fewer riads, roads in rural areas were often poor, and English-speaking guides were hard to find.

Solo female travellers during this time were still fairly unusual, and cultural expectations around women travelling alone were also very different. In a traditionally conservative society, solo female travellers were often viewed with curiosity. Women's experiences ranged from genuine hospitality to persistent invitations, unwanted attention and harassment. While serious crime against tourists was (and is) uncommon, navigating the cultural differences was not without its challenges, particularly for women.

Morocco today

Fast forward to today, and Morocco is a very different country. Tourism plays a major role in the Moroccan economy, with 20 million tourists in 2025, making Morocco the most visited country in Africa. Moroccans are now well-used to international visitors, from all over the world. And one of the biggest changes is the increasing number of solo female travellers: a woman travelling alone is no longer unusual. Social attitudes in Morocco are evolving too. Although Morocco remains a culturally conservative country by Western standards, the role of women in Moroccan society is slowly changing, and with it, Moroccan attitudes to women, particularly in the cities.

My personal experience of being on my own in Morocco has been one hundred per cent positive. But I acknowledge that women continue to report unwanted attention and unsolicited comments when walking on their own. So how should you deal with this?

Top Safety Tips for Women in Morocco

Dress modestly

This is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce unwanted attention. You don't need to be covered up from head to toe, but loose clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is both respectful and practical. Think lightweight trousers, loose long-sleeved tops, and maxi skirts or dresses. Leave the shorts and crop-tops at home. A scarf or shawl is a quick and easy way to cover up.

Learn a few words of Arabic

"La shokran" ('no thank you' in Arabic) works wonders. Say it confidently and keep walking. You can also say 'la mabreetch' ('I don't like it' in Moroccan Arabic).

Avoid being out in the medina on your own late at night

Most women travelling in an unfamiliar location know not to go wandering around in dimly lit streets on their own at night. The same goes for Morocco. If you're out late and need to get back to your medina riad on your own, many riads and restaurants have a porter service - for a small fee, a porter will escort you back to your accommodation.

Watch out for scams, more than violent crime

Of course there are scams, as there are in any tourist destination, aimed at both men and women. The most common of these include locals posing as guides and random people on the street sending you in the wrong direction so they can help you back to where you want to go (for a fee) or telling you a street or local attraction is closed and offering to take you somewhere else (for a fee or commission).

My advice is to avoid engaging with random strangers on the street. If you want a guide, make sure he or she is licensed. If you are on a tour, the guide will be arranged for you. If you are on your own, your accommodation will be able to arrange a guide for you. And, even then, you should be very clear about where you want the guide to take you and what you want to do and see.

Use Google Maps or a similar service to help you navigate, but be aware that these apps can be tricky to follow in the depths of the medina where alleyways are narrow or covered. If you are lost and need help, ask in a restaurant or shop or find the tourist police, rather than approaching a passing local on the street.

Is Crime a concern?

Crime is not a major concern in Morocco, and violent crime is fairly unusual and rarely involves tourists. Morocco has a dedicated tourist police force, with a strong presence in the main medinas. CCTV is very common in urban centres and most accommodation has security cameras, both at the entrance and inside. The front doors to riads are generally kept locked, with staff opening the door only on demand. All of these operate as deterrents to opportunistic crime.

Having said that, pickpocketing and bag or phone snatching can happen, particularly on public transport and in busy markets. I recommend leaving expensive jewellery at home and keeping money and other valuables out of sight. Cross body bags with internal zipped pockets are a much better place to keep your wallet and phone than leaving them hanging out of a jacket pocket.

Why a Small Group Tour Changes Everything

If you would like to visit Morocco but still feel unsure, a small group tour could be the perfect solution. You will not be on your own (unless you want to take time for yourself). We are well taken care of by my local drivers and guides, I know the accommodation we stay in and you will be with a small group of like-minded women. Instead of medinas feeling overwhelming, they become a safe and fascinating adventure. The souks that might seem intimidating are fun. And the safety concerns that you were worrying about disappear.

Many of the solo women who join my tours have never travelled to Africa before. Some have never travelled solo. All have felt safe and well looked after on the tour.

Morocco is not always an easy destination. It can be intense, noisy, chaotic and sometimes challenging. But it is also warm, welcoming, intriguing and hugely rewarding. For women willing to embrace cultural differences with an open mind and a sense of adventure, Morocco is an unforgettable - and safe - travel experience.

If you'd like to explore Morocco with a small group of women in a fully supported, fun and safe environment, take a look at my upcoming tours. I'd love you to join me.