It is the question almost every visitor asks before a first trip. The short answer: yes, Morocco is a safe destination for tourists, as long as you know a few rules that locals follow without thinking. Here is what you need to know, from someone who lives in Morocco, with the official sources to check before you go.
A country that looks after its visitors
What many tourists don't realise: in Morocco, the state takes the way visitors are treated very seriously. Tourism is one of the country's major sources of income, and Morocco welcomed close to 20 million visitors in 2025, a record (TelQuel). One bad experience going viral on social media or in the press can damage the country's international image, and the authorities know it. Hence the visible police presence in tourist areas and a genuine responsiveness when a visitor reports a problem.
Day to day, the vast majority of Moroccans are hospitable and kind to visitors. That is no reason to drop your guard, but it changes the mindset you can travel with.
The real risks for tourists
In tourist cities, the main risk is not violence but:
- scams: fake guides who ask for money, the "closed road" that steers you into a shop, a photo with a monkey or snake charged afterwards;
- opportunistic theft: the French government's Morocco travel advice notably mentions bags and phones snatched by thieves on scooters in big cities, and advises avoiding deserted places in the evening;
- verbal harassment, especially for women travelling alone: annoying, but usually harmless.
The rule that avoids most trouble: stay where there are people, turn down unsolicited help and carry only the cash you need for the day. For Marrakech specifically, see our guide is Marrakech safe at night?
A word of vocabulary: in the city, a place locals call a "douar" usually means an informal settlement, with nothing to offer visitors, especially at night. In the countryside it is simply the word for a village, and you will see it in the address of many guesthouses: nothing to worry about.
The "tourist price" trap
This is the most common scam, and often the least visible: many European visitors judge a price against what it would cost at home. But Moroccan purchasing power is nowhere near European levels. To give you an idea, a baguette in a modern bakery costs between 1 and 2 DH, about €0.10 to €0.20.
A real example: a friend visiting from France paid 50 DH to have his car watched overnight in Marrakech by a street attendant, often unofficial, when a local would pay around 20 DH at most. To him it felt cheap; to us it was more than double.
Traffic and arguments
The most concrete danger for a pedestrian has nothing to do with crime: it is traffic. In busy cities, many scooters ride fast and brush past people, even in medina lanes. Keep your distance, look both ways before crossing and step against the wall when a scooter comes through.
And if a driver, a rider or a passer-by loses their temper, stay very calm and don't answer back: an argument can escalate quickly, especially with people who are already under strain. For getting around, see our guide to taxis in Morocco.
Don't be afraid to complain
A tourist who has a bad experience in Morocco should not hesitate to say so:
- Something serious (theft, assault, a dispute that escalates): go to the police without hesitation. In my experience they are often even more present and responsive with a tourist than with a local.
- A service that isn't what was agreed (room, meal, tour, inflated price): complain calmly to the manager. Hotels, riads and restaurants care a lot about their foreign guests and their online reviews, and will usually look for a solution.
- In every case, keep evidence: receipts, photos, booking screenshots, the taxi number.
Emergency numbers and official advice
- Police: 190
- Fire and ambulance: 150
- Royal Gendarmerie (outside cities): 177
Numbers as listed in the UK government's travel advice for Morocco. Before you go, read your own government's advice too: the big tourist cities such as Marrakech are not among the areas the French government advises against, but recommendations can change.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morocco safe for tourists?
Yes, in the tourist cities and regions. The main risk is scams or opportunistic theft, not violence. Check your government's travel advice before you go.
What should I do if I am scammed or robbed in Morocco?
For theft or assault, go to the police (190). For a service that isn't what was agreed, complain calmly to the manager, with evidence: receipts, photos, your booking.
Why do prices seem low in Morocco?
Because local purchasing power is far lower than in Europe: a baguette costs 1 to 2 DH. A price that looks low to a European can still be well above the local price.
What is the police number in Morocco?
190 for the police, 150 for fire and ambulance, and 177 for the Royal Gendarmerie outside cities.
This article reflects the experience of someone who lives in Morocco and the official advice available at the time of writing. Things can change: check your own government's travel advice before you go.