Staying safe in Morocco: A guide for solo female travellers

Last Updated on January 17, 2026 by Lauren Allen

Staying safe in Morocco may seem impossible from the many horror stories you can read online, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. After spending two weeks exploring this amazing North African country, I discovered what solo female travel in Morocco is really like and fell in love. As a country bursting with beauty, amazing scenery, UNESCO World Heritage sites and unique charm, there truly is something for everybody.

Staying safe in Morocco is totally doable and although I can’t guarantee a hassle-free trip, these tips will ensure you are less likely to have any negative experiences allowing you to stay focused on the good.

Staying safe in Morocco as a solo female traveller:

What to wear

Although I am a strong believer that women should be able to wear as they please, I also believe in considering the cultures in the countries you visit. Morocco is a Muslim country and Moroccan women are expected to cover up. Out of respect for the locals while you are visiting their country, don’t stroll around in shorts and vest tops.

Being a foreigner means you are more likely to be stared at and receive unwanted attention despite your best efforts, that’s just the way it is in Morocco. However, if you cover up I can guarantee you won’t receive as much hassle as the girls walking past with everything on show. At the very least, you should cover your knees and shoulders.

Morocco is hot throughout most of the year and the heat gets almost unbearable during the summer months. To stay cool, opt for loose-fitting clothing such as culottes and midi-skirts. If you plan on wearing a top that does not cover your shoulders, accessorise with a scarf as a shawl.

Read more: Atlas Mountains | The ultimate day trip from Marrakech

DO go out alone, but stay on guard 24/7

Before arriving, I was warned that the key to staying safe in Morocco as a woman was to not go out alone. However, some people enjoy the freedom of exploring a new country alone, myself included. I wasn’t about to throw that all away.

On my first day in Marrakech, I eased myself into travelling to Morocco solo by spending the day with new friends. I soon realised that it wasn’t as “dangerous” as people had made me think. This meant I felt completely fine with heading out alone the next day. In my opinion, heading out to explore Morocco solo IS safe. You just need to be aware of what is going on around you 24/7 as you should in any country.

Horror stories I read online suggested not to go alone to Jemaa El-Fnaa after dark, but that is when the square comes alive and watching the chaos unravel as the sunsets is a must-do in Marrakech. Despite what I read, I felt very safe walking around the main square well into the night because I was constantly surrounded by other tourists.

Note: The key to staying safe in Morocco is to use your common sense. I stayed just a two-minute walk from Jemaa El-Fnaa and was always walking in extremely busy and very well-lit areas at night.

Read more: Solo travel pros and cons you NEED to consider

Use common sense

It goes without saying, but using common sense is especially important when travelling alone. Do not take up the offer to climb the sand dunes with the Moroccan man in the Sahara Desert, no matter how much he tries to persist (yes, this is something that I experienced).

Don’t walk down dark alleyways or secluded areas and don’t get yourself into seedy situations. When out alone at night, stay in areas that are busy and well-lit. Make sure at least one person knows where you will be and keep your phone on you in case you need to contact emergency services.

Tip: If you are arriving in a city late at night, arrange for a driver to pick you up through your hostel, hotel or riad. I did this on more than one occasion and I felt it was the safest option for a female travelling alone.

Read more: 10 reasons to travel solo at least once

Know when to say NO (or simply just ignore)

As awful as this sounds, sometimes you NEED to be rude in Morocco. As a tourist, you will receive hassle as the Moroccans attempt to get you into their shops. This goes for couples, men and people travelling in groups, not just solo females. However, replying with “no” is often enough to stop them from bothering you. Most of the time, you can politely decline, but sometimes you will need to be stern.

If you experience people asking too many questions or persisting, just ignore them and walk off. Often, the shop owners will attempt to draw you in by asking you where you are from. If you’re not interested in their goods, just walk on and pretend you don’t speak any of the languages. Usually, when they see you really are not interested they will back off.

Read more: Shopping in Morocco | 5 things that I regret not buying

Know your way around

If you look like a lost tourist, you will become a target for scammers and people wishing to extract money from you. To avoid that, you need to know your way around and how you’re getting from point A to point B.

If you don’t have an internet connection to use Google Maps, check your directions before leaving your accommodation. Most of the time, you will still be able to follow the route with no data. Otherwise, find your way around the old-fashioned way using a map (but only check it in places where you won’t get hassled).

If you get lost in Morocco, it will more than likely lead to a local offering to “help” you find your way to your destination. Aka: they will take you, but they will expect money. This happened to me on more than one occasion, but the winding medinas in Morocco can resemble a maze so I was grateful for the help.

The locals will most likely expect more money than their “help” is worth. I would advise other travellers to be firm under these circumstances. Give them what you think they deserve, but nothing more.

Tip: Several apps allow you to get directions while offline. Great for if you make a spontaneous decision to head somewhere different! Try HERE WeGo, which I personally have had a great experience using.

Read more: Essaouira day trip from Marrakech | 6 things to see and do

Know what you would do in an emergency or uncomfortable situation

I’m not going to sugarcoat the fact that things could go wrong. They can go wrong in any country, not just in Morocco. My top tip for staying safe in Morocco is to know what you would do in an emergency situation. Ensuring you know the number for the local emergency services in case anything does go wrong is important. It is also important to be self-aware. What would you do if you were followed or found yourself in an uncomfortable situation?

Make sure you use common sense in these situations. Sometimes it is best to keep quiet and get away. Other times, it might be beneficial to ask for help or confront the situation. Always trust what your gut is telling you. Don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself UNLESS you think it would bring you danger. Sometimes it pays to show you are not to be messed with.

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Act confident

Walk with purpose and confidence. The locals will be less likely to bother you if you look like a badass woman who knows what she’s doing. If someone approaches you offering directions, insist you know where you are going. Tell them you have been in the city a while and you know your way around. If you’re nervous about being in Morocco for the first time, faking confidence is a great way to stop people from hassling you.

Read more: 7 of the best day trips from Marrakech, Morocco

Think positive and have fun

Don’t head to Morocco convinced that something bad will happen. Yes there are horror stories online and yes, maybe your friend who visited 5 years ago had an awful experience, but things change. Although it’s important that we don’t invalidate people’s bad experiences, think about all the people (myself included) who have had a great time in Morocco. If you follow the tips shared in this post, staying safe in Morocco really won’t be difficult.

I see it a bit like online reviews. People are a lot more likely to leave a review if they are not happy with the product to warn people not to buy. It’s the same with travel. If someone has a bad experience in a country or city, they are likely to share the experience to warn others. Don’t let that scare you off visiting a country or city. Go and make your own decision… you may be pleasantly surprised.

Read more: The ultimate guide to visiting Fez, Morocco

Have you got any tips for staying safe in Morocco as a solo female traveller? Please share them below!

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