Morocco for Beginners: What Nobody Tells You Before You Go

You've seen the photos. The orange dunes of the Sahara. The blue streets of Chefchaouen. The endless geometric tile work. You've saved the posts, done the research, and decided you're going.

Good. Now here's everything the Instagram grid left out.

I regularly take my groups to Morocco, and no matter how well-traveled someone is, this country has a way of surprising everyone in the first hour.

Here's what to actually expect:

We both just flew in, but I’m willing to bet the bird doesn’t have jet lag.

The Airports are Their Own Adventure

If this is your first international trip, the airports will be the thing you're most nervous about. That's completely normal. What helps is giving yourself more time than you think you’ll need. Long layovers feel annoying to book but are a gift when you're actually in them.

Also worth knowing: if you're flying through London, Gatwick and Heathrow are not the same airport. There is a 45-60 minute drive between them. Check your airports before you book your connections. Sadly, a recent traveler of mine learned this the hard way.

And, be prepared for thorough immigration questioning. Make sure to have your hotel details and exit flight information readily available. Out of all the destinations I’ve been to, Morocco is the place where the agents will ask you where you’re staying and for how long.

So…you come to the desert often?

Tampons are Not Guaranteed

Not everywhere sells them. Some places only have pads and not the kind you're used to. We’re talking the old school puffy diaper kind. And trust me: this is not a situation you want to problem-solve in the middle of the desert. Pack more tampons than you think you need and stash them in your day bag.

For that matter, pack toilet paper too. It is not typically available in public restrooms. And if it is, you may be required to tip for it. Save yourself the hassle and bring your own.

One of the best parts of the trip is picking out your desert wear. The locals are more than happy to help!

Learn One Word in Arabic

Moroccan people are extraordinarily warm, and they notice when you make even the smallest effort to meet them where they are. You don't need to speak Arabic. But learning one word, used genuinely, will get you responses that will be one of your favorite memories of the trip.

One of my recent travelers asked our guide to teach her the Arabic word for beautiful (which is “zwin”) before we hit the souks. She used it on every artisan she encountered for the rest of the trip. The smiles she got back were worth more than anything she purchased.

This soap-and-perfume shop smells as good as it looks.

The Shopping Will Get You—even if you’re “not a shopper”

You'll walk into a tile shop thinking you'll look around.

You're going to walk out with a fountain.

This is not a hypothetical. I have watched it happen. I have done it myself with a $2,000 marble mosaic in India on a trip where I told myself I wasn't buying anything.

The price sellers offer you will be about 25-50% higher than what you end up paying. Go in knowing that haggling is part of the process, have a number in mind, and don't be afraid to walk away.

But if you happen to walk out spending more than you wanted on a daily reminder of your once-in-a-lifetime trip, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

Chefchaouen: the “blue city” that truly defies definition

The Landscapes Will Blow Your Mind

Most people picture one thing when they think of Morocco: the Sahara. What they don't see is how wildly diverse the landscape is. In addition to sand, you'll also see the snow-covered peaks of the Atlas Mountains, fields of green so lush you'll forget where you are, and blue-painted streets with ancient medinas that feel completely separate from each other.

Morocco extends so far beyond the image we have in our heads. The true diversity of what you'll see is unforgettable.

Jamming with the musicians by the fire at Kam Kam Dunes in the Sahara

The Weather Will Surprise You

Here's the thing people get wrong about Morocco: they assume it's always blazing hot. Sometimes it is. But sometimes it absolutely is not. Yes, it gets very hot in the summer, and can exceed 100 degrees. But it also gets genuinely cold in the winter, requiring at minimum a sweatshirt or light jacket.

I once sent all my warm-weather clothes home before a Morocco trip, lost my only jacket in the airport, and proceeded to freeze for the first half of the trip during what turned out to be the coldest weather Morocco had seen in years. Pack layers. Check the actual forecast. Basically, don't be me.

Nope, not having any fun. At all.

You Don't Have to Be Fearless

Morocco is a culture shock for everyone, even for people who've traveled extensively. It's loud, it's overwhelming, it moves fast, and it doesn't slow down for you to catch up.

It’s also one of the most transformative places I have ever been, for myself and for every single person I've ever taken there.

You don't need to be a seasoned traveler. You don't need to have done this before. You just need to show up.

Ready to see it for yourself? Check out upcoming group trips to Morocco and more below.👇🏻