If you’re in search of a unique travel experience, Morocco holidays are thrilling and diverse – a destination that offers fabulous beaches, colourful souks and the magical lanes and archways of Marrakech to explore.
The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD) and they’re not available outside of the country, so you’ll need to take British pounds with you and exchange once you arrive. You can do this at the airport, but may get a better rate at your hotel or bureau de change. You can of course withdraw Moroccan currency directly from an ATM with credit cards, which are also accepted in large towns and cities, but often these have a surcharge. To give you a helping hand, here’s a guide to the currency and prices in Morocco that’ll give you a better idea on how much money to take to Morocco.
Morocco is generally considered a cheap holiday destination but it can vary wildly depending on where you’re staying and what kind of holiday you’re after, but on the whole, pretty much everything is inexpensive compared to what you’d pay at home – but let’s get into it.
Dining out in Morocco
Moroccan dining is a feast for the senses, with tajines being a must-try. These stew-like dishes contain a tempting mix of lamb or chicken, and vegetables, and it comes served in their earthenware dish with conical lid. You’ll also find fruits in the tajines such as sultanas and apricots, too. Other dishes include pastilla, a popular street food which consists of chicken or pigeon layered with lemon sauce in pastry.
Prices vary in Morocco greatly and in Marrakech you can expect to eat a three-course meal for around £16.50 per person, whereas in tourist-focussed Agadir, expect to pay about £10 per head. In Moroccan currency this will be about 210 MAD, and 127 MAD. Venues will differ within both areas too, for example if you’re opting for trying out the street food you’ll spend much less, typically around £5, while if you’re looking for the more formal restaurants, it’s likely to be on the higher end of the scale.
Morocco caters for a mixed tourist clientele so you can also expect to find a variety of international dishes, especially in seaside resorts of Agadir and Essaouira. In terms of desserts, meals are often finished with some fruit sweetened with cinnamon and sugar, accompanied by a refreshing mint tea.
The price of drinks
Morocco is a Muslim country, so alcohol is typically only available and served in the tourist focused restaurants and hotels – and, typically more expensive than other countries. There are three local brands of beer: Casablanca, Spéciale Flag and Stork, with Heineken a favourite import. Expect to pay around £2.30 for domestic beer in Agadir, with prices rising to £3.65 in cities such as Marrakech – converted to Moroccan currency this will be about 29 MAD and 46 MAD. It’s important to respect the traditions and regulations in any country you’re visiting, so there’s no alcohol consumption out in public, just stick to the bar where you’ve brought it, or within your hotel.
If you’re after a bottle of wine, supermarkets and liquor stores sell bottles for around £5-£7, with a decent restaurant charging between £6-£10. You will tend to find liquor stores are cheaper than restaurants for your alcohol.
Visitors generally drink bottled water in Morocco and again prices vary considerably depending on the location – and if buying from a street vendor, it’s worth checking to make sure the seal isn’t broken – prices vary from about 30p per bottle. If you’re after a soft drink such as a Coke or Pepsi you’ll pay around 50p for a small bottle, or if you’re after cappuccino or mint tea you’ll tend to pay between 40p to £1.60.
Out and about
Aside from watersports and sunbathing at the beach resorts, many of Morocco’s attractions are to be found in the bustling streets of Old Marrakech, known at the Red City because of its beaten-clay walls and ramparts. Haggle for a bargain in the souks surrounding Jemaa el-Fna, where you’ll find everything from leather goods to crafts and ceramics. They expect you to barter, so go in low and see what deals you can get. Rugs are a popular buy and you can probably get a good one for around £35 depending on your negotiating skills – but never pay the first price they ask for.
The Majorelle Gardens, also sometimes referred to as the Yves San Lauren Gardens as this was once his home, are another top attraction. These pretty gardens with their dramatic blue buildings, cacti and fabulous displays of exotic blooms are a delightful spot to escape the Marrakesh mayhem for an hour or two. Admission prices for tourists are around £12 for adult entry to the gardens and under 10s go free.
Bahia Palace, one of the most imposing buildings in Marrakesh, is also worth a look and costs around £5.00 to enter. However, as the palace is empty it’s advisable to pay a guide to explain the history of the building – this will cost you a bit more.
How much spending money should I take to Morocco?
How much money to take to Morocco will hugely depend on how lavish, or budget-friendly your holiday to Morocco is to be, but to generalise, you should probably aim to take around £40-£50 per person per day (£280-£300 per week) in Morocco. You can always head to the ATM if you need more cash for extra activities, plus, most places accept credit cards.
Tipping in Morocco
There is no hard-and-fast rule to tipping in Morocco and is very much up to your own discretion. It can be quite tricky to decide what to do as some people say you shouldn’t tip, as it can be seen as an insult, but some will say it’s more than okay – the general rule is to not tip large amounts. For example, out for a meal if you choose to leave a tip, 10% of the bill in a restaurant will be fine, if you’re visiting a spa you could consider leaving a tip of around 25 Dirhams (around £1), and if you choose to leave a tip at your accommodation, around 25 to 50 Dirhams would be appropriate.
Often when you’re heading out of the airport to your taxi or transfer, there will be locals that want to help you with your bags – if you agree to let them lend a hand, around 25 Dirhams is suitable here too.
When using taxis in Morocco be sure to check that the meter is running, as sometimes tourists can be taken advantage of, and then rounding up for the bill is quite common.
*Prices correct at the time blog was published and are subject to availability. Updated August 2024. T&C’s apply.
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