Are you looking for the answer to the question “Is Marrakech safe?” Our guide to Marrakech Safety will make sure your family has a memorable and stress-free trip.
Marrakech is a fascinating destination: a city of amazing sights, smells and culinary delights. We loved our trip there – there’s so much to see and do and it’s a real eye-opener for kids.
Is Marrakech safe to visit? Marrakech is generally considered a safe destination for families but, like a lot of places, you do need to take some precautions to ensure you have an enjoyable stay.
The Family Conscience contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick Marrakech Tips for Safety
Here are some quick Marrakech safety tips for family travel:
- Stay in one of the safer areas
- Be aware of scams
- Be cautious when taking photos
- Stick to well-lit and populated areas
- Be cautious about what and where you eat and drink
- Keep children close to you
- Respect local customs
- Use reputable tour guides and taxis
- Keep emergency contact numbers to hand
The Socio-Economic Situation in Morocco
Morocco’s economy is relatively stable compared to other North African countries. While unemployment is relatively high, Morocco attracts a reasonable income from agriculture and tourism. There are significant disparities between those living in rural communities and those who reside in towns and cities.
Where Marrakech is concerned, tourism is at the centre of the city’s economy, There has been fairly rapid urbanisation which puts some strain on the infrastructure, leading to issues such as traffic congestion and concerns around sustainability.
Crime in Marrakech
The crime index in Marrakech is classed as moderate and levels of crime have remained fairly stable over the past ten years. In fact, crime levels in Marrakech are lower than in London in the UK and nearly all cities in the United States.
The types of crime you might expect to witness or experience in Marrakech tend to be petty crimes, such as pickpocketing.
So, while you might get hassled in Morocco (more on that later) – especially if you’re female, the chances of falling victim to a violent crime in Marrakech are very slim.
Stay in Safe Areas
When travelling in Marrakech, choose reputable accommodation, preferably in well-reviewed hotels or riads in popular and tourist-friendly areas such as:
Hivernage
Hivernage is an upscale, residential area, known for its luxury hotels, upmarket restaurants, and nightlife. It’s generally safe, with a strong police presence and well-maintained streets.
Gueliz
Gueliz, also known as the New Town, is a modern part of Marrakech with European-style architecture. It’s considered safe, with a mix of locals and tourists and a good infrastructure.
Medina (Certain Areas)
The Medina is the historic heart of Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some parts of the Medina can be crowded and subject to petty crime, however specific areas near the Jemaa el-Fnaa and other major attractions are heavily policed and safe during the day.
Staying within well-traveled paths and well-regarded riads is recommended.
Palmeraie
The Palmeraie is an exclusive palm grove area on the outskirts of Marrakech known for its luxury resorts and villas (and camel rides). It’s known for being very safe, as it’s quite isolated and mainly includes resorts.
We always book our accommodation via Booking.com as we feel confident about the quality of the accommodation and like that we can read reviews about other people’s experiences there.
✅ Book HERE for great rates and accommodation in safe areas via Booking.com
Be Aware of Scams
Be aware of the usual tourist scams: overcharging by taxi (or horse and trap) drivers, unsolicited help with your luggage, unsolicited guides offering services, expected tips for offering directions, and overcharging in the spice shops in the Souk. Always agree on prices beforehand.
What Not To Do in Marrakech
Here are some safety in Marrakech tips when it comes to avoiding scams:
- Hire guides through your hotel or riad and check their ID
- Use metered taxis or agree on a price beforehand
- Don’t agree to a ‘sample’ henna tattoo unless you’re prepared to pay for a full one
- Ask your hotel or riad for recommendations when it comes to shopping and souvenir purchases
- Carry change as many vendors will claim not to have any if you pay with larger bills
- Be aware that people offering you help with directions will often expect a fee for helping you
- If you take tea with sellers in a shop, they will often expect that you’ll purchase something
- Buy bottled water from somewhere you trust and check the seal on the bottle is intact – some are refilled with tap water and sold on
Taking photos in Jemaa el-Fnaa
There’s a lot going on in Marrakech’s famous main square, Jemma el-Fnaa, and you’re bound to want to snap some pictures to preserve some of the memories.
However, be aware that the snake charmers, henna-adorned women and people in traditional Moroccan dress you’ll see will try and charge you money if you take (or they think you are taking) photos of them.
We experienced this. Even when we were taking ‘general’ photos of the square, we had a couple of people approach us and ask us for money for taking a photo of them. It can get a little fraught, so it’s best to remain aware and careful when taking photos.
Is Marrakech Safe at Night?
Marrakech is no worse than many other cities, but it’s always worth taking the usual precautions – keep valuables out of sight, make sure wallets and purses are secure in bags and don’t carry too much cash around with you.
At night, stick to well-lit and busy areas and as a single, female traveller avoid quieter parts of the medina after dark. You can also ask your hotel or riad staff about areas to avoid.
Is Marrakech Safe: Eating and Drinking
Moroccan cuisine is a delight but food poisoning is a real risk, even for those who think they have an asbestos stomach.
Can you drink the water in Marrakech? You can’t drink the tap water in Marrakech. Always drink and brush your teeth with bottled water and keep your mouth closed when showering. As noted above, be careful where you purchase your bottled water and only use wrapped straws for your canned drinks.
Be cautious with street food, no matter how appetising it looks. Consider going vegetarian instead of risking undercooked meat. Or, eat at your riad (many offer evening meals, as well as breakfast).
If you eat in the food market in the Jemaa el-Fnaa, use antibacterial wipes on cutlery before you use them. Bring Imodium with you (just in case).
Unfortunately, on our last trip to Marrakech, we did get food poisoning. We weren’t as careful as we perhaps should have been. We did a food tour (which I have to say was amazing). While we can’t be sure this is where we got food poisoning, it was quite an adventurous tour that included street food I probably wouldn’t normally have gone for!
Keep Children Close to You
There are loads of fantastic things to do on a family trip to Marrakech. But if you’re travelling to Marrakech with kids then you do need to be a bit vigilant.
Marrakech is really busy, especially at night. Make sure children are supervised in crowded areas to prevent them from getting lost. The Medina is a rabbit warren.
Always keep an eye on traffic. It can get quite hairy in the Medina – cyclists, cars, motorcycles and small lorries navigate the narrow streets at high speed and often with little regard for pedestrians.
Respect Local Customs
Morocco is a Muslim country. It’s important to remember to dress modestly (this applies to both men and women), and respect local customs and traditions.
Women will need to cover their heads and shoulders when visiting religious places.
Public displays of affection are generally off-limits.
Gender norms are different to those in the UK and the United States. Your interactions with those of the opposite sex may therefore need to be more conservative than they would be back home.
Is Marrakech safe for female travellers?
I visited Marrakech many, many years ago with my sister. While we did not encounter anything serious, there were times when we felt a little uncomfortable. Unwanted attention is often verbal rather than physical, however. It’s best to ignore it, walk confidently and move on.
Dressing modestly, as mentioned above (covering shoulders and knees) and blending in a little more will also help.
If travelling solo as a female traveller or as a single parent with children, it’s a good idea to join group tours when sightseeing, and stick to well-lit, busy areas when out and about (especially in the evening).
Use Reputable Tour Guides and Taxi Companies
Do your research when looking into the tours you want to do in Marrakech. Make sure you book excursions with reputable tour operators and if you need a taxi, use reputable taxi companies to ensure safety and quality. It is always worth paying a little more…
We book our tours through Get Your Guide or Viator. These are both great options as you can read reviews written by others who’ve taken the tours you’re interested in and you can get a good sense of the quality of the tour.
✅ Book HERE for the best tours in Marrakech with Get Your Guide
✅ Book HERE for the best tours in Marrakech with Viator
Shop at Government-Sponsored Complexes
Whilst it can be fun trying to negotiate in the Souk for smaller souvenirs, for bigger purchases (carpets, textiles, pottery) it may well be worth heading to government-sponsored shopping centres, like Ensemble Artisanal or Centre Artisanal Sidi Ghanem.
While these stores may not be as atmospheric as the souk, they will be hassle-free. Plus, as they are regulated by the Moroccan Government, the pricing and quality are likely to be fairer!
Emergency Contact Numbers
It’s always worth keeping emergency phone numbers just in case to hand in case you do experience any difficulties while you’re away. You can access useful phone numbers on the Vist Marrakech website.
Is Marrakech Safe for Tourists? – The Verdict
Is Marrakech safe? Nowhere (in particular, busy cities) can be guaranteed completely “safe’”. Random and unexpected events can always happen.
That said, there are some locations in which you should probably exercise caution and be extra vigilant. And there are places where you might have to tweak your normal behaviour and be prepared for differences. Marrakech is one of those places.
Follow our tips above and you’re likely to have a wonderful vacation – with only positive memories to bring back with you.
