10 Tips for Respecting Moroccan Culture While Travelling

Last Updated on 22nd January 2026 by Jessie

Travelling to Morocco? Learn how to be a respectful guest with these 10 essential tips – from dress codes to social norms and cultural do’s and don’ts.

Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. Whilst the Moroccans you meet along your travels will practice varying levels of religious devotion, the teachings of Islam are deeply embedded within the Moroccan culture. Nobody wants to be the obnoxious traveller: stepping on toes and leaving a trail of bad taste in your wake. Thus, here are 10 simple tips for respecting Moroccan culture during your travels.

Please note that I am far from an expert on Moroccan culture or the religious teachings of Islam. Beyond this list there are probably 100 more faux pas that I have unwittingly made during my time in Morocco. Nevertheless, as with many things in life – you need not be perfect, it’s the effort that matters most.

10 Tips for Respecting Moroccan Culture

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1. Dress Modestly.

Nobody is expecting you to cover yourself from head-to-toe. Moroccans are used to seeing tourists in casual clothing, particularly in the larger cities. Morocco is increasingly modern and many locals choose to forsake conservative dress. With that said, it’s still important to consider the religious landscape. Even on the surf coast.

There’s no need for you to walk shirtless through the villages. And it wouldn’t hurt to throw a top on over your bikini when eating at a cafe. And it should go without saying (but unfortunately not), please refrain from tanning topless on a public beach.

That’s the bare minimum. When not at the beach, my advice is as follows:

For men: Just wear a shirt. Easy.
For women: Cover your cleavage and avoid tiny skirts and shorts.

I try to at least cover half my body. If you’re wearing a singlet or a boob tube, opt for a longer skirt or pants. If you’re wearing a skirt or shorts, throw on a shirt or light scarf. It might not be perfect, but it’s an effort.

For solo female travellers, see my tips on how to stay safe in Morocco.

2. Take off your shoes before entering a home.

For many homes in Western countries, this will be a familiar etiquette. If you’re invited into a Moroccan’s house, it’s expected that you enter barefoot (or with clean socks). Fair. If my home was adorned with beautiful handwoven rugs I wouldn’t want grubby shoe prints on them either.

3. Don’t shake hands with religious men (As a woman).

And vice versa for male travellers.

This is not a hard and fast rule. There are many practising Muslim men who will offer their hand in greeting. Close acquaintances may go in for the three pretend cheek kisses – as per the French.

But for very religious men and women, physical contact with the opposite sex (unless family) is haram (forbidden). I made this mistake by extending my hand to my male landlord, not once but twice. To which he politely declined.

For safe bets, follow their lead.

4. Turn off loud music and TVs during the call to prayer.

When visiting any Moroccan village or city, your days are going to be punctuated by the loud adhan (call to prayer) emanating from the local mosque five times a day. It’s a fundamental element of the Moroccan soundtrack.

Out of respect, it’s advised to turn off your radio, TV or music during this time.

5. Learn a bit of the local language.

And by local language, I mean Moroccan Darija, not French. Given France’s past colonial rule over the country, many Moroccans wish to detach themselves from the French influence, in an effort to cultivate Morocco’s individual identity. Fair enough.

Learning a few Darija words and using these in your interactions with locals is a simple way of respecting Moroccan culture. Most Moroccans working in tourism will speak decent English. But making an effort to learn a little Darija is a kind gesture. It implies that you value the local people and ways of being.

Plus, being able to greet strangers with ‘Salam alaykum’ (Hello), and ‘labas’ (Are you fine?), infinitely increases your potential for connection with others.(By my rough calculations.)

TO LEARN A FEW HELPFUL WORDS AND PHRASES, CHECK OUT MY MOROCCAN DARIJA LANGUAGE GUIDE.

6. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public areas.

Ramadan is one of the most sacred times for Muslims.  During this month, healthy adults are expected to fast every day from sunrise ‘til sunset. This means abstinence from food, drink (including water), smoking, and sex, as well as negative thoughts and emotions – like jealousy and anger.

Whilst as a foreigner, you’re not expected to fast during Ramadan, it is advised to avoid eating and drinking in public throughout the day – out of respect to the culture and religion.

7. Be mindful of drinking alcohol in public generally.

Alcohol is forbidden under Islamic teachings. And whilst you can still buy alcohol in Morocco, drinking is not a part of the Moroccan culture.

As with dress codes, Moroccans do not expect you to assimilate to Muslim principles. However, out of respect, it is best to keep alcohol consumption to bars, restaurants and homes.

8. The same goes for kissing.

As previously mentioned, physical touch between Muslim men and women who are neither family nor married is haram. In fact, it is illegal in Morocco for unmarried couples to kiss in public. However, this is rarely enforced for Moroccans, and almost never for foreigners.

So, although you won’t get arrested for kissing in Morocco, it is very much frowned upon. Do your best to avoid public displays of affection.

9. Be generous with your greetings.

Don’t cut to the chase. Greetings in Morocco are a whole performance. Everyone is met with ‘Salam alaykum’ (Hello/Peace be upon you), even in large group settings.

Then comes the back and forth of, ‘Labas, bikhir, kulshi mzyan?’ (Are you good, are you fine, are you great?). To which one may respond, ‘Kulshi mzyan.Humdulilah. U nta?’ (Everything is great. Praise be to God. And you?). Followed by questions of one’s health, well-being and family.

There are no quick hellos in Morocco. Even in English, Moroccans will stick to this protocol. Take their lead and follow suit. Particularly when entering a discussion about money or business or any other matter that us westerners can be a tad abrupt about.

10. Use your right hand.

For eating, drinking, pouring tea, shaking hands, leaving tips and any other gesture. The left hand is known as the ‘bathroom hand’, reserved for toileting and dirty chores, and is considered unclean. It is rude to offer your left hand to others or to take food with it – particularly when sharing a meal.

This is one that I was oblivious of until now. But as a right-hander, my left is pretty useless anyhow, so I suppose I need not worry.

Why Respecting Moroccan Culture is Important

Everybody is entitled to their own world views and religious beliefs, and Moroccans respect that. When travelling to Morocco, you are not expected to assimilate into the Moroccan culture or engage in Muslim religious practices.

However, so many of the Islamic teachings speak of how one relates to their external world. And I think it’s important to remember that as travellers we are inserting ourselves into these worlds, without any consent on the locals’ behalf.

Whilst this is the reality of travel and globalisation, I think it’s important to recognise that Moroccans aren’t offered the same privileges. Given the weakness of the Moroccan passport and the country’s economic standing, most Moroccans will never have the luxury of travelling abroad.

In essence, we are showing up uninvited to someone else’s home. And they have nowhere else to go.

I think that because the teachings of Islam are so foreign to many travellers, they write them off entirely. There is no need to fully understand the religion, and no one is insisting you adopt any Muslim beliefs. But honouring and respecting others’ differences goes a long way in this disconnected world. There’s a huge benefit in valuing what’s important to others.

Wherever you travel, offer the same etiquette as you would when visiting someone’s home:

Be kind to your hosts, leave your shoes at the door, and don’t make a mess.

And if they insist on hanging a ‘Live, Love, Laugh’ print on their wall, then so be it.

Tread gently wherever you go.

More tips:

• (Culturally respectful) Packing Guide for Morocco
• Visas for Morocco
• Top Moroccan Travel Tips
• How to Stay in Morocco Long-Term
• How to Avoid Getting Sick in Morocco

FAQs for Moroccan Culture

For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Reddit. Join the group here.