Is It Safe to Travel to Morocco?

Last updated: Jul 20, 2026

Morocco remains safe to visit today, and the Gulf crisis that once dominated Middle East travel headlines was never a serious threat to Moroccan tourism — it has since been resolved, and even the one Morocco-linked disruption, Royal Air Maroc’s Gulf routes, is fully restored as of July 2026.

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Is Morocco Safe to Visit Right Now?

Yes — Morocco was never entangled in the US-Iran conflict and remains one of the most politically stable countries in North Africa.

Tourism is running at record levels and the Gen Z-212 anti-government protests that drew global attention in late 2025 have largely wound down, according to the Institute for Security Studies.
Geography also explains the disconnect: Morocco sits closer to Madrid than to Tel Aviv, with direct flights from London, Paris, and Madrid to Casablanca taking under four hours.

What the Travel Advisories Say

All four major Western travel advisories treat Morocco as open for tourism, and their shared concern is terrorism — not the Gulf conflict.

United States — Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution”: The US State Department cites terrorism as the primary concern, warning that terrorist groups may target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, and shopping malls.
United Kingdom — Not advising against travel: The UK FCDO last updated its Morocco advice on 17 February 2026 and has not issued any warnings related to the US-Iran conflict.
Canada — Exercise a high degree of caution: The Canadian government advises caution due to terrorism and lists regional “avoid all travel” zones within 20 km of the Algerian border and parts of Western Sahara.
Australia — Exercise a high degree of caution: Smartraveller aligns with the Canadian advisory on terrorism and specifically advises against travel within 30 km of the militarised Berm zone in Western Sahara.

Check your own government’s advisory before booking, regardless of nationality, and confirm your travel insurance covers general disruptions.

Flights to Morocco: What’s Operating Now

All flights to and from Morocco are now operating normally, including the Gulf routes that were suspended for months during the conflict.

European flights: Direct routes from the UK, France, Spain, Germany, and other EU countries continue running full schedules. Low-cost carriers including easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air never stopped flying to Morocco.
North American flights: Royal Air Maroc‘s direct routes from New York, Washington DC, Boston, Miami, Toronto, and Montreal to Casablanca are operating on schedule, with a Los Angeles service added in 2026.
Gulf routes — now restored: Royal Air Maroc’s Casablanca-Doha service is running daily and Casablanca-Dubai three times weekly, both back in service as of July 2026 after a suspension tied to earlier Gulf airspace closures.

Morocco’s main international gateway, Casablanca Mohammed V Airport (CMN), remains fully operational, as do the airports in Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, and Agadir.

Morocco’s airports remain busy, and you can still check live flight status on the Wego flight tracker before heading to the airport.

General Safety in Morocco

Morocco’s practical safety considerations have nothing to do with the Gulf conflict and have stayed consistent for years: petty crime, a standing terrorism advisory, seismic risk, and strict laws on alcohol and drugs.

Crime and Scams

Violent crime against tourists is rare, but petty crime — pickpocketing, drive-by bag snatching, and distraction scams — is common in busy tourist areas.

Canadian and UK advisories both flag medinas, markets, and beaches as hotspots, including Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa and Fes’s old medina, and warn of card fraud — use ATMs inside banks rather than on the street.

Terrorism Threat

Terrorism is the one risk every major Western advisory flags for Morocco, and Moroccan security services have a recent track record of disrupting plots before they happen.

On 6 July 2026, authorities said they dismantled an ISIL-linked cell and arrested ten suspects across seven cities — including Casablanca, Agadir, and Tetouan — seizing bomb-making material and a vehicle allegedly modified for an attack described as being in an advanced stage of preparation.

Earthquake Recovery and Seismic Activity

Morocco’s major tourist destinations are fully operational more than two years after the September 2023 High Atlas earthquake, with recovery work now concentrated in rural areas far from tourist routes.

Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, and the Sahara routes are unaffected and fully open.
Recovery remains focused on the hardest-hit villages in Al Haouz, Taroudant, and Chichaoua provinces.
Morocco sits in an active seismic zone — check conditions via the Moroccan National Centre for Scientific and Technical Research before heading into the High Atlas, and buy insurance that covers natural disasters.

Laws and Customs to Know

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country with conservative laws on alcohol, drugs, and personal conduct, and penalties for breaking them are steep.

The UK FCDO has warned that methanol-contaminated counterfeit alcohol has caused deaths in Morocco — only drink at licensed venues or from sealed bottles bought in reputable shops.
Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry long prison sentences and heavy fines, and possession for personal use is not treated leniently.
Same-sex relations are illegal under Moroccan law, and public displays of affection are frowned upon regardless of orientation.

Border Zones to Avoid

Both Canada and Australia advise against travelling to the closed Morocco–Algeria border and parts of Western Sahara.

The Berm — the militarised boundary that divides Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara from the rest of the territory — has unexploded landmines and should not be approached.

What to Know Before You Go

Practical planning for Morocco is straightforward for most travellers — visa rules are generous and entry is quick at the major airports.

Entry Requirements

Citizens of around 70 countries — including the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman — can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days.
Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your arrival date (the US and Canada both recommend six months for safety).
Make sure the border officer stamps your passport on arrival — the UK FCDO flags exit problems for travellers without an entry stamp.
Travellers from countries that aren’t visa-exempt can apply for an e-Visa through the official Moroccan portal.

Travel Insurance

A comprehensive travel insurance policy is essential. Check that it covers medical evacuation, since the Canadian advisory notes public healthcare is not up to Canadian standards.
If you’re connecting through any hub, confirm the policy covers trip disruption and airspace-closure delays — many standard policies exclude these.
Policies that include natural-disaster cover are worth considering given Morocco’s seismic activity and flash-flood risk in the High Atlas during the rainy season (November to March).

General Safety Tips

Keep valuables in a hotel safe and carry only what you need in busy medinas.
Use licensed taxis (petit taxi inside cities, grand taxi between cities) and agree on the fare or insist on the meter before setting off.
Dress modestly outside resort areas, particularly in small towns and religious sites.
Avoid photographing military installations, police, or government buildings.
Drones and surveillance equipment are prohibited and will be confiscated on arrival.
Register with your embassy’s traveller programme — US travellers can sign up for STEP, UK travellers can follow FCDO email alerts.

If you’re planning the trip now, browse flights to Casablanca, flights to Marrakech, and hotels in Marrakech on Wego to compare deals across carriers and stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Morocco affected by the 2026 Gulf/Iran conflict?

No, not directly. Morocco sits more than 5,000 km from Iran, and its airspace, airports, and tourist regions operated normally throughout; the conflict has since ended, and even the one Morocco-linked disruption — Royal Air Maroc’s Gulf routes — resumed in July 2026.

Are flights to Morocco back to normal?

Yes — every route is now operating as scheduled. Royal Air Maroc’s Casablanca–Doha and Casablanca–Dubai services, suspended since late February 2026, both resumed in July 2026.

Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?

Most nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, including citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. Check the official Moroccan consular list for your specific nationality.

Is Marrakech safe after the 2023 earthquake?

Yes — Marrakech is fully operational and welcoming visitors. The worst damage from the September 2023 earthquake was concentrated in rural mountain villages in Al Haouz province, not in the city itself.

Is terrorism a serious risk in Morocco?

Terrorism is the main reason Morocco carries a Level 2 US advisory, and authorities dismantled an ISIL-linked plot in July 2026 before any attack occurred. Large-scale attacks on tourists remain rare, but stay alert in crowded markets and transport hubs.

Should I get travel insurance for Morocco?

Yes — always. Choose a policy that covers medical evacuation, natural disasters, and trip disruption.

Is it safe for solo female travellers?

Morocco is generally safe for solo female travellers but verbal harassment is common. Stick to licensed taxis after dark, dress modestly outside resort areas, and follow the advice issued by your own government’s travel office.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.