Travel Tips · 3 min read
Moroccan Etiquette: Customs, Do's and Don'ts for Visitors (2026)
Quick answer
Moroccan etiquette basics: greet with 'salam alaykum', use your right hand to eat and give, accept mint tea when invited, dress modestly, ask before photographing people, avoid public displays of affection, do not enter mosques unless allowed, bargain with a smile and respect fasting during Ramadan.
Moroccans are famously hospitable. A few customs, respected, turn polite exchanges into real encounters.
Greetings and conversation
- Say "salam alaykum" when entering a shop or home; answer "wa alaykum salam".
- Handshakes are common; many people touch their heart afterwards. Some may not shake hands with the opposite sex — follow their lead.
- Small talk first: ask about family and health before business.
- "Inshallah" (God willing) is used constantly — it is not a no.
Hospitality and food
- Accept mint tea when invited; it is a sign of welcome.
- Eat with your right hand, using bread to scoop food from the shared dish.
- Do not waste bread — it is considered sacred.
- Leave a little food to show you are satisfied; say "shukran, safi" to stop refills.
Experience this on our Imlil day trip with lunch in a Berber family house.
Dress and behaviour
- Cover shoulders and knees in medinas and villages.
- Avoid public displays of affection beyond holding hands.
- Do not drink alcohol in the street.
Religion
- Most mosques are closed to non-Muslims (the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is an exception with guided tours).
- Friday midday is prayer time; some shops close.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking in public in the daytime — see visiting Morocco during Ramadan.
Photography
Ask before photographing people, especially women and children. Respect a no. Performers in Jemaa el-Fna expect a tip.
Shopping and bargaining
Bargaining is expected in souks; keep it friendly and never insult a price. A licensed guide on our medina walking tour explains the codes. Learn a few words in Darija phrases for travellers.
For cultural background, see Culture of Morocco on Wikipedia.
FAQ
How do Moroccans greet each other?
With 'salam alaykum' (peace be upon you), answered by 'wa alaykum salam', often with a handshake and a hand on the heart.
Is it rude to refuse food in Morocco?
Hosts insist out of generosity. It is polite to taste a little and say 'shukran, safi' (thank you, enough).
Can I take photos of people in Morocco?
Always ask first. Some people refuse or ask for a small payment, especially performers in the squares.
Is holding hands allowed in Morocco?
Discreet affection like holding hands is fine for couples; avoid kissing in public.
Morocco Travels Team
Written by the Morocco Travels team in Marrakech — local guides and drivers who run these routes every week. We update our guides each season with current prices, opening hours and road conditions.
