Updated October 2026.
Two months I roamed around Morocco as a solo female traveller, just me and my dog Wingo, while Jonatan was at sea. I stayed mostly around Mirleft and Agadir, and Tafedna too. It was fine. I felt safe. It's calm, peaceful and spacious, and hardly anyone drinks.
People often ask me if Morocco is safe for a woman alone. For me it was. I had no (relatively) strange encounters. There are characters everywhere, of course. But the kindness is what I point to. Many of the people I met had little and gave a lot.
That said, it depends a little on where you go. In some areas you're more on your own. Being safe then also comes down to your resourcefulness and preparation.
Is Morocco safe for solo female travellers?
I travelled solo in the van for about two months and I felt as safe as I do across the rest of Morocco. I was with my dog Wingo, and that also felt good. I didn't really get unwanted attention. If someone approaches, I meet them with kindness. That's usually the whole story.
Everyone has different experiences, though. The UK government's travel advice says women may get unwanted attention, especially when travelling alone. It suggests loose clothes that cover your arms, legs and chest. That's what I do anyway. I like to blend in, so I cover up.
Morocco also changed its law in 2018. Since then, harassing someone in a public space is a crime, with up to six months in jail or a fine. Moroccan women pushed for that themselves. The Masaktach movement, which means “I won't be silent”, even handed out whistles to women.
Why do people worry about travel in Morocco?
So why do so many women ask? Partly it's the stories from the big cities. Partly it's the numbers you find online.
In 2019 Morocco's planning office surveyed 12,000 women. About 13% had experienced violence in a public space in the year before. Ten years earlier it was 33%. Those numbers are about Moroccan women in their daily lives, so they don't say much about tourists. But they show it's going the right way.
The US government lists Morocco at level 2, “exercise increased caution”, mainly because of terrorism. In 2018 two young Scandinavian women were murdered by extremists while hiking near Imlil, in the High Atlas. Attacks like that are rare. On the Global Peace Index, Morocco climbed to 65th of 163 countries in 2026.
What most women run into is attention and hassle. That happens mostly in the big cities.
Is Marrakech safe for solo female travellers?
The big cities are a different deal. The busy medinas of Marrakech and Fes are where you hear most of the stories. Think fake guides, sellers who don't let go and men calling after you. I mostly stayed away from the big cities. I like the small towns, the quiet coast and the far south around Dakhla much more. In small towns where you travel slow, you get to know some people here and there.
If you do go to Marrakech or Fes, agree the price before anything happens. A smile and “la shukran” (no thank you) is enough. Keep walking. And if someone leads you into a quiet side street, turn back to a busy one.
Where I’d go in Morocco as a solo female traveller
These are the places I'd recommend, based on my own experience. Not travelling by van? The maps show places to stay.
Mirleft
You'll be fine in Mirleft. It's a pretty little town on the southern coast, where the hills of the Anti-Atlas run into the Atlantic. I spent a good part of my solo months around here. My parents came to visit me here, and they really liked it. There are lots of food places, and the weekly souk is on Monday.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a small city, white-and-blue, arty and easy to walk. It's a little bit touristy, but for a reason. The vibe is pretty cool. It's also a really nice place to visit when you have friends coming over.
Sidi Kaouki
Just south of Essaouira, Sidi Kaouki is a mellow surf beach with a few bars. I had some nice surf here. The weather's nice, and it's a nice spot to be for a little bit. Here are the places to stay in Sidi Kaouki.
Men and women in Morocco
You'll notice it soon. The cafés, the squares and the streets in the evening are mostly men. The women are there, just somewhere else. A lot of their social life happens at home, with the family, at the hammam and at the market in the morning. In the bigger cities you see more mixed cafés and young women out together. In the countryside it's more traditional.
As a foreign woman I always felt seen a bit differently. I was clearly from somewhere else, so the local expectations didn't fully apply to me. A few times I was the only woman in a café. In some towns that felt more comfortable than in others, but overall it was fine. I just stayed kind and friendly, and I didn't get the stares or comments.
I also just ate out alone, on the street and in the simple places. In my Morocco guide I share which foods to order.
I met Moroccan women mostly in the hammam, or in the shops. And sometimes at home, when a family invited us in.
I travelled here on my own, with my sister and with a friend. It was absolutely fine.
What I wear in Morocco as a female traveller
Morocco is a Muslim country. Dress modestly and cover up a little bit. Legs and shoulders are kept private here. It's nice to have a long skirt or dress and long sleeves, but you don't have to. It's easy and comfortable in the heat too.
It's also really cool to buy a jallaba. Mine was 20 dirham from the second-hand basket. I like doing that. You blend in, and people appreciate it.
How I deal with attention as a female traveller
Just be kind. If someone approaches, I meet them with kindness, and that's usually it. Go in assuming the best of people, not the worst. The kindness comes back to you. Trust your instincts too, and keep your boundaries.
If I didn't feel at ease, I said I had a husband, even when I was travelling without one. You can also wear a ring, or say your husband is coming. It's a little trick that worked for me.
And the kindness is real. One winter everything I owned had reached the crusty, dusty stage, and a man called Omar let me use his washing machine for the bedsheets. Another time, after weeks without hot water, someone offered me a proper hot shower.
Where I sleep as a woman alone in the van
I choose to sleep in quiet places, mostly natural places. Sometimes it's nice to be close to a town, because you can go for food. It's so cheap and delicious. Choosing a spot is more how I feel. I ask other vanlifers if I see them. Sometimes I check park4night, and I look at the place on Google satellite. If somewhere doesn't feel right, I move on.
It can happen you get a knock on the window at night and have to move. Usually no drama. They send you to the nearest petrol station. They always say they send you away for your safety.
Nothing was ever stolen from us. I feel safer leaving the van here than in many places in Europe. In towns there's often a parking guard in a high-vis vest. For a few dirhams he keeps an eye on your van.
Being with Wingo helped too. He's good company on the quiet nights and an easy way into a conversation. Though plenty of people here are afraid of dogs. In the medinas and smaller towns dogs are seen as unclean, so leash up there, for everyone.
Driving alone in Morocco
Driving alone, the roads are very easy, so that wasn't such a problem. I was worried about driving through Agadir, but it's not a big deal.
Mechanical problems? There are lots of mechanics, and Morocco has so many spare parts. One lesson from our own breakdown, though. The mechanics were quick and friendly, but they didn't tighten one of the wheel screws properly. I almost lost a wheel. So check their work yourself.
Try not to drive at night. The lighting is poor, and there are people and animals on the road.
The hammam is only women
Go to the hammam. The women's side is only women, and it's about 10 to 15 dirham. It's where I met Moroccan women the most. And it's the best wash going when water is short. In my guide I share how it all works.
Planning your first solo trip to Morocco
October to May is the sweet spot. You miss the summer heat and the European winter both.
Would I recommend Morocco for a first solo trip? Yes. Go slow, and start on the quiet coast, like Mirleft or Essaouira. Things work differently here. And it's not for everyone.
For the first days I use an Airalo eSIM, so I can connect straight on arrival. For a longer stay a local Inwi SIM is better value.
We spent somewhere between 500 and 1,000 euros a month, travelling by van. It's all very affordable. Keep copies of your passport and papers on your phone, just in case.
The ferry, visas and where to sleep are all in my Morocco guide.
Roadtrip Morocco & Western Sahara
It's like having a friend on the seat next to you.
Everything I wish I'd known before my first Morocco winter, in one guide. The wild camps, hot springs and surf spots we found in two winters by van. The ferry, the visa and the dog paperwork. And where to eat, what to buy and how to feel safe on your own.
- 125+ spots I've been to, with 50+ epic wild places we slept
- Three routes, from four easy days to our loop all the way to Dakhla and back
- 28 travel tips that go deep: culture and respect, scams, the hammam, Ramadan, haggling and the visa
- For vans and motorhomes, no 4×4 needed
My common-sense safety tips for solo female travel in Morocco
None of this is special to Morocco. It's how I stay safe anywhere.
- Don't go out alone at night, like you wouldn't anywhere.
- Try not to drive at night.
- Cover your shoulders and knees, or get yourself a jallaba.
- Agree the price before anything happens, for a taxi, a parking helper or a bag of dates.
- Keep a few dirham in your front pocket and the rest of your money out of sight.
- If someone leads you into a quiet side street, turn back to a busy one.
- Say “la shukran” with a smile and keep walking.
- Get a local SIM with data, so you can always check the map and call someone.
- Get travel insurance that covers Morocco. Your EU health card (EHIC) doesn't. SafetyWing is handy for that.
- Ask other vanlifers about spots. They know what's going on.
- Trust your instincts. If a place doesn't feel right, move on.
Everyone has different experiences. One night it might be fine, the other night it might not. But overall, in most places it's fine.
FAQ about solo female travel in Morocco
Is Morocco safe for women travelling alone?
For me it was. I spent two months alone in the van with my dog Wingo and had no (relatively) strange encounters. Most of what women run into is attention and hassle, mostly in the big city medinas. Cover up, be kind and use your common sense, like you would anywhere.
What should a woman wear in Morocco?
Cover your shoulders and knees. A long skirt or dress and long sleeves is easy and comfortable. You don't have to, but you blend in and people appreciate it. A second-hand jallaba costs about 20 dirham.
Is it safe to wild camp alone as a woman in Morocco?
I did it for two months. I choose quiet, natural places, ask other vanlifers and move on if a spot doesn't feel right. Sometimes you get a knock on the window at night and have to move. Usually no drama.
Is it safe to drive alone in Morocco?
Yes. The roads are easy, and there are mechanics and spare parts everywhere. Try not to drive at night.
Is it safe for women to go out alone at night in Morocco?
I don't go out late at night on my own, like I wouldn't anywhere. In the evening the streets and cafés are mostly men.
Can I wear shorts as a woman in Morocco?
You can, but you'll stand out. Legs and shoulders are kept private here. I like to blend in, so I wear a long skirt or dress, or my jallaba.
Do Moroccan men harass female tourists?
Some women get comments and attention, mostly in the big city medinas like Marrakech and Fes. I didn't really get unwanted attention. A smile, “la shukran” and keep walking.
Which places in Morocco are safest for solo female travellers?
From my own experience, Mirleft, Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki. Small towns where you travel slow feel easy, and you get to know some people here and there.
Do I need travel insurance for Morocco?
Yes. Your EU health card (EHIC) doesn't cover Morocco. So check your travel insurance covers you here, including the things you'll do, like surfing.
Is it safe to eat street food in Morocco?
I ate on the street and in the simple places. Bissara was my breakfast. It's the creamy dried fava bean soup, and it costs about 10 dirham a bowl. So healthy and so good first thing.
Are there places solo female travellers should avoid in Morocco?
I'd skip the quiet medina alleys at night, and quiet side streets in general. Down south, take the military zone around the Berm in Western Sahara seriously. The UK FCDO advises against all travel within 40 km of it.
What’s the best SIM or eSIM for Morocco?
For the first days I use an Airalo eSIM. For a longer stay, Inwi was our go-to. I paid about 249 dirham a month in 2026.
Should I say I'm married in Morocco?
You don't have to. If I didn't feel at ease, I said I had a husband, even when I was travelling without one. Wearing a ring works too.
Everything I learned on the road is in my guide Roadtrip Morocco & Western Sahara. It has 125+ spots with 50+ wild places we slept, three routes and 28 travel tips. For the practical side, like the ferry, visas, the dog and costs, read my vanlife Morocco guide. I also wrote about my first days alone in Kerala. My favourite gear and tools are on my travel resources page.
Stay wild,
Suzanne
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About Suzanne
Two decades of nomadic living by sail, van and on foot, including two winters in Morocco and Western Sahara by van, two months of it solo with my dog Wingo. Five Atlantic crossings, 2,500+ km of thru-hiking, six years living in a van. Founder of Ocean Nomads. I travel by sail, van and on foot. Full bio: about me. Say hi on Instagram or YouTube.
Disclaimer: As always, opinions are my own. What drives me is care for nature, getting you into nature, and encouragement for natural living. If you're looking to book a place to stay or a gear item, huge thanks if you purchase it via this website. At no extra cost to you, orders and bookings through this website give me a tiny piece of the pie that helps me keep investigating, exploring, and creating content about living with and for nature.
