An important subject while taking about Morocco in general is Women traveling alone. This is of big importance as women have to take take careful on a couple of things in order to be more enjoyable their stay in this beautiful and exotic country full of smiling people…specially men towards an lonely woman. You got it? Below on this page I have a list of do’s and don’ts of women traveling alone in Marrakech and in Morocco generally speaking.

Moroccan men will propose you friendship, marriage, sex, invite you for a couple of tea, to meet their family and friends… go out on a tour of the city, you name it! Moroccan men and Arab men in general will try all they can to take you into bed or to marry you.

Understand that the majority of Moroccan men couldn’t invite a Moroccan girl out, and that in the Moroccan culture there is nothing like boyfriend / girlfriend relationship. Also take in consideration that some people already at nasty times while in private parties when somehow drops something weird into their drinks.

Women traveling alone Marrakech – Do’s & Don’ts

• Don’t explore the old city Medina at night. Unfortunately you should consider doing something else after 10 or 11pm. Empty streets should at all cost be avoided. If anything weird comes around stick yourself to any Moroccan women passing or any older man passing near you.
• Don’t make couchsurfing with men hosts in Marrakech/Morocco! Unfortunately I heard some stories of girls being drugged and raped while coming to some houses in Marrakech, being put something on their drink, and, eventually being raped. If you’re a women traveling alone in Morocco, while on couch surf website search page, chose your host by gender as there are plenty of girls and women waiting to share their culture with you.
• Don’t accept private house invitations from men. its not allowed inside Moroccan culture to a woman visit a man inside his house, this is considered prostitution.
• I know of at least 3 cases of 2 girls and 1 guy being raped after going to private parties in Marrakech. There are some cool guys searching for tourist in the streets of Marrakech. They will act their are cool, invite you to a drink and also proposing you to join their friends party at night. Watch out for smoking hashish drugs and drugs inside your drinks. You can end being raped by several. A This applies to women and men as most Moroccan men don’t really differentiate gender for making sex. The active partner in an homosexual / man to man sex relationship in Arab countries is considered to be Macho and very manly and not homosexual.
• Be careful with guys asking where you’re staying, I mean, trying to take the name of your hotel out of you.
• If you have any problem, Marrakech is full of undercover police, military men and touristic police. Asking for help is not that hard. Somehow you’re being watched. If anything happens ask for help.
• Shop owners and employees will definitely try to get your attention for you to enter their shop and eventually buy something. Avoid weird people, men with the smell of beer or eyes of being stoned with hashish which is a preparation of cannabis composed of the compressed stalked resin glands. Hashish is the most common drug in Morocco since it is widely panted in some northern regions of the country. Don’t accept smoking drug’s invitation as some times this can end badly for you, either being robed or raped.
• While in Marrakech Medina and the markets, watch of purse, put it in the front part of your body and one hand on top. It’s probably one of the most usual things in Marrakech Jemaa el Fna. Picket pocket and purses being stolen.
• While in Jemaa el Fna square at night, some men will touch you, either coming directly against you or just touching your ass with their hands. Be calm, walk away.
• Don’t accept a ride from strangers, this is the way prostitutes get clients in Marrakech. Some parts of the new city are full of young girls working as prostitutes. Also not wise you walking alone in the new part of the city after 10pm.

Tips for Women traveling alone in Marrakech

The majority of women traveling alone in Morocco and in Marrakech have fun and have no problem apart the normal hassle “buy this – buy that”, “come and drink tea with me” – but still traveling with your eyes opened and alert to some dangerous issues is always good.

Moroccan people in general are very smiling and nice to foreigners. Either they just want to sell you a carpet or genuinely want to exchange some conversation, Moroccan people are probably one of the friendliest you’ll ever meet around the world. Take part of some conversations as you wish, but be careful with private parties and drugs.

Dress respectful to the Muslim standards. No need for being all covered but be polite to other women who by religion have to use some more conservative clothes. But do all Moroccan women dress traditional? No, of course not, and NOT AT ALL. Just be yourself and protect yourself from Moroccan men eyes as they have a different mind from the majority of western men.

In Morocco, a woman that practices sex before marriage is seen as a “prostitute”. Virginity is a big issue in Muslim countries, but although the religion states that it should apply for both genders, in practice only the majority of women do it. Men don’t. This creates a huge social problem as hidden prostitution is huge in all Moroccan cities. By this and many reasons, maybe a foreign lady is just seen as a “free hole” – or just an opportunity to get visa to go outside Morocco. Why am I being so cruel? The religion in Morocco – Islam, doesn’t allow any type of affection between men and women before marriage, so, any man attending on this way is not being completely serious about himself and his culture… and definitely about you.

While meeting men occasionally you shouldn’t hand shake not greeting kiss. You should just stay put and don’t do anything. It is not normal within Moroccan society. If you enter any handicraft shop, it is OK if the owner shakes your hand, this is a sign of respect and that himself already adapted to this matter.

Some men might come up to you on the street and ask from where you are from, your name, and eventually ask the name of the hotel you’re staying. Don’t say the name of the hotel you’re staying as he might just show up on the hotel door claiming he is your boyfriend or just wait for you later on the end of the day.

What to do in case of emergency?

• Stay calm. If you stay calm, you can think clearly even in extreme situations.
• Scream out loud and ask for help. Even in English people will definitely understand you need help and that you are under some emergency situation
• If you’re being followed, don’t go directly to your hotel, go to any shop and ask people to help you, or ask them to cal the police if the situation is dangerous. Don’t go out of that shop until police arrives and you are protected.

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