How to Go

About Morocco

An exciting and interesting place to visit!

Morocco is a gateway to Africa and a country of dizzying diversity. Its rich culture is a blend of Arab, Amazigh, Jewish, European and African influences.

Morocco is in the western Maghreb region of North Africa. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in west, by the Mediterranean Sea in north, by Algeria in east and in south by Mauritania.

It is the only African country with coastal exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Morocco offers a taste of exotica for travelers. The country combines tradition and modernity, and it boasts a combination of natural wonders, windy old medinas and an immense history.

Morocco's ancient kasbahs, historic cities, Roman ruins, breathtaking waterfalls, camel treks, overnight stays in the Sahara by an oasis and mountainous regions where one can hike, or ski make it a diversified place to consider traveling to Morocco.

For more information,

https://www.visitmorocco.com/en/

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Morocco

Morocco is home to 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites

1. Archeological Site of Volubilis (1997)
2. Historic City of Meknes (1996)
3. Ksar of Ait ben Haddou (1987)
4. Medina of Fez (1981)
5. Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) (2001)
6. Portuguese city of Mazagan (El Jadida) (2004)
7. Medina of Marrakesh (1985)
8. Medina of Tetouan (1997)
9. Arganeraie Biospher Reserve (1998)
10. Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City (2012)

How to get around / move in Rabat

https://www.visitmorocco.com/en/travel/rabat

To move in Marrakech there are different ways to visit the city: by car, on foot, by Tram.

Transport, Mobility, Accessibility

By Air

Direct flight from your country to Casablanca and train to Rabat :

https://www.casablanca-airport.com/

https://rail.ninja/

Practical information on all Moroccan airports on the website of the National Office of Airports https://www.onda.ma/en/I-am-passenger

 The most important in terms of passenger traffic:

• Mohammed V Airport - Casablanca
• Marrakech Airport - Menara

Domestic flights :

The national airline, Royal Air Morocco (RAM) and Air Arabia operate many domestic flights. There are some to help you discover Morocco, from north to south! Visit www.royalairmaroc.com or https://www.airarabia.com/en to learn more

By Train and TGV

Trains are safe, cheap, comfortable and a great way to see the county.

The rail network run by Office National des Chemins de Fer – ONCF –(https://www.oncf.ma/en/) 

N.b. From Europe, It is possible to travel to Morocco entirely by train: Eurostar to Paris, then sleeper train through Spain, ferry to Tangier, and train TGV to Rabat

Taxis

(small taxis, as opposed to larger taxis that drive inter-city routes). Small, beige petit taxis They are handy for trips between the Medina, the city center and Riad Agdal. Trips should not cost more than 2 euros (20Dh) during the day, and 3 euros (30Dh) at night.

Tram

Tram from the city center to the Ecole Nationale d’Architecture Rabat, 7 Dh

Visa Requirement

Citizens of 70 countries can visit Morocco for a maximum of 90 days with no document other than their passport valid for at least 3 months on the date of arrival.

Visa-exempt foreign nationals:

Algeria – Andorra – Argentina – Australia – Austria – Bahrain –Belgium – Brazil – Bulgaria – Canada – Chile – Congo Popular Republic – Croatia – Cyprus – Czech Republic – Denmark – Estonia – Finland – France – Germany – Great Britain – Greece – Guinea (Conakry) – Hong Kong – Hungary – Iceland – Indonesia – Ireland – Italy – Ivory Coast – Japan – Kuwait – Latvia – Libya – Liechtenstein – Lithuania – Luxemburg – Mali – Malta – Mexico – Monaco – Netherlands – New Zealand – Niger – Norway – Oman – Peru – Philippines – Poland – Puerto Rico – Qatar – Russian Federation – Saudi Arabia – Senegal – Singapore (They can stay

one month without visa) – Slovakia – Slovenia – South Korea – Spain – Sweden – Switzerland – Tunisia – Turkey – United Arab Emirates – United States of America – Venezuela.

Nationalities subject to visa:

Citizens from countries not listed above will need to obtain a visa and may apply according to the following instructions. Please download the visa form from the Moroccan Consulate Website.

Vaccination:

No vaccination is required to return to Morocco. If your pet is accompanying you, get your vaccination record of less than six months. Pharmacies exist in all localities of Marrakech the drugs have the same name to those of Europe.

Time zone

Located in the Greenwich time zone, Morocco lives on G.M.T + 1.

Climate

The period chosen for the organization of the conference (the end of September) corresponds to Autumn in Morocco.

• The average temperature in Rabat in September is really warm at 21.5 °C (70.7 °F).
• Precipitation averages for September are low with 5.7mm recorded.
• The shortest day is 11h 48' long and the longest day is 12h 51' long with an average length of 12h 20'.

Clothes

Lights clothes are appropriate but it is advisable to bring some worm clothing, which may be, needed in cool nights

Weather forecast are available on 

https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/week/rabat_morocco_2538475

Language in Morocco

The official language are Arabic and Amazigh (also called Berber).

Amazigh is the language of the country’s first inhabitants. Moroccan Arabic (Darija) is the most common everyday language. French is widely spoken throughout the Country except in the northern regions where Spanish is more predominant.

You will find that most people you encounter during your stay will speak mostly French and a litte bit English but the academic staff and the students speak English.

Some useful words and expressions in Arabic (moroccan darija) :

Money and Currency

Banknotes and coins

Morocco has the following banknotes: 20 dhs, 50 dhs, 100 dhs and 200 dhs. The coins in circulation are : 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20 sentimat and 0.50, 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams.

ATMS and banks

Banks and cash machines are found throughout the city and are widely available. Credit cards are accepted in most midrange hotels and above, and at top-end restaurants.

ATMs (guichets automatiques) are the easiest way to access your money in Morocco.

A common sight even in the smallest towns, virtually all accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus, Maestro and InterBank cards. Most banks charge you for withdrawing money from foreign cash machines; check before travelling. All the moroccan banks offer reliable service.

The amount of money you can withdraw from an ATM generally depends on the conditions attached to your card.

Cash

You’ll need to carry some cash with you. Some accept payment in euros, but often at less preferential rates than you can get at the bank.

The endless supply of small coins may be annoying, but they’re handy for taxis, tips and guides.

Credit Cards

Credit cards

Major credit cards are widely accepted in the main tourist centres.

The main credit cards are MasterCard and Visa; if you plan to rely on plastic cards, the best bet is to take one of each. Many large bank branches will give you cash advances on Visa and MasterCard. Take your passport with you.

Currency

The Moroccan currency is the dirham (Dh), which is divided into 100 centimes.

You will find notes in denominations of Dh20, Dh50, Dh100 and Dh200. Coins come in denominations of Dh1, Dh2, Dh5 and Dh10, as well as, less frequently, 10, 20 and 50 centimes. Break big notes whenever possible.

The dirham is a restricted currency, meaning that it cannot be taken out of the country and is not available abroad. The dirham is fairly stable, with no major fluctuations in exchange rates. Euros, US dollars and British pounds are the most easily exchanged currencies.

Where to exchange currency?

The best exchange rates are normally found in the bureaux de change in Rabat Agdal. The exchange rates are normally higher at the airport and hotels.

Owing to the importance of the tourism industry in Rabat, some riads only accept euros.

Exchange rate

The current exchange rate is approximately

1,00 USD = 10,008 MAD

1,00 EUR = 10,415 MAD

Check out the daily currency exchange rate here. https://themoneyconverter.com/EUR/MAD