Visiting Morocco is incredible, you will be amazed by the colors, flavors and landscapes. It’s such a diverse country, you will for sure get a different experience depending on the place you visit. Despite the magical, captivating qualities of this country and its people, some travelers still ask if Morocco is safe.

Around the medina, you will be have a lot of attention specially from faux guides offering you help. These people are not harmful, you just need to let them go. In fact, there’s only really small crime there and you’re unlikely to be assaulted or seriously hurt as a tourist in the country. As a solo female traveler, you need to watch out a little more carefully even if you are still unlikely to encounter serious problems. Morocco travel requires extra vigilance because it’s easy to have something happen to you if you are not careful.

Here are my 8 tips on how to stay safe when you visit Morocco:

1. Don’t walk alone at night — While walking in busy areas can be fine, be careful walking at night. You never know what awaits around the corner in the medinas.

2. Dress conservatively — Morocco is a conservative Muslim country, and it’s not appropriate to wear revealing clothing. Keep your shoulders, and legs covered especially if you are a woman to avoid any unwanted attention.

3. Avoid flashy jewelry — A good universal rule, this takes on more urgency in a country where theft is common and people will see the jewelry as a sign of wealth and therefore try harder to scam you in stores or rob you on the streets.

4. Don’t carry valuables — Since muggings and pickpockets are common, take the minimum you need when you leave your hotel. Don’t forget to leave your passeport it in the hotel and only carry a copy of your ID.

5. Avoid back alleys — Even if the tiny alleys of the medina are beautiful to explore, sometimes they make you easy prey for scammers and thieves. Try to get closer as much as possible to the crowds.

6. Watch for scams — If you are asked to enter into shop for tea, it’s probably a pretext to get you to buy something and, thanks to the ingrained psychological idea of reciprocity, you’ll probably give in. Say “no thank-you” and walk away.

7. Avoid tour guides — The people saying “no money” definitely want your money as they will try to get you into their shops or take you places and ask for money for the service. Be firm and refuse it as anyhow they will ask your money.

8. Always negotiate taxi prices up front — Always negotiate the price for taxis before you get in or ask for the taxi meter as prices could be inflated when you arrive.

Morocco is a land of colors and contrasts, it’s safe to visit but you should be careful and take into account these 8 tips when you consider travelling to Morocco

While you should be careful in any country, Morocco medinas are intense at the difference of some less touristic city and villages in Morocco. That’s why I would advice you to spend only few days in the main cities like Fez or Marrakech and make sure to visit hidden gems of Morocco where you will meet amazing moroccan people and good vibes. There are different option, you could go for at least a 3 day trip from Marrakech or go for a 4 day trip from fez. I would recommend to book your trip in advance to get the best of Morocco without any problem.