Safety & etiquette
Cultural Etiquette in Marrakech: Do's and Don'ts
Moroccans are famously warm and hospitable, and travelling respectfully in Marrakech is easy once you know the basics. Morocco is a Muslim country with traditional social customs, but it's also used to visitors — so nobody expects perfection, just a little awareness. Mind these do's and don'ts and you'll be met with genuine friendliness.
- Read
- 10 min
- Topic
- Safety & etiquette
- Updated
- 21 July 2026
At a glance
- Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees, especially away from tourist zones.
- Use your right hand for eating, greeting and giving.
- Ask before photographing people; respect a refusal.
- Be discreet with public affection and alcohol.
- Learn a few words — 'salam', 'shukran' — and accept hospitality graciously.
Dress, greetings and everyday manners
Dressing modestly is the single most appreciated courtesy, particularly for women: covered shoulders and knees, and looser rather than tight or revealing clothing, especially in the medina, residential areas and near mosques (beachwear stays for the pool). Greetings matter — a warm 'salam' (peace) or 'salam alaikum' opens doors, often with a handshake, though some conservative people, particularly of the opposite sex, may prefer a hand on the heart instead of a handshake; follow their lead. Use your right hand for eating, greeting, giving and receiving, as the left is traditionally considered unclean.
Dining, hospitality and religion
Hospitality is central to Moroccan culture, and you may be offered mint tea or invited to eat — accepting graciously is polite, and refusing outright can seem cold. If you share a communal dish, eat from the section in front of you with your right hand or the bread provided. Remove your shoes if entering a home or certain rooms when others do. Non-Muslims generally cannot enter working mosques (the Koutoubia included), so admire them from outside. During Ramadan, don't eat, drink or smoke conspicuously in public by day. Alcohol is fine in licensed venues but should be kept discreet elsewhere.
The don'ts that matter
A few things to avoid: don't photograph people — especially women — without asking, and expect the square's performers to want payment; don't show public affection beyond hand-holding, which can draw disapproval; don't lose your temper when haggling or dealing with hustle, as calm firmness works far better and losing face is frowned upon; and avoid overtly criticising religion or the monarchy, both sensitive subjects. None of this is heavy going — Marrakchis are relaxed with tourists — but this small awareness turns encounters warmer. A local guide is a great, low-pressure way to learn the customs first-hand. See also our etiquette answers.
Frequently asked questions
How should tourists dress in Marrakech?
Modestly and comfortably — cover shoulders and knees, and favour looser clothing, especially in the medina, residential areas and near mosques. This matters more for women. Beachwear is only for pools. You'll draw less attention and more warmth by dressing respectfully.
What are the main cultural customs to respect in Marrakech?
Dress modestly, use your right hand for eating and greeting, ask before photographing people, keep public affection and alcohol discreet, accept hospitality like mint tea graciously, and be aware during Ramadan. Avoid criticising religion or the monarchy. Moroccans are warm and forgiving of honest mistakes.
Can non-Muslims enter mosques in Marrakech?
Generally no — working mosques, including the Koutoubia, are closed to non-Muslims in Morocco. You can admire them from outside and visit the gardens. Former religious buildings turned museums, like the Ben Youssef Madrasa, are open to all visitors.