10 Morocco travel mistakes to avoid (learn from our trip)

Morocco has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute, you’re marveling at a mosaic in a souk; the next, you’re wobbling across cobblestones in shoes that seemed perfectly reasonable that morning and wondering why you didn’t just stay home with a cup of tea. For travellers over 55, the country is breathtaking, but it has quirks that can turn a dream trip into a series of minor indignities. This article will help you avoid these common travel mistakes.

For anyone wondering where to start or how to structure a trip, our Morocco travel guide lays out destinations, itineraries, and practical advice for 55+ travellers. As for the mistakes in this post: I’ve made most of them myself, so consider this a cautionary tale disguised as advice.

1. Trying to see everything

Morocco is large and irresistibly compelling. The temptation to cram Marrakech, Fes, the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains, and the coast into one week is almost universal. The reality is that this approach leads to exhaustion and disappointment. Focusing on one region per trip, moving slowly, and leaving room for unplanned discoveries is how the country rewards travellers who are willing to surrender a little control. We focused on Marrakech, a small part of the Atlas Mountains and the Erg Chebbi desert and that was enough for the 7 days we had. Trying to cram more into it would have left us needing another holiday to recover from this one. We’ll just have to come back.

2. Underestimating transport challenges

Getting around Morocco is… interesting. Taking a taxi in Marrakech feels less like calm transport and more like street racing with a soundtrack of horns. Trains and buses, by contrast, are calm, efficient, and occasionally a relief to the senses. Driving yourself is an option, but city traffic and GPS inconsistencies quickly remind you that sometimes independence is overrated. When going out of the cities, I recommend joining tours. I grew very fond very quickly of Mohammed, our driver on our three-day desert tour, who did the driving and most of the thinking. And Marc got to look at the scenery too! For those of us with a bit of mileage on our knees, mixing public transport with the occasional guided tour turns transport from a stressor into just another part of the adventure. I’ve picked a few tours from Marrakech that might be worth doing.

3. Underestimating walking and terrain

The first thing you notice in Marrakech or Fes is that the streets don’t care about your attempts to stay upright and dignified. Cobblestones, hidden steps, and alleyways that seem to appear out of nowhere make medina walking deceptively tiring. Streets that weren’t designed with ergonomics in mind, so to speak. At some point, you learn that scheduling a café stop every so often isn’t indulgent, it’s survival. And if you manage not to face-plant, congratulations – you’ve earned your place in Morocco.

4. Overpacking or packing inappropriately

Packing for Morocco is an exercise in contradiction. The desert can be freezing at night, the coast humid, and mountains surprisingly chilly. And yet, many travellers over 55 assume a suitcase’s worth of “just in case” items will save them. In reality, the suitcase becomes a portable weightlifting contest. You quickly learn that layered clothing and sensible shoes are non-negotiable. Similarly, that leaving some space for rugs, spices, or ceramics you will inevitably buy is a practical strategy, not a luxury. One thing you should really pack is your passport. I once drove to Poland without a passport and although I got away with it, it was not an experience I would recommend.

5. Ignoring cultural norms

Morocco is open and friendly, but it has expectations. Shoulders and knees are best covered in towns and rural areas. Asking before photographing locals saves awkward glances and occasional tutting. Asking before photographing people is good manners everywhere, by the way.
Carrying a lightweight scarf is more than decorative. It doubles as sun protection, a modesty cover, and occasionally a picnic mat when circumstances dictate.

6. Skipping local guides

Some experiences are richer with guidance. Desert excursions, medina tours, or mountain hikes suddenly make sense when someone else is responsible for navigating the chaos. A good guide not only points out historical nuances (saving you from the “Oh look, more mosaic – moving on”-feeling) and hidden gems but also subtly prevents you from wandering off in a haze of curiosity and exhaustion. At 55+, having someone to carry the mental map as well as occasionally pointing out where to step next is surprisingly valuable.

7. Forgetting health and comfort essentials

Sun, spice, walking, and the occasional gust of desert wind have a way of combining into discomfort if you aren’t careful. A water bottle, some snacks, sunscreen, lip balm, and any medications you require are not optional niceties; they are essential survival tools. Of course Morocco has shops. But is shopping for boring stuff like this really how you want to spend your time?

8. Travelling during Ramadan without preparation

Ramadan shifts the rhythm of daily life. Restaurants may close during the day, cafés limit services, and tours may operate on altered schedules. Attempting to navigate Morocco without awareness of Ramadan can be a surprise, particularly if you are used to lunch at noon. Planning meals and sightseeing around sunrise and sunset, and embracing flexibility, transforms potential frustration into a gentle awareness of the country’s customs. Politely nibbling a snack or drinking in public is not prohibited, but it’s worth noting that you may attract a few curious looks. This won’t happen as much in touristy areas. We were in Marrakech during Ramadan (read all about our two days in Marrakech here) and a lot of restaurants were open during the day. It was different in the rural areas we also went to, but our driver knew exactly where he could get us lunch. If you’re self-driving, you may want to check this ahead of time.

9. Misjudging crowds and timing

Peak hours in a medina are a test of patience and stamina. Attempting to see everything in the middle of the day is a guaranteed route to exhaustion and a headache, sometimes literally. Early mornings and late afternoons are kinder to both legs and nerves. Allowing for small pauses – a mint tea, a quiet square, a few minutes of watching life unfold – is not laziness; it’s strategic sightseeing. If you really want to make the most of it, a hammam or spa visit can be wonderfully relaxing.

10. Falling for common travel scams

Morocco is generally very safe, but like many popular destinations, it comes with a few “creative business opportunities”, especially in busy medinas. You might come across unsolicited “guides”, helpful strangers who expect payment, or taxis with flexible ideas about pricing.

None of it is usually serious, but it can be confusing if you’re not expecting it. A polite but firm “no, thank you” goes a long way, and it’s always better to seek help yourself rather than accept it uninvited.

Once you know the patterns, these situations are easy to handle—and much less stressful. I’ve put together a more detailed guide to the most common scams (and how to avoid them).

Final thoughts

For 55+ active travellers, Morocco can be astonishingly rewarding. The key is approaching the country with pragmatism, a touch of humor, and an openness to its unpredictable charm. I fell in love with Morocco the minute I walked out of the airport and I hope you will too. For a complete overview of destinations, city guides, and itinerary suggestions, see our Morocco Travel page – it’s the easiest way to plan your adventure without overdoing it.

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