How safe is Morocco for a female traveller?

[blondiecurly]

We are all in our late twenties and planning to go to Morocco next week on a 5-day trip. We consider ourselves pretty aware of the normal dangers of traveling. I heard a lot about how females are harassed by men there. It doesn’t sound like anything physically dangerous, more like extremely creepy, annoying, constant aggressive advances, or sexual harassment. I doubt it will be too hot, so we won't be roaming in very short dresses, but do you have any suggestions for what we should wear?

Does anyone have experience with this?

Sadly I had the same experience whilst there with two of my female friends - near constant harassment, men following us back to hotel, trying to touch us even in crowded public places. It’s a holiday I didn’t enjoy, and the one place I’ve travelled to that I absolutely wouldn’t go back to.

So sad as undoubtedly it’s a beautiful and interesting country.

Also got blatantly groped and worse so did my 12 year old niece while we were stood together, I made a fuss and a hotel security guard came over and tried to shut me up. That was Marrakech a few years ago. Would not go back.

I went with a friend about 14 years ago, both late 20s and we were not left alone. It was constant cat calling and following us around. No groping but it was unpleasant, that didn’t scare me but the traffic did, absolute mania!

I went there a few years ago as a single woman
I spent three nights in Marrakesh
felt reasonably ok but i wouldn’t go back to busy and dirty
Then I did a week hiking / fitness camp in the Atlas Mountains in a big group . We also did a day trip to the Souks and Medina

Then got a bus on my own ( like National express ) from Marrakesh to Agadir and spent a week on the beach
I stayed at the intercontinental hotel right on the beach which was lovely

would I go back - no I didn’t feel threatened and I didn’t have any bad experienced but I just didn’t like it - felt like there was an undercurrent of trouble floating around I found Tunisia to be the same although I went their years ago

On the other hand I love Turkey and would have no problems in travelling to Turkey as a single women and I have done this previously
Same for Egypt I’ve done family and solo holidays with no problems

I went on a day trip as part of a cruise to Casablanca and Rabat. Absolutely fine whilst I was part of a big group and it was a beautiful and interesting country.
However if there was any part when you could explore on your own I realised very quickly to stay right next to dh as I was getting grabbed right left and centre (by people trying to sell me stuff mostly although I think a couple were dodgy men trying to grope me), Every time they saw dh was with me they melted away. Two particular women got me in an arm lock and started trying to paint henna on me, I had to yell for dh and they disappeared as soon as he came over. I was wearing trousers and long sleeved top and all covered up! Not a place I'd want to explore on my own.

A friend went and she said she couldn't leave the place she was staying without her boyfriend. She is petite and blonde if that makes any difference (I mention that as she may have stood out). She had people shouting things at her and trying to grope her constantly. I would hate this as on holiday I love to go for walks and often on my own, like wandering by the coast/around old towns/markets.

Reminds me of this -

How two girls turned their holiday around to enjoy it after having problems.

I went and got a lot of attention but I wouldn’t say it was harassment. I mean it was harassment in the sense that it was unwanted comments of an inappropriate nature but to be honest it was more just compliments and jokes (nice ones not at my expense). Honestly this will sound bad but it gave me a bit of a big head, I’ve never received such positive comments from so many men in all of my life, I felt like Marilyn Monroe or something 😂 I loved Morocco and thought the people were lovely and friendly and kind and helpful and I felt very safe. It was more (and I HATE this word but) ‘banter’ I suppose. I was never touched and never made to feel unsafe. It wasn’t seedy. I was in Marrakech.

You are unlikely to be in actual danger, but you are going to get a lot more harassment than you are probably accustomed to. People hitting on you, catcalls, etc. For some travelers it can be quite uncomfortable. Others are able to ignore it, or give off signals that shut the boys down.

Hi! I can share my experience. I went to travel to Morocco in 2009. We were two women travellers alone. We knew Morocco is muslim and arabic country where gender norms are different than in our home country (Europe). But I didn't know all the harrassment will be so intense and so aggressive. I expected people will be nicer and more respectful, despite our differences.

We were harrassed practically all the time. We were dressed very modestly (no shorts or t-shirt, only long sleeves, no make up) but we were constantly being shouted at or commented by men (young and older men). I felt extremely UNSAFE and SCARED.

One night a receptor of a hotel in Casablanca tried to break into our hotel room- we quickly locked the door and put a heavy wardrobe to the door so he could not enter.

The whole trip ended well, but I never want to repeat it again. It didn't expect this.

I only received aggressive approach from MEN. Women on the other side were extremely nice and respectful. We had bad experience with men, but not with women- women were all loving, respectful and pieceful.

Hate to add to the negative experiences but I thought Marrakech was awful. Went with DH and another couple, all in our 30s, and the whole trip was hard work with constant hassle to buy stuff and people (men) trying to give us wrong directions in the medina, thinking it was amusing. It wasn’t. I also got groped - hand literally up my skirt - in the main square with DH standing next to me. I’ve travelled all over, been to other Muslim countries with no issues. I’d never go back!

I've been 6 or 7 times as a sexy young thing and a frumpy mum with kids. I've been to Marrakesh, Essaouira, into the Atlas, into the desert.

I think I've only been touched inappropriately once and I was in a pitch black tunnel so not necessarily on purpose. I don't think I've even had any hassled or really felt any tension. I do always dress appropriately so perhaps that helps.

I hope you'll go and have a great time.

Don't go without male company.
Moroccan men are disgusting.
Essaouira is also full of sex tourism and very seedy.