Morocco in October? Would you still go?

[OfAllThePlaces]

I have a family holiday booked for Morocco in October, I am in two minds whether to keep it, or change it to somewhere else.

I know there is no conflict there, however I'm anxious that it is a Muslim country and given the current state of things between America and Iran, I'm worried it'll spill out there.

Should I change it, and if so, where is likely in Europe to be somewhere that I'll not feel constantly anxious while there.

I wouldn’t go there again even before this last lot of conflict, I felt really unsafe there.
we usually go Portugal and it’s always lovely

I was not a big fan of morocco when I went, there was a sort of vague undercurrent of threat everywhere (although I went as a single woman, I do think families might have a different experience) and it’s definitely not a place I’d want to be if there was any unrest going on, although that’s based more on ‘feeling’ than any actual facts. We are sticking to this side of Europe this year!

Thank you both.

So you think Spain/Portugal? How far east would you go?

In terms of the conflict no one knows what will happen so you either wait it out or change it.

Are you going to Marrakech or by the coast? I loved Morocco, I went with a group of female friends and we were fine, we were in Marrakech. One of my aunts has been many times to the coast with the grandchildren and they have a super time.

We always go to Vilamoura and stay by the marina, it’s beautiful

I’ve just come back this week from Marrakech, felt very safe - it’s very different and the wild traffic, bikes, chaos takes some getting used to, and I found the animal welfare side of things really quite hard to stomach, but the people were very warm and friendly and it was an experience I enjoyed over all.

We're just back from our second visit, this time to Marrakech and then on to another city by train. Never felt unsafe as an older couple, in fact were made to feel very welcome, and had some interesting chats with people. It helps if you speak French or learn a few words of Moroccan Arabic.

Morocco might be Muslim but the political situation is far more complicated than that. Israel have supported Morocco in their claim to Western Sahara, so there are many more elements in the equation.

I went to Marrakesh this time last year and had a great time and felt safe. There's less drinking alcohol in a Muslim country so fewer pissed up people around which helps I think. I wouldn't hesitate to go again and don't think the situation in the Middle East matters.

I would have no qualms about visiting now or later in the year. It was a very beautiful place to visit and a bit overwhelming bustle wise. You do need to be ready to be firm- I met some not very nice pushy people trying to take advantage of tourists, the same as many poorer countries, but we also met some really lovely people. One tour guide we went back to his very simple one room house and shared a meal with him then travelled the country with him for the next week in a hired car- he was possibly the kindest and most honest man I have ever met, we still message occasionally on facebook. So like anywhere you do have a mixed bag. The food was delicious, I miss the melt in the mouth tagines even now. There was a bombing in the square in Marrakech in 2011- but it has been calm since and I wouldn't consider it an active threat or worry that Iran would spill over there- they don't have much to do with Iran and the US. There have been bombings in other countries I have visited more recently than that and it felt as safe as anywhere would in Europe.

Morocco is a long way both geographically and politically from the current situation in the Middle East.

it’s very stable and has good relationships with the us and western countries.

I think going from "The US is bombing Iran, therefore every Muslim country might become dangerous to white people" is a bit of a reductionist stretch. For one thing, Iran is bombing several other Muslim countries. Pakistan and Afghanistan are basically at war with each other too.

And that's before we've got into the Shia/Sunni thing... Bahrain is only solvent because the Saudis subsidise them to shore up their eastern flank against Shia agitation. Much of the Muslim world regards the IRGC as dangerous nutcases who shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a nuclear weapon. It's been widely reported that the Saudis have options to buy nukes from Pakistan if Iran ever gets close.

Bottom line, Muslims in general, and Moroccans in particular, are a bit more intelligent and nuanced than "Ooh, a white person, they must support bombing Iran, let's get them".

Should I change it, and if so, where is likely in Europe to be somewhere that I'll not feel constantly anxious while there.

Remember that anywhere in Europe is a thousand miles closer to Ukraine than to Iran, and Russia has vastly more and nastier missiles than Iran does. As kindly as I can put this, if you're going to worry about being hit by a drone from Iran when you're in, say, France, you might want to get some mild anti-anxiety treatment. 🙏

We went to Marrakech, Atlas mountains, and Sahara desert in October 2025.

Loved it, felt very safe, & it felt like everyone in France was visiting Marrakech at the same time as us.

Morocco is great for a holiday - of course I would go.

Thanks everyone for your input.

I'll give it more consideration before making any changes.