Morocco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Africa and also an excellent remote working destination in this part of the world. On this basis, here is a comprehensive digital nomad Morocco guide.
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Welcome to Morocco: An Arabic Fairytale With Lots of Nomad Advantages
Located on the northwesternmost tip of Africa, Morocco offers a vibrant mix of natural diversity and cultural heritage.
Long before the advent of Islam, nomadic Berber tribes inhabited modern-day Morocco, and their linguistic and cultural roots are still present today.
From the 7th century onwards, the Muslim conquest of the Maghreb came to Morocco, and the country adopted Islam. After that, several Arab and Berber dynasties ruled Morocco.
In the 20th century, Spanish and French colonists divided Morocco into zones of influence. The colonization lasted until Morocco gained independence in 1956.
All of those eras left their mark on the country, and the modern state of Morocco is a fascinating mix between Berber, Arab, and European aspects. As such, Morocco is both modern and traditional, and the multifaceted influences are visible all over the country.
History aside, Morocco has incredible natural diversity, with deserts, beaches, and snowy mountain peaks enchanting visitors from all over the world.
When it comes to remote working in Morocco, the country has a lot going for it:
- It’s one of the safest and most stable countries in North Africa;
- The cost of living is low compared to most of Europe and North America;
- Morocco is by far the most developed country in this region; and
- Thanks to its historic and natural diversity, Morocco is a great place to visit.
On this basis, here is a complete digital nomad Morocco guide covering all the bases.
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca / Shutterstock
The Best Places to Live in Morocco as a Digital Nomad
Morocco has lots of nomad-friendly cities that are worth considering. In this context, here are the best digital nomad Morocco locations.
Casablanca: the Largest City and Economic Center
Casablanca is Morocco’s industrial and commercial powerhouse.
The four-million-metropolis is the most populous city in the country and home to Morocco’s largest airport.
Better still, it also has the country’s best nomad infrastructure and high-speed train connections to many other cities. Aside from that, the food and nightlife offer is only second to Marrakesh.
In short, Casablanca is the most modern and developed city in Morocco.
It’s, however, not the most beautiful city and its tourist sites are limited. Even though Casablanca hosts the second-largest mosque in Africa, it’s not a tourist destination.
In consequence, if you want to be in a well-developed city with great connections, Casablanca is one of the best places to live in Morocco.
Marrakesh and Fez: the Prettiest Cities in Morocco
Marrakesh is the most-visited city in Morocco. It has some of the country’s most famous sites – including the Jemaa el Fnaa market square, as well as a stunning historic core.
Marrakesh also has the highest concentration of digital nomads in Morocco, thanks to its plethora of coffee shops and chilled-out coworking spaces. Finally, Marrakesh also has the country’s best nightlife scene.
All in all, Marrakesh is a great place for any digital nomad in Morocco, but it can suffer from over-tourism. It’s also located in the desert, and it’s not as well-connected as Casablanca.
Fez is one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco. Similar to Marrakesh, it has incredible Berber heritage and architectural sites. Comparing the two, Marrakesh is more touristy and more developed. Fez has more authenticity.
The Old Town of Fez with dying pools / Unsplash
Rabat: the Underrated Capital
Rabat is only the seventh-largest city in Morocco but its political capital. It’s one of the most underrated places in the country, and tourists usually skip it.
Rabat is, however, also one of the most livable and well-developed places with a charming old medina.
You won’t find the same beauty as in Marrakesh here, and it doesn’t have the infrastructure of Casablanca, but Rabat is still worth considering if you want to stay in a smaller, more low-key city on the Atlantic coast.
The Kasbah (old town) of Rabat / Shutterstock
Tangier: a Historic City on the Strait of Gibraltar
Home to around 1 million people, Tangier is the largest city in northern Morocco.
What makes Tangier a fascinating place to stay is its diverse past. The city has a lot of Spanish and French influence, and it became an “international zone” in the early 20th century.
Featured in two James Bond films, Tangier has a charming mix of Arabic, Spanish, and Berber heritage, making it the most beautiful city on the Moroccan side of the Strait of Gibraltar.
Agadir and Essaouira: Resort Cities on the Atlantic
If you want to be on the beach, the best places to live in Morocco undoubtedly include the cities of Agadir and Essaouira.
Agadir is Morocco’s primary resort city and a tourist haven. It’s, nevertheless, also a beautiful beach town with high-rate infrastructure.
Essaouira is a smaller, more low-key beach city with a picturesque old town. The town also has lots of authentic markets and calm beaches.
Ouarzazate: the Moroccan Hollywood in the Atlas Mountains
If you’re looking for the best places to live in Morocco’s Atlas mountains, Ouarzazate is your top choice.
Located south of the High Atlas, many people call Ouarzazate the “Moroccan Hollywood.”
Countless famous flicks – including Game of Thrones, Prince of Persia, and Kingdown of Heaven were shot here. The city has numerous film studios but also a beautiful old kasbah fortress.
Better still, Ouarzazate benefits from film industry revenues and, therefore, enjoys a high standard of living and top-notch infrastructure right in the Moroccan desert. It’s also close to Aid Benhaddou, one of the most stunning ancient cities in all of North Africa.
Aid Benhaddou in the Atlas Mountains / Shutterstock
Cost of Living in Morocco
Morocco is a relatively affordable country when you consider its high levels of development. It’s more expensive than Turkey, for example, but undoubtedly cheaper than all of Western Europe.
Here is a breakdown of one month of digital nomad expenses in Marrakesh and Casablanca:
- Serviced high-end guest houses and hotels: 850€;
- Food and Drinks: 250€;
- Transport: 75€;
- Tourist activities and weekend excursions: 225€;
- Miscellaneous like SIM Cards, barbers, a co-working spaces: 50€.
Total digital nomad Morocco budget: 1,450€ (~1,650 USD).
I splurged a bit on guest houses and hotels because I wanted high-end yet traditional accommodation. I also went on a private tour into the Atlas Mountains, which came at a premium.
As such, you could get that budget down by 20-30% if you choose a cheap Airbnb or local rental and don’t go on too many tours.
Rug sales in the old city of Marrakesh
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Morocco’s roads, trains, and airports are among the most developed in all of Africa. As such, there are lots of quick ways to travel around the country. Better still, the standard of living in Morocco is much higher than in most of the region.
Transport
Morocco’s national railway company offers connections between the major cities. Some routes even use French TGVs that can go up to 320 kph (200 mph). You can book your tickets online on the ONCF site.
Alternatively, there are bus connections between all the cities. Find more information on Comparabus (in French only).
There are also domestic flights with Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia Maroc. However, thanks to the efficiency of Moroccan trains, there aren’t too many reasons to take a flight – unless you are going from Marrakesh all the way north to Tangier.
Sim Cards
The French telecommunications company Orange is present in Morocco and sells SIM Cards to tourists. You can get around 15 GB for less than 20 USD. Alternatively, Maroc Télécom also offers SIM Cards. Whenever you buy a SIM Card in Morocco, you need to show a copy of your passport.
Wifi Speed
Morocco’s internet speed is among the fastest in Africa, but at an average of 7.36 MBps, it’s nowhere near the global top.
You can find high-speed Wifi in some hotels, Airbnbs, coffee shops, and co-working spaces, but always check beforehand.
The train station of Rabat / Shutterstock
Accommodation for Digital Nomads in Morocco
Most digital nomads in Morocco will use Airbnb. There are lots of great deals in the larger cities, but in smaller towns, Booking.com is usually the better choice.
Finding an apartment through a local agency is challenging if you are there on a tourist visa.
Finally, it’s essential to know that according to Moroccan law, non-married Muslim couples cannot lodge in the same place (no matter if it’s a hotel, Airbnb, or apartment). The rule also applies to foreigners and to couples with one Muslim partner.
Some hotels don’t enforce this rule, and many Airbnb hosts have a don’t-tell-don’t-ask policy. Nevertheless, many accommodations take it seriously. So, be prepared if you’re visiting Morocco with a Muslim partner.
Digital Nomad Morocco Guide: Remote Working Locations
When it comes to co-working spaces and nomad-friendly coffee shops, you’ll find the best ones in Marrakesh and Casablanca. Here are some places to work from in Morocco:
- Emerging Business Factory in Marrakesh: a mix of startup incubator, coworking space, and restaurant with excellent Wifi;
- The Spot in Marrakesh: a trendy coworking space with a laidback atmosphere;
- New Work Lab in Casablanca: one of the best coworking spaces in the city where you’ll meet entrepreneurs from all over the world;
- Spaces Anfa Casablanca: a hybrid between a coffee shop and coworking space with high-speed Wifi and a gym; and
- Regus: a chain with coworking spaces in Tangier and Casablanca.
Tangier at night / Unsplash
Culture and People
Morocco is a Muslim country, and some parts of society are highly conservative. You can find alcohol in tourist establishments and certain bars and shops, but it’s frowned upon.
Along those same lines, you should always adhere to Islamic dress codes when visiting Morocco.
Apart from religion, Moroccans are some of the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet, and most of them are curious.
Don’t be afraid when someone strikes up a conversation (apart from insistent taxi drivers and faux guides.) 95% are simply eager to talk to you and don’t want to sell you anything. The ones who do will seem annoyed if you refuse, but after five minutes, they’ll have forgotten. Never let someone pressure you into buying something.
Finally, the monarchy is an essential part of Moroccan thinking. As such, it’s not acceptable to criticize members of the royal family.
Digital Nomad Morocco Guide: FAQ
To round off my digital nomad Morocco guide, here are some useful things to know before traveling to Morocco.
Is Morocco Safe?
Morocco is generally a safe country. There are, nevertheless, a few things to be aware of as a Morocco digital nomad.
On this basis, here are some high-level Morocco safety tips:
- Don’t walk into unknown neighborhoods. Ask locals whether the area you’re planning to visit is safe;
- In tourist locations like Marrakesh and Fez, be careful with people offering you “free” guided tours. Even if they insist, just ignore them. They are so common in large cities that the Moroccans even have a name for them: “faux guides.” They will show you around and later take you to some shop where they will pressure you into buying something or demand money.
- Always be careful with your belongings in crowded places. I use a Pacsafe Venturesafe sling bag to keep my camera and wallet safe, and it has served me well all over the world.
- Some regions in Morocco have drug plantations and other illegal activities. Always check your government’s guidance on which areas to avoid when traveling alone.
What Languages Do People Speak in Morocco?
Primarily, people speak four languages in Morocco.
The two main languages are Arabic and French, but many in the North also speak Spanish. Aside from those, the Berber language is present in the South and other rural areas.
In touristy places like Marrakesh – and business centers like Casablanca, you’ll also find English speakers. English levels are, however, usually limited to what people need for tourist communication.
If you don’t speak Arabic, the easiest way to communicate in Morocco is to learn some basic French. Almost everyone in the country is fluent, and it’s the language of choice for many.
Is There a Digital Nomad Morocco Visa?
At the time of writing, there is no bespoke Morocco digital nomad visa.
Most remote workers will visit Morocco on a 90-day tourist visa which is available to many nationalities.
There are also eight different categories of residency visas available. Find out more about the visa policy of Morocco here.
Are There Many Fellow Nomads in Morocco?
You’ll find a handful of remote workers in Casablanca, Fez, and Tangier. If connecting with fellow nomads is your priority, Marrakesh is the only place with a sizeable nomad community.
