Morocco Currency and Dirham Tips: ATMs, Cards, Cash and Exchange
Morocco uses the Moroccan dirham (MAD), a closed currency you can only obtain inside the country, so plan to withdraw cash from an ATM or exchange euros, pounds or dollars on arrival. At the time of writing, one euro is worth roughly 10-11 dirhams. Cards work in hotels and larger shops, but cash is essential in souks, taxis, cafés and rural areas.
The basics of the Moroccan dirham
- Code: MAD; written locally as DH or Dhs.
- Banknotes: 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams.
- Coins: 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirhams, plus small centime coins.
- Exchange rate: approximately 10-11 MAD to €1 and 12-14 MAD to £1 at the time of writing. Check a live rate before you travel, as it moves.
Because the dirham is a closed currency, you cannot usually buy it at home, and you are only allowed to take a small amount in or out of the country, within limits set by Morocco's foreign exchange office. Check the current limit before travelling.
Where to get dirhams
ATMs
ATMs (guichets automatiques) are widespread in cities and towns, including at the airports. Bank-branch machines from major Moroccan banks are generally the most reliable. Withdrawal limits per transaction are often around 2,000-4,000 MAD, and your own bank may add foreign transaction fees. When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and choose dirhams; the conversion rate offered is usually worse.
Bureaux de change
Exchange offices and banks change euros, pounds and dollars at rates regulated by the central bank, so the differences between them are small and commission is rarely charged. Airport exchange desks are usually fine for an initial amount. Bring clean, undamaged notes; torn notes may be refused. Keep your receipts: you need them to change unused dirhams back when leaving, and reconversion may be limited.
Cash in remote areas
ATMs are much scarcer in the desert and mountains. Merzouga has very few, and they can run out of cash at busy times; Rissani and Erfoud have more. In Atlas villages such as Imlil, bring enough cash from Marrakech.
Can you pay by card in Morocco?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most hotels, larger riads, supermarkets, chain restaurants, fuel stations and upmarket shops. Contactless payment is increasingly common in cities. However, many small restaurants, cafés, taxis, market stalls and souk shops accept cash only, and some businesses add a surcharge for cards. American Express is less widely accepted. Carry at least one backup card kept separately.
How much cash should you carry?
For a day in Marrakech or Fes, many travellers find roughly 300-600 MAD enough for meals, taxis, snacks and small entry fees, excluding shopping. Keep a stock of 20 and 50 MAD notes and some coins for tips, taxis and toilets; small change is surprisingly hard to find. Split cash between a wallet and a separate hidden place.
Prices in the souks: dirhams, rials and bargaining
Most souk items have no fixed price, and bargaining is expected. Start by asking the price, counter at a level you are comfortable with, and settle somewhere in between; walk away politely if it does not work. Fixed-price co-operatives and shops exist if you prefer not to bargain. You may also hear prices quoted in rials (1 dirham = 20 rials) or in "francs" (1 dirham = 100 francs, i.e. centimes), mainly in markets and among older Moroccans. If a price sounds surprisingly high, ask to confirm it in dirhams.
In Fes, where the medina is especially large and the craft souks are intense, a guide helps you understand quality and fair prices. Our guided tour of the Fes medina includes the artisan quarters with no obligation to buy, and our Fes travel guide has more tips for the city.
Typical costs at the time of writing
| Item | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Mint tea in a local café | 10-20 MAD |
| Simple tagine in a local restaurant | 50-90 MAD |
| Short petit-taxi ride in a city (metered) | 10-30 MAD |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | 6-10 MAD |
| Hassan II Mosque guided visit | approx. 140 MAD |
Prices vary by city and venue, and tourist-facing places in central Marrakech cost noticeably more.
Avoiding money problems
- Tell your bank you are travelling so your card is not blocked.
- Count change carefully, and check notes are dirhams, not look-alike coins from elsewhere.
- Use ATMs inside banks or in daylight, and shield your PIN.
- Agree taxi fares or insist on the meter before starting.
- Budget for tips: see our guide to tipping in Morocco.
For entry rules including customs limits, see our Morocco visa and entry requirements, and for broader precautions read is Morocco safe for tourists.
Budgeting for a trip
Much of your spending will be on accommodation, tours and transport, which are often paid in advance or by card. Day-to-day cash covers meals, drinks, taxis, entry fees, tips and shopping. Monument fees are generally modest: madrasas in Fes are approximately 20-30 MAD each at the time of writing, while major sites such as the Hassan II Mosque tour cost more. Train tickets on the ONCF network can be paid by card online or at larger stations, and CTM long-distance buses accept online payment. Petit taxis and grand taxis are cash only.
Should I bring euros or pounds?
It is sensible to bring a modest amount of euros, pounds or dollars in cash as a backup, in case an ATM does not accept your card or a network is down. Euros are the most widely recognised foreign currency. Some tourist businesses quote in euros, but you will almost always get a better deal paying in dirhams.
Book it with a local operator
Booking your main activities in advance means less cash to carry and no haggling on the spot. Our Fes medina tour with a licensed guide starts from €29 per person, with riad pickup included, and you can reserve now and pay later with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Browse all our Morocco tours or contact us on WhatsApp at +212 606 957 514.
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