How Much Spending Money Do You Actually Need for Morocco?

This is one of the most common questions we get before our Morocco trips. And it is a fair question, because "spending money" advice online ranges from "£20 a day is plenty" to "budget £100+ daily."

Let us give you a realistic breakdown based on actual experience.

First: What Is Already Covered?

If you are joining a group trip (like ours), your trip price typically includes:

• Accommodation (boutique riads and hotels)

• Daily breakfast

• Airport transfers

• Private transport for activities

• Key experiences (desert trips, guided tours, etc.)

• Coordination and support throughout

That means your spending money is for:

• Return flights

• Lunches and dinners

• Drinks (soft drinks, alcohol)

• Snacks

• Tips

• Souvenirs and shopping

• Any personal extras (hammam spa, henna, additional activities)

Daily Budget Breakdown

Here is what you will pay in Morocco (prices in Moroccan Dirham with approximate GBP):

Food:

• Street food sandwich or snack: 15-30 MAD (£1.20-£2.50)

• Lunch at a local cafe: 50-80 MAD (£4-£7)

• Dinner at a mid-range restaurant: 100-180 MAD (£8-£15)

• Dinner at a nicer restaurant: 200-350 MAD (£16-£28)

• Mint tea: 10-20 MAD (£0.80-£1.60) - usually complimentary

• Fresh orange juice: 10-15 MAD (£0.80-£1.20)

• Beer (where available): 40-70 MAD (£3.20-£5.60)

• Bottled water: 5-10 MAD (£0.40-£0.80)

Tips (expected in Morocco):

• Restaurant: 10% of the bill or round up

• Guides: 50-100 MAD per day (£4-£8)

• Drivers: 50-100 MAD per day (£4-£8)

• Hotel porters/housekeeping: 10-20 MAD (£0.80-£1.60)

Personal extras:

• Traditional hammam spa: 150-400 MAD (£12-£32)

• Henna: 50-150 MAD (£4-£12)

Souvenirs (prices vary wildly, haggling expected):

• Small leather goods: 100-300 MAD (£8-£24)

• Scarves or textiles: 100-400 MAD (£8-£32)

• Argan oil: 100-250 MAD (£8-£20)

• Spices: 20-100 MAD (£1.60-£8)

• Larger items (rugs, lamps): 500+ MAD (£40+)

What I Have Seen Travellers Actually Spend

On our Morocco trips, I have watched people worry about money on day one. Then by day two or three, they realise the prices are much lower than they expected.

Suddenly, they want to get the hammam spa. They want henna done. They want to go out in the evening. They end up doing a lot of shopping because the prices are genuinely good.

You can get beautiful stay-at-home dresses for 50 dirham, which is ridiculously cheap when you convert to pounds. People come back with bags full of clothes, argan oil, spices, and leather goods because the quality is excellent and the prices make sense.

Three Budget Levels

Budget (£30-40 per day)

You eat street food or cheap local cafes for most meals. You skip alcohol, hammam (it is harder to find and more expensive anyway). You buy a few small souvenirs. You tip appropriately but do not overspend.

Good for: travellers who prefer authentic local food and are not big shoppers.

Comfortable (£50-70 per day)

You mix street food with sit-down restaurant meals. You have a few drinks here and there. You visit a hammam and get a henna tattoo. You buy some souvenirs without going overboard. Tips are covered comfortably.

Good for: most travellers who want to enjoy the experience without constantly counting dirhams.

Flexible (£80-100+ per day)

You eat at nicer restaurants regularly. You enjoy drinks freely. You shop without strict limits. You do additional paid activities. You tip generously.

Good for: travellers who want to treat themselves and not think twice about purchases.

Our Recommendation

For a 6-day Morocco trip, we suggest bringing:

• Minimum: £150-210 (if you are very budget-conscious)

• Comfortable: £250-300 (what most travellers find works well)

• Generous: £350-400+ (if you want full flexibility)

Most of our travellers bring around £250 and find they have enough for good food, a hammam, some shopping, and all their tips with a bit left over.

Money Tips I Tell Every Traveller

You will need cash. Morocco is largely a cash economy. Cards work in some places, but do not rely on them.

Use ATMs, not airport exchanges. You will get a much better rate withdrawing dirhams from an ATM than exchanging cash at the airport. A Monzo or Starling card works well for this.

Bring Bank of England notes. Scottish and Northern Irish notes are often not accepted if you do need to exchange cash. Stick to English notes or just use your card at ATMs.

Carry small notes. Vendors and taxi drivers often cannot break large notes. Keep 20s and 50s handy for tips and small purchases.

Haggling is expected in the souks. Start at about half the quoted price and negotiate from there. Be friendly, be patient, and walk away if it does not feel right. They will often call you back.

One More Thing

I learned about tipping culture the hard way. On our first Morocco trip, the men who carried our luggage into the riad held me back, asking for tips. I had already paid for the transfer, so I was confused and almost embarrassed.

I had to call our contact and ask, "What is a good amount to give?" He told me, and I sorted it out. But it caught me off guard.

Now I make sure every traveller knows what to expect with tipping before we arrive. It is part of the culture, and once you know, it is easy to handle.

Planning a Morocco trip? Our Easter 2026 group trip covers accommodation, breakfast, and experiences. You just need spending money for meals and souvenirs. See the full details here.