Morocco is one of those destinations that genuinely earns the hype. Marrakech's medina, the Sahara at sunset, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, fresh tagine for a few euros — it's a world away from Ireland, and that's exactly the point. It's also closer than you'd think, with direct flights from Dublin taking around three and a half hours.
But Morocco is outside the EU, which means a few things are different from hopping over to Spain or France. Here's what Irish travellers need to know before they go.
The Basics: Visas, Currency & Getting Around
Irish passport holders don't need a visa for Morocco — you can enter for up to 90 days without one. Just make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
The currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), and it's a closed currency, meaning you can't buy it before you leave Ireland. Your best bet is to withdraw cash from an ATM on arrival — there are plenty at the airports in Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fez. Cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, but smaller medina shops and street food stalls are strictly cash only.
Getting around between cities is surprisingly easy. The train network (ONCF) connects Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Tangier, and Marrakech reliably and cheaply. For more remote areas like the Atlas Mountains or desert towns, shared taxis or private transfers are the go-to.
💡 Tip: Marrakech and Fez are both brilliant bases, but if you have the time, doing a loop — fly into Marrakech, travel north to Fez, then exit via Casablanca — gives you a brilliant cross-section of the country.
Staying Connected in Morocco (Without the Roaming Shock)
Here's the thing a lot of Irish travellers don't think about until they land: your standard Irish mobile plan's EU roaming won't apply in Morocco. You're in Africa now, and those roaming charges can stack up fast — especially if you're relying on Google Maps to navigate a labyrinthine medina.
You've got a couple of options:
- Buy a local SIM card — You can pick one up from operators like Maroc Telecom or Orange Morocco at the airport or in most towns. It's affordable, but you'll need to hand over your passport, wait around, and deal with setup in a language you might not speak.
- Use an eSIM — This is the far easier option for most travellers. You set it up before you even leave Ireland, and the moment you land in Morocco, you're online. No queues, no language barriers, no swapping out your physical SIM.
An eSIM for Morocco gives you a local data plan on your phone while keeping your Irish number active for calls and texts. That means you can still receive messages from your bank, get WhatsApp calls from family, and use data — all at the same time, on the same phone.
Most modern iPhones (XS and later) and a wide range of Android handsets support eSIM. Check that your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible before you travel — it takes about two minutes to confirm in your settings.
Data in Morocco's cities is generally solid — 4G is widely available in Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, and along the major tourist routes. Coverage gets patchier in rural mountain areas and the deep desert, but for most trips you'll be well covered.
For a week in Morocco, a plan with 5–10 GB is plenty for most travellers. If you're planning to work remotely or stream a lot, go for something larger just to be safe.
Getting connected sorted before you fly means one less thing to figure out when you arrive jet-lagged and sensory-overloaded at Marrakech Menara Airport. Sort your eSIM now, and you'll hit the ground running.
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