Travelling Morocco with a Dog: What to Know Before You Go

Table of Contents

• Is Morocco Dog Friendly?
• Entry Requirements for Bringing a Dog to Morocco
• Driving in Morocco with a Dog
• Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Morocco
• Beaches & Public Spaces: What to Expect
• Vet Access in Morocco
• Cultural Considerations
• What I Learned Travelling Morocco with Roly

Is Morocco Dog Friendly?

As someone who travelled to Morocco by car from Spain with my dog Roly, my first observation was: cats rule the streets here. They’re everywhere, in medinas, harbours, cafe corners, even on car bonnets quietly woven into daily life. Dogs, on the other hand, occupy a very different space culturally.

Morocco is dog-friendly but not in the way Western Europe is dog-friendly. You won’t find dogs under restaurant tables as standard, nor water bowls outside every shop. In many areas, dogs are not commonly kept as household pets in the same way they are in the UK or France. That difference shapes the atmosphere.

That said, travelling Morocco with a dog isn’t difficult, it just requires awareness. In coastal towns like Essaouira, Asilah, Taghazout, long beach walks felt easy and relaxed. In Rabat, promenade strolls were comfortable, but beyond that, most formal public spaces weren’t dog-friendly, and access to restaurants, monuments, and enclosed areas were generally restricted. Marrakech depended more on the neighbourhood: modern districts and terraces were generally fine, while the tighter medina streets required more attentiveness.

Stray dogs do exist, and reactions from locals range from warm curiosity to polite distance. I never experienced hostility, but I did stay observant. Respecting the environment, choosing accommodation carefully, and understanding cultural nuance made all the difference.

Morocco overall, may not be as effortlessly dog-friendly as Europe but with realistic expectations and thoughtful planning, it’s absolutely manageable.

Entry Requirements for Bringing a Dog to Morocco

We entered Morocco by ferry from Algeciras (Spain) to Tangier Med after driving down from the UK through France and Spain. By that stage of the trip, Roly was travelling on a French-issued EU pet passport, which we arranged in Rennes after converting his original UK Animal Health Certificate.

For UK passport holders, Morocco grants a 90-day stay on arrival with no prior visa required. My passport was stamped at entry in Tangier Med, and the process was quick and straightforward.

In our case, there were no formal document checks carried out for Roly at boarding or on arrival. His microchip was not scanned, and his vaccination records were not inspected.

However, official requirements do exist.

To bring a dog into Morocco, your pet should:

• Be microchipped
• Have a valid rabies vaccination
• Travel with official veterinary documentation (such as an EU pet passport or equivalent health certificate)

Although these documents were not requested at the port during our crossing, we were fully compliant with all vaccination and identification requirements.

If you are travelling from Spain to Morocco with a dog by ferry, it’s important to assume that checks can happen, even if they don’t always. Border enforcement can vary, and regulations may be applied differently depending on port and timing.

The ferry crossing itself takes approximately 1.5 hours, and once off the boat at Tangier Med, the drive south toward Asilah takes just over an hour.

Driving in Morocco with a Dog 

Morocco drives on the right, the same as mainland Europe but different from my home country, the UK, where we drive on the left. Because we had already driven through France and Spain before crossing into Morocco, I was comfortable with right-hand driving by the time we arrived.

Road conditions in Morocco are varied and that’s part of what makes driving here so interesting.

On major motorways, the experience is seamless. Long, well-maintained stretches connect cities like Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech, and much of the journey feels straightforward. There are toll checkpoints on certain routes, so it’s worth keeping small cash accessible. Police presence is also common, particularly on highways and at city entry points. Speed checks and routine traffic stops are normal, so driving within the limit and carrying your documents is essential.

Once you move off the motorways, the landscape shifts. Drives become more scenic and unpredictable. Livestock often cross the road with their herders, especially in rural areas. Locals may hitchhike from the roadside. Passing through small towns requires slower pacing, awareness, and patience. On narrower secondary roads, potholes can appear suddenly, meaning you sometimes need to adjust your line to avoid damaging your tyres. It’s not chaotic, but it is different. The key is alertness and steady driving rather than speed.

As for travelling Morocco by car with a dog, Roly settled into the journeys quickly. He’s used to long drives and travels calmly, either watching the scenery from the seat beside me or curling up for a nap as the road stretches ahead. The varied terrain, open landscapes, and slower pace made road days feel less stressful than you might expect.

Driving in Morocco with a dog is entirely manageable as long as you’re attentive, patient, and comfortable adapting to the local road culture.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Morocco

During our time travelling Morocco with a dog, I primarily used Airbnb and Booking.com to secure accommodation. Both platforms offer a dog-friendly filter, which makes it easy to narrow options quickly and focus only on properties that explicitly allow pets.

Even when a listing was marked as pet-friendly, I always followed up with a short message to the host to confirm I was travelling with a dog. Every host responded positively and confirmed acceptance before arrival.

In most cases, there was no additional fee for bringing a dog. However, in some properties particularly in Marrakech, a small pet cleaning surcharge was added. It wasn’t excessive, but it’s worth factoring into your budget.

We stayed across a range of accommodation styles, from rural guesthouses to city apartments. In Asilah, we stayed at a guesthouse slightly off the beaten path, surrounded by open land and nature. It wasn’t unusual to wake to birdsong, the distant call to prayer, or even a donkey grazing nearby. The setting felt relaxed and spacious, ideal for travelling with a dog. The communal areas also created a social atmosphere, with shared meals and evenings spent around the fireplace.

In Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Essaouira, we opted for Airbnbs. In Marrakech, we chose a property on the outskirts within a gated golf community. That location offered balance: green space for morning walks combined with easy access to the medina, cafes, and restaurants when we wanted to dip into the city.

In Essaouira, we split our stay between two locations. The first was an apartment five minutes from the beach, perfect for daily walks. Later, we moved inside the medina, which offered a different pace while still remaining close to the coastline. Having a rooftop terrace made a significant difference; both as a workspace and as a safe, contained space for Roly to relax outdoors.

Overall, finding dog-friendly accommodation in Morocco was far easier than expected. The key is filtering properly, confirming with hosts in advance, and choosing locations that provide access to open space, especially in larger cities.

Beaches & Public Spaces: What to Expect

Beaches in Morocco were, in many ways, the most effortless part of travelling with a dog. In coastal towns like Essaouira and Asilah, vast stretches of open sand made daily walks expansive and unhurried. There were no formal restrictions on dogs, and the scale of the beaches naturally created space. Early mornings and late afternoons offered the best experience, particularly outside peak domestic holiday periods.

That said, Morocco doesn’t operate with clearly signposted “dog beaches” or designated pet zones. The approach is informal. It’s about reading the environment rather than relying on structured rules. If a beach felt crowded or heavily used by families, I kept Roly close and respectful. On quieter stretches, there was genuine freedom to move.

Public spaces inland were more variable. Promenades and open seafront paths were manageable, but formal gardens, monuments, and enclosed public parks were often not dog-friendly. In Rabat in particular, access to many landscaped gardens and historic sites was restricted. Marrakech’s medina required focus with its tight streets, motorbikes weaving through traffic, and a higher density of stray animals demand attentiveness.

Stray dogs are present across Morocco, especially in rural areas and less tourist-focused towns. Most kept their distance, but awareness is essential. Keeping your dog on a lead in public areas isn’t optional, it’s about safety and cultural respect.

Cats are far more integrated into daily life than dogs, and you’ll see them everywhere. For most dogs, they become background movement. Roly quickly learned to observe rather than engage.

Overall, public spaces in Morocco are navigable with a dog, but they require awareness and adaptability. There isn’t dedicated dog infrastructure. You move thoughtfully, assess each setting, and adjust accordingly.

Vet Access in Morocco

Finding veterinary care in Morocco was straightforward. While we were in Essaouira, Roly was due his annual vaccination. My UK vet, The Hackney Vet, had sent a reminder, so I simply booked an appointment locally. The Moroccan vet carried out a full health check, administered the vaccination efficiently, and updated the details directly into Roly’s French-issued EU pet passport.

Afterwards, I scanned the updated page and sent it back to my UK vet so their records remained current. Seamless and uncomplicated.

In larger towns and cities, vet clinics are easy to find. Standards were professional, and appointments were easy to secure.

Dog food is also readily available. Veterinary clinics often stock it, and there are dedicated pet shops in most urban areas. That said, much of the retail pet market in Morocco caters more heavily toward cats, given their visibility and numbers. It’s worth checking availability of your preferred brand in advance, particularly if your dog has specific dietary requirements.

Overall, access to routine veterinary care and supplies wasn’t a challenge. With basic planning, it’s entirely manageable.

Cultural Considerations

Morocco is not a dog-centric culture in the way much of Western Europe is. In Islamic tradition, dogs are often viewed differently than in Western pet culture. While not forbidden, they are sometimes considered ritually impure in certain contexts, and historically have been kept more for guarding, herding, or working roles rather than as household companions. As a result, the relationship with dogs can feel more functional than emotional in some settings.

That cultural backdrop shapes public life. You won’t see the same cafe culture of dogs under tables or inside boutiques as you might in France or Spain. In cities like Marrakech and Rabat, dogs are less integrated into daily social spaces. You may receive curious looks. In some places, you may simply be turned away. It isn’t hostility. It’s difference.

Respect goes a long way. Keeping your dog on a lead, avoiding crowded markets and religious sites, and being mindful around street animals is essential.

In coastal towns and more relaxed areas, attitudes felt more flexible. But overall, travelling with a dog in Morocco requires awareness and cultural sensitivity rather than assumption.

For me, that meant observing first, adjusting where needed, and remembering I was a guest in a country with its own norms.

What I Learned Travelling Morocco with Roly

Travelling Morocco with a dog isn’t complicated. Logistically, it was far more manageable than many people assume. Entry was straightforward. Driving was seamless once you understood the road dynamics. Veterinary access was reliable. Accommodation was easy to secure with planning.

The real shift was cultural. Morocco doesn’t revolve around dogs in the way parts of Europe do. You won’t find widespread dog-friendly cafes or dedicated pet infrastructure. Instead, you adapt. You observe. You move with awareness and respect for the setting you’re in.

For us, that meant choosing accommodation carefully, and reading each environment before assuming access. And once we understood that, Morocco opened up beautifully.

From beach walks in Essaouira to road miles between Tangier and Marrakech and beyond, Roly travelled confidently by my side. We experienced the richness of Moroccan culture, the warmth and generosity of locals, and the contrast between medina life and wide Atlantic coastlines.

Morocco isn’t dog-centric but it is deeply layered, vibrant, and full of character. With preparation and awareness, it’s absolutely a place you can experience with your dog.

And for us, it was one of the most memorable chapters of the journey so far.