Why travel as a solo female? And why Moroccan solo female travel might surprise you

There are many reasons to travel as a solo female, and travel trends show there are growing numbers of us doing just this — especially as International Women’s Day inspires more women to explore the world on their own terms. In fact, it’s never been easier to travel alone as a woman with a growing number of tours tailored to solo travellers and more and more information available on the internet.

I’ve been solo travelling for the last few years and it’s included some of the most fulfilling experiences of my life – and it all started with a G Adventures group tour to Morocco.

Why travel as a solo female?

There are many reasons to travel as a solo female: perhaps you haven’t got anyone to join you, your travelling style is different to your friends, or you don’t want to go to the same places. But travelling alone doesn’t just need to be a compromise — for me it’s actually preferable.

I like to travel alone because it gives me more freedom and allows me to be more spontaneous. Last minute trips are easier to organise, I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do and I can visit more off-the-beaten-path destinations. But most importantly, it allows me to fully immerse myself in a place and its people — to connect more.

Whatever your reason for considering solo female travel, I strongly urge you to give it a go! If you’re looking for inspiration, support, or trips designed with women travellers in mind, G Adventures also has a collection of trips created to celebrate women exploring the world. You can check them out here.

Morocco solo female travel: why it’s one of my favourite destinations as a woman

I took my first ever tour with G Adventures to Morocco in 2023 and I’ve been hooked ever since. The winding souks, wide open vistas and dizzyingly tall minarets have led to me visiting the country another two times.

Taking that first trip with G Adventures gave me the confidence to explore more of the country alone, especially after learning so much from the Chief Experience Officer (an expert local guide) about the culture and customs.

It also served as a useful anchor point whilst getting used to the busier areas and made it easy to meet other travellers.

The final benefit of that group tour to Morocco was that it helped me to understand how to stay safe whilst exploring new places (I’ll share my solo female travel Morocco safety tips with you later).

Today, I feel very comfortable visiting Morocco as a woman, so much so that it has become one of my favourite solo female travel destinations.

Join the same tour I went on: Morocco Kasbahs & Desert

My core Morocco memories

Morocco is a destination that stays with you long after you leave, where ancient history and living culture collide to create something extraordinary. Here are some of the memories which have stuck with me:

Seeing the Sahara Desert

When I booked my first trip to Morocco I was more focused on the history and culture, but when I arrived at the Sahara Desert it was so beautiful it quickly became one of my top highlights. The light illuminates everything in golden hues and the shadows that the sand dunes cast can only be described as perfection. At night I was treated to some of the best stars I’ve ever seen with the night sky illuminated with full constellations.

Meeting Berber people

Berber (or Amazigh) people live mostly in the mountains and deserts of Morocco, which meant I had multiple opportunities to meet them during my tour and to learn about their culture. In the Sahara I joined in on a drumming demonstration, which brought pure connection and a feeling of joy to my heart. I also met desert nomads who showed me how to make Berber pizza in their makeshift outdoor ovens — delicious!

Exploring the historic cities

My tour took me to the ancient Roman ruins of Voloubilis, where I was blown away by the marble pillars and preserved ceramics, and through the bustling Djemaa el Fnaa square in Marrakech which comes alive at night with street performers and markets. But by far my favourite city highlight was exploring the narrow streets and souks of UNESCO-listed Fes. It felt like stepping back into medieval times, where crafts like leather tanning, metalwork and silk dying have remained unchanged for generations and the sounds, smells and colours made it easy to connect to the city’s story.

Hiking in the High Atlas Mountains

During my second trip to Morocco I spent a few days hiking through the Atlas Mountains, where Berber people have lived for thousands of years. Hiking up the steep inclines which opened up into panoramic views over valleys, I felt a sense of peace I’ve never felt before – and getting closer insight to remote mountain life is a privilege I’m very grateful for. Along with the scenery, one thing I’ll never forget is seeing a 70 year old woman carrying 20kg (44.1 lbs) of sticks on her back for miles to feed her cattle!

Eating Moroccan food

From sipping on refreshing mint tea to sampling local delicacies like cous cous, pastilla and warm, homemade bread, everything I tasted in Morocco was rich with aromatic flavour. One of my trip highlights was attending a cookery class, where I learned how to make an authentic Moroccan tagine — a hands-on experience that I’ve tried to recreate since. Food, for me, is one of the most meaningful ways to understand a place, and it’s a huge part of why I keep returning to Morocco. Even now, just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

G Adventures has a great selection of Morocco tours, many of which combine multiple of these things, so you can explore more of the country in one trip.

Solo female travel Morocco safety tips (from someone who’s visited three times)

Before I travelled to Morocco alone, I remember doing a lot of research on safety. Now I’ve visited three times, these are my top solo female travel Morocco safety tips:

Be prepared for a different culture

Depending on where you’re from and where you’ve travelled before Morocco can be a sensory overload. In the cities, people shout at you, try to sell you things and it’s loud — but if you prepare yourself you’ll be less overwhelmed and more excited to experience something different.

Check the ‘dress code’

Out of respect for the local customs, I had my knees, shoulders, and the whole of my torso covered at all times (unless at the beach). I also tended to opt for loose fitting clothes. Not only is this respectful, but it will also attract less stares or unwanted attention.

Book onto a tour for Fès and the desert

I’ve read of some female travelers skipping those parts of the country, because Fès can feel chaotic and the desert is incredibly remote. My suggestion is to book onto a group tour, as for me they were the highlights of my first trip and it would be a huge shame to miss out.

Stick to busier and well lit areas

If you’re terrible at directions like me, the medina streets can be difficult to navigate. Staying on main thoroughfares and sticking to well lit areas helps you to get around more easily, avoid getting lost and feel safe. It also makes it easier to return to your accommodation if something doesn’t feel right.

Stay connected

Staying connected also helps me to feel safe when I’m a long way from home. Pick up a local SIM at the airport or buy an e-sim before you go.

For women visiting Morocco alone for the first time, tours like G Adventures’ Solo-ish Morocco trip are designed specifically with solo female travellers in mind, making it easier to experience places like Fes and the Sahara with confidence.

More top tips for solo female travel in Morocco

A few more top tips on how to prepare for a trip to Morocco:

Learn some local phrases

Moroccans love it when you speak to them in their local language and it’s a great way to make new friends. Just a few courtesy phrases can go a long way and it’s fun to learn!

Do your research

Your Chief Experience Officer will help keep you right with this one, but it’s good to do a little research before – especially around how to haggle, what to pack and local customs.

Eat as much as you can!

Moroccan food is some of the best in the world, so make the most whilst you’re there. From tagine to cous cous to harira soup (washed down with mint tea of course!) I couldn’t get enough of it.

Carry a scarf

Dress codes are more strict at some important historical and religious sites, so it’s worth carrying a scarf to cover knees/ shoulders/your head in case needed.

Book onto a group tour

Even though I travel to Morocco without a tour now, I still believe part of the reason I fell in love with the country was because of that first G Adventures trip. Being able to pack so much into eight days allowed me to appreciate the true vibrancy of the place and its people which ultimately led to me returning.