Money & the souks
Money in Marrakech: Cash, ATMs, Cards & Tipping
Getting money right in Marrakech is simple once you know two things: the local dirham is a 'closed' currency you get on arrival, and a lot of the medina still runs on cash. Sort those and you'll glide. Here's the full picture — currency, ATMs, cards, exchange and a straight tipping guide.
- Read
- 10 min
- Topic
- Money & the souks
- Updated
- 20 July 2026
At a glance
- The dirham (MAD) is closed — get it on arrival at ATMs or bureaux, not before you fly.
- Carry cash for the medina, taxis, tips and street food; keep small notes handy.
- Cards work in hotels, bigger restaurants and modern shops — but not most souk stalls.
- Tipping is expected but small: round up, and keep coins and 10–20 MAD notes for it.
The dirham and getting cash
Morocco's currency is the dirham (MAD), and it's a closed currency — you're not meant to import or export it, and you can't easily buy it abroad. That means your plan is to arrive with a debit/credit card and withdraw dirham on the ground. As a rough anchor, expect somewhere around 10–11 MAD to the euro and a little more to the pound; check the day's rate before you travel.
ATMs are everywhere — in the airport, across Gueliz and around the medina's edges. Withdraw from bank-branded machines, be aware of local withdrawal fees plus your own bank's charges, and take out a sensible chunk at once to minimise fees rather than lots of small withdrawals.
Cards, cash and where each works
Cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at hotels, riads, mid-range and upmarket restaurants, supermarkets and modern boutiques in Gueliz. But the medina souks, food stalls, petit taxis, small cafés and most one-off purchases are cash-only.
Practical rule: keep a card for bigger and formal payments, and always carry enough cash — with a stock of small notes and coins — for a day in the medina. Tell your bank you're travelling so a card isn't blocked, and keep a backup card separately.
Exchanging money safely
If you'd rather exchange cash than withdraw, licensed bureaux de change in Gueliz and near Jemaa el-Fnaa give fair rates with no commission on major currencies — compare a couple and count your money before leaving the counter. Avoid changing money with individuals on the street.
Keep some small-denomination dirham back for your last day (taxis, tips, snacks). You can change leftover dirham back to euros or pounds at the airport before departure, since you shouldn't take much out of the country.
Tipping — who, and how much
Tipping (pourboire) is woven into daily life but the amounts are modest. A rough guide:
- Restaurants: round up or leave 5–10% in cash if service isn't already included.
- Cafés & street stalls: a few dirham of coins.
- Riad staff: tip on departure — a note (say 50–100 MAD) into the shared box for a few nights' care.
- Local guides: 100–200 MAD per group for a half-day, more for a full private day you loved.
- Drivers: 50–100 MAD for a day trip, depending on group size and service.
- Porters / bag help: 10–20 MAD.
- Toilet attendants: a couple of dirham; keep coins for this.
Frequently asked questions
Should I bring cash or use cards in Marrakech?
Bring a card for hotels, bigger restaurants and modern shops, but plan to use cash for most of the medina — souk stalls, taxis, street food and small cafés are cash-only. Withdraw dirham from ATMs on arrival, since the currency is closed and hard to buy abroad.
Can you use euros in Marrakech?
Occasionally, in some tourist-facing shops and tours, but the rate is poor and it's not expected. Pay in dirham. Exchange or withdraw a working amount of local currency on arrival and use that day to day.
How much should you tip in Marrakech?
Small amounts, but often: round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants, a few dirham at cafés, 100–200 MAD for a half-day guide, 50–100 MAD for a driver, and 10–20 MAD for porters. Keep coins and small notes handy for tipping.
Are there ATMs in the Marrakech medina?
Yes, plenty around the medina's edges, near Jemaa el-Fnaa and throughout Gueliz, plus at the airport. Use bank-branded machines, watch for withdrawal fees, and take out a decent amount at once to reduce per-transaction charges.