Trip Planning
Is Tap Water Safe in Morocco? Water, Food and Health Tips for Travellers
Published November 5, 2026 by Morocco Amazing Tours
The short answer: tap water in Moroccan cities is treated and many locals drink it, but most visitors stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid stomach upsets from unfamiliar water. Bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere; a filter bottle cuts plastic. Brushing your teeth with tap water is usually fine in cities. Food hygiene, sun and heat matter more for your health than the water itself.
Water: what to do
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| Drinking | Bottled or filtered water; check the seal is intact |
| Brushing teeth | Usually fine with tap water in cities; use bottled if you have a sensitive stomach |
| Ice | Fine in good hotels and restaurants; avoid in street drinks |
| Mint tea and coffee | Safe: the water is boiled |
| Rural areas and mountains | Do not drink spring or well water untreated |
Food without worries
- Choose busy places where food is cooked in front of you; see our Jemaa el-Fnaa food tips.
- Cooked dishes like tagines and soups are the safest choice in the first days.
- Peel fruit, and eat raw salads in good restaurants and riads rather than at stalls.
- Wash or sanitise your hands before eating; you often eat with bread and fingers.
Discover what to order in 15 Moroccan dishes to try.
If your stomach protests
- Rest, drink plenty of water with oral rehydration salts, and eat plain food (rice, bread, bananas).
- Pharmacies, marked by a green cross, are everywhere; pharmacists often speak French and some English, and give good advice.
- See a doctor if you have a high fever, blood in your stool, or symptoms lasting more than two days. Riads and tour companies can call one.
Sun, heat and altitude
- The sun is strong all year: hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
- In summer, avoid sightseeing between about 1 and 4pm and drink more than you think.
- Above 3,000 m, as on Toubkal, walk slowly and watch for altitude headaches.
- In the desert, carry water on every outing; see Merzouga weather.
Practical numbers
Ambulance and fire: 15. Police in cities: 19. Gendarmerie outside cities: 177. Carry travel insurance details with you, and read official advice such as the UK travel advice for Morocco. This article is general information, not medical advice; talk to your doctor before you travel.
All of our private tours include bottled water in the vehicle, and our drivers know where the nearest pharmacy or clinic is on every route. Add this to your pre-trip checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink tap water in Morocco?
City tap water is treated and many locals drink it, but visitors usually prefer bottled or filtered water to avoid stomach upsets.
Can I brush my teeth with tap water in Morocco?
Usually yes in cities. If you have a sensitive stomach, use bottled water.
Is ice safe in Morocco?
In good hotels, riads and restaurants it is generally made with filtered water. Avoid ice in street drinks.
Are pharmacies easy to find in Morocco?
Yes. Look for the green cross. Pharmacists are well trained and many speak French and some English.
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