Save as PDFSolo female travel: an inspiring journey of independence and discovery
What is it really like to travel alone in Morocco? Sophie shares her story in 14 questions.
Solo Female Travel in Morocco continue to reshape the way we understand adventure, courage, and personal freedom. Years ago, at Forestours, we welcomed a solo female traveler arriving in Morocco for a trekking trip. Through this experience and many others, we have had the opportunity to organize adventures for numerous women traveling alone — hikers, climbers, canyoning enthusiasts, and cyclists — as well as mixed groups. On these trips, a bunch of question frequently arises, especially from women:
“How do we find solo travel for women in Morocco?”
“Is it safe for a woman to explore alone?”
“What is it really like for a woman to travel on her own?”
This interview was inspired by the many questions we’ve recieved from women considering solo travel in Morocco. To provide firsthand insight, we spoke with Sophie about her experiences exploring the country on her own.
Among the many women who have joined our trips, Sophie stands out. Having explored countries across Europe, Asia and Africa, she brings a wealth of solo travel experience, yet it is her adventures in Morocco that are the focus of this article. At Forestours, we first welcomed her during a trekking journey in the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Over the years, she has continued exploring Morocco as a solo female traveler, returning for hiking, climbing, canyoning, and cycling adventures organized by us.
People choose to travel alone for many reasons. For some, it is a search for freedom. For others, it is curiosity, independence, or the desire to slow down and listen to themselves. Solo travel can be about adventure, self-discovery, or simply stepping outside familiar routines.
For Sophie, however, the decision came after a break-up, Travel became a way to regain confidence and independence.
What began as a personal step forward soon turned into a journey across multiple countries, each offering new perspectives and lessons. Since then, Sophie has traveled solo to 16 countries, including Algeria, The Gambia, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Chile, the United States, Cambodia, Jordan, Oman, Vietnam, Spain, Finland, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden — each destination offering unique experiences and perspectives.
1 -We asked Sophie about fears & doubts before her trip to Morocco
I don’t remember being scared of anything in particular when I booked my first solo trip to Morocco. I used a travel guide and started to study my itinerary. One thing I generally don’t feel comfortable with, is to go spontaneously when I visit a country for the first time. I’d say my main concern is not to feel comfortable enough to move around autonomously (like how do I go from one town to another, will I be able to visit the places I want to go to if I don’t have a car, will I be able to interact with people and understand how public transportation works etc).
2 - We asked Sophie how did she plan & prepare for her first solo trip to Morocco, and what resources did she rely on along the way.
For my first solo trip to Morocco, I used Le Routard to plan almost my entire route, including my first guided hike in the Tafraout area. I also sometimes rely on blog articles, for example when I am looking for advice from solo female travelers or want to know what to bring with me (clothes, equipment, etc.).
I try not to look at pictures (or as few as possible) so as not to spoil the experience for myself. I almost always use Booking.com to book my accommodation, although I am trying to rely on it less and less (which is hard to do).
3 - We asked Sophie about a particular moment that shaped the way she sees Morocco now.
The first time that I went to Souss Massa and Tafraout area, I honestly didn’t have a lot of expectations. Apart from Agadir, I had never heard of any places in the region. Now I know that Morocco is way more diverse than I thought, geographically and culturally speaking. I met some local guides during my first visit to Tafraout who taught me a lot about the Amazigh history, cultures and languages. This definitely changed the way I picture the country.
4 - We asked Sophie about a place in Morocco that revealed something she didn’t expect.
I did visit a hidden place thanks to my dearest guide who took me there. We were supposed to keep moving to our next step on the following day but I decided to stay longer as I was enjoying myself too much there. This is a place I would never have been able to go to on my own. It was an incredibly beautiful mountain landscape, with a river and small pounds to swim in. Such an exclusive experience that was made possible and unique thanks to the trust my guide and I had in each other. The kind of place where you disconnect for real and always daydream about going back to.
5 - We asked Sophie about the big interest she showed to exploring the south during the activities she did with us.
This focus comes from a mix of reasons. I enjoy certain landscapes in particular, such as the surroundings of Tafraout, which are so unique, and the coastline between Agadir and Imsouane. I also liked visiting less crowded areas like Sidi Ifni or Guelmim and its oases.
Another reason is that the further I go south, the closer I feel to the Sahara and its culture, which is very different from the northern areas of the country. The Western/European influence gradually fades, and Sub-Saharan culture becomes more present.
In places like Zagora, Guelmim, and Tata, I feel as if I have reached a different part of the continent already, one that is connected with its Sahelian neighbors, a crossroads where I can catch a glimpse of what it is like to live within the culture and heritage shaped by various desert populations.
6 - We asked Sophie one of the most common questions women considering solo travel in Morocco ask "Would you say Morocco is a safe country for women traveling alone".
Yes, it is. I encourage every woman who asks me to travel to Morocco on her own. There is a persistent stereotype that makes many people think Muslim countries are not safe for women. I have been to several of them and I have never felt unsafe. On the contrary, I know I can walk through the small pedestrian streets of Essaouira or Tangiers at night and return to my accommodation without any worries.
In less touristy places, men may stare at you, and you might feel judged even if you are wearing loose trousers or sports clothes, as I usually do when I am in the south. That said, whenever you need help, there is always someone willing to assist you. In addition, every hostel and hotel I have stayed in has felt very safe, and the staff have always been there for me.
7 - We asked Sophie How did locals react to her as a solo female traveler in Morocco.
I have had many different reactions. As people are generally very welcoming, they tend to be interested in the different stages of my trips and do not raise any concerns about the fact that I am traveling solo.
Once, a man told me that I should stop traveling and start a family, considering my age for example: “Aren’t you tired of selfishly enjoying your life? ” — “Nope.” — “Well, you should ”.
As I mentioned before, in smaller towns or in places like cafés or restaurants where you can easily be the only woman, men can stare at you in a rather intense way like, “What are you doing here?”, but won’t say anything. On the other hand, they may also approach you and enjoy chatting with you because, as you’re a tourist, they assume you will not be offended by small talk with a stranger.
8 - We asked Sophie what are the top three items she packed that made the biggest difference during her solo travels
A hat (I’m light-skinned), and anything you can use to protect yourself from the sun. A sleeping mask and earplugs for hostel nights, as well as some soap to wash your clothes on the way. I actually try to travel as light as possible.
9 - We asked Sophie if she did encounter any challenging situations while traveling solo in Morocco.
I can’t think of any difficulty or challenge that isn’t inherent to traveling. I never got lost anywhere, including when I was driving on my own. The way collective taxis work might represent an initial challenge for someone coming from Europe, but they are actually very easy to use and offer a lot of flexibility when traveling across a region or the country.
And every time I went to very remote places, I was accompanied by a professional guide.
10 - We asked Sophie if her travels in Morocco had taught her anything new about herself.
Each trip taught me a lot. One important lesson is that there is no need to plan everything. I would even say that the less you plan, the better. You might enjoy a place so much that you will want to stay one or two extra nights. You might meet people along the way and decide to join them on a hike.
These experiences taught me that there is no rush: you won’t get to see everything anyway, so you might as well slow down and enjoy the little things that make a stay truly special. You will definitely remember the meal you shared with a couple of new friends you met on a bus more than a planned visit to a museum.
11 - We asked Sophie how the landscapes and outdoor activities in Morocco, such as hiking and canyoning, influenced her overall travel experience.
It changes everything, because it takes you to places away from the touristic path, that you would never reach, even if you were traveling with your own car. I remember a two-day canyoning trip during which we reached some stunning gorges not far from the Tafraout area. I was amazed by the beauty and the peace of the place, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to discover it.
Being in remote places in small groups is also a great opportunity to slow down and to get to know the people you are traveling with.
12 - We asked Sophie what advice she would give to women planning their first solo trip.
I 100% recommend Morocco for women traveling on their own. I have always felt safe there. Each town has plenty of hostels where you can meet other tourists. Men are generally friendly and playful with tourists no matter their gender.
In smaller towns or villages, it may not be as easy to break the ice as in bigger cities, but people will always help you if you are in need. Do your thing, enjoy that cup of tea with your new friends, and—as everywhere—if something feels wrong in your gut, you have every right to decline an invitation.
You’ll have a lot of fun 🙂
13 - We asked Sophie which moments from her trips in Morocco will stay with her forever.
I have so many examples… When I stayed for a few days on my own in a small and peaceful oasis near Guelmim… The stunning view when we reached the end of the canyoning trip in the Aoukerda gorges… The feeling of exclusivity when I could enjoy a true gem of nature during a three-day hiking trip in the Tafraout area… And all the good times my sister and I have whenever we travel together in Morocco 🙂
14 - We asked Sophie if she will return to Morocco again, if so, what her plans are for her next visit.
“For sure” lol. I am considering going back this year for a music festival taking place in M’Hamid in the south, where the desert begins. Hopefully with my favorite guide and some friends 🙂
It is also always hard to resist the call of the coast… Let’s see how long it takes before I give up and go back.
