Visiting
A Practical Guide to Public Toilets in Morocco
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Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
| Types | Western-style in hotels/restaurants. Squat toilets in public facilities. |
|---|---|
| Toilet paper | Rarely provided. Carry your own tissues. |
| Cost | Free in restaurants. 1-2 MAD at attended public toilets. |
| Cleanliness | Ranges from impeccable (hotel) to challenging (bus station). |
| Water hose | Many toilets have a hose instead of paper. This is the local norm. |
| Essential kit | Tissues, hand sanitizer, small change. |
Nobody writes about toilets. Every traveler thinks about them. Morocco’s public toilet infrastructure is not what you are used to, and understanding it saves you from awkward moments in the medina. This is the guide you did not know you needed.
The Squat Toilet
If you have never used one, Morocco may be your introduction. A porcelain basin at floor level with footrests on either side. Face the wall, squat, and use water from a hose or bucket. Toilet paper goes in the bin, not the bowl. The plumbing cannot handle paper. Squat toilets are common in public restrooms, bus stations, and older buildings. Hotels and modern restaurants have Western-style toilets.
The Tissue Rule
Carry tissues or travel wipes at all times. This is not a suggestion. Public toilets rarely provide paper. Buy small packs at any hanout (corner shop) for 2 to 3 MAD. Hand sanitizer is equally essential since soap is not always available.
Finding a Toilet
In the medina, order a mint tea at a cafe (8 to 15 MAD) and use their facilities. This is perfectly normal and socially acceptable. In tourist areas, attended public toilets are available near major sights for 1 to 2 MAD. Mosques have ablution facilities but these are for worshippers only. Shopping malls, fast food chains, and fuel stations along highways have the cleanest public toilets.
Practical Tips
- Carry tissues and hand sanitizer everywhere. Non-negotiable.
- Have 1 and 2 MAD coins ready for attended toilets.
- Hotel lobbies in major cities will usually let non-guests use the bathroom if you ask politely.
- Restaurant toilets are your best option in the medina. Order something small.
- If traveling by road between cities, fuel stations have the most reliable toilet facilities.
Related Guides
Accuracy note: Travel information, prices, and practical details in Morocco can change. This article reflects conditions at the time of writing. Verify current details before planning your trip.