Visiting
A Practical Guide to Public Toilets in Morocco
Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
| Types | Western-style and squat toilets both exist; facilities vary by venue. |
|---|---|
| Toilet paper | Do not assume it is provided; carrying tissues is useful. |
| Cost | Some facilities are free and some attended toilets charge a small fee. |
| Cleanliness | Standards vary widely by location and venue. |
| Water | Water hoses, taps or buckets are common in many facilities. |
| Useful kit | Tissues, hand sanitizer, small change. |
Toilets are an unglamorous but useful part of trip planning. In Morocco, facilities vary by city, building and venue, so a few simple habits are more useful than a single rule about what every toilet will be like.
Squat and Western-style toilets
You may encounter both Western-style toilets and floor-level squat toilets. Neither is confined to one type of building, although newer hotels, malls and restaurants are more likely to have Western-style fixtures. If you have not used a squat toilet before, take your time and use any water fixture provided in the way indicated by the venue.
Waste arrangements also vary. Some buildings ask users not to flush paper because of their plumbing; others use ordinary flush systems. Follow posted instructions or ask rather than assuming one rule applies everywhere.
Tissues and hand hygiene
Carrying a small pack of tissues is sensible because paper is not guaranteed, particularly in basic or heavily used facilities. Soap and drying facilities can also be inconsistent, so a small hand sanitizer is useful when travelling.
Finding a toilet
Hotels, cafes and restaurants may have customer toilets, but ask before using them if you are not already a customer. Shopping malls, larger fuel stations, railway stations and other transport facilities are also useful places to look. At some attended toilets there may be a small charge, so keeping a few coins is practical.
Mosque facilities are primarily there for worship and ablution; visitors should not treat them as general-purpose public toilets. When in doubt, ask a nearby business or staff member where the nearest appropriate facility is.
Practical Tips
- Carry tissues and hand sanitizer when you will be away from hotels or malls.
- Keep a little small change for attended facilities.
- Ask before using a hotel, restaurant or cafe toilet if you are not a customer.
- Malls, larger service stations and transport hubs can be useful places to look, but standards vary.
- Do not assume toilet paper belongs in the bin or the bowl; follow signs or ask staff because plumbing and waste arrangements vary by building.
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.