1) It’s A Land of Many Languages
Due to its geographic location, colonial background and religious history, Moroccans speak many languages. During the rule of King Hassan II, Arabic and French were the official ones, but when he died in 1999, his son Mohammed VI became king and made Arabic and Berber — the language his mother spoke — the country’s official languages. As this shift occurred in just the last 18 years, many locals speak all three, if not more. Today, students learn Arabic and Berber in school, while also having the option to study a third language of their choosing, which is typically French or English.

2) You’ll See the Influence of Many Religions
While Morocco is considered a majority-Muslim country, there is a rich diversity of religions practiced here and you can expect to see mosques, churches and synagogues in all major cities. Additionally, about 40% of Moroccans identify as Berber, an ethnic group native to North Africa that pre-dates its Arab inhabitants — their religious beliefs lie in nature and their symbol, as seen on the Berber flag, is the free man. You’ll see this symbol, as well as the flag, most frequently in the southern part of the country.

3) Dress Modestly
Dress conservatively — you will mostly see a woman conservatively covered from knees to elbows, except for maybe some Westerners in Marrakech. It’s best to wear a scarf around your neck each day in case the opportunity arose to visit a mosque, but otherwise it was not required as a foreigner to wear a headscarf. However, wearing a scarf came in handy at night in the desert to wrap the scarf around your head Berber-style to simultaneously secure your hair from whipping in the wind, protect your head from the sun and shield your nose and mouth from the sand.

4) Everything Grows in Morocco
Aside from the arid climate of the Sahara Desert, Morocco’s agricultural industry thrives thanks to its otherwise fertile terrain. Driving through the countryside, you’ll find orchards of oranges, cherries, apples, peaches, bananas, olives, figs, dates and of course, Argan, next to neat rows of roses, thyme, rosemary, saffron, mint, strawberries, lentils and most palate-pleasing of all, grapes. Morocco is a wine-producing country, with vineyards and wineries primarily operating in the Meknes region. As this is a majority-Muslim country, the opportunity to purchase wine is scarce — it can still be found in some grocery stores and restaurants that are geared towards tourists, but it’s illegal to sell alcohol to Muslims. Therefore, Moroccan wine is produced primarily for export to France, but don’t worry, you’ll have ample opportunity to grab a few bottles from Duty Free as you exit the country.

5) Rock the Kasbahs — and the Riads
Many of the buildings you’ll explore or spend the night in in Morocco are designed with two principles in mind: protection and modesty. Kasbahs, for example, were fortresses built to protect the family or a group of families living inside them. Their high walls were designed to be impenetrable and uninviting, while the inside was a calm and safe environment for family life. Since the ’90s, many traditional Moroccan houses, known as riads, have been turned into guesthouses. Like kasbahs, riads are built with a modest exterior but once you are welcomed into the internal courtyard, you’ll soon discover an ornate oasis. All guest rooms open to the center, encouraging a communal environment with your fellow guests — many riads also offer a rooftop terrace view that can’t be beat.

6) Stay Where the Action Is
While most cities offer a wide range of accommodation options, it is recommended to stay in riads that are located within the walls of the medina. Additionally, you should choose a riad close to the babs — or doors — of the medina, as medinas are winding passageways and you don’t want to have to travel too far dragging your suitcase over tiny cobblestone streets packed with people, donkeys and motorbikes. Also important to know: Wi-Fi, while pretty much universally available, is almost always based on the ground floor reception of your riad, so the further upstairs you stay, the weaker your connection will be.

7) A Local’s Guide to Tipping
In Morocco, you won’t find yourself short on opportunities to leverage locals for their advice. The custom is for a good service, a tip of 10% is typical. If you spend even a short time with a tour guide, a small tip is customary. The same applies in restaurants and for anyone who has generally gone out of their way to help you. For an artisan or craftsperson — someone you’d meet on a visit to the Fes tanneries, for example — purchasing their wares is preferable to a tip, however if you don’t want to buy anything, a small tip is always appreciated.

8) Go Beyond Marrakech
If you only see Marrakech on your trip to Morocco, the journey is still well worth it. But there’s so much more to Morocco. To immerse yourself in the Berber culture, spend a night or two in Merzouga, a town on the fringe of the Sahara Desert’s dunes where you can venture via dromedary (a one-humped camel) to a one-of-a-kind slumber party in the desert. To experience a bustling medina, head to Fes where you can purchase everything from Berber rugs to mosaic pottery to authentic leather goods. And you’d be worse off by skipping the dazzling blue city of Chefchaouen for fantastic photos, but also to catch the sun set over the Rif Mountains from the rooftop of your riad.

9) Just Say No to Henna
If you do find yourself staying put in Marrakech, you’ll likely spend a decent amount of time navigating busy Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Among the snake charmers and shop keepers, you’ll also be hocked by women offering, some rather aggressively, to apply henna art to your hands. Our local guide advised us to avoid these women as this is usually just a set-up for tourists — the ink they’re using isn’t the typical henna ink; instead, they’re using quick-dry chemicals that may irritate your skin.

10) Buy Your Spices at a Berber Pharmacy
In every medina, in every city, you’ll find rows upon rows of colorful spices. Your first inclination will be to snap a photo. Before you do, it’s respectful to ask the shopkeeper if you can take a photo of his or her shop. Fair warning: some may want you to pay a small fee to do so, or you may be expected to buy something once you take your photos. Your second inclination will be to purchase some of these spices to take home. Instead, buy them at the Berber pharmacies because, unlike the photogenic spice towers in the souks, these spices are kept in sealed containers and aren’t exposed to air pollution.