Moroccan Dirham, Currency of Maghreb
Alright so that flashy Berber rug of vibrant blue, cherry red and canary yellow vigilantly hand woven by the skilled hands of a Moroccan, and the cup of fresh juice from the vendor two doors down don’t come without a price. Most vendors in the maze like souks prefer cash although some may take Visa. There are a few things travelers should know about exchange and Moroccan currency before touring Morocco.
Banking hours are from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Morocco Currency is called the dirham, and is issued by the central bank of Morocco, Bank Al-Maghrib. It is also important to know that the export of the dirham is prohibited by law, and exchanging money in the streets is illegal. The dirahm is a currency that is restricted therefore when planning a Morocco Tour it’s ideal to plan how much you need for your private tour or journey.
The dirham has been the main currency of the Middle East and the Islamic world throughout the years. The dirham originated from an ancient Greek coin.
Example Exchange Rates as of 2016/ 2017 Are:
1 USA Dollar = 9.0 Moroccan Dirhams
1 Euro = 11 Moroccan Dirhams
1 GPB = 13 Moroccan Dirhams
Travelers who tour Morocco are advised to take travelers checks to avoid surcharge rates. The dirham can be found in ATMs with daily withdrawal limits in larger towns. Credit cards are customary in large restaurants and hotels. Make sure to check your pockets for loose change before heading home. When leaving Morocco travelers are expected to exchange all currency back to its original form with the receipt issued upon arrival.
For those who have a deeper interest in currency, the Currency Museum in Rabat, is worth a visit. It is housed in a Mauresque building of the Bank Al-Maghrib and contains more then 30,000 monetary pieces. It offers over 2000 square meters of a permanent exhibition and audio-visual experience.
For more information about Moroccan Currency.
