When we plan a trip to Morocco, the seemingly simple factor of Morocco time actually contains a lot of key information that affects the travel experience. Knowing Morocco time can not only help us plan our itinerary better and avoid the trouble caused by jet lag, but also ensure a smoother and more enjoyable journey.
Morocco is located in the World Standard Time (UTC±00:00) time zone, which is 8 hours behind China's East Eighth District time. In other words, when Beijing time is 10 am, it is only 2 am local time in Morocco.
In Europe, countries in the same time zone as Morocco include the United Kingdom, and there is no time difference between the two. However, countries in the East One Zone, such as France and Germany, are 1 hour ahead of Morocco. Across the Atlantic Ocean, the continental United States spans four major time zones: Eastern Time (UTC-5), Central Time (UTC-6), Mountain Time (UTC-7) and Pacific Time (UTC-8). By this calculation, Morocco is 5 to 8 hours behind these time zones. Canada also has multiple time zones, and the time difference with Morocco is between 4 and 8 hours.
It is worth noting that Morocco implements daylight saving time every year (from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October), during which the clocks are advanced by 1 hour. Therefore, during daylight saving time, the time difference between Morocco and China is shortened to 7 hours, and the time difference with other countries will also be adjusted. When planning a trip, be sure to confirm whether the travel date is during the daylight saving period to avoid affecting your trip due to incorrect time difference calculations.
Jet difference can disrupt your body clock, especially when flying to Morocco from far-flung countries such as Asia or America. In order to better adapt to the local time, it is recommended to avoid arranging too tight a schedule on the first day of the trip to give your body enough time to adjust. Try to rest in advance to help relieve fatigue caused by long-distance flights. If you feel sleepy or lack energy, don't force yourself and adjust your travel plans appropriately.
In addition, when contacting relatives and friends in China, you need to pay special attention to the time difference and avoid making phone calls or video calls during their rest time.
Moroccans’ daily routine is different from that of many countries, which has a profound impact on tourists’ travel experience.
Moroccan shops and markets usually open around 10 a.m., so there is no need to leave too early to avoid missing shopping opportunities. Banks usually close at 2 or 3 p.m., so you need to plan ahead when handling financial matters. Especially during the Friday noon prayer time, many shops and service industries will be closed, and the business hours on Friday afternoons and weekends will also be shortened.
In Morocco, lunch time is usually late, around 1 to 2 p.m., and dinner starts after 8 or even 10 p.m. When you first arrive in Morocco, you may find that restaurants are sparsely populated at noon, but at 8 p.m., restaurants begin to bustle. Integrating into the local eating hours will not only allow you to better taste Moroccan cuisine, such as tagine pots and couscous, but also increase the opportunity to interact with local people.
Many unique activities in Morocco are closely related to time. Here are some highlights that you can't miss: Djemaa El Fna Square in Marrakech: It gradually becomes lively in the afternoon, and the lights are brilliant at night. Various street performers and food stalls gather together, showing a strong exotic atmosphere. Essaouira Fishing Port: In the early morning, fishermen return from fishing, which is the best time to experience Moroccan coastal life. Chez Ali Traditional Performance: Moroccan folk music and dance are usually held at a specific time at night. If you miss the time, you may not be able to enjoy these Moroccan art performances. Understanding the time schedule of these activities and making reasonable plans based on your own itinerary can make your trip more colorful.
Flying from China or other distant areas to Morocco usually requires transfer. When purchasing air tickets, you should consider the flight time and transfer time comprehensively, and try to choose a flight with a transfer time between 2 and 4 hours, so that you have enough time to transfer and you won't have to wait too long at the airport.
Choose the right departure and arrival time based on Morocco time and your own jet lag adaptability. For example, choose a flight that departs in the evening so that you can rest during the flight and arrive in Morocco in the morning, which is convenient for adjusting your schedule.
Fare and services of different airlines vary, and major ticket purchasing platforms often have discounts. Spend more time comparing to find more cost-effective air tickets.
Morocco has a unique style, from the mysterious ancient city of Marrakech to the vast Sahara Desert, each place exudes charming charm. Based on the understanding of Morocco time, carefully plan your itinerary and purchase air tickets, and you will be able to integrate into this mysterious land more smoothly. Are you ready to embark on this journey full of surprises? Let's leave beautiful memories together in Morocco!
If you want to know more about Morocco, please refer to our blog: Morocco travel guides.
Planning to travel to Morocco? You can refer to these itineraries for inspirations:
3-Day Sahara Adventure: Marrakech to Fes via Ait Benhaddou & Merzouga Desert
5-Day Journey through Northern Morocco: A Blend of History and Culture
7-Day Morocco Adventure: A Custom Journey from Marrakech
13-Day Moroccan Odyssey: A Custom Journey from Casablanca
Want to customize your Morocco travel itinerary? Feel free to contact us for personalized tour experiences:
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