
Moroccan Dirham in Krakow – What Currency Is Used in Morocco and Where to Buy MAD Before Your Trip?
Planning a holiday in Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca or a road trip around Morocco and wondering what currency to take to Morocco? The official currency of the country is the Moroccan dirham (MAD) and – contrary to information that can still be found in some online travel guides – dirhams can also be purchased in Poland. Not every currency exchange office offers them, but if you are looking for Moroccan dirhams in Krakow, MAD is available, among other places, at Grodzka 46 Exchange in the city centre.
So is it worth buying euros first and only exchanging them for dirhams after arriving in Morocco? Not necessarily. If you are starting with Polish zloty, it is worth comparing not only the EUR/MAD exchange rate in Morocco, but the total cost of two currency exchanges: PLN → EUR → MAD. With a good rate, exchanging PLN directly into MAD may turn out to be both more cost-effective and much simpler.
There is, however, one important rule to keep in mind: travellers may bring a maximum of 2,000 MAD in banknotes into Morocco. For this reason, dirhams purchased in Krakow are best treated as convenient cash for your first expenses after arrival rather than necessarily your entire travel budget.
Where to Buy Moroccan Dirhams in Krakow?
If you search Google for “Moroccan dirham Krakow”, “where to buy dirhams in Krakow” or “MAD exchange office Krakow”, you will quickly notice that there are far fewer options than for euros, US dollars or British pounds. MAD is a less commonly traded currency and is not available at every exchange office.
At Grodzka 46 Exchange in Krakow, you can both buy and sell Moroccan dirhams. The exchange office is located at 46 Grodzka Street, between the Main Market Square and Wawel Castle, making it easy to stop by before your trip without having to search for exchange offices on the outskirts of the city.
Before visiting, it is worth checking the current Moroccan dirham exchange rate in Krakow, because – just like other currencies – the MAD rate changes depending on market conditions. If you need a larger amount, it is also a good idea to make sure in advance that the required number of banknotes is available.
It is also important to remember the limit that applies when crossing the Moroccan border. A traveller may carry a maximum of 2,000 MAD in banknotes. This amount can, however, easily serve as useful cash for your first expenses: airport transfers, your first meals, tips or small purchases.
Moroccan Dirham Krakow – MAD Exchange Rate and What to Look for When Exchanging Money
If you are travelling to Morocco and want to buy dirhams, the rate you should look at in an exchange rate table is the MAD selling rate – in other words, the price at which the exchange office sells dirhams to the customer.
It may seem like a small detail, but it can prevent a lot of confusion. The buying rate applies to the opposite situation: when you return from your trip and want to sell your unused dirhams for Polish zloty.
It is also not worth relying on a specific exchange rate that you found in an article or forum several weeks earlier. The MAD/PLN rate changes, so it is best to check the current rate immediately before exchanging your money.
If you are comparing several exchange offices, focus primarily on how many Polish zloty you will actually pay for a specific amount of dirhams, rather than simply choosing a place advertising an impressive-sounding “best exchange rate”.
Can You Buy Moroccan Dirhams in Poland?
Yes. Moroccan dirhams can be purchased in Poland, although they are not as widely available as euros, US dollars or British pounds.
Many travel guides still repeat statements such as “you practically cannot buy dirhams in Poland” or “it is not worth buying them because the exchange rate is always unfavourable”. The first statement is incorrect, while the second is an excessive simplification.
MAD is available at selected Polish currency exchange offices – including in Krakow. Whether buying it is worthwhile depends on the specific rate offered by a particular exchange office, not simply on the fact that the transaction takes place in Poland.
So instead of automatically assuming that buying euros in Poland and exchanging them later in Morocco will be cheaper, it is better to calculate both options.
What Currency Is Used in Morocco?
The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham, with the international currency code MAD. You may also see the abbreviations DH or simply “dirham”.
One dirham is divided into 100 centimes. Banknotes in circulation include denominations of 20, 50, 100 and 200 MAD, as well as coins.
The vast majority of prices in shops, restaurants, taxis, markets and service businesses are quoted in dirhams. In tourist areas, it may sometimes be possible to pay in euros, but this does not mean that the euro is Morocco’s second official currency.
What Currency Should You Take to Morocco – Dirhams, Euros or US Dollars?
The answer depends mainly on what currency you already have before your trip.
Moroccan dirhams
For someone travelling from Poland, buying some dirhams before departure can be very convenient. After leaving the airport, you do not have to immediately search for an ATM or exchange office and can pay for your first small expenses in the local currency.
Euros
Euros are easy to exchange in Morocco, which is why many travel guides recommend taking them. However, the fact that they are easy to exchange does not automatically mean that this is the cheapest solution for someone starting with Polish zloty.
If you do not already have euros before your trip, you first have to buy them:
PLN → EUR
and then carry out another transaction in Morocco:
EUR → MAD
Before choosing this option, it is therefore worth calculating the cost of the entire process.
US dollars
US dollars can also be exchanged in Morocco. If you already have USD, they can be a convenient backup currency.
However, buying dollars specifically with Polish zloty only to exchange them later for dirhams creates exactly the same issue as with euros: instead of one currency exchange, you are making two.
Buy Dirhams in Poland or Take Euros and Exchange Them in Morocco?
If you have Polish zloty before travelling to Morocco, the simplest and most logical solution is to buy dirhams directly in Poland, rather than first buying euros and then exchanging them again for MAD once you arrive.
Many travel guides repeat the advice that “it is best to take euros because dirhams have an unfavourable exchange rate in Poland”. However, this recommendation overlooks one very important fact – you also have to buy those euros with Polish zloty first.
The euro option therefore looks like this:
PLN → EUR → MAD
Whereas buying dirhams before your trip looks like this:
PLN → MAD
The difference is significant. In the first option, you carry out two currency transactions, and each of them involves a spread – the difference between the buying and selling rate of a currency. First, you pay the cost of buying euros with Polish zloty, and then the cost of exchanging euros into dirhams.
When exchanging PLN directly into MAD, you make only one transaction. This means you avoid the indirect cost of converting your money twice and immediately know how many dirhams you will receive for a specific amount of Polish zloty.
This is why simply comparing the EUR/MAD rate at a Moroccan exchange office with the MAD/PLN rate in Poland is misleading. To calculate the true cost fairly, you also need to include the price at which you previously bought euros in Poland. Only then can you see how many MAD you actually receive for the same amount of PLN.
So if you can buy Moroccan dirhams in Krakow at an attractive rate, there is no need to make an additional exchange through euros. Buying MAD directly is simpler, more transparent and allows you to avoid the cost of a second currency conversion.
At Grodzka 46 Exchange in Krakow, you can buy Moroccan dirhams directly with Polish zloty before your trip. This means you already have the local currency when you arrive and do not have to begin your holiday by searching for an exchange office and making yet another currency transaction.
If you are travelling from Poland with Polish zloty, it is therefore worth checking the direct PLN/MAD exchange rate first. Buying euros only to exchange them for dirhams later simply means an additional step and an additional spread that can potentially be avoided.
PLN → MAD or PLN → EUR → MAD? How to Calculate It Correctly
Imagine that you want to spend 1,000 PLN on cash for your trip.
In the first option, you check:
1,000 PLN → how many MAD will you receive directly?
In the second option:
1,000 PLN → how many EUR can you buy in Poland → how many MAD will you later receive for those euros in Morocco?
Only then should you compare the final number of dirhams.
If the first option gives you more MAD, the direct exchange is more favourable. If the second option gives you more, exchanging through euros turns out to be better.
Simple? Yes. Yet many travel guides compare only the EUR/MAD rate available in Morocco, completely ignoring the cost of buying euros with Polish zloty beforehand.
That is why anyone looking for the best way to exchange money for a trip to Morocco should compare not a single exchange rate, but the final amount of MAD received for the same amount of PLN.
When you find a good exchange office, such as Grodzka 46 Exchange, which offers very competitive rates for less common currencies, buying the destination country’s currency directly can often be the better solution.
Is It Worth Buying Dirhams Before Travelling to Morocco?
Yes, it is worth buying at least some Moroccan dirhams before your trip. Above all, it is convenient, but it also helps you avoid a situation in which you arrive and immediately have to find an exchange office, withdraw cash from an ATM or exchange euros simply to have local currency for your first expenses.
After several hours of travelling, the last thing many people want to do is compare exchange rates at the airport and wonder where they can get the best deal. If you already have MAD when you arrive, you can immediately pay for transport, a tip, water, a snack, small purchases or other first expenses.
Buying dirhams in Poland also has another advantage: you immediately know how much your PLN-to-MAD exchange costs. You do not have to buy euros first and then carry out another EUR → MAD transaction in Morocco. With a good exchange rate, exchanging Polish zloty directly into dirhams may not only be more convenient but also more cost-effective than converting your money twice.
For this reason, we recommend that travellers to Morocco prepare at least part of their cash in the local currency before departure. So if you are wondering where to exchange currency in Krakow before your holiday – at Grodzka 46 Exchange in Krakow, you can buy Moroccan dirhams directly with Polish zloty and prepare for your trip before you even reach the airport.
So if you are wondering whether it is worth buying dirhams in Poland before travelling to Morocco – yes. Especially if you value convenience, control over the exchange rate and avoiding the need to search for somewhere to exchange money immediately after arrival.
Is It Worth Exchanging Money at the Airport in Morocco?
Of course, after arriving in Morocco you can exchange euros or another currency for dirhams at the airport. However, this does not mean that it is worth leaving all your currency exchange until that moment.
Airport exchange offices have one major advantage over travellers: they know that some passengers have just stepped off a plane without any local cash and need it right now. You may need to pay for a taxi, transfer, tip, a bottle of water or your first small purchase. In that situation, it is much harder to say: “I do not like this exchange rate, I will look for a better one somewhere else.”
This is why airport exchange rates can often be less favourable than those available at exchange offices in the city or in Poland. There is no point in adopting a rigid rule that the difference is always exactly 5% or 8%, because it depends on the particular exchange office and the day. However, the mechanism is well known in many tourist destinations – convenience and immediate access to local currency can simply cost more.
For this reason, it is best to check the rate before leaving Poland. Today, there is no need to make this decision blindly. You can check the Moroccan dirham exchange rate online in Krakow and, before travelling, also look up current rates offered by exchange offices at the airport or in the city you are flying to. This allows you to assess which option actually looks more favourable before your trip.
Just remember one thing: if you plan to take euros and exchange them at the airport, do not compare only the EUR/MADrate with the price of dirhams in Poland. You first have to buy those euros with Polish zloty. The actual route therefore looks like this:
PLN → EUR → MAD
whereas buying dirhams before travelling means:
PLN → MAD
Always compare how many MAD you will ultimately receive for the same amount of Polish zloty.
Buying some dirhams in Poland also offers a very practical advantage: after arrival, you are not forced to use the first exchange office you see. You already have cash for a taxi, tip or first purchases, and if you later need more MAD, you can calmly compare exchange rates once you are in Morocco.
So if you are flying from Krakow to Morocco, it is worth checking the Moroccan dirham exchange rate at Grodzka 46 Exchange before departure and preparing some local cash in advance. That way, the first thing you do after leaving the plane can be starting your holiday rather than searching for an exchange office with a rate you have nothing to compare against.
Can You Pay in Euros in Morocco?
In places aimed at tourists, a seller may sometimes agree to accept euros, but the official currency remains the Moroccan dirham.
Paying in euros may not always be cost-effective either. If an item costs 150 MAD and the seller converts the price into euros themselves, they will use their own exchange rate. It does not necessarily have to match the rate you would receive at a currency exchange office.
For everyday expenses, it is therefore better to carry MAD, especially when shopping at local markets, in smaller shops, taking taxis or leaving tips.
Cash or Card in Morocco?
Payment cards are widely accepted in hotels in Morocco and increasingly in restaurants, larger shops and petrol stations. ATMs are also readily available in cities and tourist destinations.
However, this does not mean that you can completely give up cash.
In smaller businesses, souks and bazaars, some taxis and for small purchases, cash in Moroccan dirhams is still extremely useful.
Before paying by card or withdrawing money from an ATM, it is also worth checking your bank’s fees and currency conversion rules. If a payment terminal or ATM offers to process the transaction directly in PLN, pay attention to the exchange rate being offered – the convenience of automatic currency conversion does not always mean a better price. You should also remember that technical failures happen, and being in a foreign country without access to cash can put you in a very difficult situation.
Whenever you travel abroad, it is a good idea to carry at least some cash in the local currency rather than relying exclusively on digital payments. The 21st century has brought many convenient solutions, including card payments and online currency platforms, but they are never completely immune to technical problems.
We advise our customers to always carry some foreign currency in cash, preferably enough to cover essential expenses if their card or bank unexpectedly blocks foreign transactions. Any remaining currency can be exchanged back into Polish zloty after returning home, which in some cases may still be a better solution than online currency conversion fees, card payment charges or ATM withdrawal fees.
It is also worth remembering that some services, excursions and purchases at local markets may only be payable in cash.
What Should You Do with Unused Dirhams After Returning to Krakow?
If you have some MAD left after your holiday, they do not have to spend the next few years sitting in a drawer as part of the “maybe we will go there again someday” collection.
You can sell unused Moroccan dirhams at Grodzka 46 Exchange in Krakow and exchange them back into PLN.
Remember that Morocco also has restrictions concerning the export of MAD. Before flying home, it is therefore worth checking how much cash you still have in your wallet and – if you have a larger amount – exchanging the excess in Morocco in accordance with current regulations.
If you return with a small amount of dirhams that falls within the permitted limit, check the current MAD buying rate in Krakow and exchange them back into Polish zloty.
Moroccan Dirham in Krakow – Key Information Before Your Trip
If you are planning a trip to Morocco, remember a few important things:
- the official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (MAD),
- dirhams can be purchased in Poland, although only selected exchange offices offer them,
- Grodzka 46 Exchange in Krakow offers both MAD → PLN and PLN → MAD exchange,
- it is worth checking the current rate and currency availability before exchanging,
- having some cash in MAD before your trip is convenient for your first expenses and useful if card payments are temporarily unavailable,
- if you are considering taking euros, compare PLN → MAD with the full cost of PLN → EUR → MAD, rather than looking only at the euro-to-dirham rate available in Morocco,
- in Morocco, both a payment card and cash are useful, while cash provides an important backup in case electronic payments are unavailable.
FAQ – Moroccan Dirham in Krakow and Currency in Morocco
Where can I buy Moroccan dirhams in Krakow?
Moroccan dirhams (MAD) can be purchased at selected currency exchange offices in Krakow. The currency is available, among other places, at Grodzka 46 Exchange, located in central Krakow at 46 Grodzka Street, between the Main Market Square and Wawel Castle. Before visiting, it is worth checking the current MAD exchange rate and availability of the required number of banknotes.
Does Grodzka 46 Exchange sell Moroccan dirhams?
Yes. At Grodzka 46 Exchange in Krakow, you can buy Moroccan dirhams before your trip and, after returning, sell any unused MAD and exchange them back into Polish zloty.
Where can I check the Moroccan dirham exchange rate in Krakow?
You can check the current Moroccan dirham exchange rate in the rate table published by Grodzka 46 Exchange. If you are buying MAD for a trip to Morocco, look at the currency’s selling rate. Rates can change during the day, so it is best to check them immediately before making the exchange.
Can I buy dirhams in Krakow before travelling to Morocco?
Yes. You do not have to wait until you arrive in Morocco to exchange your money. MAD is available at selected currency exchange offices in Poland, including in Krakow.
Is it better to buy dirhams in Krakow or take euros and exchange them in Morocco?
It is worth comparing both options. If you start with Polish zloty, a direct exchange is PLN → MAD, whereas taking euros means carrying out two transactions: PLN → EUR, followed by EUR → MAD. The deciding factor should be how many dirhams you ultimately receive for the same amount of PLN, rather than simply the EUR/MAD rate displayed at a Moroccan exchange office.
What currency is used in Morocco?
The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham, with the international currency code MAD. One dirham is divided into 100 centimes. In some tourist areas it may be possible to pay in euros or by card, but for everyday expenses it is also worth carrying cash in MAD.
Where can I sell unused dirhams after returning to Krakow?
Unused Moroccan dirhams can be exchanged into Polish zloty at an exchange office that buys MAD. In Krakow, this service is available, among other places, at Grodzka 46 Exchange at 46 Grodzka Street. Before visiting, it is worth checking the current MAD buying rate.
Is it worth buying dirhams before travelling?
Buying some MAD before your trip means you have local cash available immediately after arrival. Having at least some cash in the currency of the country you are visiting is a very practical way to prepare for your journey.
Can you pay in euros in Morocco?
In some tourist areas, this may be possible, but the official currency is MAD. When paying in euros, the seller may use their own conversion rate, so for everyday expenses it is generally better to have Moroccan dirhams.