Hayfever in Morocco – how to survive it!

The gardens at Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco
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The perils of having hayfever in Morocco

Post updated Summer 2023

Hayfever is tiresome wherever you are in the world, but having hayfever in Morocco is certainly no joke. There are lots of triggers for hayfever in Marrakech and beyond to contend with, that perhaps you wouldn’t necessarily come across in many other destinations. Incense, spice markets, perfumes, orange blossom water for hand cleansing at restaurants, enclosed hotel spaces and a whole lot of plant life even in the cities makes copying with hayfever in Morocco a bit of a nightmare.

All of these things are part of what makes the country so special, but navigating the atmosphere of aromas and pollen can threaten to ruin a holiday in Morocco. I know, because it’s happened to me!

Hayfever whilst travelling really sucks

Every year I forget. And every year it’s a nasty surprise when I’m reminded. I suffer from hayfever, and I use the word ‘suffer’ since that’s exactly what I do. All summer, and sometimes from as early as March. Sob. Until my hayfever began 10 years ago I had no sympathy for people with pollen allergies. To be honest I thought it was a fuss about nothing, and probably just an excuse to get out of mowing the lawn.

Yet I was so wrong. Hayfever is totally debilitating, can ruin your entire summer as well as your travels, and needs to be taken seriously. By those who suffer, and those who have to put up with the sufferer!

How to survive hayfever in Morocco - Tizi n Tichka
Failing to avoid flowers even high up in the Atlas Mountains

Never one to do something half-arsed, I get the full works. Incessant sneezing, itchy throat and eyes, and my nose can be blocked up for weeks, forcing me to breathe through my mouth like a fish. This then results in throat infections and more recently, terrifying asthma-like episodes.

We were in Marrakech when I first realised I had it bad. After a scary night gasping for breath in a windowless riad and seriously considering hospital, I vowed never to return to Morocco during the summer. Of course I soon forgot that vow. Nothing keeps us away from Morocco for long, and lo and behold, we were back again during a 45 degree heatwave.

This time however, I was prepared.

How to survive hayfever in Morocco, Kasbah Ellouze, Tamdaght, Ouarzazate
The Tamdaght oasis is a shady haven in the sun, but unfortunately full of pollen

What To Pack

I always pack a handful of trusty essentials to help cope with hayfever in Morocco:

  • Tissues. Take plenty of pocket packs of tissues (you can also buy these in the markets), or some handkerchiefs. Some riads don’t have tissues in the rooms and there’s only so much toilet paper a nose can take. At most cafes and restaurants in Morocco you have to tip the toilet attendant who will hand you a tiny allocation of toilet paper. Nose or bum. It’s your choice.
  • Aloe Vera balm. I use this on my nose, to block pollen and alleviate the soreness. It’s great to carry around in your handbag or pocket, ready to whip out when needed.
  • Antihistamines. These are my daily staple throughout the summer, and are usually the first thing I pack for summer in Morocco.
  • Inhaler. Consider getting an inhaler from your doctor, even if you don’t have asthma. I’ve had one purely for the hayfever, ever since our first summer trip to Morocco. Although I have used it several times to help with breathing at night, it’s also really comforting to know it’s there if I need it, and don’t have to worry about going to hospitals. I now never travel without it during hayfever season in Morocco and around the world, and it’s truly changed my outlook on summer travel.
  • Beconase Nasal Spray. Nasal sprays…some people love them, others hate them. It took me a while to get used to them, but now they’re firmly in my Morocco hayfever arsenal.
  • Eye drops. I use these in the mornings and evenings, when the pollen seems to be at its worst. They’ve been a godsend on many occasions, particularly since the cities in Morroco tend to have quite dry air.
  • Moisturiser. For when the nose gets sore (and for the sunburn when you forget to use the sun-cream)! Just make sure it isn’t scented.
  • Sunglasses. To hide those blotchy eyes, protect them from the sun and the pollen. And to look cool! Ok, so I can’t quite pull that one off.
  • A very understanding Hubbie who despite being kept awake at night for all the wrong reasons during Morocco hayfever season still says he loves me! Although that could be the sleep deprivation talking.
Surviving hayfever in Morocco, Ait Mansour Gorge, Morocco
Hiding behind the glasses at the Ait Mansour Gorge, near Tafraoute

Tips for surviving hayfever in Morocco

If you have severe hayfever and are considering visiting Morocco (and certainly the cities) then I’d suggest you leave it until the Autumn or early Spring. Or even winter, one of our favourite seasons to travel in the country!

If you absolutely have to travel during summer then hopefully these few handy tips will go some way to making your stay a little more comfortable.

In the Riad

  • Choose a riad that doesn’t have a roof terrace full of plants. You’ll be spending a lot of time up here, especially in the morning and evening when the pollen count is high, so this is important.
  • Find a riad with larger rooms to help with the airflow. Most are traditionally very small with no external windows which makes them stuffy. In Marrakech, we love Riad Assakina and Riad Camilia for their big rooms and open spaces.
  • Air con is a must!
  • Ask before you arrive if your riad or hotel uses burning oils, incense or candles. Many do, as this is all part of the romantic Moroccan vibe. You can request that they aren’t used during your stay. These scents in such confined spaces can really affect the respiratory system of hayfever sufferers. Apologies to all the baffled riad staff who keep discovering their oil burner candles blown out!
  • Some riads allow smoking on the patio and roof terraces, and this smoke can linger if there is no breeze. Ask the owners beforehand about their smoking policy.
  • Although I would always advise a city stay should involve a medina riad, if you’re visiting Marrakech, you could instead consider sleeping outside of the old town in the Palmeraie where there is more airflow and rooms will be less stuffy. Try the Tigmiza Boutique Hotel or Les Deux Tours. A great compromise is the gorgeous La Maison Arabe – this is a riad-hotel on the edge of the medina with heaps of space and a stunning pool.
  • Wash your own clothes and leave them to dry in the bathroom rather than asking for your laundry to be done. That way it won’t be hung outside to attract all the pollen!
Surviving hayfever in Morocco, Dar Mouassine, Marrakech
Choose a riad with large rooms for better airflow

In the City

  • Don’t use the hammam if you are visiting in the height of summer. It will be very hot and steamy, which doesn’t help with the breathing situation. You’ll be feeling anything but relaxed and fresh when you emerge!
  • Watch out for restaurants that use traditional orange blossom water for their welcoming hand cleansing rituals, and on cooling face flannels given to guests on arrival. They always have me sneezing!
  • Admire the Marrakech night market from the roof balcony of one of the many restaurants lining the square. You avoid the smoke (which can get quick thick) and get a much better view.
Is it safe to travel to Morocco?
Admiring the night market from the Grand Balcon cafe in Djemaa el Fna, safe from the smoke.

In the Souks

  • A real sensory experience, a single visit to the souks can be a nightmare, with all the herbs, spices, perfumes and smoke from market cooking stalls. Take a scarf (or even better, buy one from the souk!) to cover your nose when walking through these areas. Try and visit in the morning before things start to get going.
  • Surprisingly it’s actually a bit cooler in the souks as they are covered, so pop in here for a bit of a respite from the baking sun outside.
Surviving hayfever in Morocco - Spices in the souks of Marrakech
Spices in the souks of Marrakech

In the Desert

  • Go to the desert, either down at Erg Chigaga or Erg Chebbi! It’s a haven for sufferers of hayfever in Morocco. The sparse vegetation and cold nights mean you’ll be able to breathe. Always a bonus.
  • Take a headscarf for when the Saharan winds make an appearance. The air becomes filled with sand particles for hours and you don’t want to be breathing them in!
  • Watch out for dust, especially in the ‘rocky’ desert around the Ouarzazate area. Don’t make the mistake of going quad biking. All the dust you will inhale (despite the headscarf) will have you violently coughing for weeks. Save this adventure for when you have fully functioning lungs outside of hayfever season!
Surviving hayfever in Morocco - Breakfast Saharan style at Erg Chigaga
Enjoying breakfast without sneezing, wheezing and snotting!

In the Mountains

  • The air is much purer and fresher up here, so chances are this is where you’ll want to be for some respite from hayfever in Morocco. Yet just be aware that up on the passes of the High Atlas the altitude may effect your breathing a little, so take it nice and slow.
  • If you’re in Marrakech and struggling to cope, head out to Imlil for the day. Have a walk and take lunch in the ‘eagles nest’ at Kasbah Toubkal which is above the trees. The fresh air here is like nectar.
Surviving hayfever in Morocco, view from the eagles nest at Kasbah Toubkal, Imlil, Morocco
Refreshing views from the Eagle’s Nest at Kasbah Toubkal, Imlil

At the Coast

  • Another way to survive hayfever in Morocco is by going to the coast! With fresh Atlantic breezes, and more rock than flora, it’s a great place for a bit of respite. My hayfever all but disappeared when we travelled up the coast from Mirleft to Essaouira, and I started feeling human again. Lovely, airy accommodation options in Essaouira are Salut Maroc and Dar Liouba.
  • And if the sea breezes don’t clear out your system, just wander down to the dock and get a lungful of fish! That’ll make you forget about pollen in Morocco.
Surviving hayfever in Morocco - Fishing port, Essaouira, Morocco
More fresh air and rock than plants, Essaouira is a haven for hayfever sufferers

You too can Survive Hayfever in Morocco!

I certainly don’t want to put you off travelling to Morocco in the summer if you have hayfever, and hope that by learning from my mistakes you’ll be able to make your time there more comfortable. You too can survive hayfever in Morocco! I may be dreaming of Antarctica right now (do pollen fossils count?), but I know without a shadow of a doubt, that we’ll be back to Morocco once again when she’s at her hottest.

Just as long as I’m not expected to look my hottest then we’ll be ok!

How to survive hayfever in Morocco, Marrakech
What part of ‘don’t take my photo’ did you not understand?

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Coping with allergies hayfever in Morocco

 

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  1. says: Tristan

    I’d highly recommend trying a nasal steroid like Nasonex. Worked wonders for me. I don’t use it all year. Just the times when I get allergies the most.

  2. says: Natalie

    Bless your heart! What a painful experience. I’m so sorry. I can sympathize as I had a crazy reaction as we left Spain and headed into Morocco with a swollen throat and dragon red eyes. Now, I have a very detailed and comprehensive first aid kit that goes with me! EXCELLENT tips for avoiding triggers. Great post!

    1. says: Heather Cole

      Dragon eyes, hah, that’s a good description 🙂 If only we could breathe flames too it would make it all worth it!

  3. says: Erin Klema

    Oh, Heather, I totally get where you are coming from. I have allergies, and they will suddenly flare up when I travel and am completely ill prepared for such an attack on my sinuses. Costa Rica was rough. I had traveled there in February, a time when I’m not taking allergy pills regularly at home. I had one pocket-sized tissue pack with me. Like I said, totally ill prepared. So, this post will come in handy when I travel to Morocco. I don’t know when that will be, but your photos only reconfirmed Morocco’s spot at the very top of my bucket list.

    1. says: Heather Cole

      That sucks, especially when you’re not prepared for it, so easy to forget the differences in seasons around the world. Hope you still enjoyed CR though!

  4. says: Lara Dunning

    I don’t have hayfever so I didn’t realize it could get so bad. Yikes! Sounds like it could really ruin a trip, or at least put a serious damper on it. These sound like great tips for those who suffer from this. I never thought about clothes collecting pollen while on the drying line, but it makes total sense they would.

  5. says: Arzo Travels

    Oh no, poor u :/ Such a pity you cannot enjoy a travel to the fullest because of hayfever… Hope, you will get the chance to revisit again to a time where you will be less affected..

    1. says: Heather Cole

      It doesn’t stop me travelling there (we’re off again in September, hopefully when the pollen has died down a bit), and luckily you tend to forget the bad bits once you’re home!

  6. says: The Adventure Ahead

    My son and I both suffer from allergies, to the point of our eyes swelling shut. I really appreciate the advice you gave here, as it is certainly no joke! Looks like a gorgeous place 🙂

  7. says: T. Michelle

    I too suffer from horrible allergies so I know the feeling all too well. These tips will come in handy for when I travel to Morocco. I’m glad hayfever didn’t spoil your trip this time.

  8. says: Rachel

    I never consider my hayfever when I book holidays, and always suffer when I’m away in the summer. Some great tips here, and we’re hoping to visit Morocco next year, might go in the winter though as you suggest!

  9. says: Eileen

    You poor thing! I just was in Marrakech last month – I only have mild allergies but definitely found them more irritating there than in other places. I had to cleanse and get out into some open spaces a few times. I’m sensitive to dust mostly, a few flowers. Have you been tested? I really need to to pinpoint what makes em sneeze! These are great tips though to help start. Thanks for sharing (PS I LOVED the Kasbah du Toukal, so pretty there huh?)

    1. says: Heather Cole

      Wow, dust, yes Marrakech is kinda made of the stuff! Glad you still managed to enjoy the trip though – yeah the kasbah is one of our favourite spots (and not just for the fresh air!). I have had tests done but they can’t pin down the exact pollen type which is really annoying. It used to be blossom, but now seems to be trees!

  10. says: Frank

    No hayfever here so most of this post doesn’t apply to me. But love the photos of Morocco and I’d like to go later in the year. I can see you love the place.

    By the way, since you mention horse-drawn caleches: did that in Marakesh over 30 years ago when I was there with my parents. That’s when I realized that I was allergic to horses (and dust). My eyes were swollen and watery for 2 days and I had my first ever asthma symptoms. Horrible.

    Frank (bbqboy)

    1. says: Heather Cole

      Dust is certainly one thing Marrakech isn’t short of, at least you found out what it was you were allergic to. It’s quite a scary place to suddenly become afflicted isn’t it, hope your trip there this year is better!