What to Wear in Morocco: A Practical Guide for Cities, Mountains and the Desert

Packing for Morocco is a bit of a puzzle: the souks of Marrakech, a snowy pass in the Atlas, a night in the Sahara and a beach on the Atlantic can all fit into one week. Add a culture where modest dress is appreciated, and many travellers wonder what to bring. Here is a practical guide, based on what our passengers wish they had known.

The general principle: respectful and comfortable

Morocco is a Muslim country, but also a very open and touristic one. There is no strict dress code for visitors, and you will see all styles in Marrakech. Still, in medinas, villages and the countryside, covering shoulders and knees is a sign of respect that locals appreciate — and it often means fewer comments and more smiles. It is also practical: light, loose clothing protects you from the sun far better than shorts and vest tops.

For women

• Loose trousers, long skirts or maxi dresses in light fabrics such as cotton or linen.
• Tops covering the shoulders, ideally with short or long sleeves; avoid low necklines in medinas and villages.
• A large scarf — the most useful item of all: shoulders in a mosque or village, sun protection, dust on a quad ride, warmth in the evening.
• Swimwear is perfectly normal at hotel pools and beach resorts; cover up when you leave the pool area.

For men

• Long trousers or knee-length shorts: shorts are fine in resorts and on the coast, less so in villages and medinas.
• T-shirts or light shirts; vest tops are best kept for the beach.
• A hat or cap and sunglasses.

City days in Marrakech

Comfortable closed shoes or good sandals are essential: medina streets are uneven, sometimes dusty or wet. Choose breathable clothes for the heat, and bring a light layer for air-conditioned restaurants and cool evenings. A small cross-body bag keeps your hands free in the souks.

Mountain days in the Atlas

Imlil, the Ourika valley, Oukaïmeden or the Tichka pass are often 10 °C cooler than Marrakech, and the weather changes fast. Pack:

• walking shoes with good grip;
• a fleece or light down jacket, even in spring;
• a windproof layer;
• in winter, a warm hat and gloves for the snow.

See our Imlil day trip guide and Oukaïmeden snow guide.

Desert nights: Agafay and the Sahara

The desert is hot by day and surprisingly cold at night, especially from November to March, when temperatures in the Sahara can fall close to freezing. Bring:

• a chèche or large scarf to protect your face from sun and sand — you can also buy one locally;
• sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen;
• long trousers for the camel ride (shorts rub on the saddle);
• a warm jumper and jacket for the evening around the fire;
• closed shoes or sandals with straps — sand gets very hot by midday in summer.

Read our camel ride guide and Merzouga desert tour.

The coast: Essaouira, Agadir and Taghazout

Beachwear is normal on the beaches of Agadir and Taghazout. Essaouira is often windy and cooler than Marrakech, so bring a windbreaker even in summer. Cover up when walking into town from the beach.

Visiting religious sites

Most mosques in Morocco are closed to non-Muslims. The great exception is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, open for guided visits: arms and legs should be covered, women often bring a scarf, and shoes are removed inside. Read our Casablanca layover guide.

Season-by-season packing list

• Spring (March–May): light clothes, a fleece for evenings and mountains, a light rain jacket.
• Summer (June–August): very light, covering clothes, hat, high-factor sunscreen, a layer for air conditioning and desert nights.
• Autumn (September–November): similar to spring, warmer in September, cooler in November.
• Winter (December–February): sunny days but cold evenings; a warm jacket, layers, and winter gear for the Atlas and the desert.

Laundry on the road

You do not need to pack for every day of a long trip. Most riads and hotels offer a laundry service at reasonable prices, often returned the same or next day, and light cotton and linen dry very quickly in the Moroccan air. On a multi-day tour, plan a laundry stop in a two-night location such as Marrakech, Ouarzazate or the Dades valley, and travel with a lighter suitcase — it will also leave more room for carpets and argan oil.

Small extras that make a difference

• A reusable water bottle.
• Moisturiser and lip balm — the air is dry.
• Motion sickness tablets for mountain roads.
• A small bag for the vehicle with water, snacks and a layer, so you do not open your suitcase on day trips.

In short

Pack light, covering, breathable clothes; add layers for the mountains and the desert; never travel without a large scarf and good shoes. With these basics, you will be comfortable from the souks of Marrakech to the dunes of the Sahara — and welcomed with a smile everywhere. For more first-trip advice, read first time in Morocco.