What To Wear In Morocco?
Planning a trip to Morocco and wondering what to wear? I’ve got you!
Back in 2015, I inched my first footsteps into Tangier, totally unsure what would be deemed proper attire. It was a pretty last minute side trip from my Spain road trip, so I was really unprepared.
And then I did something pretty dumb.
Morocco was the first country with a majorly Muslim population that I ever visited, and I decided that wrapping my sarong around my head would be appropriate.
It turns out, it wasn’t.
I could definitely pass as a Moroccan, but my friend’s blonde hair tipped them off. Later on, a man asked me if I was Muslim and, as soon as I told him I wasn’t, he replied saying he thought it was inappropriate for me to wear a headscarf if I wasn’t, and that most women in Morocco only wore one after they got married.
So embarrassing.
I’ve put together a pretty straightforward list of items to pack as well as a few guidelines on what women should wear in Morocco. Five trips to Morocco later, I’m pretty sure I’ve finally nailed it!
WHAT SHOULD WOMEN WEAR IN MOROCCO?
While Morocco is conservative, it is still pretty relaxed with its visitors’ attire. You can technically get away with wearing short skirts and tank tops while here (a lot of girls do), but that doesn’t mean you should. While traveling to foreign countries, we should always aim to be respectful and adhere to the cultural etiquette.
Still, this by doesn’t mean that women should include a burka in their packing list for Morocco.
A few guidelines to consider when packing for Morocco:
Leave tank tops and shorts at home. Make sure you cover your legs at least all the way down to your knees in touristy cities.
If you travel to rural areas, cover your arms and legs entirely.
There is no need to cover your head with a headscarf. Even Moroccan women don’t do it unless they are married. The only place where you are required to wear a headscarf is when visiting mosques.
WHAT SHOULD MEN WEAR IN MOROCCO?
There’s nothing too special that men should or shouldn’t wear while in Morocco. Shorts are technically mocked at because they are seen as underwear here, but they are used to male visitors wearing them and nobody will raise an eyebrow.
I designed the list below for women, but I am sure even my male readers will find a few useful tips as well!
Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your trip! As always, I recommend Safety Wing to cover you. I’ve been using them for years and always had a great experience and prices start at $45 USD per month. Check them out here.
THINGS TO PACK BY SEASON
If you’re visiting Morocco in summer…
Pack clothes that will keep you cool. Breathable pants and maxi skirts are ideal. Also, bring a hat and pack a light jacket or hoodie for the evenings.
If you’re visiting Morocco in the fall or spring…
Pack breathable pants but also a few warmer ones just in case. Temperatures during spring and fall in Morocco vary a lot, so you’ll want to make sure you’re stocked up with clothes for all weathers. Bring a jacket as well if you’re traveling to cities up in the mountains. If you’re headed to coastal cities, bring a windbreaker.
If you’re visiting Morocco in winter…
Bring a jacket and warm clothes. If you’re headed to the Sahara, pack a fleece, mittens, and a beanie. A windbreaker will be a lifesaver if you’re headed to the coastal cities.
CLOTHES
- Pants/trousers. Shorts are a no-no unless you plan on staying in a resort during your entire trip. While Moroccans are used to tourist flaunting their skin, it still doesn’t mean visitors shouldn’t make an effort to adhere to the cultural etiquette. Bring pants/trousers to cover yourself up. If you’re traveling in summer, make sure they are breathable as the heat in Morocco can get quite intense during the summer months.
- Maxi skirts. They’re a great way to stay fashionable while still showing respect towards the culture.
- Short-sleeve tops. As stated above, you absolutely don’t need to cover yourself up from head to toe. Still, I really encourage you to wear clothes that don’t show your cleavage or shoulders to be respectful towards the local population.
- A sweater or hoodie.
- Jacket. Morocco’s weather changes drastically from place to place. It can be burning hot during the summer months in the cities, while the Sahara and the town up in the mountains can get chilly even during the summer (and pretty cold at night). I highly recommend you to pack a light jacket if you’re traveling in summer and a warmer one for the rest of the seasons.
SHOES
- Sandals. I love these and they combine with any outfit (the nude ones). I don’t really love how they look, but I’ve also recently heard wonders about Birkenstock’s sandals in terms of comfort.
- Comfortable sneakers.
- Extra: Flip flops if you plan on staying in hostels (for the showers) or booking a hammam. I love these Sidekick foldable flip flops because they bend and take barely any space in my purse.
ACCESSORIES
- Sunglasses + sunscreen. Sunscreen is expensive in Morocco, so I highly recommend you pack some from home to save your hard earned cash.
- Wrap or sarong. Covering your head while out about in Morocco isn’t necessary at all, but you’ll need to if you plan on visiting mosques.
- A day bag. I use this one from Quechua and love it! (the blue/pink one)
TECHNOLOGY
- Travel adapter. They use the European two pins (Type C and E). You’ll definitely need to pack a universal travel adapter to make sure you can charge your devices.
- Portable charger if you plan on camping in the Sahara or trekking the Atlas Mountains, you’ll need a portable charger you pack a portable charger like this one. I’m also currently a bit obsessed with this phone-charging passport cover by Lovie Style.
- Phone. You can get a sim card at the airport when you arrive in Morocco.
- Camera. Morocco might just be one of the most photogenic places in the world, so a camera is essential!
- SD Card. You’re going to take thousands of pictures while in Morocco, so a 32 or 64 GB SD card is a must!
REALLY USEFUL EXTRAS
Travel insurance that covers all your activities in Morocco. I recommend Safety Wing.
A purifying water bottle like the GRAYL Ultralight Water Purifier. Drinking tap water in Morocco is a no-no, so this one comes in really handy to avoid having to buy plastic water bottles everywhere (it will save you tons of money in the long run + it’s good for the environment).
The GRAYL filters bacteria, viruses, and chemicals from any source of fresh water in a matter of seconds. I’ve used mine in several parts of Africa and Mexico and it has never failed me.
Travel towel. I decided to give travel towels a try last year and WOW! I used to think they were some sort of travel gimmick, but they’re actually pretty cool. I used to go around the world carrying a regular one, not realizing how much space it took in my luggage and how long they took to get dry.
Travel towels are really light, dry up super quickly, and are so thin that they barely take any space in my luggage. It took me a few days to get used to the texture, but now I never travel without one (they can also double as blankets when it gets cold in the plane or in a bus). I recommend this one from Youphoria.
If you’re still on the planning stages of your Morocco trip, here are’s a post on my favorite places to visit in Morocco for inspiration!
Keep this packing list handy by saving it to Pinterest!
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