“What should I wear?” - This question often arises from travelers, especially women, planning a trip to Morocco. While Morocco doesn't have a strict dress code, understanding the local culture is essential before packing.
Morocco remains a fairly liberal Muslim country with no strict dress code. Religion has always been highly present in people’s daily lives here. Respecting Moroccan traditions and local customs is key if you want to travel respectfully, avoid disapproving looks, and truly connect with people, especially in smaller towns, villages, or rural areas.
As a general rule, rural regions are more conservative in spirit and dress than cities. This post is geared towards women, but the information can help all genders make packing decisions. A few upscale places might have dress codes requiring pants or dressy shoes, so check beforehand.
Let's explore Morocco’s seasons and what to pack for each, along with some favorite places to shop for clothes and accessories.
Morocco Packing List: What to Pack for a Visit to Morocco
Seasons in Morocco
Climate change makes weather prediction difficult, but here's a general overview:
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- Spring: Great for traveling. Chefchaouen might be cool and rainy (around 55ºF with a drizzle), while the Sahara could see daytime highs over 110ºF during a heat wave. Expect warm days and cooler evenings.
- Summer: Hot, especially inland, in the southern regions, and in the desert. Daytime highs can easily reach 100-110ºF in Marrakesh or over 115ºF in the Sahara, while coastal cities like Essaouira and Tangier stay milder, around 75-85ºF, with a refreshing breeze. Evenings generally cool down a bit, and sometimes temperatures do drop at night in the desert regions. Summer is also dry, so the sun can feel intense and you can easily get sunburns.
- Fall: One of the nicest times to visit. Temperatures moderate after the scorching summer, with inland highs around 80-90ºF and cooler nights, sometimes dipping into the 60sºF. Coastal areas remain pleasant and breezy, and the beaches feel just right for a dip. Rain is still limited in most regions, but the Atlas Mountains may start seeing occasional showers as the season progresses. Overall, it’s generally warm, comfortable, with occasional showers and ideal for exploring.
- Winter: Mild on the coast and in the cities, with daytime highs around 55-65ºF in Marrakech or Casablanca, but nights can get chilly, sometimes down to the 40sºF. The Atlas Mountains see snow, perfect for skiing or hiking. Desert nights can also get surprisingly cold, sometimes near freezing. Rainfall is more frequent in northern and coastal regions, while the south stays mostly dry.
General Clothing Tips
Choosing natural fabrics like linen, organic cotton, or merino keeps you comfortable and supports sustainable travel. Depending on your style, you can pack different colors or stick to neutrals that can be easier to mix and match.
You don’t need to bring too much with you either. Morocco is full of artisans and small indie boutiques where you can find some beautiful handmade pieces that cater to locals and travelers alike. Cities like Fez, Marrakesh, Tangier and Essaouira abound with unique shops. Shopping locally supports the economy, helps preserve traditional crafts, and introduces you to unique items you’ll actually want to wear again back home.
Tops
Spring & Summer:
Lightweight and light colored cotton or linen shirts and blouses are perfect. Breathable fabrics keep you cool, and long sleeves protect against the sun. Loose-fitting tunics or peasant-style tops are also great for layering and staying modest without feeling stifled. You can also wear sleeveless tops, round or v-necks won’t matter as long as they’re not too plunging or revealing. If possible, avoid spaghetti straps (unless you’re going out in the evening) even if most people won’t mind it. Sleeveless can be fine if you keep a scarf around.
Fall & Winter:
Switch to long-sleeved tops in slightly heavier cotton, wool-blend sweaters, or thin merino layers. These are great for layering under fleece, hoodies or jackets when exploring mountain towns or cooler cities like Chefchaouen. You will always have the option of rolling your sleeves up if you feel too warm.
The days will likely range from 40°F to 85°F, so you’ll want to have light layers that you can adjust as needed. If you’re fair-skinned or sensitive to strong sun, consider packing a light long-sleeve layer for your arms and legs, especially for the Sahara and the mountains where the sun can be intense.
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For tops, I prefer to have the a white linen button-up blouse and a couple of light-colored shirts or tanks. Linen is great for the weather and is breathable, but it does get wrinkly.
Dresses & Skirts
Spring & Summer:
Midi or maxi dresses are ideal. They’re airy, comfortable, modest, and protect you from the harsh sun. They’re really great for wandering through medinas or sitting at a café. I love wrap dresses or flowy skirts in light fabrics because they move beautifully with you and look effortlessly stylish. Mid- to high-knee skirts or dresses are also great options. Just avoid extremely short or tight pieces, especially outside urban tourist areas.
Fall & Winter:
Midi and maxi skirts in wool blends or heavier cotton, paired with tights or leggings, are perfect for staying warm while exploring. Long-sleeved dresses or sweater dresses layered with scarves create a chic, cozy look for city sightseeing or evening dinners. I like to have versatile pieces that I can layer or accessorize depending on the temperature and occasion. One simple dress can be paired with boots and a scarf for daytime, or with jewelry and a tailored coat for dinner.
Shirt dresses, light tunics, and kimonos are another great alternative to conservative-yet-comfy wear in Morocco. Make sure they are long enough to cover your bottom, or thighs. You can wear them with leggings, or tie a belt around to turn them into dresses on occasion. These are things you can also buy as you walk around the medinas. Bazaars and traditional clothing shops abound with Moroccan-style tunics outlined with beautiful embroidery and sfifa, a handmade ribbon braid.
Pants & Bottoms
Spring & Summer:
Linen or cotton and wide-leg pants, or culottes are perfect for city strolls and desert trips. Light-colored pants reflect the sun and stay cool. For shorts, definitely not Daisy Dukes! The kind of shorts I’m referring to here are more the mid-thigh Safari kind. Tight shorts worn with a long shirt can also be a sensible option for working out or going out for a jog.
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Fall & Winter:
If you’re heading to colder regions, swap for heavier fabrics like denim, wool-blend pants, or even corduroys if you have space in your luggage (they do weigh). While denim jeans may get too sticky and warm in the summer and spring, they do make a versatile garment that you can dress up or down as you’re traveling during the slightly cooler months. Leggings are great for layering underneath, or wearing with a long tunic.
If you wear skinny pants, do make sure to cover up your bottom if you will be visiting villages and popular neighborhoods, or invited over for a family meal.
Swimwear
Spring & Summer:
Swimsuits, bikinis, or tankinis are all fine at beaches and hotel pools. In private spaces, you’ll see everything from modest to revealing swimwear. Morocco is fairly liberal in tourist areas, but keep in mind that modest swimwear is appreciated if you’re at public beaches or pools outside major tourist spots. A lightweight cover-up or kaftan is perfect for walking to the beach or lounging at a riad pool. I would definitely recommend avoiding string bikinis or going topless anywhere here in Morocco.
Fall & Winter:
Swimming is less common (and can be a bit challenging!) during these cooler months, but if you plan to visit heated pools or spa resorts, a swimsuit is still handy. Bring a warm cover-up or robe for walking between indoor and outdoor areas, and don’t forget sandals or flip-flops for the poolside.
At the beach or poolside, if you need a cover-up, consider buying a locally made kaftan, tunic or multi-purpose scarf that you can use as a sarong. It’s pretty stylish, respectful, and helps support artisans.
For the ladies, be sure to bring a bikini for the hammam - though you’ll only need the bottom piece. The scrubbing expert will move it around a bit during the treatment, and in many spas, disposable underwear is also provided.
Jackets
Spring & Summer:
In spring, it is a good idea to pack a light jacket for the occasional rain shower, chilly early-morning hike or late-evening camp fire in the desert. My favorite for travel is something like this waterproof windbreaker and rain jacket.
Fall & Winter:
It does get cold in the winter, so maybe also pack a hoodie, a rain jacket and a couple sweaters and a warm coat.
A fleece top is almost essential in the mountains, and a no matter what time of the year.
Shoe-Wear
You will probably do a lot of walking. You will need a good, comfy pair of walking shoes. You can bring sandals too. Closed-toe sandals are best. The feeling of tiny sand digging between your toes isn’t that agreeable. These will also protect your toes from any hazards. In many spots, the streets and sidewalks are uneven. That said, you will also want to have something like these sandals or flip-flops with you as well when you head to the hammam, swimming pool and the beach!
Spring & Summer:
There will be a lot of walking in the medinas! Comfortable sandals, supportive flats, or good walking shoes are a must for wandering around. Breathable sneakers are generally good for longer walks or desert excursions. Flip-flops are fine at beaches or riads, but leave them off for city exploration as some roads can be uneven and pretty dusty.
Fall & Winter:
Closed-toe shoes or ankle boots with good traction are essential. Waterproof options help in rainy months, especially in northern Morocco. A pair of lightweight hiking shoes is perfect for mountains or desert terrain. Although if you’re not doing any heavy-duty hikes, you can just pack your comfy sneakers.
If you’re packing light, a good pair of comfy walking or active shoes and a pair of light sandals can be all you need.
If you’re in the southern parts of Morocco, do make sure to check out artisans that makes raffia shoes. They’re light, breathable and a really good example of modern Moroccan craftsmanship.
Many great leather shoes are also handmade in Morocco. You’ll love the styles and colors!
Buying directly from local shoemakers not only gives you a unique piece but also keeps your travel footprint (pun intended!) lighter by supporting sustainable, handmade goods.
Accessories
- Sunglasses: Sunglasses are essential year-round, especially in the desert.
- Jewelry: Keep it simple, especially if you’re planning on shopping around. You probably want to leave the precious jewels at home. Morocco is particularly known for its beautiful silver jewelry, especially from places like Tiznit. You’d be able to find some beautiful pieces. Just make sure you have the shop owners test the metal for you to make sure you’re actually getting silver and not a regular metal.
- Bags: Crossbody bags and day bags (or backpacks) are practical for cities and markets; a tote works for beaches and excursions. Ideally your bag will have some room to stuff a few souvenirs.
- Hats: Wide-brimmed hats protect from the sun in summer, while a cozy beanie works in winter. Morocco is known for reed hats, like the sheshia in the north. You’ll be able to grab one from an artisan shop in the medina. Riads and some rooftop restaurants often offer these to their guests while they are in the rooftop basking in the sun, a fresh-squeezed juice at hand.
Additional Tips
While it’s advisable to dress modestly, it’s also essential to stay cool. Local women dress conservatively, but you’ll see a wide range of styles. Street harassment is common, and, like it or not, the attention and respect you get will depend on what you wear. All things lightweight and full coverage are ideal-loose trousers or maxi skirts are perfect. A tunic dress or shirt with leggings or a full kaftan is great, too.
None of your outfits for Morocco are complete without a lightweight scarf. Moroccan scarves are also gorgeous souvenirs, so plan to buy one there! The sun in Morocco can be intense throughout the year. A large number of visitors haven’t familiarized themselves with the local dress codes and it shows.
You shouldn’t have your shoulders and knees exposed. That applies to men as well. No low-cut shirts. Dress more conservatively in rural areas. While it’s generally more relaxed in the cities, count with more stringent rules if you go see the villages, especially in Morocco’s South.
As a woman, you don’t have to cover up your hair, just show a bit less of your skin than what you’re used to if you’re coming from a Western culture. The one exception is entering mosques, where you may be expected to cover up so I always recommend carrying a scarf just in case.
Long dresses and long travel skirts are perfect for the Moroccan heat. So are long-sleeved tunics and shirts. Don’t show your silhouette very clearly, the baggier the better.
The temperature in Morocco can vary greatly and while it’s likely to be HOT during the day, it can also get down to 40 degrees in the winter. Morocco is not the place for heels.
Think floppy hats and sunglasses to protect your face. I also recommend regularly applying sunscreen to your face and anywhere that isn’t covered by your clothes.
What NOT to Wear in Morocco
Don’t wear your swimsuit around. While flowy pants and dresses tend to be more comfortable due to the heat, don’t be afraid to throw in your favorite pair of jeans if desired. I would still recommend wearing a long, flowy top with them.
Essential Packing List
| Clothing Item | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long-sleeved tops | 3-4 | Lightweight linen or cotton for sun protection |
| Midi or maxi dresses | 2-3 | Versatile for day and evening |
| Flowy pants | 2-3 | Light-colored and breathable |
| Lightweight scarf | 1-2 | For mosques and added modesty |
| Comfortable walking shoes | 1 pair | Closed-toe for medinas |
| Sandals | 1 pair | For riads, beaches, and hammams |
| Swimsuit | 1 | For hotel pools and beaches |
| Light jacket | 1 | For cooler evenings and desert trips |
| Sunglasses | 1 | Essential for sun protection |
| Wide-brimmed hat | 1 | For sun protection |
