What To Wear In Morocco • Ultimate Clothing for Morocco Packing List

Morocco is a great destination to visit during any month of the year. If you have plans to visit Morocco soon and have no idea what to pack for Morocco, you’re not alone. Before we went, I had no idea of what to wear in Morocco or of the appropriate clothing, the weather, and what I would buy in the country.

We spent six weeks there, and I gathered insight into the type of things needed for travelers to adhere to a typical Morocco dress code. Of course, there is no “dress code” in Morocco like at a Catholic school. However, conservative dress in an Arabic culture will give you less unwanted attention and respect.

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How Conservative is Morocco?

When thinking about what to wear in Morocco, you’re probably wondering what is culturally appropriate. Tourists have their dress code at the tourist sites. Places like the Marrakech and Fez see shorts, tight pants, high heels, and short dresses. However, as soon as you step out of these tourist sites and into the streets, you’ll see women in hijabs and abayas and men in traditional djellaba.

We recommend you dress to match the culture as you are a guest in their country. We view it as a sign of respect. It means no short shorts, short dresses, tight dresses, or cleavage showing. If you do decide to dress provocatively, you’ll feel more out of place than if you didn’t, especially in Morocco as a women, as I noticed the men tend to really stare even when I was wearing loose pants and a loose long sleeve shirt.

We suggest the middle ground for the dress. Women don’t need to wear a headscarf, but a low-cut shirt or tight leggings may not be the best idea. It’s straightforward to dress cute, comfortably, and modestly without disrespecting cultural norms or offending them. It’s best to keep your knees and shoulders covered as a sign of respect.

The exception to this is at the beach or hotel pools. Here it’s perfectly acceptable to wear bathing suits, cover-ups, and shorts. It’s a tourist spot and does not enter locals’ everyday lives.

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What to Wear in Morocco

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Breathable Shoes

When thinking about what to wear in Morocco, It’s best to bring a pair of breathable shoes to walk around Morocco. The heat in Northern Africa and Morocco can be very intense. If you don’t want your feet always to feel sweaty, we recommend you wear cool shoes.

Think twice about sandals, as the city streets in Morocco can be a little dirty, dusty, and sandy. Most travelers will appreciate the protection that shoes provide over sandals. Of course, you can wear sandals if you choose. While certain western fashions are not as welcome in Morroco, locals also wear sandals.

We love two brands of shoes for hot-weather destinations, Allbirds, and Tropicfeels. They both make excellent travel shoes, but Tropicfeels mimic water shoes not needed for Morocco. Allbird’s Tree Runner shoes are sustainable and offer excellent ventilation for your feet.

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Sandals

Many people wear sandals in Morocco, which are great for hot destinations. You don’t want to live in your shoes your whole trip, and sandals are perfect for letting your feet breathe. A good pair of sandals are great for being comfortable on long travel days and under the hot sun of Northern Africa.

I travel with my Rainbow leather flip-flops and my Tevas or Chacos, which get me through anything and are great for comfort while walking. The sandals in the photo are some of my favorites, and they are from Sanuk.

We spend 90% of our time in a pair of sandals traveling around Morocco. We only opt for our shoes in certain city neighborhoods with dirty streets and hikes in the Rif and Atlas Mountains

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Down Jacket

A jacket to keep warm at night is necessary if you plan to take a trip to the Sahara desert. Deserts are notorious for their substantial temperature shifts, and the Saharan desert regularly sees temperatures that drop below freezing. The average nighttime temperature in the Saharan desert is -4 C or 25 F. Yes, it’s that cold!

I know it’s the desert, but believe me when I say the temperature will plummet at night. We recommend you bring a tremendous packable down jacket on any extended trip.

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Windbreaker

If you plan to go to some coastal cities, a light windbreaker jacket will help, especially in the winter. We love to travel with a lightweight windbreaker that can pack easily in a suitcase. We have several recommendations for travel jackets in this post.

However, a light windbreaker that doesn’t take up much room is best for Morocco. Check out these two jackets from Cotopaxi and Arc’teryx.

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Warm Fleece

Chefchaouen, the wonderful Moroccan blue city, is located in the mountains, and it does get chilly up there. You’ll also find cool conditions in the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert; it even snows in Morocco! Check the climate before you head off on your trip, and if you’re traveling extensively, you’ll encounter cold evenings.

Consider a fleece a necessity on your Morocco packing list or at least something warm. Patagonia’s Synchilla Snap T Pullover fleece is the best fleece for travel, in our opinion. The fleece has a classic relaxed cut with a timeless look for a walk or sitting around an evening bonfire. It’s a double-sided fleece that provides plenty of warmth while remaining soft and comfortable. They also make an excellent gift for travelers as they’re a wardrobe staple.

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Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt

I like to pack a technical long sleeve shirt for Morocco. Long sleeves are also great for sun protection; we wore them on desert walks in the Sahara or Atlas Mountains. The other option is to go with organic materials like hemp, linen, or rapeseed. They’re practical as they have anti-microbial properties and will stay fresh longer when you sweat. Linen is an excellent option as it has a timeless look for your trip

Pair a linen shirt with sandals, shorts, jeans, or shoes. It will always work. A versatile piece of clothing that looks good for both sexes works at the beach, museum, archaeological site, or restaurant. It’s tough to find decent linen shirts online, but I love the quality of J. Crew’s linen shirts. If you prefer a technical shirt, check out these safari shirts for travel in Africa.

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Short Sleeve Shirts

A classic tee will never go out of style and should be essential when considering what to wear in Morocco. We suggest sticking with solid colors like white or grey. There’s also the option of a v-neck for a more stylish look, but it all depends on personal preference.

T-shirts are cheap, and we like to order a new pack before each trip, as old shirts look slobbish. In foreign countries, it’s best to avoid graphic t-shirts. A handful of regular cotton tees are tremendous but pack a few athletic shirts for a hot destination too.

Our absolute favorite technical shirts are the Echo line from Outdoor Research. They come in a wide range of cuts, including tank tops and long sleeves perfect for sun protection.

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Travel Pants

I love to wear relaxed pants when we travel. For women, prAna’s Summit Pants are made of recycled nylon stretch fabric while offering 50+ UPF protection. They are perfect for Morocco as they’re comfortable and conservative.

For male travelers, after a pair of pants that can go anywhere and do anything, it’s nearly impossible to beat the Western Rise Evolution Pants. They are ultralight tech pants great for travel in hot destinations. The technical fabric allows the pants to breathe, stretch, and resist stains and wrinkles. As a significant bonus, they’re super comfortable and have become my daily pants for life and travel.

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Swimsuit

Just because you’re in a Muslim country doesn’t mean you can’t wear a bathing suit at your riad or the beach. I would recommend bringing one for the summer months. Especially if your hotel has a pool, you will go to coastal towns like Essaouira or surf in Taghazout.

For women, Tasha’s favorite bathing suits lately have been made by Andie Swim. Cameron loves Quicksilver’s Amphibian shorts. The material looks like heavy cotton, but they’re lightweight and durable. Best of all, they look great on the beach or in town.

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Sundress

For a more girly look in Morocco, try wearing a cute dress for walking around the Ancient sites and snapping photos. I loved wearing light and flowy dresses in Morocco, but they needed not be too revealing. Dresses past the knee with no cleavage or shoulders showing are ideal.

One of my favorites for this trip is the Scotch & Soda Safari Dress. It’s perfect for Morocco and all-around Africa travel! What I love about these pieces are specifically made for travel and are anti-wrinkle. The photo is from a recent trip to Egypt, but it resembles Morocco’s climate and culture.

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Sunglasses

Ensure to protect your eyes from the sun in Morocco since the sun reflects off the desert landscape and buildings. There are many sunglasses options, and everyone should own at least a pair. It’s best to ensure they have UV protection for the health of your eyes.

We first invested in quality polarized sunglasses with a pair of SMITH Optics Lowdown 2. Not everyone needs to invest $150 in sunglasses; however, we love ours and will never buy cheap ones again. Our first trip to Morocco was with $5 pairs from off the side of the road.

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A Good Sunhat

If you are considering what to pack for Morocco, I recommend picking a stylish sunhat! You’ll want some hats for walking around in the hot sun all day. Unlike the classic fez above, I’d recommend a hat with a brim. If you’re traveling around much of Africa, we have some great recommendations on safari hats that serve many functions.

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Buff Headband

I love my buff. I usually wear it to keep my hair back when it’s sweltering, but it’s also served its purpose as a scarf and wet rag too. Buffs last for years and aren’t only helpful in Morocco. It’s been one of my top travel accessory investments ever!

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Scarf, shemagh, Or Bandana

Morocco is a conservative country, and you may want a headscarf for some religious sites. They are lightweight and easy to travel with, so there is no reason not to have a scarf or shawl. They are always good to have when you need to cover your head before walking into a Mosque.

I also like wearing scarves around my head while just walking around. As a blonde, I tend to get unwanted attention, and a scarf helps negate the attention. It also serves as a superb form of protection from desert winds and dust.

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Travel Towel

We always recommend bringing a travel towel when you’re on the road, and Morocco is no exception. You’ll often need your towel if you plan on staying in hostels or more budget accommodation. Also, if you head to the beach or want to take a hike, it never hurts to have a towel packed away in your day bag. Consider a towel an essential Morocco packing list item.

The biggest complaint about travel towels is that they often feel nothing like the plush cotton towels at home and in hotels. However, with the PackTowl, you can forget that because they set out to create a towel that mimics its cotton counterparts with the technical features of a travel towel.

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Accessories To Pack For Morocco

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Hand Sanitizer

Walking around and participating in everyday activities in Morocco can get pretty dirty. It was also a reoccurring theme to find hand soap nowhere. Traditional dining in Morocco is with your hands and bread. Although, you’ll find cutlery at most establishments that cater to tourists. You can’t go wrong with bringing some hand sanitizer and eco-friendly baby wipes in your bag.

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Sunscreen

Skin cancer is for real! Don’t forget your SPF when traveling around Africa as you’re close to the Equator. We recommend ordering some online before leaving the house as you will need it underneath the African sun, and it can be tough to find in grocery stores in Morocco (and when you do find it, the pricing will be insane).

We highly recommend getting an eco-friendly sun cream that does not contain harmful chemicals. They’re mineral-based and usually only cost a few dollars more to help protect our oceans. If you’re not going to swim in the sea, go with a reliable name brand.

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Electrolyte Tablets

Dehydration in Morocco is a genuine concern. These tablets should get your body back to normal should you fall sick. You may not need a whole bottle so take a few in a bag or pill holder to save luggage space.

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Pillow and Sheets

It is not necessary when packing for Morocco, but it comes in handy when you get to a room and find the conditions less desirable. A sleeping bag liner or a sleeping bag also does a great job! If you plan to backpack around Morocco and stay in hostels, it’s a good idea to pack this.

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Daypack

Our daypack was handy every day in Morocco. You’ll need something to stash your photography gear, hand sanitizers, papers, phones, and anything else for a full day out when traveling. Our favorite daypack as photographers is the Peak Design Everyday Backpack. Or you can check out some of our favorite day packs here.

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What Electronics To Pack For Morocco

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Smartphone

We live in a digital age, and I hate to say this, but our phones are our lifelines in Africa. They are our maps, news sources, and online social lives; yes, they are even used as our telephones to get around.

It is a fact that if you are in Marrakech or Fez, then you will get lost in the medina. Forget to ask any local for directions without paying them some tip. So, don’t forget your phone to help you get around.

When we get to a new country, we always get a local sim card and top it up with data and airtime to call the local numbers in case of emergencies. Data is cheap in Morocco, and it was nice to stay connected.

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Camera

A high-quality camera is an essential packing item for Morocco if you want some great shots during your vacation. We travel with many cameras, but the one we recommend to everyone who wants to take their photography seriously is the Fujifilm X-T4. Here, you can read about our favorite cameras for travel cameras.

Please note that drones are not allowed in Morocco. We’ve heard many stories of travelers having them confiscated at points of entry, so we wouldn’t recommend taking any chances or messing with the Moroccan authorities.

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Travel Adapter

Remember that Morocco uses the Europlug. Make sure you find a suitable adapter like the one I have to keep you charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land.

I would recommend getting a good one online before arriving. Finding a decent travel adapter for a reasonable price can be tough when you’re likely already running low on juice.

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Kindle Paperwhite

While I love having a good book when I travel, sometimes it’s not practical because of the weight. I’ve recently switched to a Kindle Paperwhite, which is small and compact, plus it has a backlight for reading at night without a harsh glare. The Paperwhite version is excellent as they mimic an actual book, and you can read them in the intense sun.

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MOROCCO TRAVEL TIPS

Hopefully this post helped you decide what to wear in Morocco. For more of our travel articles around Morocco, see below.

• 16 Morocco Travel Tips Tips To Know Before You Go
• 35 Fun and Interesting Facts About Morocco 
• Experiencing Chefchaouen: The Picturesque Blue City Morocco
• When is the Best Time to Visit Morocco?

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