Are you planning a trip to Morocco? That is amazing! Morocco is a beautiful country full of bright colors, amazing food, and friendly people.
But, if you are a woman packing for this trip, you probably have one big question on your mind: “What to wear in Morocco as a woman?” It can feel a little scary to pack for a country with a different culture and climate. You want to feel comfortable in the hot weather. You want to look nice for your vacation photos. But most importantly, you want to be respectful of the local culture.
Do not worry! Packing for Morocco is actually very easy once you know a few simple rules.
In this huge guide, we will tell you exactly what to put in your suitcase. We will talk about the best fabrics, what to wear in different cities, what to wear in the desert, and what things you should leave at home.
Let’s get ready for your big adventure!
Part 1: The Golden Rule of Dressing in Morocco
Before we talk about shirts and pants, we need to talk about the culture. Morocco is a Muslim country. This means the culture is conservative.
In conservative cultures, people do not show a lot of skin. While tourists are not expected to dress exactly like local Moroccan women, dressing with modesty is the best thing you can do.
Why should you dress modestly?
It shows respect. When you cover up a little bit, you are telling the local people that you respect their home and their rules. Moroccans are very kind, and they will treat you with even more kindness if you respect their culture.
It stops unwanted attention. If you wear short shorts or tight shirts, people might stare at you. Dressing modestly helps you blend in and feel more relaxed.
It protects you from the sun. The sun in Morocco is very strong. Wearing loose, long clothes actually keeps you cooler and stops you from getting a sunburn.
The Simple Rule to Remember: Always try to cover your shoulders and your knees. If you keep your shoulders, chest, and knees covered, you will be perfectly fine everywhere you go in Morocco.
Part 2: The Best Fabrics for the Moroccan Heat
The weather in Morocco can get very hot, especially if you visit in the summer or go to the desert. The fabric your clothes are made of is very important.
If you wear the wrong fabric, you will feel sticky and hot all day. If you wear the right fabric, you will feel cool like a breeze.
Fabrics You SHOULD Pack:
Linen: This is the best fabric for Morocco! Linen is light. It lets the air touch your skin. If you sweat, linen dries very fast. Pack linen pants and linen shirts.
Cotton: Light cotton is also great. A simple cotton t-shirt or a cotton summer dress will keep you comfortable while walking around the city.
Rayon or Viscose: These are soft, thin fabrics that do not take up much space in your suitcase. They are great for loose pants and long skirts.
Fabrics You Should NOT Pack:
Polyester: Do not bring shirts made of polyester. It feels like wearing a plastic bag in the sun. You will sweat very fast.
Heavy Denim Jeans: Jeans are too thick and heavy for the hot Moroccan days. If you want to bring denim, bring a light denim jacket for the cool evenings.
Part 3: Exactly What Clothes to Pack
Let’s look inside your suitcase. Here is exactly what kind of clothes a woman should wear in Morocco.
1. The Best Tops and Shirts
Loose T-Shirts: Bring basic cotton t-shirts that cover your shoulders. Make sure the neck is not cut too low.
Long Tunics: A tunic is a long shirt that covers your hips and bottom. These are perfect to wear with leggings or tight pants.
Button-Down Shirts: A big, loose button-down shirt (like a white linen shirt) is perfect. You can wear it open over a tank top to cover your shoulders, or button it up.
2. The Best Pants and Bottoms
Loose, Flowy Pants: Think “elephant pants” or wide-leg linen pants. These are the most comfortable things you can wear in Morocco. They keep your legs covered from the sun but let the air flow.
Maxi Skirts: Long skirts that go down to your ankles are beautiful and very comfortable. Just make sure the sun does not shine right through the fabric!
Midi Skirts: Skirts that stop at the middle of your calf (below the knee) are also a great choice.
3. Dresses
Maxi Dresses: Long summer dresses are very easy. You put on one thing and your whole outfit is done! If your dress does not have sleeves, just bring a light scarf to put over your shoulders when you walk outside.
Kaftans: A kaftan is a traditional, loose dress. You can actually buy a beautiful one when you arrive in Morocco. They are perfect to wear at your hotel or Riad in the evening.
4. The Magic Scarf (Do not forget this!)
If you only remember one thing from this guide, remember this: Bring a lightweight scarf. A long, light scarf is a woman’s best friend in Morocco.
You can wrap it around your shoulders if you enter a religious building.
You can wrap it around your head to protect your face from the sand in the desert.
You can use it to cover your neck from the hot sun. Make sure to keep a scarf in your day bag every single day!
Part 4: What to Wear in Different Parts of Morocco
Morocco is a big country with many different landscapes. What you wear in the big city is different from what you wear in the quiet mountains or the sandy desert.
1. What to Wear in Marrakech and Fes (The Big Cities)
Marrakech and Fes are famous for their busy, winding streets called “Medinas.” These cities are very used to seeing tourists. You will see people wearing all kinds of things. However, to be polite, you should still follow the rule of covering shoulders and knees.
Best Outfit: A midi skirt with a nice cotton t-shirt, or loose linen pants with a tunic.
Planning a trip here? Check out our tours from Marrakech and our tours from Fes to see the best of the cities.
2. What to Wear in the Sahara Desert (Merzouga)
Going to the desert is amazing, but it requires special clothes. The sun is very bright, the sand goes everywhere, and the temperature changes a lot.
For Camel Riding: If you are doing a sunset camel riding tour in Merzouga, do not wear a skirt or a dress. You have to sit with your legs wide open on the camel. Wear long, loose pants. This will also protect your legs from the camel’s rough hair.
For the Desert Night: The desert gets very, very cold at night. Even if it was hot during the day! If you are staying for 2 nights camel trekking in Merzouga, you must bring a warm sweater, a thick jacket, and warm socks for sleeping.
Want a full desert experience? Try our 5-days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga.
3. What to Wear on the Coast (Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir, Essaouira)
The cities near the ocean have a different feeling. They are more relaxed and often very windy. The weather is cooler here than in Marrakech.
Best Outfit: Light pants, a t-shirt, and a windbreaker jacket. In places like Essaouira, the wind blows very hard, so a light jacket is perfect. You can wear your normal beach clothes at the beach, but put a dress or pants back on when walking in the town.
Explore the coast with our tours in Tangier or our day trips from Agadir.
4. What to Wear in the Atlas Mountains
If you want to see waterfalls or small Berber villages, you will go to the mountains. The weather here is cooler, and you will be walking a lot.
Best Outfit: Good walking pants (like light hiking pants), a t-shirt, and a sweater for the cool mountain air.
See the beautiful mountains on a day excursion from Marrakech to Ourika Valley or a day excursion from Marrakech to Ouzoud Waterfalls.
5. What to Wear in Chefchaouen (The Blue City)
Chefchaouen is famous because all the buildings are painted bright blue! It is a beautiful place to take pictures. The city is built on the side of a mountain, so there are many stairs.
Best Outfit: Since the walls are blue, wearing white, yellow, or bright red looks beautiful in photos! Wear a comfortable maxi dress and good walking shoes because the stairs can be slippery.
Take a trip there with our Fes day excursion to Chefchaouen.
Part 5: The Ultimate Footwear Guide for Morocco
Please, leave your high heels at home! The streets in Morocco are very old. They are made of bumpy stones, dirt, and dust. You need shoes that are made for walking.
1. Sturdy Walking Sandals
This is the most important shoe to bring. You want sandals that strap onto your feet tightly (like Birkenstocks or Tevas). This lets your feet breathe in the heat but gives you enough support to walk all day. They are perfect for a day excursion to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech.
2. Comfortable Sneakers
Bring a pair of sneakers (tennis shoes). White sneakers look cute with summer dresses, but they will get dirty from the dust. Sneakers are great because they protect your toes in crowded markets where people are pushing carts.
3. Slip-on Shoes or Flats
In Morocco, if you visit someone’s house or a special Riad, you often have to take your shoes off at the door. Having a pair of shoes that you can easily slip on and off without tying laces is very helpful.
Part 6: What to Wear in Different Seasons
The weather in Morocco changes depending on the month. Here is a quick guide on what to expect.
Spring (March, April, May)
This is the best time to visit Morocco. The weather is warm but not too hot. Everything is green.
Pack: T-shirts, light long-sleeve shirts, loose pants, maxi dresses, and a light jacket for the evening.
Perfect time for an 8-days tour from Casablanca.
Summer (June, July, August)
It is extremely hot in the summer. The sun beats down very hard.
Pack: Only the lightest linen and cotton you own. Drink lots of water. Wear a big sun hat every day. Hide from the sun in the middle of the day.
Autumn (September, October, November)
Autumn is like Spring. It is beautiful and comfortable. The very hot summer days are gone.
Pack: Layers. Wear a t-shirt during the hot day, but bring a sweater for the cool nights.
Great weather for a long trip, like our 12-days tours Tangier to desert Sahara.
Winter (December, January, February)
Many people think Morocco is always hot because it is in Africa. This is a mistake! Morocco gets very cold in the winter. It even snows in the mountains. Many old hotels do not have heat inside.
Pack: A real winter coat, warm sweaters, jeans, closed-toe boots, and warm pajamas for sleeping.
Part 7: What NOT to Wear in Morocco
To make packing easier, here is a list of things you should definitely leave at home.
Short Shorts: Showing your upper legs is not polite in Morocco. Save your short shorts for a beach vacation in another country, or only wear them inside your hotel pool area.
Crop Tops: Showing your stomach is not acceptable in public spaces. Keep your belly covered.
Shirts with Bad Words: Do not wear t-shirts that have angry or inappropriate words printed on them.
Very Expensive Jewelry: It is best not to wear big, flashy diamond rings or expensive watches. You will be in crowded markets, and it is better to look simple so you do not attract pickpockets.
High Heels: You will twist your ankle on the old Medina streets. They are impossible to walk in.
Part 8: Buying Clothes in Morocco
Here is a fun tip: You do not need to pack a lot of clothes because you will want to go shopping! Morocco is famous for its beautiful, handmade clothes and accessories.
Make sure to leave some empty space in your suitcase. When you are on a 4-days tour from Casablanca to Fes, you will have time to shop in the old markets.
Buy a Djellaba: This is a traditional Moroccan robe with a hood. Men and women wear them. They are made of beautiful colors and are very comfortable.
Buy Leather Shoes: Morocco is famous for leather. You can buy traditional pointed slippers called “Babouches.” They are soft and perfect for wearing around your house when you go back home.
Buy Scarves: You will find hundreds of beautiful scarves in the markets. Buy a few to mix and match with your outfits!
Part 9: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do female tourists have to cover their hair in Morocco?
No. As a tourist, you do not have to cover your head or wear a hijab in Morocco. The only time you must cover your hair is if you go inside a Mosque (like the big Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca). Otherwise, you can leave your hair down.
2. Can I wear a swimsuit in Morocco?
Yes, but only in the right places. You can definitely wear a bikini or a swimsuit at your hotel swimming pool or on the tourist beaches in cities like Agadir. However, when you leave the beach to walk to a restaurant, you must put real clothes over your swimsuit.
3. Can I wear leggings in Morocco?
Yes, if you wear a long shirt. Leggings are very tight, so they show the shape of your legs. If you want to wear leggings, you must wear a long tunic shirt or a short dress over them so that your bottom and hips are covered.
4. What bag is best to carry my things?
A crossbody bag is the best choice. This is a bag with a long strap that goes across your chest. It keeps your money and phone close to your body in crowded markets. Make sure your bag has a strong zipper to stop pickpockets.
Get Ready for the Trip of a Lifetime!
Packing for Morocco does not have to be stressful. If you remember the golden rule of keeping your shoulders and knees covered, and if you choose light, loose fabrics like linen and cotton, you will be comfortable and stylish.
Morocco is an incredible country. By dressing respectfully, you will make the local people smile, and you will have a much better travel experience.
Now that your suitcase is packed in your mind, it is time to plan the adventure!
Whether you want a short 3-days tour from Fes to Marrakech or a long 10-days tour from Casablanca Morocco, we are here to help you.
Have a wonderful trip to Morocco!
Yes, but heavy denim is usually too hot for the summer. Loose linen or cotton pants are much better.
You must have your shoulders, chest, and knees completely covered, and you will need a scarf to cover your hair to enter the Hassan II Mosque.
It is highly recommended to keep your shoulders covered. If you wear a sleeveless top, bring a light scarf to drape over your shoulders while walking in public.
Most tourists bring a standard two-piece bikini bottom or wear the disposable underwear provided by the spa.