Knowing what to wear in Morocco makes the whole trip easier: fewer stares in the medina, no sunburnt knees after the camel ride and a warm night in the dunes. There is no dress code for visitors, but Morocco is a Muslim country with modest habits outside the big hotels, and its weather swings from snowy mountain passes to desert afternoons above 40 °C. This is what we tell our own travellers before they pack.
In Moroccan towns, cover your shoulders and knees and choose loose, breathable clothes; this applies to women and, a little less strictly, to men. Visitors do not need a headscarf. For the desert, wear long trousers for the camel ride, bring a large cotton scarf against sun and sand, and pack warm layers: Sahara nights are cool most of the year and can drop close to 0 °C in winter.
The basic rule: covered, loose and layered
Moroccans dress modestly in public. In the new towns of Marrakech, Casablanca or Rabat you will see students in jeans and T-shirts, and nobody expects a visitor to dress like a local. But in the old medinas, in small towns and in Berber villages, covering more skin is a simple sign of respect, and it changes how people react to you.
Three words cover most situations. Covered: shoulders and knees, roughly. Loose: fabric that does not cling, which is also cooler in the heat. Layered: one day on the road can take you from a cold pass in the High Atlas to a hot valley on the edge of the desert. Natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and merino wool handle those changes best; synthetic tops get sweaty after hours in a car.
What women can wear in Morocco
This is the question women travellers ask us most. A wardrobe that works everywhere: midi or maxi skirts, wide-leg or loose linen trousers, tops with sleeves that cover the shoulders, a long cardigan or kimono to throw over a T-shirt, and one large scarf. Jeans are fine. Leggings work under a tunic or long shirt that covers the hips.
Leave these for the riad, the pool or the beach: short shorts, mini skirts, crop tops, low necklines, strappy tops and anything see-through. Inside your accommodation nobody will mind; walking through the souk, they draw attention you probably do not want.
A headscarf is not required for non-Muslim women, and very few visitors wear one day to day. Carry a light scarf anyway: it covers your shoulders when you step into a shrine courtyard, keeps the sun off your neck and the dust off your face in the desert.
Be realistic, too. Modest clothes reduce comments and stares in a busy medina; they do not stop them completely. Walking with purpose, wearing sunglasses and answering with a calm "la, shukran" (no, thank you) help as much as any outfit.
What men can wear
Men have more leeway, but the same logic applies. Moroccan men rarely wear shorts in town except for sport. Knee-length shorts are accepted in the tourist parts of Marrakech, yet light trousers or chinos look more respectful in the medina, in mountain villages and at religious sites, and they protect your legs on a camel. Swap sleeveless vests for T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts; going shirtless is for the beach and the pool.
If you pack one thing, make it a long-sleeved linen or cotton shirt you can roll up: cool in the heat, a shield against the sun on the road, and smart enough for dinner.
Mosques, madrasas and shrines
Most mosques in Morocco are closed to non-Muslims. The well-known exception is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which offers guided visits. Dress as you would for any place of prayer: arms and legs covered for everyone, nothing tight, and women should have a scarf ready in case they are asked to cover their hair. Shoes come off inside, so wear a pair that slips on and off easily, with socks you do not mind showing.
The old Koranic schools, such as the Ben Youssef madrasa in Marrakech or the madrasas of the Fes medina, and some mausoleums are open to visitors as monuments. Usually nobody checks your outfit at the door, but covered shoulders and knees are expected. Take your hat off indoors.
What to wear by season and region
Cities
In spring and autumn, light layers with a sweater for the evening are enough. Summer in Marrakech and Fes can be very hot; light long sleeves and a hat protect you better than bare skin. Winter days are often pleasant in the sun, but riads are stone buildings around an open courtyard and can feel cold at night, so bring a warm jumper and something cosy to sleep in.
The Atlantic coast
Essaouira and the coast are cooler and often windy, even in summer: a windproof jacket earns its place. Swimwear is normal on the beach and at the pool; put a shirt and shorts or a sarong back on before you walk through town.
The Atlas mountains
Altitude makes the mountains cooler all year. In winter the high passes, including the Tizi n'Tichka at about 2,260 m on the road to the desert, can see snow, so a warm jacket, a hat and closed shoes are worth having in the car even if you are heading for the sun. In spring and autumn a fleece is enough.
Early starts
Before sunrise it is cold almost everywhere. If you book a hot-air balloon flight over Marrakech, the pickup is very early, so dress in layers you can peel off once the sun is up. The same goes for an evening in the stony desert on our Agafay day trip from Marrakech: warm in the afternoon, cool once the sun drops.
What to wear in the Sahara desert
In the desert, clothing is about comfort more than modesty. On a route such as our 3-day Merzouga desert tour from Marrakech, you reach the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the late afternoon, ride to camp for sunset and leave after sunrise. In those few hours you meet heat, wind, sand and a cold night.
For the camel ride
The ride to camp takes about 1 hour on our tours. Wear long, loose trousers: shorts mean bare legs rubbing against a rough saddle blanket, and tight skirts make it hard to sit astride. Keep your phone and sunglasses in a zipped pocket or a small bag worn across the body; anything dropped from a camel tends to vanish into the sand.
Head and face
A large cotton scarf or a chèche, the long head wrap worn by men in the desert, does three jobs: sun hat, dust mask and extra layer after dark. Ask a local to show you how to tie it. A wide-brimmed hat tends to fly off on a camel; a cap with a scarf over it stays put.
Evening and night
Sand loses its heat fast after sunset. For most of the year you will want a fleece or warm sweater around the fire. From November to February nights can fall close to 0 °C: add a down jacket, a hat and thick socks, and sleep in layers. Our guide to a night in a Sahara desert camp explains what the evening looks like hour by hour.
In summer
In July and August desert afternoons often pass 40 °C. Light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing protects you better than a vest top, and sunscreen, lip balm and a full water bottle matter more than any outfit. Even then, the small hours at camp can feel fresh, so keep one warm layer in your bag.
Shoes
Medina lanes are uneven, polished stone can be slippery, and you share some alleys with donkeys, handcarts and scooters. Comfortable closed walking shoes or sturdy sandals with a good grip are the safest choice. Keep flip-flops for the riad and the pool.
In the dunes, sand gets into everything. Sport sandals or trainers that are easy to empty work best. Many people go barefoot on the sand in the cool of the morning or evening, but at midday in summer it burns, and at dawn in winter it is icy. Leather babouches from the souk make lovely slippers at home; they are not made for walking.
Sahara packing list
On our multi-day tours your suitcase stays in the vehicle and you take one small bag to camp. Pack it the night before you reach the dunes. For more on the region itself, see our Merzouga desert guide.
Clothes
- Long, loose trousers for the camel ride
- A long-sleeved shirt or light top for the sun
- A fleece or warm sweater, all year
- A down jacket, hat and gloves from November to February
- Thick socks for the cold sand at dawn
- Something warm to sleep in
Protection and small things
- A large cotton scarf or chèche
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- A refillable water bottle
- A head torch for the walk to the bathroom
- Wet wipes and a small towel
- A zip bag to keep sand out of your phone or camera
- A charged power bank: standard camps have electricity, but charging outlets come with the luxury camp
- Any medicines you take, and a little cash
What to wear in Morocco: common questions
Do women have to cover their hair in Morocco?
No. Non-Muslim visitors do not need a headscarf in the street. Keep a scarf in your bag for the Hassan II Mosque, where you may be asked to cover your hair, and for sun and dust in the desert.
Can I wear shorts in Morocco?
Men can wear knee-length shorts in tourist areas, though trousers are more respectful in medinas and villages. For women, short shorts draw attention in town; keep them for the pool or the beach. On a camel, everyone is more comfortable in long trousers.
Should I dress differently during Ramadan?
The same rules apply, but it is a good month to lean towards the modest side: sleeves, long skirts or trousers, and nothing revealing in the street. People appreciate the gesture while they are fasting.
How warm do I need to dress for the desert in winter?
From November to February, dress as for a cold evening at home: down jacket, hat, gloves and thick socks. Days in the sun can still be pleasant, so wear layers you can take off.
Can I buy suitable clothes in Morocco?
Yes. The souks sell cotton scarves, chèches, light tunics and wool djellabas, and buying a scarf on day one is a common solution. Bring your basics from home, though: sizes and quality vary, and you will not want to shop for shoes on day two.