In Morocco, wear light, loose clothing that covers your shoulders and knees in towns and villages, add warm layers for desert nights and the mountains, and pack comfortable closed shoes for medina lanes and trails. There is no legal dress code for visitors and women do not need to cover their hair, but modest clothing is respectful and tends to attract less attention. Adjust for the season: summer days are very hot inland, while winter evenings, the desert at night and the Atlas can be properly cold.
Key takeaways
- Cover shoulders and knees in medinas, villages and religious sites; this applies to men and women alike.
- Layer up: desert nights and early mornings are cold, especially from November to March.
- Bring closed shoes with good grip for uneven medina lanes, waterfall paths and camel or quad rides.
- A light scarf is the most useful thing you can pack, for shade, dust, chilly evenings and religious sites.
- Swimwear is for the pool or the beach; cover up when you head into town.
The basics of dressing in Morocco
Morocco is a Muslim country that welcomes travellers from all over the world and is generally relaxed about what they wear. In the modern districts of Marrakech, such as Gueliz, you will see every style. In the medinas and rural villages, however, local people dress conservatively, and matching that a little is a simple sign of respect.
The easiest approach is loose, breathable clothing in cotton or linen that covers your shoulders and reaches to the knee or below. It keeps the sun off your skin, stays cool in the heat and works in almost every setting. Avoid very short, low-cut or see-through clothes away from the pool.
What women should wear in Morocco
- Bottoms: maxi or midi skirts, wide-leg trousers, loose jeans or long dresses.
- Tops: T-shirts or blouses with sleeves, or a light shirt over a vest top.
- Scarf: a light scarf to cover your shoulders, shade your head or keep off the dust. A headscarf is not required.
- Shoes: trainers or sturdy sandals for the medina, plus something smarter for dinner if you like.
Be honest with yourself about expectations: modest clothing will not stop every comment in busy souks, but it usually reduces unwanted attention and helps you blend in.
What men should wear in Morocco
- Bottoms: long trousers or knee-length shorts. Very short shorts look out of place in the medina.
- Tops: T-shirts and shirts are fine; leave sleeveless vests for the pool.
- Shoes: comfortable trainers or walking shoes.
- Swimwear: going shirtless is fine at the pool or on the beach, not in town.
What to wear in Morocco by season
| Season | What to expect | What to pack |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (December–February) | Often sunny, mild days in Marrakech, cold nights, snow on the High Atlas, desert nights close to freezing | Warm jacket, jumper, layers, scarf, closed shoes |
| Spring (March–May) | Warm days, cool evenings, changeable weather in the mountains | Light layers, a fleece, a waterproof for the Atlas |
| Summer (June–August) | Very hot in Marrakech and inland, cooler and windy on the coast | Loose linen or cotton, sun hat, sunglasses, a light layer for Essaouira and air-conditioning |
| Autumn (September–November) | Warm at first, cooling noticeably through November | Light clothes plus a warm layer for evenings and the desert |
What to wear by place
Medina and souks
Lanes are uneven, dusty and shared with handcarts and scooters, so closed, comfortable shoes beat flip-flops. Covered shoulders and knees are the norm. A cross-body bag that zips shut keeps your hands free. If you join our Marrakech medina walking tour, expect around 4–5 km on foot, including a visit to the Bahia Palace.
Mosques and religious sites
Most mosques in Morocco are closed to non-Muslims. The main exception is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which runs guided visits outside prayer times. Cover your shoulders and knees, and expect to take your shoes off inside the prayer hall; women are not usually asked to cover their hair, but a scarf in your bag is useful. The same modest dress suits madrasas such as Ben Youssef in Marrakech and Bou Inania in Fes, and shrines you may pass on day trips.
The desert: Agafay and the Sahara
By day you need sun protection: a hat, sunglasses and a scarf or chèche to wrap around your head and face if the wind picks up the dust or sand. Wear long, comfortable trousers for camel rides and closed shoes rather than sandals. Evenings are a different story, because temperatures fall fast after sunset. On an evening such as our Agafay quad bike, camel ride, dinner and show, bring a jacket from November to March and clothes you do not mind getting dusty. On a 3-day Sahara tour to Merzouga, pack a proper warm layer for the camp night and the mountain pass.
The Atlas mountains
The mountains are cooler than Marrakech in every season. For a day trip such as Imlil and the Three Valleys, wear walking shoes or trail trainers with good grip, and bring a warm layer and, in winter and spring, a waterproof jacket. Climbing Toubkal is another matter: our Mount Toubkal 2-day trek calls for proper hiking boots, warm layers, a waterproof, a hat and gloves, sunscreen and a head torch. From roughly December to April the summit is often under snow, and crampons and an ice axe are then required.
The coast
Essaouira is often windier and cooler than Marrakech, so bring a light jacket even in summer if you join our Essaouira day trip. Swimwear is fine on the beach, but cover up when you walk back into the medina.
Riads, hotels and pools
Inside your riad or hotel, dress as you would at home. Swimwear is normal at the pool, and many guests keep a light cover-up or sarong handy for walking through shared spaces.
What to wear for popular activities
| Activity | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Camel ride | Long trousers, closed shoes, a scarf and a jacket for the evening |
| Quad biking | Closed shoes, long trousers, sunglasses and clothes you do not mind getting dusty; helmets are provided |
| Hot air balloon | Warm layers for the pre-dawn start and flat, closed shoes |
| Cooking class | Comfortable clothes you do not mind cooking in, and a hair tie for long hair |
| Medina walk | Comfortable shoes and clothing that covers shoulders and knees |
| Toubkal trek | Hiking boots, warm layers, waterproof, hat, gloves and a head torch |
You can find more activities on our adventure activities and city and culture tours pages.
Dressing during Ramadan
During Ramadan, aim for slightly more conservative clothing, especially in the medinas and villages. As a courtesy, avoid eating, drinking or smoking openly in the street during daylight hours. Tourist restaurants and hotels continue to serve visitors, and evenings after the fast is broken are lively and welcoming.
Quick packing checklist for Morocco
- Loose trousers or long skirts, plus T-shirts or shirts with sleeves
- A light scarf, a sun hat and sunglasses
- A fleece or warm jacket for evenings, the desert and the mountains
- Closed walking shoes with good grip, plus sandals for the riad
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the pool
- A waterproof jacket for the Atlas in winter and spring
Planning a trip and not sure what to pack for your dates and tours? Message the Morocco Adventure Travel team in Marrakech on WhatsApp at +212 606 957 514 or through our contact page, and we will tell you what the weather is doing and what you will need. When you are ready, book your tours with nothing to pay in advance, pay on the day, and enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours before day trips and 7 days before multi-day tours.
FAQ
No. Visitors are not expected to wear a headscarf. Covering shoulders and knees in medinas, villages and religious sites is respectful, and a light scarf is handy to have with you.
Yes, at hotels, pools, beaches and in modern districts. In medinas and villages, long trousers or knee-length shorts for men, and longer skirts or trousers for women, are more respectful and draw less attention.
Loose clothing that covers your skin, a hat or scarf and sunglasses by day, closed shoes, and a warm jacket at night, because desert temperatures drop sharply after sunset, especially from November to March.
Comfortable closed shoes with good grip for medina lanes and day-trip paths, plus sandals for the riad and pool. For a Toubkal trek, bring proper hiking boots.