What to Wear in Morocco: A Practical Dress Guide for Women and Men
In Morocco, wear loose, breathable clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, especially in medinas, rural villages and religious sites. There is no legal dress code for visitors, but modest dress is respectful and reduces unwanted attention. Pack layers: even in warm months, the desert and the Atlas mountains are cold at night.
Is there a dress code for tourists in Morocco?
Morocco is a Muslim country, but it is relatively relaxed about dress. You will see Moroccan women in everything from djellabas and headscarves to jeans and T-shirts, especially in Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat. Visitors are not required to cover their hair. That said, in the old medinas, small towns and villages, most locals dress conservatively, and following suit shows respect. It also helps you blend in and makes interactions easier.
What should women wear in Morocco?
- Tops: T-shirts or blouses that cover the shoulders, or a light shirt over a vest. Avoid low necklines in medinas.
- Bottoms: midi or maxi skirts and dresses, wide-leg trousers, linen trousers or loose jeans. Skirts and shorts above the knee draw attention in traditional areas.
- A scarf: the single most useful item — for sun, dust, cool evenings, covering shoulders, and covering your hair if you visit the Hassan II Mosque.
- Swimwear: fine at hotel pools and beaches; cover up when you leave them.
Modest dress will not eliminate street comments, but it does reduce them. Our guide to safety in Morocco has more advice for women travellers.
What should men wear in Morocco?
Men have more latitude, but long trousers or knee-length shorts are more appropriate than short shorts in medinas and villages. T-shirts are fine; sleeveless vests are best kept for the pool. In smart restaurants and when visiting families or mosques, long trousers and a shirt are appropriate.
What to wear in the medinas
Medina lanes are uneven, often cobbled, and shared with donkeys, carts and scooters. Comfortable closed shoes or sturdy sandals with good grip matter more than style. Loose natural fabrics such as cotton and linen are cooler than synthetics, and a cross-body bag worn in front keeps valuables secure. A first-day guided walk, like our Marrakech medina walking tour, is a good way to see what locals wear and how the souks work.
What to wear for the Sahara desert
- Long, loose layers to protect against sun and sand.
- A scarf or chech (turban) to wrap around your head and face during the camel ride; you can buy one in Merzouga.
- Sunglasses, a hat and high-factor sunscreen.
- Closed shoes or sandals for the dunes; sand gets hot at midday.
- A warm fleece or down jacket for the evening — from November to March, desert nights can drop close to 0°C.
What to wear in the Atlas mountains
For day trips to Imlil, the Ourika Valley or over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m), wear walking shoes and bring a warm layer and a windproof jacket, as temperatures fall quickly with altitude. For trekking toward Toubkal (4,167 m), pack proper hiking boots, thermal layers, a warm hat and gloves even in summer; in winter, specialised gear is essential.
What to wear on the coast
Essaouira and the Atlantic coast are cooler and windier than inland. Bring a light jacket or sweater even in July and August, when the trade winds can make evenings chilly. Surf towns such as Taghazout are relaxed, but cover up when walking through the village.
Season-by-season guide
| Season | Cities (day) | What to pack |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | approx. 22-30°C | Light layers, light jacket for evenings, scarf |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | often 35-40°C+ | Loose linen and cotton, hat, sun protection; a sweater for the coast |
| Autumn (Sep-Nov) | approx. 22-32°C | Light layers, warm layer for desert nights |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | approx. 17-20°C | Warm jumper, down jacket for the desert and mountains, closed shoes |
For more detail on temperatures, see our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
Visiting mosques and the hammam
Most mosques in Morocco are closed to non-Muslims. At the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which offers guided tours, visitors should cover arms and legs, and women are asked to cover their hair. In a public hammam, people usually keep underwear bottoms on; bring a spare pair and flip-flops. Spa hammams in hotels generally provide disposable underwear.
Packing checklist
- Two or three loose long trousers or long skirts
- Shirts and T-shirts that cover the shoulders
- A large scarf or pashmina
- Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
- A warm layer and a light waterproof or windproof jacket
- Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen
- Small cross-body bag, plus small dirham notes for tips (see our tipping guide)
What to wear during Ramadan
During Ramadan, which moves about 11 days earlier each year, many Moroccans dress even more conservatively, and it is considerate to do the same, particularly in medinas and smaller towns. Covered shoulders and knees are the simple rule. The atmosphere after sunset is festive, and families often dress up for evening visits, so a smarter outfit is useful if you are invited to an iftar meal.
Buying clothes in Morocco
If you forget something, the souks of Marrakech and Fes sell light cotton trousers, scarves, kaftans and djellabas at a wide range of prices, and supermarkets and shopping centres in the new towns have familiar international clothing brands. A lightweight djellaba or a desert scarf also makes a practical souvenir. Wearing a traditional garment as a visitor is generally seen as friendly rather than inappropriate, especially in the desert, where a chech really does help against the sun and sand.
Footwear and accessories
You will walk more than you expect in Morocco: a morning in the Fes medina can easily mean 8-10 km on slopes and steps. Bring shoes you have already broken in, plus a pair of easy slip-ons for riads, where you may remove shoes in some rooms. Leave expensive jewellery at home, and consider a money belt or a zipped inner pocket for cards and passport copies.
Book it with a local operator
If you are unsure what the medina will feel like, start with our guided tour of the Marrakech medina, from €25 per person, with a licensed local guide who can also point you to the best places to buy a scarf or djellaba. For the rest of your trip, browse our Morocco tours or message us on WhatsApp at +212 606 957 514.
Comments (0)