Visiting Morocco anytime soon? We understand you are curious as to what to pack and carry for your trip. Don’t worry, we got you covered. In this guide on what to wear in Morocco packing list, we have included all the essential travel items from documents to universal adaptor and styling, clothing inspiration.
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Ultimate Morocco Packing list – What to pack for Morocco Trip
Morocco was our first African destination, as a couple.
Prior to our trip to Morocco, we did a lot of research on what to wear in Morocco and generally what to expect there. With all the knowledge gained and with first hand experiences, we put forward this ultimate Morocco Packing list for your trip.
This article is divided into 2 parts. One section deals with packing list for Morocco – the mandatory items, documents that you need to carry and what to avoid.
The second section has all the clothing and styling details, especially keeping the female traveler in mind. Just so that you know I am not white nor blonde. I am Indian born with dark brown hair, who you can easily mistake for a Filipino, Mexican or Latino (depends on my make-up that day).
Travel Documents – Passport, visa and IDs
The MOST important item to carry are your travel documents and an additional form of picture ID. Take print outs of any guided tours or any addresses you might need during your stay.
Store everything + cash and cards, in a travel document organizer (with RFID protection).
Currency and credit cards
The official currency of Morocco is Moroccan Dirham. Euros are widely accepted here. Same goes for USD.
Before our trip, the various guide books and blogs mentioned that Canadian dollars are accepted, but its not true. No one took CAD.
CAD can be exchanged at CHANGE offices. For us Canadians, 1 dirham is less than .20 CAD. So other then the flight ticket expenses, you can definitely make the most of your money and time in Morocco.
Morocco runs on cash mostly and we avoided using our credit cards there. We booked our tours and hotels in advance and used cash for food, bus and train tickets.
Pro tip: Carry change in USD or EUR to offer as tip, if you are happy with service.
Travel Insurance for insure your trip
Travel Insurance for Morocco is a MUST. Insurance will cover theft, loss of items or trip delays and cancellations. Medical insurance is super essential as well and is strongly recommended for all visitors to Morocco. We always take medical insurance and highly advise doing the same.
Car insurance is also a must, if you are renting and driving in Morocco.
Use World Nomads to get a travel insurance quote. You can get an insurance estimate based on the length of travel, age and number of travelers, and the type of coverage you need.
Universal Adaptor
We assume you have a universal adaptor, because why not. Every traveler should have and need one.
Here is a universal adaptor that we recommend. This universal adaptor will be useful in Europe, Africa and Asia if you are traveling from North America. Like you can use in over 150 countries.
Keep in mind that all power sockets in Morocco provide a standard voltage of 127V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. So as long as your equipment is between 100V-240V you can use it in Morocco without a convertor. If you do need a convertor, then invest in this universal adaptor and convertor two-in-one.
On the internet, you will read details about Type C and Type E adaptors, they are basically referring to the pins on your charger and the holes in a power outlet. Of course, you will need an adaptor and they are similar to the ones in Europe and Asia – they are round, not flat like the ones in North America.
The above adaptor, also has an inbuilt converter.
Battery Back up or a power pack for charging phone and camera
A battery backup or a power pack is a must, in the event of power outage. We carried ours and this one can be charged at the Morocco prescribed voltage. So if you only have 1-2 devices to charge then you can power up this bad boy and then use it to charge your electronics.
Camera and Lens Kit
A good camera is a MUST for your trip to Morocco. We recommend a lightweight camera so that you can capture the busy medina corners, doors, souks and tiles and fountains – Instagrammable spots in Morocco are endless.
Diarrhea tablets – Morocco packing list
This is ONE of the most searched and asked question when traveling to Morocco. Fortunately we didn’t need it (and didn’t pack it). But stats show that almost 50% of the visitors to Morocco suffer from diarrhea during their trip.
Pro tip: Avoid street food or vendors. We have seen cactus fruits and sweets sold in the medina corners with flies all over. Bread baked in community oven and transported without a cover. So watch out what you consume.
Pick good local restaurants or restaurants in your riad/hotel for meals. Eat food when its hot. Tagines are good for that reason.
Mosquito repellent and bug spray
Super important – carry a mosquito and/or bug spray and use it in Morocco.
Spring time in Marrakech brings in a lot of mosquitoes. If you are camping or hiking in the Rif or Atlas mountains, you will need mosquito repellent. Use insect repellents that contain DEET like the one below.
Sunscreen with SPF 45+
So whether you are wandering through the medina or at the Sahara Desert, use sunscreen (and so carry a bottle with at least SPF 45+ to protect your skin). This one is waterproof so it wont go away with sweat, but remember sunscreen has to be re-applied after a few hours – and that’s a given with any brand.
Deodorant or perfume
Morocco is hot during the day. Carry your favorite deodorant or travel size perfume to keep bad odour at bay.
My favorites below!
Hand Sanitizer
We found hand sanitizers to be super useful even inside a hotel or restaurant. So carry 1- 2 sanitizers, depending on the length of stay.
Toilet Paper and/or wipes
Toilet Paper (or even facial wipes) are super important when you are out and about. For a day out exploring, you will be eating and relieving yourself at public places which may or may not have gold standard of hygiene.
Some washrooms will have no water or soap. So carry a small amount of tissue or toilet paper in your day bag.
Add Sunglasses to Morocco Packing List
Hello sun protection! (and styling for your photos). Pack a pair of Rayban sunglasses or try these Ericka that I love. Streets in Morocco are windy and dusty, so a pair of sunglasses will protect your eye too from dust particles.
Rayban Erika sunglasses – like the one I am wearing below! Hello!
Water Bottle with filter
This is one of our recommended TRAVEL items – a very handy water bottle with filter. Tap water in Morocco is not safe to drink. So you will have to purchase bottled water.
You can purchase from a convenience store or at the airport and perhaps buy an 8 Litre so that you save money (it will last you longer) and fill your bottle with it while you are on the go – traveling.
What to wear in Morocco – Outfit styling and tips (Morocco packing list)
Morocco is an Islamic country. And for many it is a conservative country and some also experience a culture shock when they arrive in Morocco. Of course a lot of this is based on our background and our lifestyle and what we are used to in our home country.
But the good news is that Morocco is welcoming to tourists. Tourism is a major contributor to Moroccan economy and is one of the safest countries in northern Africa. But being a safe place doesn’t mean we ignore local norms and customs.
To be honest, we have seen women wear all kinds of clothing in Morocco. But they were always in groups, or were part of tours. Solo women are seen dressed about conservatively and covered.
Being a Muslim country, be mindful of their eating/drinking, prayer and other traditions. Clothing and public behavior is super important to ward off any unwanted attention.
As you might know, I travel with my husband and we don’t do PDA in public – that’s just us. Morocco was not different. We do hold hands and in the medina, you should be careful as it can get super crowded.
In our recent experience, we found locals – Moroccan couples holding hands, walking the marina together. We have witnessed Moroccan women traveling alone in buses or with groups of 2-3.
Depending on the site or place you are visiting within Morocco, you will have to slightly tweak your style. Yea, lets call it adapting to Moroccan style, rather then a conservative outlook. Agree?
There are no set rules (at least I have not seen any) with regards to Morocco Dress Code for women. But it is a good idea to dress as per destination.
Before we begin the clothing and styling tips, here is a snapshot of how the weather typically looks like in Morocco all year round.
So in terms of weather for Morocco – it is warm throughout the year, with mild temperature drops in the evenings and early mornings.
What you wear in Morocco depends on the activity and the time of day. For us the month we visited was not a deal breaker as the weather throughout the year (in day time) is warm. So basically light cotton or linen clothing is best with comfortable walking shoes and eye gear (sunglasses) (and hat, if you prefer).
During summer months, yes it will be hot and humid, that’s when you need to stay hydrated and take breaks under shade, if the sun is unbearable.
At all times, sunscreen, sunglasses are a must.
During night time or evening, the temperature cools down. Some might be happy with the low temperature making it comfortable and pleasant (respite from the scorching heat) and for some a light cardigan or a scarf might be needed. Salil belongs to the first group, where he was comfortable and I always need a scarf and carry it with me (for sun protection and for warmth).
During winters, on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coast, you should carry spring/autumn clothes that you will use in Europe like jacket, sweater, a raincoat or umbrella.
In the imperial cities like Marrakesh and Fez carry a warm scarf or hat for evenings. For summers in the Mediterranean coast light (and cotton) pants, tops and a light weight jacket for evenings are recommended. Atlantic coast is cooler in summers, so carry a warm sweatshirt, scarf, socks to keep warm early mornings and late evenings.
For exploring the desert in Morocco wear loose fitting clothes, hat or sun turban, sunglasses. When hiking Rif or Atlas mountains or camping near it, wear hiking shoes, carry sleeping bag, sweater and jacket for outdoor activities.
Pro tip: Use packing cubes to organize everything you bring along on your trip to Morocco!
For ladies, here are some of the clothing items I recommend.
Dresses – Flowy and lightweight maxi dresses – long, short or midi
I personally love wearing dresses and Morocco was no different. Dresses of all length are okay in Morocco, but style it as per the occasion or site. (Like you won’t wear a LBD – little black dress – to the beach or grocery shopping).
During summer, wearing long, flowy dresses made up of cotton or other breathable material is a good idea. It will provide your legs sun protection and will be airy rather than wearing sticky pants.
In Morocco I avoided showing my bare shoulders or back in crowded areas and covered with a light jacket. And also I opted for monochrome (one color) longer maxi dresses. It is super comfortable to wear and walk in them all day and I love how dreamy our pictures turned out.
How to style it?
At the medina – At the medina, wear midi length dress. Medina lanes will be dirty and you won’t be wearing heels, so carry mid ankle length dresses so that they don’t get dirty. If you prefer wearing a short dress, pair it with a pair of leggings. Leggings will keep your legs clean and away from dirt.
Medina in Morocco will be in shades of brown, beige, whites or basically neutral colors. So wear something that pops like red, hot pinks. Or something that blends like green or white. Chefchaouen or the Blue City medina is different – its all blue!
Travelling in public transport – You can wear dresses while traveling in train and buses. If you are wearing off shoulder or sleeve less dress, carry a scarf or a light jacket to cover and take it off for photos if required. I did the same while traveling to Chefchaouen in a public bus.
READ: Our Tangier to Chefchaouen Day trip Itinerary
Other sightseeing attractions – Places like the marina bay, historical ruins, royal palaces and madrasas are perfect for show of your pretty dresses. Longer length dresses will add grace and not bring in unwanted attention.
Tops and blouses for Morocco Packing List
Airy pretty blouses are perfect for all seasons in Morocco. They can wear them at the medina, beach, ruins and while traveling. Wearing long sleeves tops will keep you safe from harmful sun rays. Doing so you can also skip an extra jacket during summers.
Tops or T- shirts are useful while traveling in buses, taking road trips or hiking. They are a MUST while lounging in your riad or hotel.
Carry half sleeve and full sleeve shirts or blouses to match up with your skirt or pants. Cotton is ideal due to heat, but I was okay in synthetic or silky satin blouses as well. I teamed them up with cotton(breathable) jeans.
My blouses were roomy. I am more comfortable in loose fitting and if you are comfortable and confident, it helps when you walk around.
I would avoid tank tops, unless you are wearing it in your hotel room or underneath your jacket.
Shop blouses and tops below
Bottoms – Jeans, leggings, skirts and linen pants
All tops and blouses need pants. So here it goes. Carry cotton jeans (in dark color) to wear during evenings when temperatures drop or during colder months. If you are traveling from north to south of Morocco, temperatures variations exist – so carrying a pair of jeans is helpful.
During summers, ensure you carry wide legged linen pants. They will be airy and will provide sun protection.
Leggings are useful to wear with long tops or short dresses. I personally don’t wear shorts. But if you MUST carry it, use it for lounging. Won’t recommend in the medina or in any crowded public places. Remember there are mosquitoes and you are carrying a repellent, but still wear full or mid length clothes for protection against unwanted attention, mosquitoes, sun and dirt.
Cotton or linen maxi skirts are a good option to wear, with a semi fitting top. I am not a skirt person so I didn’t carry them, but they give a similar look to a long dress and you can definitely wear it more, by changing the blouse or top. A-line cotton skirts look great as well.
Shop pants, jeans and leggings below
Carry comfortable shoes and flats. Don’t carry heels
Morocco is filled with uneven lanes especially medina quarters. Wear closed toe shoes for the most part, when you are out and about exploring. Also carry a pair of flats and/or flat sandals (or comfy flip flops) to wear at the beach, in the riad/hotel/ desert camp or while preparing for hammam.
I wore Sketchers Performance sneakers in light grey.
Browse for more shoes and flats below
Light Scarf
Carry a nice pashmina with you. It will be useful to cozy up or as a cover up over dresses.
Check prices and view scarves below
Swimwear and a cover up
Morocco is popular for their pools and hamman. If you are staying in a 3 or 4 star resort, pools are a delight, with gorgeous interiors. So carry/ wear your swim suit and cover up to enjoy after a long day of exploration.
In a hamman, males and females bathe separately and “almost” private, so you can go bare or wear swim wear, depending on your comfort level. Many high end riads will provide you with slippers, bath robe, disposable panty
Check price and view bathing suit below
Light weight jacket
I carried a lightweight denim jacket – cropped style. It went well with the September weather and when the air conditioner was blasting inside the bus or hotel. Also works as a good cover up while wandering the lanes in Morocco.
As you can see from the temperature graph, the weather in most cities is quite pleasant. Carrying a scarf and a light jacket is good enough to keep you warm, should temperatures drop.
Colors in Morocco – Morocco Packing List
Morocco is full of color. I found that it was more of an organized color. Let’s say you are visiting the medina or souk with red brick or nude brown shades of shops and colorful items hanging at the storefront. Wear monochrome clothing in earthly colors or white to blend, yet stand out in the market crowd.
Visiting Chefchauoen – the blue city? Wear white or yellow so that it pops against the washed blue walls. Taking a Sahara desert safari, with dreamy sand dunes, wear white or maroon or a mix of both.
Morocco Packing Tips for Men
Here are some clothing recommendations for men –
Shirts – Wear cotton (light) shirts. If you are comfortable wearing full sleeves (in the warm temperature), even better as you are getting some sun protection. Or roll up if you are too warm. Those long sleeves will be handy in the evenings when the temperature drops.
Cotton or linen pants or Cargoes – You can’t go wrong with either of those options. But wear something light and breathable as the temperature during the day will be warm. Moisture licking pants are great option too.
I have included some handy tips about Morocco below, it also includes details like how to stay safe and feel at ease when you are exploring and practical know-how for your trip.
Travel Tips – Preparing for Morocco Travel
Feeling safe in Morocco
When I traveled to Morocco, I was with my husband all the time. Well, for most of our travels we are traveling together, so this was no different. We don’t do a whole lot of PDA in public places. And Morocco was no exception. We did hold hands occasionally and we did wear our wedding rings, so avoid any questions or interest at the same time.
Did men look at me? Yea they did. But also because I had photos taken in all sorts of tourist places. When photos are captured and done, we like to live the moment and wander and explore, which was low key. And to be honest, I didn’t feel I was grabbing anyone’s attention.
Whenever we crossed a shop, people wanted us to come in and buy stuff. At times, we smiled and walked away or politely said no. But the key thing is we kept walking away, while acknowledging (aka respecting) that we heard them but are not interested.
Of course, avoid dark, unknown lanes at night. If you are unsure about a place/site and don’t know how to get back – then avoid the hassle. Get a walking tour or tour guide to get acquainted especially in the medina.
Scams and theft are common tourist woes, but if you pre-plan and book things in advance through reputed travel or tour websites, there won’t be any surprises.
If you are thinking about traveling to Morocco, book that flight. We really enjoyed our trip to Morocco! We hope to return some day soon!
READ:
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Last Update: September 26 2019
What to wear in Morocco Packing List and Guide
