What NOT to Wear in Marrakech in 2023 - Do's and Dont's (2024)

Are you planning a trip to Marrakech and feeling overwhelmed about what to pack? My guide to what not to wear in Marrakech tells you exactly what you should and shouldn’t take with you. So don’t stress, everything you need to know is right here.

Usually when I’m planning a trip I’m avidly researching the very best hotels and furiously planning an itinerary that’ll cover everything on my extensive list of things to see and do. But in the run-up to my trip to Marrakech in April last year, my number one Google search was “What on earth am I supposed to wear in Marrakech?”.

None of my friends had been to Morocco before, so I couldn’t get their advice, but I knew this wasn’t a crop top and shorts kind of holiday, despite the fact it was forecast to be nearly 30°C during our trip!

So to save you the same stress that I had, in this guide, I’m going to cover exactly what not to wear in Marrakech, and my recommendations for remaining respectful.

I’ll also cover what to wear in Marrakech instead, and some of my suggestions for what to pack. As well as clothes, I’ve also made some suggestions of other things you might like to bring.

And you’ll find out why having earplugs will be the difference between you having a great holiday, or a slightly less great one.

By the time you’ve finished reading, I promise you’ll feel completely confident knowing what’s ok to wear, and what you should steer clear of.

And then you can get back to the fun stuff – like choosing where to stay and what you’re going to do when you get there!

Some links in this post are affiliate links. It won’t make a difference to what you pay, but I may earn a small commission if you purchase something I’ve recommended. I’m really grateful for your trust in my advice, and if I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, I won’t recommend it to you.

What not to wear in Marrakech – for women

Shorts

As tempting as it might be when it’s the middle of the summer in an African country, shorts are a no-go in Morocco. Especially tight, denim, and hot pants. They’re basically the poster child for what you shouldn’t wear in Marrakech.

But I’ve got good news for you – did you know linen is scientifically proven to be a cooler fabric than silk or cotton?

And considering the majority of denim shorts are made up of a mixture of cotton, elastane and polyester, (basically everything that makes you sweat even more), you’d actually be better off not wearing the shorts.

Bikini tops

Unlike in Spain where you can wander around the streets in a bikini top and no one bats an eyelid, I would seriously advise against it in Morocco.

The level of attention and stares you’ll get will make you feel extremely uncomfortable. Marrakech has a beautiful and vibrant culture but, as with all places, it comes with negatives.

At some point during your holiday, you’re probably going to feel a bit uncomfortable, even if you’re covered from head to toe. Especially in the Souks, it’s busy and there’s lots of people trying to get you to buy something. So if you’re walking around in a bikini top, it’s just going to be a hundred times worse.

Crop tops

This isn’t Ibiza, we’re not in DC10 and we don’t need to be wearing crop tops in Marrakech. And are you really going to be that much cooler by having a tiny bit of your tummy out? Probably not, so I’d leave them at home.

High heels

There used to be a time when high heels were a staple part of my wardrobe. When I started my first job out of University I’d wear a pencil dress and heels to the office every day.

That was the corporate culture back then and I couldn’t believe that anyone would dream of wearing a dress with trainers.

Fast forward 8 years and that’s now my go to outfit – and heels live somewhere at the back of my wardrobe. So it’ll be quite rare that you find me recommending you pack heels.

But I would definitely leave them at home for a trip to Marrakech. The streets are uneven, and they’re just incredibly impractical if you’re trying to weave your way through the souks.

Tight-fitting clothes

Be careful with anything too tight-fitting, even if it covers your legs and arms. Skinny jeans are fine, but you may feel more comfortable with a longer jacket or shirt over the top.

Anything expensive

I’d try and avoid anything that would make you an easy target for opportunist thieves, especially in the crowded souks where it’ll be more difficult to keep an eye on your belongings.

What not to wear in Marrakech – for men

As with pretty much everything in life, men have a much easier ride than women here. The only thing I’d suggest is that whilst it’s fine to wear shorts, you won’t see many Moroccan men wearing them. So if you have long trousers, bring those instead.

Remember, all of this is completely at your discretion. There’s no laws or rules in place, but from my experience, you’ll have a more enjoyable time if you avoid these clothes.

During my trip I saw a woman walking through the souks dressed in shorts and a vest top, and the level of attention she was getting was extremely uncomfortable to watch, and I could see just how uncomfortable she felt too. But that’s easily avoidable if you come prepared.

Not sure where to stay in Marrakech? My number one piece of advice is to book a Riad – a traditional Moroccan house. I’ve written a guide to the very best riads in Marrakech here.

So, what to wear in Marrakech instead?

We’ve covered what not to wear, but here’s the things that I’d absolutely recommend wearing in Marrakech.

Marrakech dress code – for women

• Instead of strappy tops, make sure your shoulders are always covered
• Instead of hot pants, make sure your shorts, skirts, and dresses are at-least knee length
• I brought lots of wide-legged trousers with me for my trip and they were perfect. They kept my cool and covered-up whilst still looking good. Just make sure they’re not too long otherwise they might drag along the floor of the souks
• Long-sleeved shirts are a great option for tucking into trousers. You’ll look really put together but remain covered up
• Instead of heels, bring a pair of trainers that you don’t mind getting dirty, and some sandals for the warmer days

Marrakech dress code – for men

• Bring long trousers if you have them, otherwise, shorts are fine
• Shirts and T-shirts are both fine in the evenings

Marrakech outfits

If you’re looking for some inspiration of what to wear, here’s some outfit suggestions. Just click the image to shop the items.

Good to have with you

• Sunglasses – I spent a lot of time avoiding eye-contact in the souks so I didn’t accidentally buy even more plates I don’t need (it’s very easily done). Having a pair of sunglasses makes this task a lot easier
• A hat – the African sunshine is no joke. Protect your head from burning and pop one in your case. I’m a big fan of bucket hats, even if they are a bit “19-year old at a festival”
• A scarf – it’s handy to have one in your suitcase incase you decide to go to a mosque. But they also double up as protection from the sun, or to cover up your shoulders if you’ve got a skimpier top on. Win-Win.

If you’re visiting a religious site

If you’re planning to visit any religious sites, you may be asked to wear a headdress. So it’s always worth packing a scarf in your suitcase.

I have this one which I took with me to Morocco and Abu Dhabi and it was perfect – it kept my hair covered but looked stylish at the same time. And it doubles up as a great cover up for your shoulders!

What about in the resorts?

When you’re in your hotel, of course the rules are completely different. Most Marrakech riads have swimming pools so it’d be a very big ask to expect you to cover up. You can where whatever you want around the hotel pool, and usually throughout the resort.

What to wear if you’re going to the desert

Whilst we were in Marrakech we did an overnight stay in the desert. You have two options when you visit Morocco – the Sahara desert, which is a 7-hour drive from Marrakech, or The Agafay Desert which is only about an hour away.

If we had gone for longer, I’d have loved to have stayed in the Sahara, that’s a real bucket-list item of mine.

But we were short on time so we did one night in Agafay instead, and it was amazing. We stayed at Oxygen Lodge Agafay which I can’t recommend enough – the tents were HUGE and beautifully designed.

They each had their own seating area inside the tent, as well as another private patio outside.

There’s a huge swimming pool overlooking the desert, as well as the options of going camel-riding and quad-biking during your stay.

There were great choices of food – everything from a traditional tajine to club sandwiches and chips. Plus, the co*cktails were incredible!

If you’re thinking of visiting the desert, bring a jacket and layers. It can feel a bit strange to be packing bikinis and woolly hats in the same suitcase, but it gets COLD in the desert at night time.

Make sure you’ve got a pair of trainers too, especially if you’re planning on heading out to explore.

What to wear in Marrakech – by season

Surprisingly, Marrakech isn’t always blistering sunshine. So depending on when you’re visiting, you’ll want to pack accordingly. We visited at the end of March and between mid-March-May is when I’d recommend going.

It’s usually sunny enough to sunbathe in, but not too hot that you’ll get uncomfortable walking around. I say usually because on our first day we had one of the worst downpours I’ve ever seen.

We ventured out to explore the souks after thinking the rain had stopped only for it to start again and we got absolutely drenched. That was only for one day of our holiday, but it just shows it helps to be prepared!

Here’s the average temperatures for each season in Marrakech and what I’d recommend packing:

Spring:

March: 23/10°C
April: 25/12°C
May: 29/15°C

Summer:

June: 33/17°C
July: 37/20°C
August: 37/21°C

Autumn:

September: 19/33°C
October: 15/28°C
November: 11/23°C

Winter:

December: 20/7°C
January: 19/6°C
February: 20/8°C

In Spring and Autumn, as well as everything on the packing list above, I’d bring a light jacket for the evenings. I packed my denim jacket and it was perfect for throwing on over clothes.

If you know you’re going to the desert, bring a hoody or a jumper. I barely ever travel without a jumper anyway because I find planes freezing. But even if you don’t get cold easily, you’ll feel it in the desert. So don’t say I didn’t warn you.

In Summer, even though it’s hot, you still need to cover up so linen will be your friend – the breathable material will keep you cool if you’re walking around. Make sure you’ve got a hat and a good pair of sunglasses too.

In Winter, bring a good waterproof jacket for the evening and layers that you can easily take on or off.

Have you booked your Marrakech accommodation yet? I’ve got an article with all my favourite places to stay – read it here

What else should you bring to Marrakech?

✔️Liquid bag for airport security

I NEVER travel without this bag and I’ve recommended it to all my friends, and so now they all have one too. It’s a game-changer.

No more scrambling around before security shoving your liquids into a sandwich bag. It’s the correct size for the amount you can take on board, so just pack it beforehand and breeze through security.

I’ve never once been stopped and asked to take anything out using this.

✔️An extension cable

One of my favourite travel hacks and also something I’d never travel without is an extension cable. This way, you only need one travel adapter.

The one I have and swear by is this one – there’s 3 plugs and 6 USB slots, which is more than enough room for both mine and Conor’s devices.

✔️A travel adapter

With an extension cable, you’ll just need one travel adapter, but I always like to buy them before my trip so I’m not frantically searching for a shop when I arrive.

Plus, it’s usually a lot cheaper. In Marrakech, they use the same adapters as Europe. If you don’t have one already, I’d really recommend getting a worldwide adapter – they’re universal and have plug points for anywhere in the world.

✔️Portable charger

If you’re heading out into the desert you might go a long time without power, but you don’t want to miss all of the incredible photo opportunities, so make sure you’ve got a portable charger in your bag.

This one from Anker is my favourite – it’s really slim so it doesn’t take up much room, and provides over 2 charges before it needs charging again.

✔️An under the seat bag

Gone are the days when hand luggage was included in the cost of your flight. Now most short-haul airlines charge you extra to bring hand luggage, but this bag is a game changer.

Ok it’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it fits SO much inside. And best of all? It fits under the seat so you don’t need to pay for a cabin bag. It’s under £20 and you’ll make that money back in one flight by not paying for baggage.

✔️Rucksack

If you’re staying in a Riad in Marrakech, your taxi most likely won’t be able to drop you at the door, so you’ll need to take your bag down VERY narrow and busy roads. It’s basically like rush hour for people, you can barely move sometimes.

It’s much easier to weave your way in and out of the crowds with a rucksack, so I’d definitely recommend it over a suitcase.

I’d also suggest bringing a separate day bag that you can also use during the day, especially if you’re planning on buying souvenirs from the Souks.

I’m a big fan of Rains rucksacks – they’re unisex, waterproof and durable. But if you want something a bit more practical, this is a great choice. It’s got a 45L capacity, a breathable back, pockets, and it’s waterproof.

✔️Ear plugs

One of the most amazing things about Marrakech is the vibrancy of the city. Everywhere you turn there’s something new to look at, smell or hear. And the most memorable sound is the call to prayer, which takes place five times a day and signifies the start of worship.

The first few times you hear it, it stops you in your tracks. It really is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. But the first call to prayer rings very early in the morning, and if you’re staying in a Riad in the centre of the city, it’s VERY loud.

I’m a deep sleeper and there’s no way I could sleep through it. So I’d recommend bringing some earplugs so you can sleep soundly. These reusable ones are some of my favourites.

✔️Suncream

We all know that we should wear Factor 50 every single day, whether the sun’s shining or not. So if you’re in the blistering African sunshine, you definitely need to be wearing it.

My number one rule when it comes to suncream is that I always use a separate one for my face. In Greece last year I’d run out of my face suncream so applied the one for my body, and my skin broke out terribly over the next few days.

Body suncream tend to be very thick and greasy so I would recommend getting two separate ones – I know it’s a faff, but your skin will thank you! If you’re wearing makeup, I like to use a spray suncream that I can apply on top throughout the day.

My favourite one for my face is the La Roche Posay tintedsunscreen, it’s perfect if you don’t want to wear makeup, (which I rarely do in the sun) as it gives you natural coverage.

✔️Luggage locks and cables

If you’re planning on travelling around Morocco on public transport, I’d definitely recommend getting yourself lockable cables as well as padlocks for your suitcase. This way, even if you’re not sat near your bag, you’ve got peace of mind knowing it’s secured to the luggage rack and only you have the key.

Have you planned your Marrakech itinerary yet? My guide to the best things to do in Marrakech will make sure you don’t miss anything out!

What not to wear when visiting other parts of Morocco

If you’re planning on travelling around Morocco on your trip, it’s worth noting that places like Fez and Rabat are much more traditional. So whilst you’re not expected to dress any differently than in Marrakech, if you decide to wear what you want, expect to get stared at a lot more.

Hopefully my guide to what not to wear in Marrakech has helped you feel more confident about what to pack. Now it’s time for the fun part – deciding what you’re going to get up to whilst you’re there!

What not to wear in Marrakech – FAQs

Can you wear jeans in Marrakech?

Yes, you can wear jeans in Marrakech. You might want to avoid really tight-fitting jeans, partly because when it’s hot they’ll be really restrictive, and you might get stared at a little more. You can always wear a longer top that covers you up if you’re worried about feeling uncomfortable.

Is there a dress code in Marrakech?

There’s no dress code in Marrakech, and no law that states you have to wear certain clothes. But Morocco’s a Muslim country, so it’s considered disrespectful to show too much skin. Unfortunately, this is a bigger problem for women than it is for men, but there’s guidelines I’d follow regardless.

What should a woman wear in Marrakech?

Unfortunately, a woman has to dress more conservatively than a man in Marrakech. Legally, you can wear whatever you want, but you might feel uncomfortable wearing revealing clothes. So I’d stick to tops that cover your shoulders, and long trousers and dresses.

Can you wear revealing clothes in Morocco?

You won’t get arrested if you’re walking around in revealing clothes in Morocco, but you will most likely get stared at. And not only will you feel very uncomfortable, but you’ll also be making the local people feel uncomfortable. It’s best to leave the shorts and vest tops at home.

Do you need to wear a headdress in Marrakech?

Female tourists in Marrakech don’t need to wear a headdress and I definitely didn’t feel uncomfortable at any point having my hair down. Even Moroccan women are not required to wear one by law, although you will find that the majority of them do.

Marrakech travel essentials

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