Morocco can be a real struggle to pack for – it has a conservative Islamic-majority population, but it’s also HOT, sticky, and humid. This means you need to bring practical, versatile clothing! You need to survive sweltering heat, without showing too much skin.
So today I’ve put together a packing list for Morocco! This post includes all the information you’ll need on what to pack for Morocco, how to choose the right clothing, essentials you might forget, and also what NOT to pack! I’ve included all my best packing tips for Morocco based on my experience, and everything I wished I’d brought with me 🙂
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Table of Contents
Morocco Packing List: What Clothing to Pack for Morocco
Despite being conservative af, Morocco sees more than 11 million tourists per year! And many of these visitors are decidedly NOT Muslim. You’ll see a very diverse range of clothing in Morocco – everything from headscarves to tank tops and shorts.
But neither of those extremes are an appropriate way for a tourist to dress.
You don’t need to cover your hair or shroud yourself head-to-toe. But you SHOULD dress reasonably modestly (think wrap maxi dresses, midi or maxi skirts, tees or blouses) to be respectful but still comfortable.
General guidelines for how to dress:
- Keep your chest and lower legs covered – no cleavage, no shorts, no skirts above the knee (the longer the better).
- Keep your shoulders covered if you want less attention; carry a lightweight scarf to use as a coverup just in case.
- You don’t need to cover your hair.
- Wear moisture-wicking fabrics like linen or cotton.
- Pack layers.
- Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be walking a lot!
PS: read my full guide about how to dress in Morocco here!
Best Modest Dresses for Morocco
Modest doesn’t have to mean ugly 😉 Pick midi or maxi dresses that cover your chest, shoulders, and knees — I would wear a style similar to what I’ve linked below! You might want to bring a camisole to layer underneath, or (like I mentioned above) a lightweight scarf to drape around your shoulders if they’re exposed. Choose fabrics like linen, cotton, silk, or rayon which will keep you nice and cool.
I dressed less conservatively than this and regretted it. Not only did I get a ton of male attention, I also just felt disrespectful, and I was judged (visibly) everywhere I went. I also didn’t have a scarf, and ended up borrowing one of my friend’s every day.
Best Tops for Morocco
Think loose, breezy throw-on tops like the following, that you can mix and match with your other pieces. I personally love tie tops and boho blouses like the first two I linked, but you would be equally happy in a cotton t-shirt or lightweight chambray top. I’ve linked some styles below that would be appropriate but still comfortable.
Best Skirts for Morocco
Skirts will get you more attention than pants, especially if they’re knee-length, but I prefer them in the heat. Keep in mind that the shorter the skirt, the more people will bother you, so stick to full-length maxis if you’re uncomfortable with harassment.
Best Bags for Morocco
Ideally you’ll want to pack a crossbody bag with a zipper closure to avoid pickpocketers (they’re a real problem in Morocco). You could also try a cute and practical anti-theft backpack. If that’s not your thing, don’t worry – I brought styles like the rattan bags I linked below and had no issues – just hold your bag tight when you walk through the markets and you’ll be fine.
Best Swimsuits for Morocco
Most accommodation in Morocco (riad or hotel) has a pool. So you’ll definitely want to pack a swimsuit to cool off after a day of exploring. Dress code restrictions don’t apply here, so you can wear a one-piece or a bikini – either one is fine. I wore an obnoxious mesh cutout one-piece and had no issues whatsoever.
Best Jackets for Morocco
Pack a light windbreaker if you plan to visit the Atlas Mountains or Sahara Desert. I use a lightweight puffer jacket similar to these ones from Amazon – they’re thin so they don’t take up too much space in your bag, but they really insulate well. I was really glad I brought mine because the Sahara got quite cool in the evening when we were stargazing.
Morocco Packing List: What Shoes to Pack for Morocco
Best Travel Shoes for Morocco
BIRKENSTOCKS, baby!! These are hands down the best shoes you can bring to Morocco. They’re super supportive for long walks around the uneven city streets, and the leather is nice and soft. They’re also sturdy as hell and can withstand alll the travel wear and tear. Otherwise I’d suggest a comfy pair of broken-in trainers.
Morocco Packing List: Morocco Essentials You Shouldn’t Forget
You don’t know you’ll need certain things until after you visit a country and learn the hard way. So I rounded up all the random essentials for you here!
- Toilet paper & seat covers: public toilets rarely have paper, and you will definitely not find any seat covers. Keep a portable core-less TP roll in your bag, or just be trash like me and carry a wad of paper towels or tissue.
- Purifying water bottle: Morocco’s tap water is not drinkable, so you’ll have to buy bottled. I couldn’t tell you how many bottles of water I went through, and as someone who NEVER buys bottled water I felt awful about it. Bring a purifying water bottle to avoid contributing to the massive plastic waste Morocco & its tourism industry are currently producing.
- Earplugs: Morocco is a Muslim country, which means you’ll hear the Call to Prayer (blasted over loudspeaker) 5x/day. I sleep like the dead, but my poor friend woke up every morning at 5 am when they started. If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs.
- Anti-frizz products: Morocco’s humidity is not kind on hair, especially if yours is curly. I swear by the Schwarzkopf Anti-Frizz Gloss Serum to tame flyaways.
- Adapter: Morocco uses two-prong round plugs like you’ll find in Europe. Don’t forget to bring a universal adapter with USB ports.
- Portable charger: It’s seriously impossible to navigate Morocco’s maze of streets without GPS. Bring a portable charger to ensure your phone doesn’t run out of juice while you’re trying to get back to your riad!
- Imodium (lol). If you have a sensitive stomach, it’s a necessity. Moroccan food is heavy, oily, and rough on the digestive tract. I have an iron stomach and even I felt a little queasy here! BRING IMODIUM.
- Camera: Morocco is one of the most photogenic countries in the world – come prepared. I used my dSLR, but I’d suggest a mirrorless camera like the Panasonic Lumix instead – they’re a lot more portable and attract much less attention.
- Packing cubes: These are a game-changer for staying organised and for cramming more stuff into your bag than you ever imagined possible. In a country like Morocco where you need clothing for 800 different scenarios & temperatures, that extra space is sorely needed. I never go anywhere without my packing cubes (this exact set has been to 20+ countries with me and is still going strong!).
Best Luggage for Morocco
If you’re staying in the medina (city center), where most riads are located, you won’t be able to access your accommodation via car. The city centers are closed off and no cars can get in. Depending on your riad’s location, you may have to roll or carry your bag for a while on uneven streets.
I would suggest bringing a super sturdy roll-bag (no flimsy wheels!), or a lightweight duffel bag.
You’ll also want a smaller backpack to use as a day pack for adventures.
What Not to Pack for Morocco
Now that we’ve gotten through all that – there also a few items that you should specifically leave OUT of your bag.
- Drone: DRONES ARE COMPLETELY BANNED IN MOROCCO. If you get caught on the way in OR out, they will confiscate it. It’s not worth the risk, DO NOT BRING IT!!
- Shorts: There is literally no situation in which it’s acceptable to wear shorts here. Unless you plan on only wearing them in your hotel, don’t bother packing them.
- Jeans: Lord, it is way too hot. Don’t even think about it.
Full Morocco Packing List
The following list is based on a 1-week visit to Morocco during typical tourist season (warm weather). If you’re traveling in winter or you like tons of different outfit options per trip, of course feel free to tack on an extra item (or 30).
- Passport (duh)
- Lightweight scarf
- Toiletries
- 1 pair broken-in trainers
- 1 pair comfortable leather sandals
- 2x lightweight cotton t-shirts
- 3x breezy blouses or tunics
- 2x long dresses
- 1x loose pants
- 1x midi or maxi skirt
- 1x light sweater or jacket
- 1x swimsuit
- Underwear & bras
- Socks
- Adapter
- Portable charger
- Camera
- Imodium
- Seat covers & TP
- Earplugs
- Purifying water bottle
I hope this post helped you put together a solid Morocco packing list!! Don’t forget to PIN this post if you liked it, or drop a comment below with any questions 🙂
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