In Morocco, comfortable, loose clothing that covers your shoulders and knees will suit almost every situation, for women and men alike. You do not need to wear traditional dress or cover your hair as a visitor, but dressing a little more modestly than you might at home shows respect, draws less attention and usually keeps you cooler in the sun. On the beach and in resort areas, normal swimwear is fine.
Below, we break it down by place, season and situation, with practical notes for both women and men.
The general principle: modest and practical
Morocco is a Muslim country with a relaxed, welcoming attitude to visitors, and you will see a wide range of clothing on Moroccans themselves, from jeans and T-shirts in Casablanca to the long hooded djellaba in a mountain village. Nobody expects you to dress like a local. What people appreciate is a sense of respect for the setting.
A useful rule of thumb is to think about where you are. A seaside promenade in Agadir is very different from a quiet village in the Atlas or the lanes around a shrine in Fes. The more traditional the place, the more covered-up you will want to be. Our guide to Moroccan etiquette for visitors explains the wider cultural context.
What women might wear
Women travellers often ask whether they will be judged for their clothing. In practice, Morocco is used to visitors, and you will not be told what to wear. That said, many women find they feel more comfortable, and attract fewer comments, when they dress conservatively in cities and rural areas.
- Tops: loose T-shirts or blouses that cover the shoulders. Short sleeves are fine in most places; light long sleeves are useful in the medinas and the countryside.
- Bottoms: long skirts, maxi dresses, wide-leg trousers or loose linen trousers. Below-the-knee lengths work well.
- A large scarf: the most useful item in your bag. It can cover your shoulders, shield you from the sun or dust, keep you warm on the train, and cover your hair when visiting a religious site that welcomes non-Muslims.
- Avoid: very short shorts, low-cut or strappy tops, and tight or see-through clothing in the medinas and villages.
What men might wear
The rules are lighter for men, but the same principle of respect applies.
- Tops: T-shirts and short-sleeved shirts are fine. Going shirtless away from the beach is not appropriate.
- Bottoms: long trousers or lightweight chinos are the norm in cities. Knee-length shorts are common in tourist areas and on the coast, though in traditional neighbourhoods long trousers fit in better.
- Avoid: vests and very short shorts in the medinas, villages and around mosques.
Cities and medinas
In the old towns of Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Chefchaouen, you will spend a lot of time on foot, often on uneven surfaces and in crowds. Practical choices make a big difference.
- Shoes: closed, comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sandals. Medina lanes can be dusty, wet in places, or shared with handcarts and donkeys.
- Fabrics: breathable cotton or linen in warm months.
- Bags: a cross-body bag that closes securely is easier to manage in busy souks.
Modern districts of Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech feel more cosmopolitan, and you will see many young Moroccans in fashionable Western clothing. Even so, a modest, smart-casual look suits most places. The Fes travel guide and Marrakech travel guide include tips for exploring their medinas comfortably.
Beach and coast
On beaches in Agadir, Taghazout, Essaouira and other coastal resorts, ordinary swimwear is widely accepted. Bikinis and swimming shorts are normal on the main town beaches and at pools. A few points help:
- Cover up when you leave the sand. Throw on a shirt, dress or kaftan before walking to a café or into town.
- On quieter beaches near fishing villages, or where local families gather, a little more coverage is considerate.
- Topless sunbathing is not acceptable in public.
- Bring a sun hat and sunglasses; the Atlantic breeze can disguise how strong the sun is.
For the southern coast, see the Agadir travel guide and our article on Taghazout. If you are surfing, a wetsuit is usually needed for much of the year, as the Atlantic stays cool.
Desert
The Sahara around Merzouga and Zagora is a place of extremes, so plan for heat, sun, sand and cold nights.
- During the day: loose, long, light-coloured clothing protects you from the sun far better than shorts and vests.
- Head covering: a large scarf or cotton cloth that you can wrap round your head and face is invaluable when the wind lifts the sand. Local people may show you how to tie a traditional turban.
- Evenings: a warm jumper or fleece, and in winter a proper insulated jacket, hat and warm socks. Nights in the dunes can be bitterly cold.
- Footwear: sandals or soft shoes are easiest in the sand; many people simply go barefoot on the dunes when the sand is not too hot.
The Merzouga and Erg Chebbi travel guide has a full packing list for a night in the dunes, and our article on choosing a Merzouga desert camp helps with what to expect overnight.
Mountains
The High Atlas, the Rif and the Anti-Atlas are home to traditional rural communities, and the weather changes quickly with altitude.
- Dress modestly in villages: long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders.
- Bring layers. Mornings and evenings can be cold, even when midday is warm.
- Wear proper walking shoes or boots on trails, and carry a waterproof outside high summer.
- In winter, expect snow at height and pack accordingly.
Mosques and religious sites
Most mosques in Morocco are open only to Muslims. Notable exceptions include the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which welcomes visitors on guided tours, and some historic religious schools, or medersas, which are now visited as monuments.
Where non-Muslims are welcome, dress conservatively:
- Shoulders and knees covered for everyone, and ideally arms too.
- Women may be asked to cover their hair, so carry a scarf.
- Shoes are removed before entering prayer areas; socks you do not mind showing are useful.
The Casablanca travel guide explains how visits to the Hassan II Mosque work.
What to wear by season
| Season | What to pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers, a jumper for evenings, a light jacket for the north and the mountains. |
| Summer | Loose cotton and linen, a sun hat, a scarf, and one warm layer for the desert or the Atlas. |
| Autumn | Similar to spring, with a waterproof as the season turns. |
| Winter | Warm layers, a proper jacket inland, a hat and gloves for the desert and the mountains. On the southern coast, days can still be mild. |
Our guide to the best time to visit Morocco by region explains the weather you are packing for.
Hammams and the Ramadan month
In a hammam, it is usual to keep your underwear or swimwear on, and the experience is single-sex. Our Moroccan hammam guide explains the etiquette in full.
During Ramadan, a little extra care with modest dress is appreciated, especially in smaller towns. See our guide to travelling during Ramadan for more.
A simple packing list
- Two or three loose, breathable tops that cover the shoulders
- Long, light trousers or skirts
- A large scarf or shawl
- A warm layer such as a fleece or jumper
- Comfortable walking shoes and a pair of sandals
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the coast
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream
For excursions from the coast, our list of what to pack for Morocco day trips covers the extras.
Frequently asked questions
Do women need to cover their hair in Morocco?
No. Visitors are not expected to cover their hair in everyday life. A scarf is useful only for the few religious sites open to non-Muslims, or for sun and dust.
Can I wear shorts in Morocco?
On the beach and in resort areas, yes. In medinas, villages and around religious sites, long trousers or knee-length clothing are more respectful and more comfortable in the sun.
Should I buy local clothing?
You do not have to, but a light cotton djellaba or kaftan from the souk can be very practical and is often appreciated as a friendly gesture.
Plan your trip
Each book in our Morocco travel library includes practical advice on local customs and what to bring. Start with the Marrakech travel guide for the cities, or the Merzouga and Erg Chebbi travel guide if a night in the Sahara is on your list.
This article was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence, and was reviewed and edited by the Enjoy Agadir Trip team. How we write and check our guides
