What should I wear in Morocco as a woman?

Women visiting Morocco do not need to wear a hijab or cover their face. However, dressing modestly (covering shoulders and knees) shows respect for local culture and reduces unwanted attention in medinas. Ideal Morocco wardrobe for women: lightweight maxi skirts or loose trousers, loose-fitting tops that cover shoulders, a light scarf for mosque visits and sun protection, comfortable walking shoes. In the desert, long sleeves protect from sun and evening chill.

What should I wear in Morocco as a man?

Men can wear shorts in Morocco — it is generally accepted in tourist areas and cities. However, in conservative medina areas and rural Berber villages, long trousers are more respectful. Key items for men: lightweight quick-dry trousers, polo shirts or linen shirts, comfortable walking shoes or hiking sandals, a light layer for cool evenings. In the Sahara desert, long sleeves and trousers protect against sun during the day and cold at night.

What shoes should I bring to Morocco?

The best shoes for Morocco are: (1) Comfortable walking shoes or trainers — for medina walking on cobbled, uneven surfaces; (2) Sandals (Birkenstock style) — for riads and casual evenings; (3) Slip-on shoes — practical for mosque and riad entrances where you remove shoes frequently; (4) Hiking boots — only needed if you plan Atlas Mountains trekking. Avoid: high heels (dangerous on medina cobblestones), brand-new shoes that will blister.

Do I need to bring cash to Morocco?

Yes. Morocco is largely cash-based. Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the local currency — it is a closed currency, so you must exchange cash inside Morocco. Airports, city centre banks, and bureau de change all offer competitive rates. Bring enough euros, dollars, or pounds to exchange on arrival. Credit cards are accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants, but small cafés, souks, and taxi drivers require cash. MSITravels provides a detailed budget breakdown with every itinerary so you know exactly how much cash to bring.

Morocco packing list — Sahara desert traveler with backpack

Expert Guide · Updated 2026

Morocco Packing List 2026

Q: What not to pack for Morocco?

Items you do NOT need to pack for Morocco: (1) Towels — all riads provide them; (2) Hiking poles — only needed for Toubkal summit (can be hired in Imlil); (3) Lots of cash in USD or EUR — exchange at the airport on arrival; (4) Formal evening wear — even luxury riads are casual; (5) Multiple pairs of shoes — Morocco requires walking shoes and one casual pair only; (6) Drone without permit — drones require prior authorization from the Moroccan aviation authority (we can advise); (7) Pork products or excessive alcohol — these are difficult to find in most areas.

What to pack — and what to leave at home — for Morocco in 2026. Written by Aziz Sakri, Marrakech local guide, 13+ years of Morocco experience.

Quick Summary

Morocco packing essentials at a glance

Loose, modest clothing (shoulders + knees covered)

Light scarf — sun, mosques, cold desert nights

Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones!)

SPF 50+ sunscreen — hard to find in Morocco

Rehydration sachets for desert heat

Universal Type C/E adapter

Cash for exchange on arrival

Travel insurance (mandatory)

Full Packing List

Complete Morocco packing list 2026

Clothing — Medinas & Cities

Loose-fitting trousers (2–3 pairs) — linen or quick-dryESSENTIAL
Light shirts / blouses covering shoulders (3–4)ESSENTIAL
Light scarf or pashmina — sun, mosque visits, cold eveningsESSENTIAL
Lightweight cardigan or fleece for cool eveningsESSENTIAL
Modest swimwear (for riad pools — fully covered poolside)

Clothing — Sahara Desert

Long-sleeve base layer — sun protection by day, warmth by nightESSENTIAL
Buff or neck gaiter — keeps sand out in windy conditionsESSENTIAL
Warm layer / fleece — desert nights can be 5–10°C in winterESSENTIAL
Sunglasses — strong UV in the desertESSENTIAL
Sun hat with wide brimESSENTIAL

Footwear

Comfortable walking shoes — medina cobblestones are unevenESSENTIAL
Sandals (Birkenstock/Teva type) — evenings and riadsESSENTIAL
Hiking boots — Atlas trekking ONLY (not needed otherwise)
Slip-on shoes — convenient for frequent shoe removal at mosques

Health & Toiletries

High SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+) — hard to find locallyESSENTIAL
Insect repellent — useful in the desert and Ourika ValleyESSENTIAL
Rehydration sachets (ORS) — dehydration risk in desert heatESSENTIAL
Basic first-aid kit (plasters, antiseptic, pain relief)ESSENTIAL
Any prescription medications + copy of prescriptionESSENTIAL
Hand sanitiser — useful before eating in the medina

Electronics & Documents

Passport (valid 6+ months beyond return date)ESSENTIAL
Travel insurance documents (print and digital copy)ESSENTIAL
Unlocked phone + local SIM card (buy on arrival, cheap)ESSENTIAL
Universal plug adapter — Morocco uses Type C and EESSENTIAL
Power bank — useful for long driving days
Camera / GoPro — optional, phone cameras are excellent now

Leave These Behind

What NOT to pack for Morocco

Heavy suitcase (rolling luggage is hard on medina cobblestones — bring a rucksack or soft bag)

Drone without prior written authorization from Moroccan aviation authority

Expensive jewellery — leave it at home; you won't use it

Formal dinner wear — even 5-star riads are casual

Large amounts of cash in foreign currency — exchange on arrival at the airport

Pork products or excessive alcohol — difficult to find and not appropriate in most settings

Bag tip from Aziz: Use a medium rucksack or soft-sided holdall rather than hard rolling luggage. Many riads have narrow staircases and medina alleys — roller bags become difficult. A 40L rucksack is ideal for 7–14 days in Morocco.

Packing FAQ

Morocco packing — frequently asked questions

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Ready to book your Morocco tour?

Now you know what to pack — let Aziz Sakri design your private Morocco itinerary. He will send you a personalized pre-departure pack with specific packing advice for your route and season.