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Morocco Packing List: Everything You Need To Visit

With such a diverse landscape, it’s no wonder that packing for a trip to Morocco can be a challenge. The country offers everything from the sandy stretches of the Sahara Desert to the cool, breezy Atlas Mountains, and bustling cities like Marrakech. Depending on your destination and the time of year, your packing list can vary significantly, making it tricky to figure out exactly what you’ll need. The task of creating a Morocco packing list can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance practicality with cultural considerations and the demands of the climate.

I went through the same thing when I was planning my trip to Morocco. The questions swirled in my mind: What should I pack? How conservative should my clothing be? What are the temperatures like, and how will they change throughout the day? And perhaps the most pressing question of all—how am I going to fit everything into my carry-on?

It felt daunting, to say the least. But after embarking on a whirlwind 3-week adventure through Morocco, I realized that packing doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems. Once I identified a few key essentials, everything else fell into place. That’s why I’ve created a comprehensive packing list to share with you, so you can learn from my experience and pack confidently for your Moroccan journey. Whether you’re trekking through the mountains, exploring vibrant souks, or relaxing in a desert camp, this list will ensure you’re well-prepared for every aspect of your trip.

Happy travels to Morocco!

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Should You Visit Morocco?

Morocco is a great travel destination with a variety of scenery, culture, and experiences to discover. With such a vast array of things to do, everyone can have a great time in Morocco.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when visiting Morocco is that having a route but going with the flow day-to-day is key to having a great experience. Why? Morocco takes scamming tourists to the next level as being just, “a part of the culture.”

Going with a guide or having guided, daily activities will help with this. However, even if you DIY your own Morocco experience don’t let the exhaustive negotiating ruin such an incredible country. Because the landscape and activities are well worth the inconveniences.

Morocco Weather by Season

Because Morocco has a variety of climates within the country weather largely depends on where you are. The High Atlas Mountains could have snow while Casablanca’s weather is in the 70s and sunny. This makes packing for Morocco a challenge, especially on a trip that takes you through a variety of the landscapes.

To help, I’ve broken down the four major areas you might be traveling to help you understand the basics in each of them.

High Atlas Mountains

  • Spring (March-May): Mild and pleasant, with snow melting in the higher altitudes. Temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). Lower areas are green and lush.
  • Summer (June-August): Cooler than the rest of the country, especially at higher elevations. Daytime temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), but can get colder at night.
  • Autumn (September-November): Similar to spring, with cool to mild temperatures. The higher peaks may start to see snow by late autumn.
  • Winter (December-February): Cold and snowy, especially at higher altitudes. Daytime temperatures can range from -3°C to 12°C (26°F to 54°F), with significant snowfall in places like Imlil.

sahara Desert Camps

  • Spring (March-May): Warm, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). Nights can still be chilly, especially in March.
  • Summer (June-August): Extremely hot, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F). Nights are warm but more bearable.
  • Autumn (September-November): Hot in early autumn, cooling down to more comfortable temperatures by November. Expect 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F) during the day.
  • Winter (December-February): Mild during the day (18°C to 25°C / 64°F to 77°F) but can get very cold at night, sometimes dropping to near freezing.

Moroccan Coast (Casablanca, Essaouira)

  • Spring (March-May): Mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F). Sea breezes keep the coast cool.
  • Summer (June-August): Warm but not excessively hot due to the Atlantic influence. Daytime temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F).
  • Autumn (September-November): Warm and sunny, with temperatures from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F). The sea remains warm for swimming.
  • Winter (December-February): Mild, with occasional rain. Temperatures range from 12°C to 18°C (54°F to 64°F), cooler at night.

Inland Plains (Fes, Marrakech)

  • Spring (March-May): Warm and pleasant, with temperatures between 18°C and 27°C (64°F to 81°F). Blooming flowers make the countryside beautiful.
  • Summer (June-August): Hot, especially in Marrakech, where temperatures can reach 35°C to 40°C (95°F to 104°F). Nights are cooler.
  • Autumn (September-November): Warm in early autumn, cooling down to 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F) by November.
  • Winter (December-February): Mild during the day (12°C to 18°C / 54°F to 64°F) but cold at night, especially in Fez, where temperatures can drop to near freezing.

Plan Accordingly! Thoughts on Packing for Morocco

With a variety of climates depending on where you travel in the country it can be hard to pack for Morocco but I found that bringing a capsule wardrobe with lightweight linen and cotton items works best for pretty much any area I visited. (I traveled late-May.)


As I mentioned earlier, embracing a capsule wardrobe provided me with the flexibility to adapt my outfits for any occasion. I could easily mix and match pieces to create the perfect ensemble, whether I was heading out for a fancy dinner, embarking on a challenging hike, or even preparing for a camel trekking adventure.

What Should Women Wear in Morocco?

Though there are no rules about what women have to wear in Morocco there are some unspoken rules, especially if you don’t want any unwarranted attention. I chose to dress conservatively while still having elements of my western wardrobe. Choosing to wear primarily linen pants and short sleeve shirts.

In such a patriarchal society dressing in your typical western clothes of sleeveless shirts and shorts brings attention, and with it some degrading comments. If you want to avoid such attention simply choose more covering clothes.

To put it simply: Cover your shoulders and cover your knees and you should be fine anywhere in Morocco.

Dress Code in Morocco

Morocco doesn’t have a formal dress code but some public and private businesses will. Places like swimming pools and beaches might have requirements. Primarily these guidelines are placed on what women can wear for entrance.

And while most cities are more liberal in dress, in rural areas men and women will wear more conservative attire. I’ve always taken the perspective of it’s best to try to blend in when traveling and I feel that Morocco is certainly a place you’ll want to avoid showing too much skin.

Packing Guide for Morocco

Linen Pants

Being a more conservative country but still hot and humid I chose to pack linen pants. The linen pants kept me cool while also dressing more conservatively, too. This was especially helpful in rural areas, where conservative values to dress are more commonplace.

>> Banana Republic and Quince both are great brands to find affordable linen clothes. And depending on the season you can shop at your local TJMaxx, too.

Linen and Cotton Shirts (with sleeves)

Again, linen and cotton is key to keeping you cool while dressing more conservatively. Though I did bring one sleeveless shirt, bringing sleeved tops is best. I like to bring shirts in solid colors that I can mix and match with my pants and overalls.

Linen or Cotton Overalls

These are totally optional but for my Morocco packing list I brought a pair of linen overalls, which turned out to be a great option. I liked how easy it was to style with different shirts underneath and could be dressed up for dinners or dressed down for tours around town, too.

I bought my linen overalls from a local shop in Guatemala but you can find similar versions. Just be sure you’re checking that the material is just cotton and/or linen with no polyester.

Long sleeve lightweight shirt

I brought an oversized linen long sleeve, which turned out to be the best decision of the trip. It was perfect for the cooler mornings and nights in Casablanca or the High Atlas Mountains. I highly recommend you bring at least one long sleeve shirt on your trip, too.

Sweatshirt (Depending on season)

Be sure to check the weather in each destination you’re traveling to but you might need to pack a sweatshirt, especially if you’re traveling to the High Atlas Mountains or the Sahara Desert. Surprisingly, where I needed a sweatshirt the most on my trip in May was Essaouira. Where the oceanfront breeze was strong, making the evenings super chilly.

Walking Sandals

I love wearing Teva Hurricane sandals in warmer climates (seriously, I take them on every trip). But any comfortable walking sandal will keep your feet cooler from the hot climate while also giving you support will do.

Crossbody Bag

The most common risk in Morocco is pickpocketing. Having a crossbody bag that sits high on your chest (like a sling backpack or belt body bag) ensures your belongings are close.

Conservative Bathing Suit

If you plan to only swim at your hotel and riads you can wear any type of swimwear you want. But if you are planning to go to any public areas, you’ll need a more conservative bathing suit. I wore a one piece, which worked well for the beaches.

Sun Hat

I brought both a large brim sun hat and baseball cap on my trip to Morocco. The sun can be super intense, so it’s important to protect your face. If you plan to visit the desert a sun hat is especially important.

>> I like this one because it folds into my luggage and still looks nice when I wear it, too!

Water Bottle (with a filter)

Though you’ll see locals drinking tap water it’s not safe for our stomachs. I recommend bringing a reusable bottle and buy larger amounts of water to save money. You can also choose to bring a LifeStraw water bottle, which filters the tap water in Morocco to drinkable conditions.

How to Wash Your Clothes in Morocco

Many hotels and some riads will have clothes washing included in their services. Typically you’ll pay a bit more but here it seems more like pennies on the dollar for the inconvenience of finding your own laundry. Most hotels will charge per pound, unless you are a higher end one.

I had a full bag of laundry done for about $7 USD at a hotel during the trip. This is a pretty typical and fair price for most locations in Morocco.

To wash my underwear and bras I bring my Scrubba bag. It fits small in my luggage and lets me wash my delicates anywhere in the world.

Other Morocco Packing Essentials (Don’t Forget These!)

  • Passport: US Citizens must have at least one blank page and six months of passport validity to enter the country but you don’t need a visa.
  • Name of hotel and address: Though not specifically a packing essential you do need to be able to make the name of your hotel and address available to immigration upon entrance. This information, including a handwritten number added to your passport stamp, is used to track you throughout your stay.
  • Cash and/or ATM card: Morocco’s Dirham is a closed currency, meaning you can get it at the bank prior to your arrival. You can however bring cash but ATMS are available in everywhere but rural areas, which makes it easy to get money out as needed.
  • Credit card without foreign transaction fees: Having a quality travel card is important for any trip and most major cities will commonly take credit card (though not Amex payments). I like the Capital One card because it’s perfect for beginners while giving you 2x on all your expenses on the trip.
  • Travel insurance: You certainly need travel insurance policy when traveling to Morocco to help with any unexpected medical expenses. Policies are relatively inexpensive and will save you thousands if any unexpected medical emergencies happen.

Travel Tips for a Successful Visit

  • Though you’ll have no problem finding toilet paper at your hotel during your daily activities toilet paper might not be available at restrooms, especially in rural areas. Be sure to bring some small tissues just in case.
  • Because you’ll be traveling between many destinations across the country bringing a backpack or easily transportable suitcase is a good idea.
  • Respecting local customs and culture doesn’t mean forgoing your western dress code but it does mean dressing more modestly to show respect. As a woman, covering your shoulders and knees is a sign of respect for Moroccan culture.
  • Haggling is just a part of the Moroccan culture, so be ready to lower the price considerably.
  • Moroccan, especially in rural areas, do not like their photo taken. Be sure to ask any Moroccan before you take a photo for permission to do so.
  • Even as someone who has traveled all over the world I found Morocco to be a culture shock. Pace, customs, and values are very different than many western cultures. The best thing you can do is just adapt and go with the flow on your journey.

Final Thoughts on Your Morocco Packing List

When packing for Morocco it’s important to consider your time of year and exactly where you’ll be visiting. But in general linen and cotton clothes are best in the hot and humid areas and if you’re visiting in late-fall to early-spring warmer clothes for the desert and High Atlas Mountains may be required.

As a woman, covering your knees and shoulders will be best to show respect to the conservative culture. I preferred to bring linen pants and tops, packed in a capsule wardrobe. This helps you pack less while having everything you need for the different environments in Morocco.

Morocco Packing FAQs

Can women wear shorts in Morocco?

Technically most establishments, as well as nationally, have no policy or terms about how a woman should dress. However, this doesn’t mean that culturally there isn’t. Though you can wear shorts you’ll find that doing so can be disrespectful to the culture while also drawing unwarranted attention and rude comments in Morocco.

While Moroccan men typically do not wear shorts, western men have no problem wearing shorts around Morocco.

Is it OK to wear jeans in Morocco?

Absolutely! Locals and travelers both are seen wearing jeans in Morocco. It’s just about the comfort of wearing them in locations with high humidity and heat, which is why I prefer to wear cotton and linen.

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