What to Wear in Morocco as a Woman: A Local’s Guide by Place and Season (+ Packing List)
In Morocco, women are most comfortable in loose clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. You don’t need to cover your hair, wear a djellaba or dress in black. Think “linen trousers and a light shirt”, not “beach holiday” — and adjust by place: more covered in medinas and villages, more relaxed at the coast and in your riad.
Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, and modest dress is a sign of respect. It’s also practical: covering up protects you from strong sun and, in busy souks, noticeably reduces unwanted attention. Here is what we tell the women travelling with us.
What to wear, place by place
Medinas and souks (Marrakech, Fes, Meknes)
Loose trousers, a midi or maxi skirt, or a long dress, with shoulders covered. Skip shorts, crop tops, low necklines and anything tight or see-through. Closed shoes or sturdy sandals — medina streets are uneven and not always clean.
Mosques and religious sites
Most mosques are closed to non-Muslims; the big exception is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. There, cover arms and legs and bring a scarf to cover your hair. The same applies to some shrines and zaouias.
Sahara desert (Merzouga, Zagora)
Light long trousers and a long-sleeved top for the camel ride; a large scarf works as a turban against sand and sun. Bring a fleece or down jacket from October to April. Leave delicate shoes at home.
Atlas Mountains and villages
Rural communities are more traditional, so keep shoulders and knees covered. It can be warm at midday and cold by evening, with snow in winter at higher villages. Wear proper walking shoes for hikes.
Coast (Essaouira, Agadir, Taghazout)
Summer dresses and lighter clothes are fine, and swimsuits are normal on tourist beaches and at hotel pools. Cover up again in town or the medina. Essaouira is windy year-round, so pack a jacket.
Your riad and hammam
Inside your riad you can wear what you like. At a spa hammam, a swimsuit or the disposable underwear provided is standard; in a local public hammam, women usually keep their underwear bottoms on. Bring flip-flops.
What to wear by season
| Season | Weather | What to bring |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Warm days, cool evenings | Light long sleeves, a cardigan, one warm layer for the desert |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Very hot inland, mild at the coast | Loose linen and cotton, wide-brim hat, scarf for sun |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | Warm days, cold desert nights | Light layers plus a fleece or puffer for evenings |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Mild sunny days, cold nights, snow in the mountains | Warm jacket, jumper, closed shoes, thermal layer for the desert |
Not sure when to go? See our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
Morocco packing list for women
- 2–3 pairs of loose, lightweight trousers (linen or cotton)
- 1 midi or maxi skirt or long dress
- 3–4 loose tops with sleeves, plus a long-sleeved shirt
- 1 large scarf or pashmina — mosques, sun, sand, cold evenings
- 1 warm layer (fleece or light down jacket) for desert and mountain nights
- Comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sandals
- Flip-flops for the hammam and riad
- Swimsuit for riad pools, hammams or the beach
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
- A small cross-body bag that zips closed
Tip: leave space in your bag. Moroccan souks are full of lightweight scarves, kaftans and linen — buying a piece or two locally is the easiest way to dress comfortably and respectfully.
What not to wear
- Short shorts or mini skirts outside beaches and pools
- Crop tops, strapless tops or very low necklines in towns and villages
- Tight or see-through clothing in medinas
- Expensive-looking jewellery in busy souks
Quick answers
Can I wear jeans in Morocco?
Yes — loose or straight jeans are fine and common among Moroccan women in cities. In summer they’re hot, so most travellers prefer linen.
Can I wear leggings?
With a long top or tunic that covers your hips, yes. On their own they draw more attention in medinas.
Do I need to wear a headscarf?
No. Non-Muslim women don’t need to cover their hair, except when entering a mosque that’s open to visitors.
Does what I wear affect safety?
Harassment is never your fault, whatever you wear. In practice, though, more covered clothing does reduce comments in busy medinas. Read our honest guide: is Morocco safe for women?
Travelling with us?
Every guest on our women’s tours gets a packing and dress guide for their exact itinerary. Our women-only private tour covers medinas, mountains and the Sahara — so you’ll use every item on this list.
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