In Morocco, women are most comfortable in loose, light clothing that covers the shoulders and knees: long skirts or wide trousers, tops with sleeves, and a light scarf in your bag. You do not need to cover your hair, and you do not need to dress like a local. You just need to dress a little more modestly than you would at home.
What changes is the place. Marrakech’s new town is relaxed, the medinas and villages are more traditional, mosques have their own rules, and the Sahara calls for layers. Below is what to wear in each, by season, plus a simple packing list from a local team that plans trips for women travelers all year.
What to Wear in Morocco at a Glance
Cover shoulders and knees almost everywhere, and add a scarf for mosques and cool evenings.
| Place | What works | What to skip |
|---|---|---|
| Medinas of Fes and Marrakech | Long skirt or wide trousers, a top with sleeves, comfortable closed shoes | Shorts, short skirts, low necklines |
| New towns, hotels and riads | Your usual summer clothes, a little more covered in public areas | Very revealing outfits in shared spaces |
| Mosques (Hassan II in Casablanca) | Shoulders, arms and knees covered, a scarf for your hair | Sleeveless tops, shorts, tight leggings alone |
| Atlas villages and the countryside | Loose, covered clothing and layers | Anything short or tight |
| Sahara desert camp | Light long layers by day, a warm jacket at night, a scarf against sun and sand | Heavy jeans, sandals for the dunes |
| Pool, beach and hammam | Swimwear at the pool or beach, a cover-up to walk through the hotel | Swimwear away from the pool or beach |
What to Wear in Each Part of Morocco
In the Medinas of Fes and Marrakech
The old cities are where modest clothing matters most, mainly because it makes your day easier. A maxi skirt or wide linen trousers with a loose top that covers your shoulders draws less attention in the souks, keeps you cool and protects you from the sun. Closed, comfortable shoes are worth it: the lanes are uneven and you will walk a lot. Read more about getting around safely in our solo female travel guide.
In the New Towns, Hotels and Riads
Gueliz in Marrakech, central Casablanca and Rabat feel much like a European city, and you will see Moroccan women in jeans and fitted tops. Inside your riad or hotel you can dress as you like. In shared spaces, a light cover-up over a strappy dress is the polite choice.
Visiting a Mosque
Most mosques in Morocco are closed to non-Muslims. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the main exception, open to visitors on guided tours. Cover your shoulders, arms and knees, and bring a scarf: covering your hair is a sign of respect and is often requested. You remove your shoes inside, so socks are a good idea.
In the Atlas Mountains and Villages
Rural Morocco is more traditional than the cities. Loose, covered clothing is the respectful choice, and layers are practical because mountain weather changes quickly. If you are invited into a family home for tea, which happens often, covered shoulders and knees make everyone more at ease.
In the Sahara
Desert days are warm and nights are cold for most of the year. Wear light, long, breathable layers for the camel ride, a scarf to wrap around your face against sun and sand, and sunglasses. For the evening at camp, pack a warm sweater or fleece, and in winter a proper jacket. See our full desert packing list.
At the Pool, the Beach and the Hammam
Swimwear is fine at hotel pools and on tourist beaches. Wear a cover-up to walk through the hotel. In a hammam, women usually wear bikini bottoms or the disposable underwear the spa provides, and in women’s sessions the attendants are women.
What to Wear in Morocco by Season
Pack for warm days and cool nights in every season except high summer, and add real winter layers from December to February.
| Season | Days | Nights | What to pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | Warm and sunny | Cool, cold in the desert | Light long layers, a cardigan, a light jacket |
| Summer (June to August) | Hot, very hot in the Sahara and Fes | Warm | Loose linen and cotton, a wide hat, a light scarf |
| Autumn (September to November) | Warm | Cool | Light layers and a light jacket |
| Winter (December to February) | Mild in the cities, cold in the mountains | Cold everywhere, freezing in the desert | A warm coat, a sweater, closed shoes, a hat for the desert |
The Atlas Mountains and the Sahara are always colder at night than the cities. For month by month details, see our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
A Simple Morocco Packing List for Women
For a 10 day trip, this list covers the cities, the mountains and the desert.
- 2 or 3 maxi skirts or long dresses
- 2 pairs of wide trousers in linen or cotton
- 4 or 5 tops with sleeves, short or long
- 1 or 2 light cardigans or overshirts for layering
- 1 large, light scarf for mosques, sun and sand
- 1 warm sweater or fleece for desert nights, and a jacket in winter
- Comfortable closed walking shoes, plus sandals for the riad
- Swimwear and a cover-up for pools and the hammam
- Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen
- A small day bag that closes, for the souks
You can also buy light scarves, caftans and babouche slippers in the souks, and many women do. Our Moroccan caftan guide explains what to look for.
Invited to a celebration while you are here? See our guide to Moroccan weddings for what guests wear.
Shop the Packing List
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- Women’s linen maxi skirts: cool, modest and easy to wash
- Wide-leg linen trousers: the most useful piece for the medinas
- Large lightweight scarves: for mosques, sun and desert sand
- Packable down jackets: for cold desert nights, and they fold into a pocket
- Comfortable walking shoes: for the uneven lanes of Fes and Marrakech
- Crossbody bags with a zip: to keep your phone and cash close in the souks
- Wide-brim sun hats: packable and essential in the south
- Reef-safe sunscreen: the sun is strong all year
Headscarves, Shoes and Other Questions Women Ask Us
Do I need to cover my hair? No. Foreign women are not expected to wear a headscarf anywhere in Morocco except inside a mosque. Many Moroccan women do not cover their hair either.
Can I wear jeans and leggings? Yes. Jeans are common in Moroccan cities. Leggings are fine under a long top or tunic that covers your hips.
What shoes should I bring? Comfortable closed shoes or trainers for the medinas, which have uneven stone lanes, and sandals for the riad. Heels are rarely practical.
What about during Ramadan? Dress a little more conservatively than usual during the holy month, especially in the medinas and smaller towns.
Will people stare? In the medinas, women traveling without a man sometimes get comments or attention. Covered clothing helps, and so does walking with a local guide. Our honest take on whether Morocco is safe covers this in more detail, and our Morocco dos and don’ts has more local etiquette.
What to Wear in Morocco FAQ
Loose, light clothing that covers the shoulders and knees: maxi skirts, wide trousers, tops with sleeves and a light scarf. Dress more modestly in the medinas and villages, and as you like inside your riad or hotel.
No. A headscarf is only expected inside a mosque, such as the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
Shorts are fine at the pool and on the beach. In the medinas and villages, long skirts or trousers are more comfortable and draw less attention.
Light long layers and a scarf for the day, and a warm sweater or jacket for the cold desert nights.
Yes, at night and in the mountains and desert. Cities like Marrakech are mild during the day, but you will need a warm coat for evenings.
In the new town and your hotel, yes. In the medina, add a light cardigan or scarf over your shoulders.
Plan a Trip That Feels Comfortable From Day One
On a private tour, your guide tells you what to expect at each stop, from the medina of Fes to the desert camp, so you always know what to wear. Tell us your travel dates, how many of you are traveling and the hotel level you want. Fill in the form below to start.
First trip? Start with our first time in Morocco guide and the 10 day Morocco itinerary. For daily photos from the road, follow Simply Morocco on Instagram and Facebook.
