What To Wear In Marrakech - An Ultimate Guide - Big Adventures with Little Feet

What to wear in Marrakech: a holiday packing list.

I’ve been to Marrakech five times now, however, each time I have to remind myself what you can and can’t wear. Perhaps, like me, you’re unsure how conservative Marrakech in Morocco is? When I packed for our month long road time in Morocco, I had to do a quick search online to remind myself. Travelling with my boyfriend and our two very young kids I wanted to make sure that we respected the local culture. Since I’ve been a few times, I thought I’d put together some guidance and tips on what to wear in Marrakech. I’ve also given some guidance on clothing to try to avoid and created a short packing list.

Marrakech is, in my opinion, one of the best cities in the world to visit. It has vibrant souks, incredible cuisine, beautiful architecture, and the people are amazingly welcoming. When we took our boys there recently they too fell in love with it. As you prepare to Marrakech, you may be wondering what to wear in this incredible Moroccan city. Because it’s important to be able to dress for the heat whilst also remain conservative in style. And, maybe you’re also thinking ahead to what the rest of your family might wear too. To help make things easier, I’ve created a Marrakech packing list so you can pack with confidence.

What to wear in Marrakech?

When packing for a trip to Marrakech it’s a good idea to take some time to consider what you will wear, especially in respecting the local culture. Morocco is a Muslim country whose population tends to dress very modestly. There isn’t an enforced official dress code for tourists, however, a general rule for both men and women is to respect the culture and leave short, revealing clothes at home. It’s best to dress modestly in Marrakech, even though you will see some tourists dressed in more revealing clothing. The best advice we can give is that out of respect and to avoid hassle and unwelcome comments, dressing to fit in is recommended.

A man in a turquiose t-shirt, sunglasses and baseball cap is looking at the camera and smiling. On his back is a child carrier backpack which is empty. Next to the man is a woman who has their son on her shoulders, and on her front covered by a muslin is her baby in a baby carrier. This is what to wear in Marrakech when you are dressing modestly.

Women in particular are advised to dress modestly, covering shoulders and legs, particularly above the knee. Men can get away with dressing in shorts and a t-shirt, but women are advised to cover up a bit more. Women will want to look towards linen trousers, long skirts, maxi dresses, and lightweight tops that cover your shoulders and upper arms. I always carry a scarf to cover over my, hair, head and shoulders when I’m going to visit either a mosque or other historic and religious sites. Another key essential item for your packing list it to pack comfy shoes for all the walking that you’ll do. There’s loads to see in Marrakech, so you’ll likely rack up lots steps!

Temperature-wise, Marrakech can see daytime temperatures climb to above 40°C, while winter evenings can get chilly. The best way to stay cool while covering up is by wearing light and breathable clothing. Depending on what time of year you visit, you’ll l need to adjust your clothes to suit the climate.

Here are a few recommendations on what to pack for your holiday in Marrakech.

A baby is looking at the camera as the photo is being taken. He is being held by a local woman wearing a blue hijab which is what the women choose to wear in Marrakech. She has on glasses and is smiling at him.

What to wear in Marrakech as a woman?

As a female traveller, it can be a hard to decide what to wear in Marrakech based on the modest dress code. What to wear will also depend on any activities you that you have planned for your visit. For example, if you’re planning on visiting any religious sites then you’ll require a scarf to cover your head. In general, you should pack modest clothing made up of lightweight layers. In your accommodation, you can be more relaxed in what you wear. If there’s a swimming pool then you should be able to wear swimwear or a bikini without receiving unwanted attention.

Note: Morocco is a Muslim country and you may see local women wearing a hijab, burka or niqab. However, female tourists to Morocco are not required to cover their heads when out in public. Except, if you visit any religious sites, in which case as a sign of respect to the local culture you will be expected to cover your head.

What to wear in Marrakech as a man?

Men visiting Marrakech will find it easier to put together a packing list then women will! That’s because there isn’t really any dress code that you’ll need to follow. It might come as a surprise to learn, that men need to dress conservatively and modestly if you plan to visit any religious site. For example, men need to wear full-length trousers and long sleeves to be considered as dressing conservatively.

There is a man with a blue t-shirt and his back to the camera. Next to him is a little boy in a blue t-shirt who is riding a scooter in the souk in Marrakech.

You should dress warm climate and try to avoid anything that may attract unwanted attention, you’ll see most local men wearing a polo shirts and long shorts or trousers. In the evening, long trousers with comfy shoes are great, and have a light jumper with you for if it gets chilly later in the evening.

The photo is of one of the huge juice vendors in Djamm El Fna the main square in Marrakech in Morocco. In the middle is a man holding his toddler son and the owner of the juice stand who is holding the man's baby as the mother is taking the photo. They are all smiling at the camera.

What should kids wear in Marrakech?

The great thing is that very young kids in Marrakech can wear the same as they would at home, which means no need to shop for special clothes. Our three-year-old spent our entire trip in shorts and a T-shirt. Both girls and boys of a similar age to ours can wear shorts, t-shirts, skirts and dresses. However, you’ll want to consider that as your children get older they’ll need to be more modest. For example, teenage girls will probably want to wear longer-length shorts, skirts or dresses, and tops with longer sleeves.

Top tip: Take a wetsuit for your kids, the swimming pools in Marrakech usually aren’t heated. Ours at our riad was so chilly our son Cam wouldn’t use it until we got his wetsuit from our car!

A Moroccan man is playing a guitar sat on the floor and has on a traditional outfit in yellow that is a long sleeve tunic to the ground with a fes on his head. Next to him is a little boy that is holding some finger chimes and is playing along with him. The boy is wearing a blue polo shirt with blue short and blue rubber croc shoes which is what kids in Marrakech are expected to wear.

What to pack for Marrakech?

There are some clothes that we’d recommend popping onto your packing list for Marrakech. They are generally made of lightweight fabrics which makes them great for the warmer climate whilst also allowing you to be able to cover up. These are some of the clothes that we took with us:

Modest lightweight clothing– for women think long skirts, long linen trousers, maxi-dresses or longer shorts. And on top, we’d suggest long sleeves such as a light cotton shirt. Oversized shirts make a great coverup over either a vest or a tank top. For men and kids think longer shorts and t-shirts.
Scarf – I always carry one with me, as it was handy for when I needed to cover my head, arms and shoulders. A few times, when I forgot my scarf, I had to use our babies rabbit patterned muslin as a scarf ! If you’re planning on going to the desert, they make a great face mask to keep the sand away.
A jumper or a light jacket – the evenings can get chilly so it’s great to have a warmer layer available.
Sunglasses – we always have sunglasses with us whenever we travel. All year round in Marrakech is can be super sunny.
Hat – a hat can be handy for shading your face from the glare of the sun as there isn’t much shade in Marrakech. With our boys we always try to make sure they have one on (even if they do keep throwing them off!).
A secure bag – whilst Marrakech (and Morocco as a whole) are safe, they still suffer from common crimes like pickpocketing. You should be aware of pickpockets – especially in touristy crowded areas. We’d recommend taking a secure bag for storing your valuables.
Comfortable walking shoes – we did a lot of walking on our recent trip to Marrakech. We’d recommend bringing comfy shoes because the streets and sidewalks are often uneven and dirty. You’ll want a shoe with some good support which makes sneakers or trainers (as we call them) a great option. You should save your flip flops for beside the pool.
Swimwear – if your accommodation has a pool then you’ll want to remember your swimwear. And, if you’re travelling with any kids you may want to bring a wetsuit as the pools can get cold! Personally I prefer a swimsuit as it’s more modest than a bikini and I always have a cover-up with me for walking between my room and the swimming pool.

What not to wear in Marrakech?

It’s important to dress modestly and respect the local culture, so you should avoid packing anything that goes against this. When out and about, here is a list of some items of clothing that we’re perhaps recommend you to avoid wearing in Marrakech:

Revealing clothing – you should avoid clothing that is too revealing and not modest enough. Items such as short shorts, low-cut tops, mini skirts, strappy tops, tank tops and crop tops. It’s important to cover your shoulders, chest, and knees, especially when visiting religious sites.
Tight or figure-hugging clothing – also avoid clothes that are too tight or appear figure-hugging as these could be that could be seen as not modest enough. You might also find that you’ll get unwanted attention if you wear them.
Anything that looks too expensive – items such as designer watches and bags that might show wealth are not ideal. This is because they would make , signalling wealth like this can make you a target for pickpocketing.
Beachwear – it should only really be worn around the pool or in beach areas.
Offensive clothing – you should avoid clothes with offensive imagery or language as they could be upsetting to the local culture. It’s best to choose neutral patterns or plain colours to avoid being disrespectful.

A hotel swimming pool in Marrakech with kids playing in it. To the sides are the buildings of the hotel and in the middle are some very large tall palm trees. The water is cold and some of the kids have on wetsuits which is what to wear in Marrakech if you are staying in accommodation with a cold pool.

What Can Wear To Visit A Mosque In Morocco?

You’ll find that in Morocco most mosques are open to Muslims. However, there are some you can visit in a tour at set times each day. If you plan to visit a mosque, then women should wear loose-fitting clothes that cover your legs, arms, and chest. With a scarf to cover your head. Men are advised to wear longer trousers and avoid shorts and to wear a top with sleeves. Before you enter the mosque as a sign of respect you should remove your shoes, switch your phone to silent and be quiet.

FAQs: What to wear in Marrakech?

Can you wear shorts in Marrakech?

Yes you can – you’ll want to avoid short shorts or hot pants as these aren’t modest or suitable. You can wear longer shorts which finish near your knee, and in a linen they’ll be cooler enough for wearing in Marrakech.

Can you wear flip flops in Marrakech?

We’d suggest that flip flops aren’t ideal for Marrakech because of its uneven surfaces and dusty streets. Instead, you could either take a comfortable pair of sandals, or trainers. In the more conservative parts of Marrakech, or if you visit any religious sites then it’s more respectful to wear closed-toe sandals or shoes.

Do I have to cover my head in Marrakech?

Unlike other Muslim countries in the Middle East, you’ll find that it’s not a legal requirement for women in Morocco to cover their head. However, when you visit religious sites, you should respect their local culture and cover your head with a scarf.

Can you wear a bikini in Marrakech?

Yes, if you’ve booked accommodation with a swimming pool then you should feel comfortable to wear a swimsuit or bikini. You’ll want to have a cover-up handy for when you leave the swimming pool to use other areas of the pool.

What should you wear at night in Marrakech?

Marrakech has cooler evenings which means that you’ll want to layer your outfit with a light jacket or sweater. There’s no particular dress code, unless the restaurant that you’re going to has one.

Final Thoughts On What To Wear In Marrakech

We had an awesome time in Marrakech – it has such a wonderful atmosphere and has so many fun things to do with kids. As a family, we found it easy to dress modestly and remain comfortable. Our biggest recommendations are to take layers, wear comfortable walking shoes and carry a scarf to cover up to visit mosques.