Morocco is a country of extreme contrasts — you can go from 38°C desert heat to a chilly mountain pass to a cool medina morning all in one day. Packing for Morocco takes a bit of strategic thinking. We've seen hundreds of travelers arrive over-packed or missing key items. Here's what our local guides recommend.
Clothing — The Golden Rules
Two principles govern Morocco packing: layers and modesty. Layers because temperatures swing dramatically. Modesty because you're visiting a Muslim-majority country where covered shoulders and knees are the norm in medinas and rural areas.
Essential Clothing
- Lightweight long trousers or maxi skirt (2–3 pairs) — for medinas, mosques, and rural areas
- Loose, breathable shirts with sleeves (not sleeveless) — linen is ideal
- Light sweater or fleece — for cool evenings, mountain passes, and desert nights
- Scarf or light shawl — women: for covering hair if entering mosques; everyone: for warmth and dust in the desert
- Swimwear — for riad pools and Sahara camp pools
- One nicer outfit — if dining at fancier riads or restaurants
💡 Local Tip: A lightweight kaftan or djellaba bought in the Marrakech souks for 150-300 MAD is the perfect all-purpose Morocco garment — cool, modest, comfortable, and a great souvenir. Buy one on day one and wear it daily.
Footwear
- Comfortable walking shoes — medina streets are cobbled, uneven, and steep. Your feet will thank you.
- Sandals — for evenings and riad days
- Closed-toe shoes for desert — sand gets everywhere; flip flops are a terrible idea on dunes
What NOT to bring: High heels (impossible on cobblestones), brand new shoes (your feet will blister), heavy boots unless you're doing serious Atlas Mountain trekking.
For the Sahara Desert
- Headscarf or buff — essential for protecting face from wind-blown sand
- Warm layer for night — desert nights drop fast, even in spring (Oct–Apr nights can be 8–12°C)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ — the desert sun is intense
- Sunglasses — polarized if possible
- Closed shoes for camel trek — as above
Toiletries & Medications
- Sunscreen (hard to find in local pharmacies above SPF 30)
- Insect repellent (for evening in garden riads)
- Stomach medication (traveler's diarrhea is possible, though rare with our tours)
- Lip balm with SPF (desert air is very dry)
- Hand sanitizer — for souk exploring
Electronics
- Morocco uses Type C/E plugs (European standard) — bring a universal adapter
- Portable power bank — useful for long driving days
- Camera — Morocco is extraordinarily photogenic; your phone will not do it justice
- Offline maps downloaded (Maps.me or Google Maps offline)
Money
Morocco's currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). It's not available outside Morocco, so change cash or use ATMs on arrival. Best exchange rate is usually at city centre ATMs. Inform your bank before you travel. Most riads and restaurants accept cards, but markets and street stalls are cash only. Bring a mix of small bills — 20 and 50 MAD notes are most useful.
What to Leave Home
- Heavy jeans (uncomfortable and slow to dry)
- More than one big suitcase (medina alleyways are narrow)
- Expensive jewelry (leave it safe at home)
- Drone (requires permits and is confiscated at airports)
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