Dressing for Adventure: A Morocco Packing List for Females

Morocco is an exciting adventure filled with vibrant markets, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural experiences. I have visited Morocco 3 times and am returning in just a few days. As I prepare for my group trip, one of the main questions I get asked is ‘How should I pack’? Considering Morocco is a Muslim country, you want to ensure comfort (and style) while respecting local customs.

After extensively traveling around Muslim countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Oman, UAE, Morocco, and Indonesia, and now living in Dubai, I can say with complete confidence, that this is the guide you need when traveling to a conservative country. In this post, you’ll see photos of me in these various destinations as wardrobe examples.

Morocco is a country with a diverse climate and cultural norms. While it is a Muslim country, you will see noticeable differences and a much more European, less conservative feel than countries such as Egypt and Jordan.

Here’s a comprehensive packing guide for female travelers heading to Morocco:

Skip ahead to my Amazon conservative country packing list here

And my Revolve What to Wear in a Conservative Country list here

Respectful Clothing: Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country with conservative dress codes, especially in rural areas and religious sites. While there’s no strict dress code for tourists, it’s a respectful way to embrace the culture by dressing modestly, covering shoulders, cleavage, and knees. I like to gravitate towards lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, ideal for the warm climate.

Maxi and Midi Dresses: These dress options provide decent coverage to your bottom half while keeping you cool in the heat. Opt for flowy over bodycon styles in breathable fabrics, which will be much more comfortable in the heat and while sightseeing.

Maxi Skirts: Having a maxi skirt or two makes it easy to throw together an outfit — pair it with a button-down or t-shirt. I wore this white skirt all over Marrakech when I last visited. It can easily be dressed up or down.

Lightweight Pants and Trousers: Loose-fitting pants or trousers are a great choice for women in Morocco. The trouser trend has taken over for the past few seasons making it not only a comfortable, but stylish option. They offer coverage while allowing freedom of movement. Linen or cotton pants in neutral colors are versatile and can be paired with different tops.

I love to pair the pants with a matching vest for a complete look, as seen below with this linen set worn in Egypt.

Tops: Pick thin, light material tops with short or three-quarter-length sleeves to cover your shoulders and chest. Lightweight blouses, tunics, or tops with high necklines are ideal for exploring cities, visiting mosques, and interacting with locals. As mentioned, Marrakech is more European and used to tourism than smaller cities, I also wore a tank top with a shawl around my shoulders as a lightweight option while still being covered and was fine.

Scarf or Shawl: Lightweight scarves or shawls are one of my favorite versatile accessories to wear in a Muslim country. They can serve multiple purposes from providing coverage for shoulders when visiting religious sites, protecting from the sun, or adding a pop of color to your outfit. I highly recommend packing a few thin options or even purchasing some in Morocco.

Dusters or Kimonos: Perfect to throw over your shoulders for when you need to cover up. They are also easy to throw over to mix and match an outfit.

Layers for Cooler Evenings: While days in Morocco can be hot, evenings can be cooler, especially in the desert or mountain regions. Pack a lightweight sweater or jacket for layering to stay warm during cooler nights.

Comfortable Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes are essential for Morocco’s cobbled streets, busy markets, and desert landscape. Opt for comfortable sandals or flats that you can wander for hours in or sneakers that have enough support and can also be worn well with casual outfits.

Swimwear: Don’t forget to pack swimwear as most riads will have a pool or If you plan to visit coastal towns. However, be mindful of local customs when swimming in public places. All the hotel pools in Marrakech are typically private, so a 2 piece bikini is fine but if you are in a coastal town pack a sun dress to throw over.

Day Bag: In terms of bag I like to switch it up but I NEVER travel without my Fawny Pack! This is my go to airport personal item for carrying my passport, headphones and necessary airplane essentials. It fits so much! I have now gone through 2 of these bags as they have traveled around the world with me.

Sunhat: You’ll definitely need a wide-brim hat to protect your head. I like going for a straw hat rather than felt as a lighter option in the heat.

Sunglasses: A necessity to protect your eyes. Amazon has some great options for really affordable like these ones I just purchased. Honestly I can’t justify designer sunnies anymore when I toss mine around so much. This allows me to still feel trendy without breaking the bank.

Sun Protection: Morocco is a desert country which experiences plenty of sunshine, so it’s crucial to pack sun protection. Face sunscreen is something I never skip out on. I always carry this powder sunscreen in my bag, perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, without ruining your makeup!

As a base layer I’m a huge Supergoop Glowscreen fan, I have been using this product for years and I love the glow it gives my skin. Colorescience’s face shield is a tinted sunscreen which has minimal coverage if you like a light makeup look. Personally, I love it when skincare meets makeup giving me the perfect 2 for 1.

Accessories: Avoid wearing flashy accessories that may attract unwanted attention. I love wearing gold jewelry however, when traveling to most countries, I will limit the amount of rings and expensive pieces I own. Instead, I’ll opt for accessories that complement my outfits without drawing too much attention.

Remember that dressing modestly and respectfully doesn’t mean you can’t still express your personal style. After exploring many Muslim countries, I will say I have loved finding new ways to style my favorite pieces more conservatively. It’s a new level of sexy, it’s classy. Challenge yourself, embrace the opportunity to explore Moroccan fashion trends, and experiment with colors and patterns.

With this packing guide, you’re ready to embark on a stylish and colorful adventure in Morocco!

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