Do female tourists have to cover their hair in Morocco?

No. Headscarves are not required for visitors anywhere except inside a working mosque such as the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Most women carry a light scarf for sun, wind and cool evenings rather than for daily head covering.

Can you wear shorts in Morocco?

Yes, but with judgement. Shorts are fine in coastal towns, resorts and the tourist parts of Marrakech. In medinas, rural areas and religious sites, knee-length or longer is more respectful and draws less attention.

What should I wear in the Sahara desert?

Loose long layers that cover your skin from the sun during the day, a scarf for blowing sand, and a warm jacket or fleece for the night, which gets cold year-round. Closed shoes for the camp, though you will go barefoot on the dunes.

What to Wear in Morocco: A Packing List for Women and Men

August 27, 2026 · 2 min read

Morocco has no legal dress code for visitors, but it is a Muslim country and dressing with a little modesty makes daily life smoother — less unwanted attention in the souks, and you blend in rather than stand out. Here is what that means in practice.

The basic rule

Cover your shoulders and knees in public. Loose and lightweight beats tight and revealing, both for the culture and for the heat. Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen are far more comfortable inland and in the desert than synthetics.

What women should pack

Flowy maxi dresses and skirts, wide-leg trousers, and loose shirts or tunics that cover the shoulder, plus a light cardigan or shawl for the evenings. A lightweight scarf is the single most useful item you can bring — sun and blowing sand in Merzouga, a warm layer after dark, and head covering to enter the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. You do not need to cover your hair day to day.

What men should pack

Lightweight long trousers or chinos with t-shirts and short-sleeve shirts cover most situations. Shorts are common in the tourist parts of Marrakech and on the coast, but read as beachwear in the medinas and rural areas — pack one pair for the hottest days and trousers for everything else.

Coastal cities, medinas and the desert

Essaouira and other coastal towns are relaxed, and sleeveless tops and knee-length shorts are unremarkable there. In Fes, Chefchaouen and small towns, cover up more. The Sahara swings from hot days to cold nights, so pack a warm layer even in summer.

Shoes

The medinas are uneven, sometimes wet near the Fes tanneries, and dusty in the south. Closed, broken-in walking shoes or sturdy sandals do the job. Leave the heels at home.

Season by season

Summer, from June to August, is brutal inland — the lightest possible layers plus serious sun protection. Winter, from December to February, is mild in the cities but genuinely cold in the desert and the Atlas, so bring a proper jacket. Our month-by-month guide has the detail.

What not to bring

Anything you would wear to a nightclub, very short shorts, and — for a touring trip — one giant hard suitcase. A medium case or a duffel is much easier in and out of riads and vehicles.

On a private tour your guide can tell you exactly what is appropriate for each stop. See our tours or ask us a question before you pack.