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What To Wear In Marrakech 2024: Do’s and Dont’s

Knowing what to wear in Marrakech can be tricky.

The majority of the population is Muslim, and respecting their culture and traditions as a tourist is really important.

I spent a week exploring Marrakech and before my trip I felt exactly the same way as you probably do now – overwhelmed about what on earth I was meant to wear.

None of my friends had been to Morocco before, so I couldn’t get their advice, but I knew this wasn’t a crop top and shorts kind of holiday, despite the fact it was forecast to be nearly 30°C during our trip!

So to save you the same stress that I had, in this guide I’m going to cover exactly what to wear in Marrakech, and the items I’d avoid.

By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll feel completely confident knowing what’s ok to wear, and what you should steer clear of.

Why you should be mindful of what you wear in Marrakech

I’m all for self expression and wearing whatever makes you feel the most confident.

But when you’re a tourist in a different country, you are a guest in somebody else’s home, and it’s important that you’re respectful of local culture and traditions.

The majority of Moroccans are Muslim and they adhere to a stricter dress code than you may be used to if you’re coming from Europe or the US. 

Whilst there are no rules or laws around what you wear in Marrakech, it’s best to cover your knees, stomach and cleavage, and avoid items of clothing with offensive slogans or phrases.

This will reduce any unwanted attention, but most importantly, help the locals feel more comfortable.

What to wear in Marrakech as a woman

As a general rule of thumb, stick to wearing loose, baggy clothes in Marrakech. Not only will they keep you covered up, but they’re also lightweight and breathable to stop you getting too hot.

Wearing shorts and skirts below the knee is preferable, and choose tops that cover your cleavage.

A woman wearing a light beige maxi dress and a wide-brimmed straw hat with a black ribbon stands in a stylish riad in Marrakech. The setting features ornate wooden doors, white arches, potted palms, and wicker furniture with pink cushions, showcasing an elegant yet breathable outfit idea for warm climates. Perfect inspiration for "what to wear in Marrakech."
A woman in a flowing blue patterned skirt, a black top, and a straw bag walks through the courtyard of a traditional Moroccan riad. The scene features a green tiled walkway, trimmed hedges, and an arched entrance framed by sheer white curtains, offering inspiration for "what to wear in Marrakech" while exploring cultural landmarks.

Below is a list of clothes I’d recommend:

  • Loose, wide leg trousers are the perfect thing to wear in Marrakech. They’re breathable so they’ll keep you cool, and they won’t take up much room in a suitcase. Just make sure they’re not too long otherwise they might drag along the floor of the souks
  • Lightweight, linen shirts were one of my favourite things to wear in Marrakech. They look really stylish, whilst keeping you cool and covered up.
  • You’ll be doing a lot of walking in Marrakech, so you’ll want sturdy, comfortable trainers. I’d recommend keeping your toes covered as the streets can be quite dusty.
  • Co-ords are great (as long as they’re trousers and a long shirt and not the t-shirt and shorts kind). They keep you covered up but look effortlessly stylish.

What to wear in Marrakech as a man

Choosing what to wear in Marrakech is much easier for men than women.

  • Shorts are fine, although you don’t see many Moroccan men wearing them.
  • Long trousers are great. Linen trousers will keep you cool.
  • T-shirts are fine, but avoid any offensive slogans.

What not to wear in Marrakech

I think most of the worry when it comes to thinking about what to wear in Marrakech is making sure you don’t wear the wrong thing.

So here’s a list of what not to wear in Marrakech.

  • Avoid short shorts, especially tiny hot pants or denim shorts. Longer shorts are ok.
  • Avoid skimpy tops, crop tops, crop tops, halter neck tops, backless tops or anything that shows a lot of stomach or cleavage.
  • Don’t wear anything too tight-fitting, even if it covers your legs and arms.
  • Anything expensive – avoid anything that would make you an easy target for opportunist thieves, especially in the crowded souks where it’ll be more difficult to keep an eye on your belongings.

Marrakech packing list

As well as the clothes listed above, these are some must have items for your trip to Marrakech:

  • Sunglasses/hat/suncream – The sun in Marrakech is extremely hot, so you’ll want to protect yourself from it as much as possible. Don’t forget your factor 50 and a good sunhat – and stay out of the midday heat.
  • Rucksack – If you’re staying in a Riad in Marrakech, your taxi most likely won’t be able to drop you at the door, so you’ll need to take your bag down narrow and busy roads. Rucksacks are much better for navigating the busy souks than suitcases.
  • Cross body bag – I never travel without this bag, it’ll keep your valuables secure and on the front of your body so it’s much harder for opportunist thefts to get to them.
  • Earplugs – The call to prayer, sounds place five times a day and signifies the start of worship. It’s incredible, but if you’re staying in the medina it is very loud, so I’d recommend bringing some earplugs so you can sleep soundly. These reusable ones are some of my favourites.
  • Luggage locks and cables – If you’re planning on travelling around Morocco on public transport, get yourself lockable cables as well as padlocks for your bags. This way, even if you’re not sitting near your bag, you’ve got peace of mind knowing it’s secured to the luggage rack and only you have the key.

➡️ My number one recommendation for your trip to Marrakech is to pack a pair of earplugs. If you’re staying in the Medina, you’ll be woken up by the call to prayer, which is incredibly beautiful, but very noisy.

What to wear in the resorts in Marrakech

When you’re in your hotel, of course the rules around what you can wear are completely different.

Most Marrakech Riads and hotels have swimming pools so it’d be a very big ask to expect you to cover up.

You can where whatever you want around the hotel pool, and usually throughout the resort. There’s obviously no topless sunbathing though, I hope that goes without saying.

 A serene courtyard in a Marrakech riad featuring a small pool surrounded by lush greenery, including banana leaves and citrus trees. The space is adorned with patterned tiles, a woven basket with a pink-striped towel, and white arches framing a cozy lounge area with a fireplace, showcasing a tranquil setting ideal for relaxation.

A cozy seating area in a Moroccan riad featuring wicker chairs with white cushions, a wooden table, and a pink throw pillow. The space is accented with potted palm plants and intricate white architectural details, creating a serene and inviting corner for relaxation.

What to wear if you’re going to the desert

Whilst I was in Marrakech I did an overnight stay in the desert.

You have two options when you visit Morocco – the Sahara desert, which is a 7-hour drive from Marrakech, or The Agafay Desert which is only about an hour away.

As I was short on time I opted for one night in Agafay, where I stayed at Oxygen Lodge Agafay. The tents were HUGE and beautifully designed, and the staff were so friendly.

If you’re thinking of visiting the desert on your trip to Marrakech, bring a jacket and plenty of layers.

It can feel a bit strange to be packing bikinis and woolly hats in the same suitcase, but it gets COLD in the desert at night time.

A woman wearing a black sundress and sunglasses sits on a brightly patterned pouf under a shaded tent in the Marrakech desert. The setting features beige dunes, a rustic wooden table, and a lantern, offering a chic yet comfortable desert-appropriate outfit idea for "what to wear in Marrakech."

A woman in a flowing black sundress and a wide-brimmed straw hat with a black ribbon relaxes on a colorful pouf under a tent in the Marrakech desert. The background shows glamping-style tents and lounge chairs, highlighting a stylish and practical outfit for exploring desert landscapes in Marrakech.

What to wear in Marrakech – by season

Surprisingly, Marrakech isn’t always blistering sunshine. So depending on when you’re visiting, you’ll want to pack accordingly.

I visited Marrakech in March, and between mid-March-May is when I’d recommend going.

It’s sunny enough to sunbathe, but not too hot that you’ll get uncomfortable walking around.

Here’s the average temperatures for each season in Marrakech and what I’d recommend packing:

Spring

March: 23/10°C
April: 25/12°C
May: 29/15°C

If you’re visiting Marrakech in March, April or May, it’ll be warm during the day but chilly in the evenings, so make sure you bring a light jacket or jumper with you.

Summer

June: 33/17°C
July: 37/20°C
August: 37/21°C

If you’re visiting Marrakech in June, July and August, you won’t need a jacket, unless you’re planning on visiting the desert.

Even though it’s hot, you still need to cover up so linen will be your friend – the breathable material will keep you cool if you’re walking around a lot.

Make sure you’ve got a hat and a good pair of sunglasses too.

Autumn

September: 19/33°C
October: 15/28°C
November: 11/23°C

In September, October and November, you’ll need a light jacket and a couple of jumpers.

Winter

December: 20/7°C
January: 19/6°C
February: 20/8°C

In Winter, bring a good waterproof jacket for the evening and layers that you can easily take on or off. At this time of year jeans might be better than linen trousers.

Outfits to wear in Morocco

If you’re planning on travelling around more rural parts of Morocco on your trip, stick to long trousers and long shirts.

Avoid anything that shows too much skin – mostly your cleavage and stomach.

A historic fortress wall in Morocco surrounded by tall palm trees and a neatly manicured green lawn. People can be seen relaxing and walking along the pathways, with the beige stone architecture and a green-tiled roof standing out against the overcast sky, creating a peaceful and picturesque scene.
Rabat, the capital of Morocco

What to wear in Marrakech – FAQs

Can you wear jeans in Marrakech?

Yes, you can wear jeans in Marrakech. You might want to avoid really tight-fitting jeans, partly because when it’s hot they’ll be really restrictive, and you might attract unwanted attention. You can always wear a longer top that covers you up if you’re worried about feeling uncomfortable.

Is there a dress code in Marrakech?

There’s no dress code in Marrakech, and no law that states you have to wear certain clothes. But Morocco’s a Muslim country, so it’s considered disrespectful to show too much skin. Unfortunately, this is a bigger problem for women than it is for men, but there’s guidelines I’d follow regardless.

What should a woman wear in Marrakech?

If you’re a woman visiting Marrakech, stick to long trousers, long shirts, and clothes that cover your stomach and cleavage. Avoid tank tops, crop tops, short skirts, shorts, and anything with offensive slogans or writing on. You’ll be walking a lot and the streets are quite uneven, so make sure you pack a comfortable pair of shoes.

Can you wear revealing clothes in Morocco?

You won’t get arrested if you’re walking around in revealing clothes in Morocco, but you will most likely get stared at. And not only will you feel very uncomfortable, but you’ll also be making the local people feel uncomfortable. It’s best to leave the shorts and vest tops at home.

Do you need to wear a headdress in Marrakech?

Female tourists in Marrakech don’t need to wear a headdress and I definitely didn’t feel uncomfortable at any point having my hair down. Moroccan women are not required to wear one by law, although you will find that the majority of them do.

Conclusion

Deciding what to wear in Marrakech doesn’t need to be complicated.

Wide legged trousers, long shirts and maxi dresses are perfect for women. Men have it much easier, you can wear shorts if you wish, although trousers are a better option.

It’s a predominantly Muslim country with traditional values, so I’d recommend covering up as much as possible to remain respectful to the locals.

Avoid short skirts and shorts, as well as garish slogans or offensive writing on your clothing.