Travel Q&A
What should I wear in Morocco?
Short answer Morocco is a Muslim country with a strong tourist economy, which means the dress code is looser than the Gulf, stricter than southern Europe. You will not get arrested for shorts. You will get stared at, occasionally hassled, and you may not be let into religious sites.
Morocco is a Muslim country with a strong tourist economy, which means the dress code is looser than the Gulf, stricter than southern Europe. You will not get arrested for shorts. You will get stared at, occasionally hassled, and you may not be let into religious sites.
The rule of thumb
Cover shoulders and knees in cities. That’s the floor. T-shirts are fine, tank tops draw attention, shorts above mid-thigh draw a lot of attention.
For women
- Loose trousers, midi or maxi skirts, knee-length dresses. All fine.
- T-shirts, blouses, light long-sleeves. All fine.
- A light scarf in your bag. Wraps your shoulders if you walk into a mosque courtyard, doubles as sun protection.
- Avoid: crop tops, short shorts, low necklines, tight athletic wear in medinas. You can wear all of this on a beach or by a pool, just not walking through Fes or the Marrakech medina.
For men
- Long trousers or knee-length shorts. Both fine.
- T-shirts, button-downs, polos. All fine.
- Avoid: muscle tanks, very short shorts, going shirtless anywhere outside a pool.
By location
| Where | What works |
|---|---|
| Marrakech / Fes medina | Long trousers, t-shirt or blouse, scarf in bag |
| Casablanca / Rabat (modern districts) | Anything you’d wear in Madrid |
| Chefchaouen | Conservative, small mountain town, lots of locals |
| Atlantic coast (Essaouira, Taghazout) | Beachwear at the beach, cover up walking into town |
| Riads (your room and pool) | Whatever you want |
| Hassan II Mosque (Casablanca, only mosque tourists can enter) | Shoulders + knees covered. Women: a scarf for the hair. |
| Desert (Merzouga, Erg Chigaga) | Layers, 38°C day, 5°C night |
The footwear question
Closed shoes you can walk in for 10km. Medinas are uneven cobblestone with donkey traffic. Cute sandals get destroyed. Trail runners or comfy sneakers are right. Save the heels for the rooftop bar.
Winter (December–February)
Riads have no central heating. Layers, a fleece, and warm pajamas. The Atlas Mountains and the desert at night are genuinely cold, pack like you’re going to a chilly UK autumn.
Summer (June–August)
Light, breathable, light-colored fabrics. Linen is the move. A hat with a brim. Sunscreen, the Moroccan sun is no joke.
What about a headscarf for women?
You don’t need one. Moroccan women under 40 in cities often don’t wear one either. A scarf in your bag is enough, wrap it on if you visit a mausoleum, a mosque courtyard, or a deeply rural village where you want to show respect.