What to Pack for Morocco: A Practical List by Season and Trip Type

The basics that work for every trip

Start with a small base that you will use every day, and then add what the season and the activities need. Light layers work better than a few heavy items, because Morocco has big differences between day and night, and between the city and the mountains.

• Passport, valid for at least six months from your arrival date, and a copy of it kept separately.
• A mix of cash in euro and dirham. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is needed in the souks, taxis and small cafés.
• Travel insurance details, including the emergency number.
• A phone with a charger, a power bank and a European type plug adapter. Morocco uses type C and E sockets at 220 volts.
• A reusable water bottle. Buy large bottled water and refill it.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. The sun is strong all year, even in winter.
• Comfortable walking shoes, already worn in.
• A light scarf or shawl, useful for sun, dust, a cold evening or a visit to a religious site where you need to cover your shoulders.

What to wear: modest, light and practical

Morocco is a Muslim country, and in cities such as Marrakech visitors dress in many styles. There is no strict dress code for tourists, but dressing modestly is respectful, and it also reduces unwanted attention. For most visitors this means covering shoulders and knees when walking around the medina and in villages.

Clothes that work in the city

• Light trousers or long skirts in cotton or linen.
• T-shirts or tops that cover the shoulders.
• A light long-sleeved shirt for sun protection and cool evenings.
• Comfortable sandals or sneakers. Streets are uneven, and a lot of walking is normal.
• Swimwear for the hotel pool or hammam. In public places, swimwear should be covered.

Colours and materials

Light colours reflect the sun. Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen breathe better than synthetic ones in hot weather. Dark clothing is hotter and shows dust. Avoid clothes that you would be upset to get dusty or stained, because you will almost certainly touch a spice or a dye in the souks.

Packing by season

Summer: June to September

Marrakech can reach 40 degrees or more in July and August. Bring very light clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, a high protection sunscreen and a refillable bottle. Plan your day around the heat. Mornings and evenings are for walking, and midday is for the pool. Take a light jacket for the mountains and the desert at night.

Autumn: October and November

Warm days and cool evenings. Bring light clothes for the day, a sweater or light jacket for the evening, and a rain layer for occasional showers in the mountains.

Winter: December to February

This surprises many visitors. Days in Marrakech are often sunny and pleasant, around 18 to 20 degrees, but nights are cold, and houses and riads are not always well heated. Bring warm layers, a fleece or down jacket, a hat and gloves for the desert and the mountains. In the Atlas you can find snow.

Spring: March to May

The most comfortable season. Pack as for autumn: layers, with a light jacket for evenings. In the mountains it can still be cold in March.

Extra items for the Agafay desert

The Agafay desert trip is short, but the conditions are different from the city. The ground is dusty and stony, the wind can rise at sunset, and temperatures drop quickly after dark.

• A warm layer for the evening, even in summer.
• Closed shoes for quad, buggy or camel rides. Avoid open sandals.
• A scarf or buff to cover your nose and mouth when it is dusty.
• Sunglasses with a good fit. For quad and buggy, glasses that close around the eyes help against dust.
• Long trousers, because they protect your legs from dust and sun.
• Clothes you do not mind getting dirty. Buggy and quad tours are dusty.
• Camera, phone strap and a small bag. Keep your phone secure on vehicles.

Extra items for the mountains and waterfalls

• Walking shoes with a good grip. The paths near waterfalls can be wet and slippery.
• A light rain jacket in autumn and spring.
• A warm layer. At altitude the temperature drops, and the wind can be strong.
• A small backpack for water and snacks.
• Swimwear and a quick-dry towel if you plan to swim, only where your guide says it is safe.
• Insect repellent in summer near rivers.
• Cash for tea stops, small purchases and tips.

Extra items for a hot air balloon flight

Flights leave very early, so you will be dressed before sunrise, and the desert is cold at that hour. Wear layers that you can take off when the sun rises, closed shoes, and a hat or beanie. Avoid scarves that hang loose. Long hair should be tied back. Bring a camera with a strap, and a small amount of cash for tips.

Health and small essentials

• Your regular medicines in their original packaging, plus a small first aid kit with plasters, antiseptic, pain relief and rehydration salts.
• Anti-diarrhoea tablets, just in case. Most travellers do not need them, but a stomach upset on a day trip is miserable without them.
• Hand sanitiser and tissues. Some public toilets have no paper.
• Lip balm and moisturiser. The air is dry.
• A basic mosquito repellent for summer evenings.

If you have specific health conditions, ask your own doctor or a travel clinic about vaccinations and precautions before you go. This guide does not replace medical advice.

Money, phone and documents

• Exchange some money on arrival at the airport or at an ATM. The dirham is a closed currency, so you normally cannot buy it before arrival in many countries and cannot take large amounts out when you leave.
• Keep small notes and coins for tips, taxis and tea. Large notes are hard to change in the souks.
• Download offline maps. Signal can be poor in the mountains and in the medina lanes.
• Buy a local SIM or an eSIM if you need data. Check roaming costs with your provider first.
• Keep a photo of your passport and booking confirmations on your phone and email.

What to leave at home

• Expensive jewellery and flashy watches. They attract attention and are not needed.
• Too many shoes. Two pairs are enough: sneakers and sandals. Add boots only for winter trekking.
• Heavy hair appliances. Check your hotel first, as voltages differ.
• Drones. Their use is restricted in Morocco, and they can be confiscated at the airport. Check the current rules before you travel.
• Large amounts of cash. Carry what you need for the day and leave the rest in the hotel safe.

Packing for different kinds of traveller

A couple on a city break

Pack light. Two or three tops each, comfortable trousers, a light dress or skirt for the evening, sandals and sneakers. In winter, add a fleece. You will want one smart outfit for a restaurant in a riad, but most places are relaxed. Leave space in the bag for a few things you buy in the souks.

A family with children

Bring sunhats, sunscreen, light long-sleeved tops for the sun, a small first aid kit with child-friendly medicine from home, wipes, snacks and a favourite toy for long drives. Car seats are rarely used in taxis and transfers, so if you need one for a small child, ask the operator in advance.

A solo traveller

A cross-body bag with a zip, a money belt or hidden pocket for backup cash and a card, a portable charger, and a lightweight scarf. Share your itinerary with someone at home, and keep a copy of your accommodation address in French or Arabic, which helps taxi drivers.

A photographer

A lens cloth, a blower for dust, spare batteries and cards, a lens hood and a polarising filter for the strong light. In the desert, change lenses with your back to the wind. A small tripod is useful at sunset and for night shots.

Older travellers

Shoes with grip and cushioning, a walking stick for uneven streets, medicines in a clearly labelled bag, a hat, and a light layer for air conditioning. Tell the operator about any mobility needs, so that the vehicle and the route can be adapted.

Clothing in detail: what really works

Fabrics

Cotton and linen are cool and comfortable in the heat, but they wrinkle and can be slow to dry. Light merino and technical fabrics dry quickly, which is useful if you wash clothes in a sink. Avoid heavy denim in summer.

Shoes

The streets of the medina are uneven, with stones, steps and sometimes puddles. Sneakers with a good sole are the safest choice. Sandals should have a strap, because flip-flops are tiring and unsafe on rough ground. If you plan to walk in the mountains, light hiking shoes with grip are worth bringing.

Sun protection

A hat with a brim or a cap with a neck cover, UV protection on your sunglasses, sunscreen with a high factor, and a scarf. Reapply sunscreen during the day. In the desert and mountains, the sun is strong, even when the air is cool.

Evenings

Evenings are casual in most places, but a long-sleeved top and long trousers are comfortable and show respect in restaurants and riads. In winter, evenings are cold. A light down jacket packs small and works very well.

Practical gadgets that make the trip easier

• A small padlock for your luggage and for lockers in some hostels.
• A reusable shopping bag, because single-use plastic bags are restricted in Morocco.
• A compact torch or a phone with a good light, for dark lanes and rooftop stairs.
• Wet wipes and a small pack of tissues.
• A zipped pouch for keeping documents together.
• Earplugs. The medina can be noisy at dawn, with the call to prayer and early deliveries.
• A power bank. Maps, photos and translation drain the battery quickly.
• A pen for filling in forms at the airport or hotel.

Packing for the return home

Many travellers buy more than they expect. Leave some room in your bag, or bring a foldable bag for the journey home. Fragile items, such as ceramics and lamps, should be wrapped well, and the shop can usually help with packing.

Carpets can be shipped, and a good shop will explain how. Keep receipts for expensive items, and check the rules for liquids in your hand luggage if you buy argan oil or perfume. Liquids over the allowed size should go in checked luggage.

Before you leave, check how much dirham you have left. Local currency cannot always be exchanged back easily abroad, so spend it on a last tea, a taxi or a small gift.

Local rules and customs worth knowing before you pack

• Public displays of affection are discouraged. Holding hands is usually fine, but keep other gestures private.
• Alcohol is sold in licensed places only, and not in most shops. Do not bring large amounts, and check the customs allowance before you travel.
• Photography of military sites, police, and government buildings is not allowed. Ask before photographing people.
• Medicines should be in their original packaging. If you take a prescription medicine, carry a letter from your doctor.
• Tipping is expected in restaurants, from guides and drivers, and for small services. Keep small notes for this.
• In religious places that allow visitors, dress modestly and follow the signs.

None of this is complicated. It is the same common sense you would use anywhere, adapted to a place where tradition and daily life are closely connected.

A packing list for a hot air balloon morning

1. Warm layers that you can remove: a fleece or jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, and a T-shirt.
2. Long trousers and closed shoes, because the landing may be on uneven ground.
3. A hat or beanie for the cold start, and sunglasses for sunrise.
4. Camera or phone with a strap, and a charged power bank.
5. A little cash for tips and souvenirs.
6. A bottle of water, though breakfast is usually included.

Remember that pickup happens in the middle of the night, so lay out your clothes the evening before, and charge your devices.

Common packing mistakes

• Bringing only summer clothes for a winter trip, and then freezing in the desert.
• Bringing only new shoes. Break them in before you go.
• Packing white and delicate fabrics for dusty tours.
• Forgetting an adapter or a long charging cable.
• Packing too many things, and then having to carry heavy luggage through narrow lanes.
• Leaving medicines in checked baggage, instead of hand luggage.

Electronics, power and connectivity

• Plug type C and E, 220 volts. Many modern chargers handle this, but check hair dryers and razors.
• Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés, but can be slow. A local SIM or eSIM is useful if you rely on maps and messages.
• Download offline maps of Marrakech and the places you plan to visit.
• A translation app can help with French and Arabic, and some Amazigh languages are supported in newer tools.
• A power bank of 10,000 mAh or more covers a long day out.
• Back up your photos every day, in case your phone is lost or damaged.

Money: what to carry and where to keep it

Carry a mix: a debit card, a credit card, euro or dollars for exchange, and dirham for daily costs. Keep one card and a little cash in a separate place, in case your wallet is lost.

ATMs are common in the city. Use machines in banks or hotels, and cover the keypad when you type your code. Tell your bank before you travel, to avoid blocks. Fees for cash withdrawals can be high, so withdraw larger amounts less often, and carry them safely.

Prices in the souks are not always marked, and sellers may quote in euro or dollars. It is easier to think in dirham. As a guide, a coffee or mint tea is a few dirhams, a simple lunch is a modest amount, and a taxi in town is usually inexpensive, but always ask the price before you travel if there is no meter.

A compact checklist you can copy

1. Passport, insurance, cards, some euro and dirham.
2. Phone, charger, power bank, adapter.
3. Three to five light tops, two trousers or skirts, one warm layer, one light jacket.
4. Sneakers or walking shoes, sandals.
5. Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, scarf.
6. Medicines, first aid, hand sanitiser.
7. Reusable water bottle.
8. Swimwear and a small towel.
9. A small day bag for excursions.

If you are joining one of our tours, we will tell you in the booking email exactly what to bring for that day. And if you forget something, most things can be bought in Marrakech at a fair price.

Frequently asked questions