Packing your luggage for a vacation in Morocco can be tricky, especially when the temperatures here could reach 400C during summer, and the winter nights can be genuinely chilly! After reviewing this article on what to wear in Marrakech, you’d be more confident of blending in seamlessly during your vacation or short stay in the medina.
Of course, you might have also checked out some images on Google and seen some pictures of long dresses (or skimpy shorts on women) from Morocco. You may want more reliable information, so you’re on this page.
Good news! We’ll highlight some important general information about the city. Then how to effortlessly blend into the conservative yet energetic city before rounding off the blog in a super apt summary.
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13 Best Outfits of What to Wear in Marrakech
Let’s highlight those must-get items to make your stay in Marrakech pleasant and a trip to remember. Here’s our recommended clothing list:
1. Practical Shoes
You want to wear comfy shoes, especially if you’re exploring the walled city for several days—sneakers, flip-flops, sneakers, kitten heels, or anything that feels great. Wearing kitten heels might be a challenge here, though, due to the cobblestones on the streets. Generally, the pavements in Marrakech are uneven, with lots of loose stones, holes, and chances of things tripping over.
You want to take shoes that are robust enough to support you. You probably won’t need heavy-duty walking boots. But you should select closed toes shoes instead of flip-flops when touring the city. That’s necessary because you need to keep clean feet.
A nice pair of trainers would be great for your city exploration. Try a couple of natural leather sandals from a local stall in Marrakech. Only make sure your footwears are breathable, especially during the hotter months. Should you have to visit the Atlas Mountains, you’d need sturdy shoes to protect your feet from the harder topography of the hills.
2. Sunscreens, Sunglasses, and Sunhats
You already know why you need this. Sunshine here can be stubbornly hot, and you’ll need eye protection. You want to bring your fancy sunshades from home. That’s because you might find few people selling them on the streets of Marrakech.
You probably weren’t expecting sunscreens in a list of what to wear in Marrakech. But it’s worth mentioning. Meanwhile, don’t you ‘wear’ cream or sunscreen? Okay. It’s worth saying that even slight exposure to the harsh sunshine of the Arabian desert could get you quickly sunburns.
Sunhats are also essential clothing accessories to get along with you when travelling to Marrakech, especially during hotter months.
Source: Pexels
3. Women’s Corner: Moroccan Dress Short Sleeves (Short Gandora)
Remember when we stated earlier that travelling into the Moroccan medina doesn’t necessarily mean you’d have to dress covered? Yes, there’s a clothing idea that gives you an escape route with some space for your skin.
The Short Gandora won’t necessarily go ‘too far’ beneath your knees, and locals won’t seem perturbed by it. You might get a compliment from the local women on this outfit.
You could pair this dress with locally-produced leather sandals and handmade Moroccan earrings to signal your interest in the city. However, wearing other matching footwear or jewellery is okay with the short sleeve dress on you.
4. Women’s Corner: Maxi Dress + Wide-Legged Trousers + Shawl
Yes, women could look great with a maxi dress on + a shawl. A shawl would be necessary as some Maxi dresses could be significantly low-neck-like. Remember, no outfit you wear in Marrakech must be oversized or baggy. Younger Moroccans care about fashion, so you don’t have to pretend to be unfashionable to fit in.
While you could wear shorts that are knee length, wearing your Maxi dress over baggy gym pants with elasticated ankles might be better. When it’s cool, you could readily roll down your pants in the morning and roll them up to knee length in the afternoon heat.
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5. Unisex: Secure Day Bag
A secure day bag is essential to complete your outfit and prepare you for your stay at Marrakech. Whether we like it or not – there are pickpockets everywhere. That includes Morocco, especially if you find your way into the souks.
Your best bet is to keep your belongings at your hotel or guest house. However, if or when you bring your valuables out, ensure you have a secure day bag to put them in. Note that the ‘day bag’ could mean different things to different gender. The idea is to get a bag safe enough for your documents.
You could also purchase a body bag with a zipper. A backpack can also do with securing your valuables, alongside holding your water and a jumper. Otherwise, to avoid carrying a day bag, consider booking your cash, credit card, and mobile device in a zipped pocket in your coat. Of course, this alternative would only work when it’s cold and you have skin on.
Source: Pexels
6. Women’s Corner: Scarf
There are endless possibilities of what to do with a scarf. Scarves are the most versatile clothing items. They’re perfect for accessorizing your wear and could be thrown over the shoulders for a short outing preparation.
Interestingly, scarves are an excellent way to stash your valuables, such as cash, with little chance of getting caught by others. Lastly, a scarf works well if you’re visiting the Sahara Desert from Marrakech. You’d want to wrap your large scarf into a turban to keep sand out of your mouth and nose.
Large drapey scarves made from light cotton and pashminas are popular and can be woven around as a headscarf or on your shoulders.
7. Unisex: Oversized Tees and Shirts
Another category of useful what to wear’s in Marrakech includes oversized t-shirts and vests. Tuck them into cropped Capri pants or jeans, and you have a fabulous outfit for the regular city tour. Women can complete their wear with a beautiful scarf, while the guys might make a stylish statement with a turban over it.
Another way to wear an oversized Tee is going for a more extended cut over a pair of cropped leggings (for women) or joggers (for men).
8. Winter Months: Layered Clothing
If you’ve not been to this region before, you couldn’t underestimate the extent of the cold in this North African nation. You want to get along with layered clothing like sweaters and a light coat if you’re travelling during January or other cold, harmattan months in Marrakech.
9. Rainy Months
The rainiest months in Marrakech are between January and April. If your visit here is within this time, you want to wear a waterproof jacket (and an umbrella) during your tour. If you couldn’t get one from your home country, you should make a budget for a waterproof jacket (or two), depending on how long you’re staying here.
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10. A Pair of Jeans
While we address some of the important stuff to carry that matches the culture at the Moroccan medina, there’s nothing wrong with taking a piece of Western civilization with you. Upon your arrival, you could discover you’re just one tourist in Morocco from other parts of the world. Many tourists would also partially dress to partly reveal their home culture.
Besides, Western culture is popular enough to have adherents among some younger Moroccans. So feel comfortable getting a pair of jeans in your luggage for your city vacation.
11. White Tees
You might need your white tees during your journey to Marrakech for several reasons. Of course, you already know they’ll fit nicely on top of your jeans. Add a white tee over a colourful midi skirt, + a pair of white sneakers could blend you just perfectly into Arabian city life.
Only ensure your tees cover your chest and shoulders. Again, your tops don’t have to be sheathed to the wrist, so a tee shirt is excellent at Marrakech for a woman. Just ensure you stay cool and protected from the sun’s rays.
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12. A Coat
Morocco’s weather varies depending on the time of the ear you visit. However, it’s often chilled in the evenings, especially around the desert or mountains. Remember to get a warm coat when getting your luggage together for Marrakech. Think feather-down jackets you can cramp into a small bag.
13. Bikini
If you intend to visit a hammam (a Turkish bath) during your visit, you’ll want to take a bikini along with you. You might discover that wearing a bikini is better than taking a full swimsuit – and there’s a reason. You’d be asked to remove your top when you arrive at a hammam. If you’re in a swimsuit, you’d have to roll it down, which makes it a little awkward.
Bonus Tips When Packing what to wear in Marrakech
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1. Leave your drone at home: While you might have seen other tourists post capturing aerial photos of their destinations, incidentally, drones are nearly illegal in Morocco. That’s because the country has a high level of security and considers drones potential espionage tools.
However, a recent law in Morocco says drone operators must obtain a permit from the Moroccan Civil Aviation Authority (ONDA). Suppose you’re lucky enough to get it through the airport before discovering it’s illegal. In that case, you will do well to keep it in your luggage to avoid confiscation or more unsettling developments.
2. Avoid products that melt under heat: Do you have makeup products that quickly melt under heat? You want to leave them behind. Liquid eyeliners might have to give way for pen eyeliners, so you have makeup that’ll outlast the intense sunshine at the medina.
3. Avoid short tops, backless tops, tank tops, low-cut tops, figure-hugging tops or any dress that overexposes your skin or low neckline. Stay clear of any skin-tight wear that excessively shows off your figure.
4. Remember to get health insurance before leaving for Morocco. Look online for organizations that provide health insurance for travellers around the Arabian countries. Even if you don’t end up using the insurance, you’re better with it if things go awry during the trip.
5. Eat freshly cooked food and wash your hands as often as possible to avoid traveller’s diarrhoea. If you still run into diarrhoea, avoid Imodium medication because it only works to keep the bad food/bug within you (unless you’re in the vehicle). Instead, take plenty of water and rehydration sachets to stay hydrated.
Frequently Asked Questions on What to Wear in Marrakech
1. Can I Wear Any Clothes to Marrakech, Morocco?
No. First, the climate here tells you to avoid revealing clothing. It could be 40 degrees during summer or cold in the cooler months. You want a packing list that fits these weather patterns (depending on when you visit).
Moreover, many outdoor areas in Marrakech can be pretty dusty and dirty. You sure wouldn’t be found strolling the streets of the medina in a flowing gown that sweeps the ground. Plus, you want to get pragmatic wear for such occasions when out for touristy activities like desert camping or camel riding.
Lastly, Marrakesh, like most other Arab cities, has solid cultural laws on what to wear and what not to wear outdoors. Of course, you’ll find several tourists wearing revealing and skimpy clothes; it’s simply anti-cultural to the landscape. It’s also risky to dress carelessly, given the number of scammers lurking in Medina’s public spaces.
2. Are There Many French Tourists in Marrakech, Morocco?
Yes, Morocco and France share a long history. The North African nation only gained independence from France in 1956, and French is still a widely spoken language across the country. The French were probably attracted to the region due to its proximity to France and its climate, which is characterized by many sunny days. Well, you might not be French – and of course, you might come from France too – but Marrakech welcomes people of every race, colour, or social class – as long as you stick within their cultural, social, and political regulations.
French tourists and expatriates, including rapper Gims, politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn and fashion designer Serge Lutens, have been endeared to the city to the extent of owning their properties in the medina.
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3. What’s It Like to Spend a Vacation in Marrakech, Morocco?
Marrakesh is a former imperial city in western Morocco. It’s a leading economic centre and hosts palaces, gardens, and mosques. The Medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city that dates to the Berber Empire. Marrakesh is listed amongst the busy cities in Africa, with Jemaa el-Fnaa (a square in the town) topping the list on the continent.
4. Can I Wear Shorts in Morocco?
Yes, considering what to wear in Marrakech, you can wear shorts. You’ll find this almost everywhere. However, in rural parts of Morocco, you might want to use longer shorts or full-length pants to be on the safer side for culture.
5. Are Morrocans Friendly to Tourists?
Yes. Moroccans are tolerant, welcoming, and friendly to tourists. They treat foreigners very well while responding to their traditions, values, and culture. Also, Moroccans are careful about their country’s reputation.
6. What’s It Like to Spend a Vacation in Marrakech?
Besides having to think of what to wear in Marrakech, the countryside, with dramatic High Atlas Mountains, coastal towns, and beautiful cities, portray Morocco’s diversity and colourfulness. However, amidst all this diversity, various activities and temperatures teach you to have your wardrobes in layers. Fortunately, you don’t need heavy luggage for your few days’ trips. You could pack light for your Marrakech vacation.
The city also has pleasant year-round weather that has become popular with expatriates. Add these to the hopes of living in a traditional Moroccan Riad with a central courtyard; Marrakech’s local markets and contemporary boutiques have much to offer.
7. Is Marrakech a Busy City?
Marrakech can be pretty chaotic and bustling. You want to be comfortable and casual while you’re here. Of course, you’d need an outfit for dinner outings over a nice meal. Don’t worry: this country is relatively affordable for Western tourists, so don’t hesitate to spoil yourself with Moroccan palatial delights.
Moreover, Marrakech hosts one of the busiest markets in Africa, the Djemaa el Fna square. The square, with its display of snake admirers, choreographers and various merchants, reminds tourists of Disney’s Aladdin.
Meanwhile, the busy city could come across as overwhelming initially. However, you’d only need to move closer to the crowd and find a unique charm somewhat exclusive to the North African medina.
Summary
Covered knees, shoulders, and looser-fitting silhouettes are the local standards for women in Marrakech and others for what to wear in Marrakech. Sticking to these cultural clothing norms as a female traveller throughout the country isn’t only a sign of respect and allows you to blend better as you navigate the walled town.
Chances are high you’d spend most of your time touring the dusty, chaotic city. That’s why you need comfortable footwear. Flip-flops and bare sandals are great for trips into the arid, while covered shoes are a plus for city explorations.
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