Africa

What’s In My Bag? Morocco Edition

Morocco can be a challenging country to pack for and over the past few weeks I’ve spent my time Googling packing lists and creeping other travelers wardrobes on Instagram. As a traveler, I always want to make sure I pack appropriately. I don’t want to pack anything I’ll never wear and I want to ensure the things I am packing fit the weather and the culture of the country.

Since Morocco is a predominately Muslim country, it’s important to dress respectfully to their culture. However, Morocco can be a bit more relaxed than some of its neighbours, especially in the cities. But I always believe that you should dress appropriately either way, especially as a female traveling within a country that women don’t necessarily have as much freedom as they do in more western countries. The last thing you want to do is draw unwanted attention to yourself, and although as a tourist you’ll naturally stand out, it’s best to not draw more attention to yourself than you already will. So here are my tips for packing for your trip to Morocco.

What to wear in Morocco

For men it’s a lot simpler in Morocco and you don’t need to overthink your packing as much as women. Men are fine in jeans and t-shirts and long shorts. However, don’t dress like a bum in Aladdin pants or track pants or you may also draw some unwanted attention on the streets.

Women have a bit more to take into consideration. You need to cover your shoulders and knees, in rural areas it’s even better to cover all your legs, and you should have a scarf or something to cover your head with you in case you visit mosques on your travels. Although Morocco is a bit more relaxed and you could totally walk around big cities in touristy areas with shorts and a tank top, I’d advise against it as it’ll still draw unwanted attention. Plus, it’s important to respect that you aren’t at home and the culture is different here.

What to pack by season

The weather can vary across Morocco at different times of the year, and what many people wouldn’t think is that it actually does get cold. December to February are considered “winter” in Morocco and are the coldest months. In particular, if you’re traveling to the mountains or to the Sahara (yes, the desert gets cold at night) then you’ll want to pack extra layers and a warm jacket (those light down filled by jackets that fold up small are great in the winter months!

November-March is actually considered high season in Morocco because the weather is less extreme. The spring and fall (April & October) are considered the shoulder season. If you’re traveling in the winter you’ll want to ensure you pack a jacket, socks, proper footwear and layers to keep you warm when the temperature drops. Spring often brings sandstorms in the Sahara and persistent rain in the north. Make sure to pack a windbreaker/raincoat with you at this time of year.

Lastly, summer is obviously the warmest season where you’ll see temperatures at around 18-28°C (64-82 °F) near the coast and in the interior regions you’ll see temperatures frequently be at or over 35°C (95°F ). Again, this varies by region. For example, Fez can have some of the most extreme temperatures (as low as 5°C in the winter and as high as 38°C in the summer). Because of the extreme temperatures, the summer is usually the low season for tourism. Pack clothes that are made of light materials that will keep you cool, a hat, and a water bottle are definitely good to have. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen because the sun will be hot! Note that Ramadan also happens between the end of April and later May. 

Packing list

I’m traveling in the winter in Morocco (November-December) so this packing list suits the high travel season more, however, many of these things you’ll find on your packing list at other times of the year as well. Also, this is for 15 days in Morocco. You obviously will need more or less depending on your trip itinerary.

Bottoms: 

  • 1 maxi dress or skirt (mine has short sleeves, if you bring one with spaghetti straps make sure you have something to wear under or over it)
  • 2 pairs of jeans
  • 1 pair of black leggings
  • 1 pair of long johns

Tops:

  • Black tank top (worn for an undershirt)
  • 2 tshirts
  • 2 long-sleeve shirts
  • Denim long-sleeve button up (great to wear with leggings)
  • Merino wool long-sleeve (merino wool is super thin so it doesn’t take up much room but it’s warm)
  • 2 sweaters (at least one that’s very warm)

Other: 

  • Pajamas
  • 2 scarves (for covering shoulders and keeping warm)
  • Jacket
  • 10 pairs of socks (I mainly wear running shoes)
  • 15 pairs of underwear
  • Running shoes (I’ll wear these on the plane to save room in my bag)
  • Gladiator sandals
  • Bathing suit (for hotel pools and hammam spa)
  • 2 bras (beige and black)
  • A winter hat and gloves (for the mountains and desert)

Cosmetics: 

  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • Razor
  • Body wash/soap
  • Immodium
  • Pepto Bismol
  • Gravol (both drowsy and non-drowsy)
  • Advil
  • Contact lenses, glasses & solution
  • Eye drops (my eyes get so dry when I’m tired!)
  • Lip balm
  • Sunscreen
  • Moisturizer
  • Hair brush
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste

To see what I usually pack in my carry-on, read this post

Do you have advice on what to pack and what not to pack for Morocco? Share your tips below in the comments! I’d love to hear them 🙂

Other content on Morocco to read: 

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