What to Wear in Morocco as a Female Tourist: 15 Perfect Morocco Outfit Ideas
Figuring out what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist can feel oddly stressful before you go. Morocco is conservative, the weather is hot, and the internet loves to make it more complicated than it needs to be. Add in the chilly evenings and suddenly you’re questioning every outfit you own.
This guide on what to wear in Morocco for women is based on what actually worked for me while traveling with my husband in May. It was hot during the day, cool at night, and we moved between cities, small towns, and the Sahara. If you’re wondering what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist without overpacking, you’re in the right place. The good news? You don’t need to cover yourself head to toe.
I aimed for a middle ground that felt respectful, comfortable, and still cute. Think breathable fabrics, longer silhouettes, and outfits that worked in more than one setting. This approach to what to wear in Morocco for women kept me cool during the day and comfy at night without outfit regret.
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1. The Reality of Dressing as a Woman in Morocco
There’s a huge range of what women wear in Morocco, especially in tourist-heavy spots. Dressing thoughtfully makes everything easier. In my experience, Morocco isn’t one-size-fits-all, and what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist really depends on where you are.
What felt fine in Marrakech would’ve felt out of place in a smaller town. No one is handing out citations for bare knees, but modest-ish outfits help avoid unwanted attention. Trust me, less attention equals a better travel experience overall.
2. My Rule of Thumb for Morocco Outfits
My personal formula for what to wear in Morocco for women was simple. Covered shoulders + covered knees + loose fit = always safe. This worked everywhere from Marrakech to Fes without feeling frumpy. If I wouldn’t wear the outfit to a conservative gathering at home, reconsider packing it for Morocco.
3. Why I Skip Shorts (Even When It’s Hot)
Yes, it’s hot. No, I still didn’t wear shorts. When it comes to what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist, shorts (especially short shorts) just weren’t worth the extra attention. We saw a couple tourists wearing them in Marrakech, and they definitely stood out. You could see locals watching them, and that is the kind of attention I’d prefer to avoid.
4. Best Pants for Morocco Heat
Flowy pants are must-have travel gear in Morocco. Lightweight, loose pants were the MVPs of my suitcase and a huge win for what to wear in Morocco for women. They worked for city days, desert travel, and dinners out. On our super long travel day from the Sahara to Marrakech, which took about nine hours, pants were the best option for both lounging in the van and sightseeing at Ait Ben Haddou.
5. Colorful Maxi Dresses
If there’s one thing to pack when thinking about what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist, it’s a maxi dress that will keep you cool and covered. Since a lot of Moroccan cities are full of patterns (like at the madrasas and in the medinas), I packed a few solid color maxi dresses to make sure the photos weren’t too busy. For example, at Jardin Majorelle, I loved wearing a yellow maxi dress to pop against the blue background.
6. What Tops Work Best
Short sleeves that cover your shoulders are totally fine. I avoided deep V-necks, spaghetti straps, and backless styles. I mostly brought solid colored short sleeve shirts (white and black) because they paired easily with my colorful pants and skirts. This approach made what to wear in Morocco for women easy, because most people already have these types of shirts in their closet.
7. Scarves: Useful, Not Just Decorative
I didn’t cover my head anywhere, but my scarf came in handy more times than I expected. It was great for sun protection and for moments when I wanted a bit more coverage. Also, scarves are an easy way to add color to neutral outfits. A scarf also came in handy in the desert to shield my ears and mouth when it got really windy.
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8. What to Wear in Marrakech vs. Other Locations
Marrakech is the most touristy, so you’ll see a wider range of outfits. Smaller towns lean much more conservative. On our drive through the Atlas Mountains toward Merzouga, almost all local women were fully covered.
To give you an idea of my outfits: I wore a long pink dress that showed my shoulders in Marrakech (to several touristy sites) and felt fine. I wouldn’t have worn that same dress in the Atlas Mountains without adding a layer on top to cover up. This is where understanding what to wear in Morocco for women really comes down to location.
9. Pack a Lightweight Layer
Morocco cools down at night, especially with the dry air, so make sure to bring layers. I brought a white button-down, a lightweight tan sweater, and a black fleece, which covered all of my bases and the wide variety of temps from the cities to the Sahara.
10. What to Expect at Western Hotels
Some hotels and riads in Morocco, especially in tourist-heavy areas, are much more relaxed when it comes to dress code. I felt comfortable wearing sleeveless tops at a few of our hotels, usually paired with a long skirt or flowy pants. It didn’t feel out of place at all in those settings.
Our desert stay at Desert Luxury Camp was the most relaxed of all. It was entirely Americans and Canadians, and when it’s over 100 degrees, practicality wins. I wore a sleeveless top there for dinner in the evening and felt totally comfortable, though I still skipped shorts in favor of airy pants and skirts.
That said, I kept more coverage for anything beyond hotel grounds. Even if your hotel feels Western, stepping outside is a different story. Reading the room is key when deciding what to wear in Morocco for women, and adjusting based on location makes the whole experience smoother.
11. Dressing for the Desert
When it comes to what to wear in Morocco for women in the desert, airy options always win. There is no shade in the Sahara, so keeping covered actually feels cooler than exposed skin. During our afternoon at the desert camp, I wore lightweight pants and a loose white long-sleeve top and even though it was over 100 degrees, I surprisingly didn’t sweat at all.
12. What to Wear for a Sahara Sunrise
If you spend a night in the Sahara, do not skip sunrise! I wore a white, flowy dress, and it photographed beautifully against the orange-red dunes. Some of my favorite photos from the entire trip came from that morning. It’s a standout moment for what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist if you love travel photos.
13. What to Wear on a Camel Ride
Loose, lightweight pants are non-negotiable for a camel ride. I paired mine with a breathable long-sleeve shirt to protect from the sun without overheating. Add sunglasses and a scarf, because sand will absolutely try to get into every possible crevice. This is not the time for cute-but-impractical outfits.
When we rode camels in the Sahara, it hit 110 degrees and there was zero shade. Breathable fabrics made a huge difference, and anything tight would’ve been miserable. I also recommend clothes you don’t mind getting dusty, because sand will find its way into every pocket and live there for days to come.
Avoid dresses unless you enjoy serious thigh chafing and awkward camel dismounts. Pants give you more coverage and way more comfort. Trust me, this is one of those what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist moments where function fully beats fashion.
Recommended Tour: Camel Ride in the Sahara
14. What to Wear Sandboarding
If you go sandboarding, pants are a must. I highly recommend tucking your shirt in to keep sand from going straight down your pants if you wipe out. I did not tuck mine in, and I absolutely paid the price.
Choose lightweight pants you don’t mind getting sandy and tops that won’t flap everywhere. Sand is relentless, and once it’s in your clothes, it’s committed. This is one of those oddly specific but very important what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist tips.
15. Swimwear & Poolside Outfits That Work
Many riads and hotels have pools, which is a lifesaver in the heat. I wore a bikini at Western-style hotels and always used a coverup or hotel robe going to and from the pool.
My favorite pool hands-down was at Desert Luxury Camp. Coming back from a our very hot camel ride and jumping into a pool was next-level refreshing. Still, I kept coverage for anywhere outside the pool area
16. Shoes That Make Sense in Morocco
Comfortable walking shoes are non-negotiable. Medinas are beautiful but brutal on your feet. Uneven ground and lots of walking mean support is super important. I rotated between comfy walking shoes and supportive sandals around the cities. In the desert, I exclusively wore sandals, which worked well with all of the sand.
17. Do Women Need to Cover their Hair?
No, there are no requirements or expectations that women cover their hair while visiting Morocco unless you go in a mosque. I didn’t cover my hair at any point during the trip (nor did I notice any other Western female tourists covering theirs), and I felt very comfortable.
18. How to Look Cute in Morocco
You can absolutely look cute and dress respectfully at the same time. I brought a mix of patterns and bright colors to pop against the desert-colored backgrounds. Plus, I loved adding accessories like colorful scarves, belts, hats, or jewelry to elevate otherwise basic outfits.
19. Final Thoughts: Use Your Current Closet
When it comes to what to wear in Morocco as a female tourist, you really don’t need to stress as much as you think. Yes, I may have bought a maxi dress or two specifically for this trip, but most of what I packed came straight from my closet. Lightweight pants, flowy skirts, short-sleeve tops, and scarves did all the heavy lifting. If you’re wondering what to wear in Morocco for women, think versatile pieces you can mix and match rather than an entirely new wardrobe.
The biggest takeaway? Read the room and trust your instincts. What works at a Western hotel won’t always work in a medina, and that’s okay. A little flexibility goes a long way, and once you find your rhythm, getting dressed each day becomes the least stressful part of the trip.
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