If you’re planning a trip to Morocco’s gorgeous imperial city, you’re probably wondering what to wear in Marrakech. Before our visit, we had the same question—and trust us, it’s not as simple as just dressing for the heat. Packing for conservative cities can be tricky, especially when temperatures soar. While it’s important to stay cool, it’s equally essential to respect the local culture.
While there’s no strict dress code for tourists, blending in will make your experience smoother and safer. Pack smart to enjoy your trip without unnecessary stress.
UNSPOKEN DRESS CODE:
Morocco’s stunning streets come with an unwritten dress code, and ignoring it can make your trip far less enjoyable. While there’s no official law on what a female traveller can wear, the truth is that your outfit will affect how people treat you. Morocco is mainly a Muslim country with conservative values, making it challenging to find the right balance between staying stylish, modest, and comfortable.
To help you avoid this, we’ve put together this essential guide on what to wear in Marrakech as a female. We know what works, what doesn’t, and how to blend in while feeling confident. This way, you can choose outfits that will make you feel comfortable, confident, and culturally aware while exploring this stunning city.
What should a woman wear in Marrakech?
What you wear in Marrakech matters more than you might think. Many female travellers assume Morocco is like other warm destinations, such as Barcelona, Athens or Rome, but it’s not. Street harassment happens, and whether we like it or not, how we dress can influence the attention we receive.
So, what should you wear? While you don’t have to be fully covered, revealing outfits will make you stand out—and not in a good way. The best approach? Think linen trousers, long skirts, maxi or midi dresses that cover your knees, and loose tops that cover your shoulders. Don’t wear anything too tight—the baggier, the better. A light scarf is essential as it protects your skin from the sun and helps you blend in if needed.
Make sure to pack good walking shoes, as Marrakech’s streets are dusty, uneven, and often dirty. Flip-flops are not suitable for exploring; save them for the poolside. Keep in mind that animals like donkeys and horses roam the streets, and you definitely don’t want to step in anything unpleasant while wearing flip-flops. Also, avoid bringing anything that looks too expensive, such as designer watches or bags. They may signal wealth and make you a target for pickpockets.
An example of my outfit while exploring the intricate tileworks at Madrassa Ben Youssef. I wore a loose, light maxi dress that embraced both culture and comfort.
Do You Need to Cover Your Hair in Marrakech? Is it necessary?
No, you don’t have to cover your hair when exploring the city. There’s no law forcing tourists or locals to wear a headscarf. Unlike some Muslim countries, Morocco does not require headscarf use for women, except when visiting religious sites. While you will see many Moroccan women in hijabs, burqas, or niqabs, wearing these is their personal choice, not a legal requirement.
Marrakech is a relatively modern city, so you’ll notice fewer headscarves compared to smaller towns. Many locals are used to seeing tourists. However, in more conservative areas, such as the medina, dressing modestly by covering your shoulders and knees shows cultural sensitivity.
What not to wear in Marrakech
Marrakech isn’t as strict as other Middle Eastern destinations, but it’s not Paris, Ibiza, or Miami either. Tourists who don’t research the local dress code often make embarrassing mistakes when choosing what to wear. One of the biggest fashion faux pas? Wearing very short shorts, mini skirts, or revealing low-cut or crop tops. These might be fine for a Mediterranean holiday, but in this Moroccan city, they’ll only make you feel out of place.
While the weather is warm, outfits like short dresses, plunging necklines, or backless tops will draw a lot of attention—and not the good kind. Another mistake? Wearing see-through fabrics. Tight jeans and leggings may seem modest, but they can still feel inappropriate in a culture where most women opt for loose, flowing clothing.
The right outfit can change your entire experience. It’s not about hiding who you are; it’s about respecting local norms.
Can you wear a bikini in Marrakech?
In your accommodation, you can feel more relaxed about what you wear.
If you’re heading to Marrakech and wondering if you can wear a bikini, the answer is yes—but only in the right places. The city is surrounded by desert, not coastline, so bikinis are not a normal sight outside of hotel pools. Many riads and hotels have plunge pools, offering a refreshing escape from the heat. Bikinis are also acceptable at your large hotel pools. However, if you leave the pool area without covering up, you may attract some uncomfortable stares. Always keep a light cover-up, such as a kaftan, handy when moving into public areas, even within your accommodation. Hotel staff and other guests may be more conservative. Don’t even think about wandering through the souks or sitting at a café in your swimwear.
Thinking of heading to Essaouira or Agadir, the breezy seaside towns by the sea? Even there, locals don’t typically reveal much of their skin at the beach. A modest swimsuit with a light cover-up will help you blend in while still enjoying the ocean breeze.
What to wear in Marrakech – Season by Season
Let’s be honest – many tourists get Marrakech’s weather completely wrong when it comes to clothing. They assume it’s hot all year (it’s not), always dry, and they forget cold nights. The reality? Scorching summers, icy winters, unpredictable spring chills, and autumn surprises. The weather shifts dramatically throughout the year, and if you pack wrong, you’ll spend your trip buying emergency clothes from the souks. Here’s the real season-by-season guide for what to wear in Marrakech.
If you don’t pack right, you’ll either freeze at night, sweat uncontrollably or end up trapped indoors.
1. Spring (March-May) – The Season That Tricks Everyone
Spring in Marrakech sounds ideal, but here’s the catch—it’s unpredictable. By midday, it feels like summer, but at 8 AM, it’s closer to winter. Mornings start chilly, with temperatures as low as 8°C (46°F), but by afternoon, the sun pushes the mercury up to 28-30°C (82-86°F). This traps unprepared tourists in a cycle of sweating and shivering. By May, the air turns drier, and the sun starts to feel more aggressive, signalling that summer is near. Sunscreen is crucial because even in spring, UV levels remain high. If you’re staying in a riad, check if they have heating because nights can be colder than expected.
Rain is another surprise. March and April bring occasional showers, and Marrakech’s streets aren’t built for rain. They flood fast, turning into a muddy mess. If you’re wearing delicate shoes, expect them to get ruined. A waterproof layer and sturdy footwear will save you. Layering is non-negotiable. Mornings and evenings require a light jacket, long pants, and a scarf, while afternoons call for breathable, long-sleeved cotton tops and skirts or trousers.
2. Summer (June–August) – Only the brave survive
If you hate the heat, don’t visit in summer.
Visiting in summer? Brace yourself – the heat is unrelenting, climbing to 45°C (113°F), sometimes more. Walking outside feels like stepping into an oven and you’ll feel like you’re melting the moment you step outside. The pavement literally burns and the shade offers no relief. Even at night, it rarely drops below 25°C (77°F), making sleep uncomfortable without air conditioning.
If you pack the wrong fabrics, you’ll suffer and overheat quickly. Forget synthetic materials—they trap heat and make sweating unbearable. The only way to survive is with loose, light cotton or linen. Maxi dresses, wide-leg trousers, and loose shirts are essential. Don’t forget a big hat and sunglasses – you need shade wherever you can get it. The best strategy? Explore early in the morning, hide indoors during peak heat, and venture out again at sunset.
A pool is not a luxury in summer—it’s a necessity. No pool? Find another accommodation. If you don’t book a hotel with a pool, you’ll regret it within hours. Air conditioning is also a must, and even then, sleeping in the heat can be brutal. Locals escape the city during this season.
3. Autumn (September–November) – The season of perfection (almost)
Autumn is also the best time for sightseeing. The summer crowds are gone, and you can finally enjoy the souks, palaces, and desert trips without feeling like you’re melting.
By September, the worst heat fades, and the city becomes comfortable again. This is the season smart travellers choose. It still feels like summer in September, with highs around 33°C (91°F). By late October and November, temperatures drop to 23-28°C (73-82°F) during the day and cool 10-15°C (50-59°F) at night. That means you’ll still need summer clothes for the day but a light jacket, a sweater and a scarf for the evenings. This is where many people get caught off guard. They assume the city stays warm 24/7—but once the sun sets, it gets surprisingly chilly.
TIP:
If you’re staying in a traditional riad, check if they have extra blankets. The temperature drops quickly after sunset.
By mid-November, light rain finally returns. Not a lot—about 3 days per month—but enough to make the medina’s stone streets dangerously slippery. A waterproof jacket and closed-toe shoes will keep you from stumbling through wet alleys.
4. Winter (December–February) – The Unexpected cold shock
If you are staying in a riad, check if they have heating, as nights can be colder than expected.
Winters in Morocco are cold – sometimes painfully so. It catches nearly every visitor off guard. Yes, the afternoons reach a pleasant 20°C (68°F), but don’t let that fool you. As soon as the sun sets, temperatures plummet to as low as 6°C (43°F), and suddenly, you’re shivering in a city you thought was hot year-round. The real problem? Most riads and hotels don’t have heating. You’ll be sleeping in the cold, wearing layers inside, wishing you’d packed warmer clothes. A proper coat, warm socks, and gloves are necessary if you plan to be out at night. Jeans are fine for the day, but at night, you’ll want thermal leggings underneath if you hate being cold.
The key to surviving a winter? Layers, a warm coat, scarves, gloves, wool socks, and realistic expectations—it’s not summer. And while rain is still rare, the city gets about 3-4 days of rain per month in winter. The streets don’t drain well, so bring waterproof shoes or regret it later. One silver lining? Winter is off-season, meaning lower prices, fewer tourists, and a chance to see the city without the crowds. If you can handle the cold, it’s a great time to visit.
Final Thought: Pack Smart or Suffer
Marrakech is a city of extremes: brutal summers, shockingly cold winters, unpredictable springs, and nearly perfect autumns. If you don’t pack for the real Marrakesh—not the Instagram fantasy—you’ll end up uncomfortable, frustrated, and scrambling to buy last-minute clothes. This guide just saved you from that fate. Now, pack wisely and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco.
Now you know what to wear in Marrakech as a female traveller!
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