Morocco packing list: the complete checklist for your trip

To travel to Morocco with peace of mind and properly prepare your suitcase for Morocco, think in categories: documents and money, clothing, accessories, electronics, and then your first-aid kit. This is the order of the infographic above, and it is also the order of priority: a forgotten sweater can be bought in a souk, but a forgotten passport cancels the trip.

Documents and money

Start with the paperwork. Keep it in a bag you carry with you, never in checked luggage, and make a digital copy of your passport, your driver's license, your insurance certificate, and your prescriptions (a photo on your phone or in an email) just in case.

• Valid passport for the entire duration of your stay: an ID card alone is not sufficient to enter Morocco. Many nationalities, including those from the European Union, are exempt from visas for tourist stays of up to 90 days; check the rule that applies to your passport. Upon arrival, you may be asked for your return ticket.
• A bank card, and ideally a second card just in case the first one is declined or blocked. Before leaving, check with your bank regarding payment and withdrawal fees outside the eurozone.
• A bit of cash in dirhams (MAD) for taxis, tips, and small purchases in the souks. The dirham can only be obtained in Morocco or in limited quantities: exchange it upon arrival, at a currency exchange office, or at an ATM. ATMs are plentiful in cities, but rare in the desert and Atlas villages.
• Your hotel or riad reservations and your flight tickets, printed or saved on your phone.
• A travel insurance certificate covering medical expenses and repatriation: the European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Morocco. Some premium bank cards include travel insurance; check its coverage limits.
• Your driver's license if you rent a car. A European license is generally accepted, but some rental companies require an international driving permit: ask about it when booking.
• A notebook with your addresses, emergency numbers, and those of your embassy, plus a pen for forms. Add your vaccination record and, if you have one, your blood type card.

Clothing

The right clothing in Morocco is light, loose-fitting, and modest. It protects you from the sun and respects local customs. Also, plan for a warm layer: the temperature difference between day and night surprises almost all travelers.

• Lightweight cotton or linen outfits for the day, and light long-sleeved shirts for UV protection.
• Clothing covering shoulders and knees, out of respect for local traditions: sleeved t-shirts, loose pants, long skirts.
• A scarf or a shemagh to protect you from the sun, the wind, or the sand.
• A sweater or a fleece for cool evenings, the desert, or the mountains.
• A swimsuit for the beach, the riad pool, or the hammam, and a modest outfit to slip on as soon as you leave the beach.
• A windbreaker or waterproof jacket from October to March, and a real coat if you go up into the Atlas mountains in winter.
• Warm pajamas: riads and guest houses are rarely heated, and winter nights are chilly.
• A slightly dressy outfit and dress shoes for a dinner or an evening outing in Marrakech or Casablanca.

Shoes

You will be walking a lot, on cobblestones, sand, and trails. Choose shoes that have already been worn, never brand new, to avoid blisters.

• Comfortable sneakers for walking through medinas and souks.
• Sandals or easy-to-remove shoes for visiting sacred sites, the riad, and the hammam.
• Hiking boots that provide good ankle support, with a grippy sole, for the Atlas, gorges, and dunes.
• Dress shoes for going out in the evening.
• Plenty of socks, including warm socks for the desert and the mountains in winter.

Accessories and protection

The Moroccan sun hits hard, even in winter and at high altitudes. Most of these items fit in a small daypack and protect you from sunburns and heatstroke.

• Good quality sunglasses, essential in the desert where the sand reflects the light.
• A wide-brimmed hat or a cap.
• A high SPF (sunscreen) (SPF 50), water-resistant and reef-friendly if you go swimming, to be reapplied every two hours.
• A reusable water bottle, to be filled with bottled water.
• A small day backpack that zips well shut, and a fabric bag for your shopping.
• A sleeping bag for a trek in a mountain hut or a rustic bivouac: desert camps generally provide blankets, ask when booking.
• A waterproof bag to protect your phone and your papers at the beach or in the sand.
• A Swiss Army knife or a multi-tool, only in your checked luggage.

Toiletry kit

Riads often provide soap and shampoo, but not always. Pack the essentials in small sizes, and opt for solid cosmetics: they won't leak and don't count towards your carry-on liquid limits.

• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Soap and shampoo, preferably solid.
• Your face and body care, including a moisturizer: the air is dry, especially in the south.
• Periodic protection: you can find it in big cities, but less easily in villages and the desert.
• Wipes, practical when water is scarce at the campsite.
• Hand sanitizer and tissues, which also serve as toilet paper.

Electronics

Morocco uses type C and E plugs at 220 V, the same as in most continental European countries. If your devices have a different plug (UK, North America), add an adapter.

• A power bank to recharge your phone on the go, in carry-on luggage only.
• Your chargers and cables, plus a plug adapter if needed.
• A camera and a spare memory card, for sunsets over the dunes.
• A headlamp or a flashlight, useful for bivouacking and in case of a power outage.
• Apps downloaded before departure: offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) and Google Translate with the offline Arabic pack.
• A Morocco eSIM installed before you leave, so you have internet as soon as you land. Your phone must be eSIM compatible and unlocked.

First aid kit

You can find pharmacies in all cities across Morocco, but not always the same brands as back home. A small first aid kit prevents you from having to search urgently, especially in the desert or while hiking. Prepare it with your doctor, and bring enough medication for your entire stay.

• Your personal medications, in their original box, with the prescription.
• Anti-diarrheals and rehydration salts.
• Painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen).
• Antihistamines if you are prone to allergies.
• An after-sun cream against sunburn.
• An anti-mosquito repellent, useful in spring and summer in the oases and on the coast.
• Bandages, compresses, and disinfectant.
• Saline solution for eyes irritated by sand and wind.
• Water purification tablets if you're going trekking.

If you could only keep 7 items in your suitcase, these would be them. Everything else can be bought on-site, often for less.

1. Your passport, valid throughout your entire stay.
2. A bank card and a few dirhams in cash.
3. Your personal medications, with the prescription.
4. A scarf or a shemagh: shoulder cover in the medina, protection against sand in the desert.
5. Sunscreen and sunglasses.
6. A fleece, for cool evenings and nights in the desert.
7. A connected phone, with a Morocco eSIM for maps, taxis, and reservations.

What is easy to buy in Morocco: sandals, scarves, babouches, common brand sunscreen, water bottles, black soap, and hygiene products. What is better to bring: your medications, your contact lenses and their cleaning solution, a mineral sunscreen if you have sensitive skin, and a good pair of already broken-in walking shoes.

Here are the items not to forget, the ones you only notice once you're there. None of them are expensive, but each one saves you from a hassle on the big day.

• Tissues or toilet paper: many public toilets and cafes do not provide them.
• Small change in dirhams for tips, paid toilets, and taxis.
• A copy of your passport, separate from the original.
• A headlamp for desert bivouacking or dimly lit alleys.
• A fabric bag for your shopping: plastic bags are prohibited in Morocco.
• Earplugs, to block out the call to prayer at dawn if you are sleeping near a mosque.
• A small padlock for your suitcase or a locker.
• A written address of your riad, in both French and Arabic, for taxis: the streets of the medina do not always have legible names.
• Warm pajamas and thick socks for winter nights in a riad without heating.
• A sleep mask for short bivouac nights, where the sun rises early over the dunes.

Morocco is a Muslim country, but it does not impose any dress code on travelers. It is about respect and comfort: modest clothing and appropriate attire will help you blend in more easily in the souks, and loose fabric protects better from the heat than a tank top. The simple rule: shoulders and knees covered in town, casual wear at the beach and by the pool.

For women

Prioritize long dresses and skirts, wide-leg linen trousers, and short-sleeved or long-sleeved tops, without plunging necklines, transparency, or tight-fitting clothing. A large scarf in your bag can be used to cover your shoulders when entering a religious site, cover your hair if requested, or protect you from the sun. In Marrakech, Agadir, or Casablanca, in modern neighborhoods, outfits are more relaxed; in the Atlas villages and southern Morocco, stay more covered. At the beach, a one-piece swimsuit is the most discreet, and you should put on a covering outfit when leaving the sand.

For men

Shorts are fine for the beach and seaside resorts, but lightweight canvas or linen trousers, or knee-length bermuda shorts, are more appropriate in town and essential for visiting religious sites. Tank tops and bare chests are poorly perceived outside of the beach. A linen shirt remains the coolest option.

To visit a mosque or a mausoleum

Entry to Muslim places of worship is prohibited to non-Muslims in Morocco, with the exception of a few major tourist sites. The most well-known is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which can only be visited via guided tours. For these visits, as well as for mausoleums and medersas open to the public, arms and legs must be covered, and shoes must be removed at the entrance: hence the benefit of wearing shoes that are easy to take off.

Located in North Africa, the Kingdom of Morocco has very different climates: the Moroccan territory ranges from the Mediterranean to the Sahara, and a large part of the country is mountainous. A suitcase packed for Marrakech is not enough for the High Atlas or for a night in the dunes. Here is what to add depending on the region you are going to visit. To choose your dates, also consult our article when to go to Morocco.

Marrakech, Fez and the imperial cities

In Marrakech, the average temperature exceeds 37 °C in the afternoon during July and August, then drops to around 6 °C at night in January. In Fes, winters are cooler and rainier. Plan for light and modest clothing for the day, a dressy outfit for dinner in a riad or restaurant, and a sweater for winter evenings on terraces.

Regarding footwear, the cobblestones and narrow alleys of the medina demand comfortable sneakers. Save the sandals for the riad. If you are visiting Marrakech at the end of the year, our article Marrakech in December details the weather day and night.

The desert: Merzouga, Zagora, Agafay

In the desert, the temperature gap between day and night is the greatest in the country. In Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara, it is 17 °C in the afternoon in January and 2 °C at night, and frost is not uncommon at the bivouac in the middle of winter; in July, average highs reach 39 °C and peaks exceed 40 °C. Avoid the desert in the middle of summer if you can, and aim for October to April. At the bivouac, you sleep in a canvas tent: the night is cold throughout this entire period. Add to your suitcase:

• A shemagh or a large scarf against the sand and the wind, which often picks up in the afternoon, tied around the head and face.
• A fleece or a lightweight down jacket, a beanie and warm socks for the night, or even a sleeping bag if your campsite is rustic.
• Closed-toe shoes: the sand burns during the day and sandals fill up with sand.
• A headlamp for the camp.
• Wipes and a waterproof bag to protect your phone and your camera from sand.
• A well-filled water bottle and some provisions (dried fruit, cereal bars) for long drives.
• Modest clothing for walking through villages and ksour.

The High Atlas and the Middle Atlas

In the Atlas, the temperature drops with altitude, and you must distinguish between the valleys and the summits. Toubkal peaks at 4,167 meters, the highest summit in North Africa, and snow stays on the ground in winter above approximately 2,500 meters. It often freezes at night in Imlil and in Middle Atlas villages like Ifrane, and showers are frequent in winter and spring. For a hike, even a day trip departing from Marrakech, think in layers: technical t-shirt, fleece, and waterproof windbreaker.

Add well-broken-in hiking boots, trekking poles to relieve your knees during descents, a beanie and gloves from November to March, and a warm coat or a parka if you are aiming for a summit in winter. Keep a water bottle and sunscreen handy: at high altitudes, the sun burns even when the air is cold. In summer, the valleys remain warm during the day: hiking shorts and a light t-shirt are sufficient for daytime.

The Anti-Atlas and the southern valleys

Drâa Valley, Dadès and Todgha gorges, Rose Valley, Tafraout: southern Morocco is dry, very hot during the day in summer, and cool at night in winter. Pack light but covering clothes, a scarf to protect against the sun and wind, walking shoes for the gorges, a hat, a fleece, and a swimsuit for the kasbah pools and oasis springs. In spring, insect repellent is useful near the palm groves.

The Atlantic coast: Essaouira, Agadir, Taghazout

On the Atlantic coast, temperatures remain mild all year round: around 21 °C in the afternoon in winter and 27 °C in summer in Agadir, and between 18 and 22 °C in Essaouira. Thanks to the ocean, Essaouira and Casablanca remain pleasant all year, without intense heat in summer or real cold in winter. The Atlantic Ocean water remains cool, between 17 and 21 °C, and the wind blows strongly in Essaouira during spring and summer. The Mediterranean coast to the north is warmer in summer, both in the water and on the beach. Bring your swimsuit, a beach towel, a waterproof bag, sunscreen, a sweatshirt or a windbreaker for the end of the day, insect repellent in the autumn, and a slightly dressy outfit for the evening.

Surfing, snorkeling and swimming

For a surf camp in Taghazout or Imsouane, the combination is rented on-site with the board: save space for waterproof sunscreen and an anti-UV lycra. For snorkeling or swimming in the Oualidia lagoon, a mask, water shoes, and a fast-drying microfiber towel are enough.

What clothes should you pack for Marrakech or Agadir?

These are the two most in-demand destinations, and their suitcases are nothing alike. In Marrakech, an inland city, everything revolves around the temperature gap: 38 °C in the afternoon in July, 6 °C at night in January. Plan for loose linen or cotton clothing that covers shoulders and knees for the medina, a sweater and a jacket from November to March, and dressy outfits for dinners in riads and restaurants in Guéliz or Hivernage.

In Agadir, a seaside resort on the Atlantic coast, the atmosphere is more relaxed and the climate more stable: from 21 °C in the afternoon in January to 27 °C in August. The suitcase revolves around the beach: swimsuits, towels, flip-flops, sunscreen, t-shirts and shorts for strolling along the waterfront, plus a sweatshirt or a windbreaker for the evening, when the ocean breeze cools the air. If you combine both cities, use Marrakech as your base and add the Agadir beach kit.

The north: Tangier, Chefchaouen, Tetouan

Northern Morocco is the wettest region: Tangier sees 11 to 12 rainy days per month from November to February. In winter, slide a waterproof jacket, a compact umbrella, a sweater, and water-resistant shoes into your suitcase. In summer, it's all about the Mediterranean: light outfits, swimwear, and sun protection. Chefchaouen, in the Rif, is cooler than the coast: a warm layer remains useful in the evening.

To know which clothes to pack, check the temperatures in your region during your travel season. Each box shows the average afternoon temperature followed by the nighttime average, based on 1991-2020 climate normals (one representative month per season). These are averages: heatwave days can exceed 40 °C in Marrakech, Fez, and the desert, and winter nights can drop below 0 °C in the south and in the mountains.

Two main seasons are often distinguished in Morocco: a hot, dry season from April to September, and a cooler, wetter season from October to March, when rains water the north and the mountains. The season changes the contents of your suitcase as much as the region. Temperatures are shown in the table above; here is what you should add to the base of your suitcase:

• In spring (March to May): light outfits, a sweater, a light jacket, and repellent for the oases.
• In summer (June to August): loose linen and cotton, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and a swimsuit for the coast.
• In autumn (September to November): light outfits during the day, a fleece for the desert and the Atlas.
• In winter (December to February): sweater, light puffer jacket, waterproof jacket, beanie for the desert and the mountains.

The most common mistake is underestimating winter and forgetting warm clothes. An afternoon at 20 °C in the sun tells you nothing about the evening in a riad without heating. If you are leaving at the end of the year, read our article Morocco in December, featuring temperatures from eleven cities.

With children, the basics remain the same, with a few additions. Little ones handle heat and sun less well, and days in the medina are long for small legs.

• A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a special sunscreen for children.
• T-shirts and lightweight shorts for the day, warm outfits for the evening, and doubles for the little ones.
• Closed and comfortable shoes: cobblestones and sand can quickly hurt little feet in sandals.
• A small backpack that the child carries themselves, with their water bottle and their comfort toy.
• A lightweight stroller or a baby carrier: the medina's alleys are narrow, paved, and sloped, so a baby carrier goes everywhere.
• The children's first aid kit: age-appropriate antipyretics, rehydration salts, thermometer.
• How to keep them occupied in the car or on the plane: books, games, headphones.

Yes, but it all depends on your airline and your fare. The general rule: a small bag that fits under the seat is almost always included, but a rolling carry-on suitcase is not always. Here are the rules of the main airlines serving Morocco, as of September 2026:

In other words, with Royal Air Maroc you can take a carry-on suitcase and a backpack at no extra charge. With low-cost airlines, the backpack goes for free if it meets the dimensions of a small bag, but the carry-on suitcase must be paid for. Always check your ticket before leaving: dimensions are checked at boarding. Regarding liquids, each cabin bottle is limited to 100 ml, in a one-liter transparent bag: argan oil purchased in a large bottle must travel in checked luggage on the way back.

Hard suitcase or backpack?

For a stay in a single riad or a seaside hotel, a rolling suitcase is the most practical: a hard-shell suitcase also better protects your belongings from dust and impacts, as well as your fragile souvenirs on the way back. For a tour (medinas, desert, Atlas), a soft travel bag wins: wheels get stuck on cobblestones, medina alleys are closed to cars, and 4x4 transfers leave little room in the trunk. The perfect combo: a medium suitcase (around 70 cm) or a travel bag secured with a padlock, plus a small 20 to 30-liter backpack for day trips. In checked luggage, the most common allowance in economy class is 23 kg, depending on your fare.

How to dress for your flight to Morocco?

Wear your heaviest clothes: sweater, jacket, and walking shoes. You save space in your suitcase and stay warm on the air-conditioned plane. Choose loose-fitting cotton or linen clothing and socks. Keep your documents, medications, charger, power bank (prohibited in checked luggage), and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag in case your suitcase arrives late.

Morocco has banned plastic bags and struggles with waste management in remote areas, from the desert to Atlas villages. A few items are enough to travel light without leaving a trace:

• A water bottle, ideally a filtering one, to limit plastic bottles.
• A fabric bag and reusable pouches for your purchases and belongings.
• Solid cosmetics: soap, shampoo, deodorant, that won't leak in your suitcase.
• A bamboo toothbrush and washable tissues.
• A marine-friendly sunscreen for swimming.
• A natural repellent made from essential oils, to complement your usual repellent.
• A pocket ashtray if you smoke, so you don't leave anything in the sand.
• A solar charger for bivouacking and trekking.

Some items have no place in your suitcase for a trip to Morocco, either because they are prohibited or because they make your life more complicated:

• A drone: it is forbidden to bring a drone into Morocco without prior authorization. It will be confiscated at customs and a fine will apply.
• Plastic bags: since July 1st, 2016, law 77-15 prohibits their manufacture, importation, and use. Pack your belongings in fabric pouches.
• Large quantities of dirhams: you can only export or import up to 2,000 dirhams in banknotes. Exchange the rest on-site, at a bureau de change, or at an ATM.
• Over-the-counter medications: keep them in their original packaging with the prescription. Narcotics and certain psychotropic substances require medical certificates and Moroccan authorization: check the requirements before you leave.
• A hair dryer: most hotels provide them, and dry air does the job.
• Large format bottles: carry travel sizes or solid cosmetics.
• Useless jewelry and valuables, as well as very short or transparent outfits, which are not well suited outside of the beach.

Keep your belongings safe while you're there

Morocco is a welcoming country, but pickpockets operate in the crowds of the souks and squares like Jemaa el-Fna. Don't show your valuables, wear your bag in front of you, and only carry enough money for the day: credit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and shops in the cities. Avoid isolated alleys at night and take official taxis, asking for the meter or agreeing on a price before getting in.

The only essential that weighs nothing in your suitcase is internet. In Morocco, you need it for Google Maps in the medina, to order a taxi, confirm a transfer to the desert, or call your loved ones on WhatsApp. The simplest way is an eSIM: you install it before departure and connect as soon as you land, without searching for a shop at the airport. With voilà eSIM, you enjoy excellent value for money, an easy-to-install eSIM, an easy-to-use app, and 24/7 human customer support. The Morocco eSIM plans use the Orange Morocco network in 4G and 5G, for data only:

For a week with GPS, messaging, and a few shared photos, the 5 GB plan is enough. You call via WhatsApp or FaceTime. To compare this with a local SIM card or your operator's roaming, read our article internet in Morocco. First, check that your phone is compatible:

Save some space in your suitcase for the trip back: Moroccan craftsmanship is one of the great reasons for traveling. The most sought-after souvenirs:

• Argan oil, used for cosmetic or food purposes, produced in the southwest of the country around Essaouira and Agadir.
• Spices: ras el hanout, cumin, Taliouine saffron, to be purchased vacuum-packed.
• Black soap and the kessa glove, to bring the hammam experience to your home.
• Babouches and leather goods from Fes and Marrakech.
• Ceramics from Safi and Fes, and basketry.
• Green tea and a teapot for mint tea.
• A Berber rug, for the largest budgets: it is often shipped.

Customs rules upon return

Morocco is not part of the European Union: upon returning to an EU country, your purchases are subject to duty-free allowances. Traveling from France, a traveler aged 15 and older arriving by plane can bring up to $430 worth of goods tax-free ($150 for those under 15), plus 200 cigarettes and 1 liter of strong alcohol per adult. Beyond this, you must declare your purchases and pay the duties.

Two pitfalls to avoid. Counterfeits (fake bags, fake watches, fake jerseys) are prohibited in any quantity: they are seized and can lead to a fine. And ancient or art objects can only leave Morocco with official authorization: for an antique rug or an antiquity, ask the seller for the certificate.