Morocco is an absolutely beautiful country full of amazing architecture, incredible cities, and beautiful deserts. While planning for a trip to Morocco, it is important to take into account the heat, the dryness, and the culture while creating your packing list for Morocco. To save you the trouble of doing the research, I have put together everything you need to know for packing for and planning your trip to Morocco!
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One thing that is important to think about as you plan for your trip to Morocco is that it is a predominantly Islamic culture. This means that, especially for ladies, there are certain styles of dress that are deemed more culturally appropriate and others that can be found offensive. While no one can tell you how to dress because it is your body, it is important to respect the culture of the places that you are going to visit and appreciate. Part of traveling is embracing other cultures, even if you don’t agree with everything.
Key Tips Before You Make Your Packing List For Morocco
- Morocco has a closed currency meaning that once you change your cash to Moroccan money, you can not exchange it to another currency.
- Morocco is a predominantly Islamic country so be aware if you are traveling on Holy Days that you may not be able to do or see much.
- Morocco has a wonderful train system to get from place to place. It is easy to bring a suitcase if you don’t want to bring a backpack as your luggage.
- Most restaurants and all street vendors will only take cash. Make sure to keep cash on you.
Clothing
When it comes to clothing, your packing list for Morocco should focus on how to stay cool in the desert heat, while also covering your shoulders and knees (if you are a lady). Now if you are in Marrakech or Casablanca, Western styles of dress are more widely accepted and you can wear what you like, but as you head out to more religious cities such as Fez or cities more out of the way like Chefchaouen, what you choose to wear should be “non-offensive” to the Islamic culture.
- 3 T-Shirts
- 2 Athletic shirts– Merino wool material or wicking material can be a God-send for your desert days.
- 2 pairs of pajamas
- 1-2 pair of shorts– If you are a male, shorts are ideal for the weather, although most men in Morocco wear pants, it is acceptable (and more comfortable) to wear shorts.
- 2 maxi skirts
- 1-2 pair of travel pants= having a pair of loose fitting pants that are cool in the heat is essential for any trips to the desert. They protect from the sun while also remaining culturally appropriate.
- 1-2 maxi dresses– dresses are the common thing for females to wear in Morocco. However, I packed maxi dresses specifically for the pictures that I was planning on taking. With all of the palaces, mosaics, and amazing arches, you will want to have a nice dress or two that is easy to walk in, but beautiful for pictures.
- 7 pairs of underwear
- 1 regular bra
- 1 sports bra
Shoes
Shoes are actually really simple to plan for in your packing list for Morocco. You can simply wear sandals everywhere. Morocco is one of those places where you can get away with just bringing one good pair of walking sandals and nothing else. Close-toed shoes will get filled with sand and heels are a no-go unless you are staying at the most luxurious place in the city and plan out going out to the fanciest bar around. You will not even need athletic shoes unless you are going hiking.
- One good pair of walking sandals
- Athletic shoes (only if you are going hiking)
Accessories
Accessories are actually some of the most important things to pack for Morocco. Because of the desert weather, it is important to protect yourself from the sand, sun, and heat. Sunglasses are important to protect your eyes and a buff is necessary if you are doing something like quad biking in the desert or going into the desert for a camel tour.
- Sunglasses
- Scarf- A scarf is more important for women to bring as some mosques will not let you in unless your hair is covered. (Keep in mind some mosques will not allow non-muslims in at all).
- Buff
- 1 Cardigan– It can get very cool in the evenings as the temperature drops drastically from the day time. It is good to bring a sweater or cardigan to throw on in the evenings.
- 1 Bathing suit– Many of the riads have pools in the middle of them as one of the drawing factors
Electronics
- EU plug adaptor– Morocco has the same outlets as the European Union so a simply EU or universal travel adapter will work.
- External Charger– I never travel without one. Many of the train rides to get around Morocco are very long. It is good to carry an external charger with you at all times so you can keep your music going and your phone alive for photos.
- Camera– I’m a photographer so I bring a LOT more camera gear than I’ve listed here. If you want to you know what I normally travel with, you can check out my camera gear here.
- Camera Charger
- Headphones
- Polarizing filter– If you don’t know what this is, it’s basically a filter that attaches to your lens and makes everything a bit darker. The sun is SO bright in the desert that having this extra layer will help bring out the colors in your photos and keep them from being overexposed.
- Cellphone
- Cellphone charger
Travel Specific Items for Your Packing List for Morocco
These items are specifically travel related in that you don’t use them usually at home, However, they will help improve the quality of your trip if you make sure to include them in your packing list for Morocco.
- A Quick Dry Towel (if staying in a hostel)
- Packing cubes
- A dayback or sling bag– You will want to carry a water bottle and your camera with you at all times so it is important to bring a bag that can fit both.
- Tripod– Having a tripod, even if it is just for your phone, is ESSENTIAL to getting good photos of yourself while traveling. Sometimes you can get your guide to take photos of you, other times you have to figure it out yourself. Having a tripod makes those awesome pictures that you see others taking possible.
- Reusable Water bottle
Documentation
With the pandemic forever changing the way that we travel, it is important to make sure that you are traveling ethically and making sure that you are not putting others at risk. Entry requirements are always changing so it is important to check your government’s website and Morocco’s tourist website in order to figure out the requirements to even enter and exit the country. As of today, November 2021, the following are recommend to bring to Morocco:
- Passport
- Vaccination Records
- Negative PCR Test
- Copies of passport and vaccination records
Health and Hygiene
Last, but DEFINITELY not least, you cannot forget your health and hygiene items. Most of these items are to help you from the sun and the dryness. If you forget any of these items in your packing list for Morocco, you can easily buy them there as well.
- Sunscreen- PROTECT YOUR FACE FROM THE SUN. Please. This is like the number one skincare tip.
- Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash– If you like eco-friendly or minimalist travel. then I highly recommend getting bar versions of these. I use bar shampoo and conditioner when I travel because it doesn’t add to my liquid quantity for plane rides and it lasts forever.
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Hand sanitizer
- Chapstick– It is very dry in Morocco and you will quickly find your lips getting chapped if you are not used to dry environments.
- Moisturizer– Keep your skin from getting dry and cracked.
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