One of the biggest questions I had before visiting Morocco was simple:

What should I pack?

After spending nine days traveling across Morocco, from bustling medinas and Roman ruins to the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, I learned exactly what was worth carrying and what wasn’t.

To make things even more interesting on this trip, we challenged ourselves to travel with carry-on luggage only for nearly two weeks through Morocco and Spain.

It wasn’t always easy and a big adjustment, but it worked out for us.

You’ll notice I’m sharing quite a few links throughout this article. That’s intentional. I’m often asked what I personally use, wear, and pack when I travel, so I wanted to make everything easy to find. After more than 18 years of international travel, I’ve learned a lot about what’s actually worth bringing, what earns valuable suitcase space, and what I could have left at home.

TLDR; Morocco Packing List at a Glance

Now for the details. Here’s everything that earned a permanent place on my Morocco packing list.

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My Carry-On Setup

One of the best decisions we made was packing light. Even as a chronic over packer.

Because our tour changed hotels almost every night, having only a carry-on and personal item and having it organized made moving from place to place easier. We never had to wait at baggage claim, worry about lost luggage, or drag large suitcases through cobblestone streets and hotel lobbies.

My favorite luggage

• Osprey travel backpack
• Compression packing cubes
• Vacuum storage bags
• Portland Gear compact backpack (personal item)

The vacuum bags gave us just enough room to pack for almost two weeks and I kept them organized by outfit/day, so I only had to open one bag at a time.

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Clothing

Morocco surprised me.

I expected nothing but desert.

Instead, we experienced cities, mountains, valleys, cool mornings, blazing afternoons, and one incredibly hot night in the Sahara.

My clothing recommendations:

• Linen pants – I recommend Athleta or Quince for my taller gals
• Lightweight tops
• Breathable dresses
• Comfortable walking shoes (I wore all White Hoka Clifton 10)
• Comfortable sandals
• Swimsuit
• Travel scarf for cooler mornings, modesty and airplanes
• Lightweight pajamas
• A hat or two that go with all of your outfits

Morocco has a generally modest culture although you’ll see more relaxed and varied styles in larger cities and tourist areas. As a visitor, I felt most comfortable dressing with that in mind, which is why I recommend lightweight pants rather than shorts. Even in the hot season, like when we visited. Loose linen pants were especially practical. They kept me comfortable in the heat while providing a little more coverage.

You don’t need to completely change your personal style but being mindful of local customs goes a long way. I opted for more coverage on the shoulders, chest and legs particularly when we were outside the major tourist areas. This only failed me once… when we went to dinner for my birthday in Marrakech at Safran by Koya. All of my outfits were quite modest, and this place was more of a nightclub. Bring a cute dress along for scenarios such as this.

Morocco is diverse and what feels completely ordinary in Marrakech may feel less appropriate in a smaller or more traditional community.

Don’t overpack.

Most people will wear the same favorite outfits repeatedly and a wash bag makes reuse possible even in the hottest climate. Most days I wore some variation of the same outfit formula, just in different colors. I packed coordinating pieces in white, black, and a natural linen tan that could all be mixed and matched. It gave me plenty of different outfit combinations while keeping my suitcase, and my packing list, surprisingly simple.

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Shoes

You’ll spend a lot of time walking.

The medinas have uneven stone streets. Roman ruins are rocky. There are so many stairs and inclines. The Sahara is obviously sand.

Shoes are one area where I really tried not to overpack. I wanted options but every pair needed to earn its space in my suitcase. I stuck with comfortable, neutral shoes that worked in my white, black, and linen toned pieces, so I could easily mix and match without worrying about whether my shoes worked with the outfit. On this trip, I prioritized comfort over fashion. Bring comfortable shoes you’ve already broken in.

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My MVP Item

Rechargeable Neck Fan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If I could recommend only one item for Morocco…

It would be this.

The heat can be intense, especially during the summer months.

We wore the neck fan almost every day while walking through archaeological sites, markets, and the desert.

I honestly wouldn’t travel Morocco again without one.

Next time I would consider an upgraded version such as this Torras Coolify, but I was super happy with the performance of the one I already had.

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Sun Protection

Do not underestimate the Moroccan sun.

Bring:

• Wide-brim sun hat
• Polarized sunglasses – I never wear sunglasses that aren’t UV protected and polarized. I often buy them as gifts and have been using this brand for years. (Get $20 off your first purchase)
• High SPF sunscreen (Under the 3.3oz limit for carry on, multiple bottles if needed)
• Lip balm with SPF

You’ll thank yourself later.

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Toiletries That Saved Space

These were game changers that didn’t put me over my TSA liquids allowance.

• Everist shampoo & conditioner concentrate
• Toothpaste tablets
• Laundry detergent sheets

Since our hotels didn’t have self-service laundry, being able to quickly wash items during free time came in handy. With the dry Moroccan heat, clothes dried quickly on the balcony.

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Don’t Forget These

Travel soap sheets

I used these constantly, as did others on our trip. They were thankful we did a little research and brought them along.

Many public restrooms either had no soap or only a communal bar of soap.

Having my own soap sheets made me feel much more comfortable.

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Travel toilet paper

Many public bathrooms have attendants who provide toilet paper for a small tip.

Having your own or travel tissue is still a smart backup.

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Power Adapter

Morocco primarily uses Type C and Type E outlets with 220V electricity.

A universal travel adapter and power strip is one of the first things I’d pack.

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Medical Kit

Morocco has a reputation for causing stomach issues for travelers.

Thankfully, I personally did mostly well but was prepared. A lot of our group ended up with a few extra trips to the bathroom. I highly recommend packing:

• Imodium
• Talk with your healthcare provider before traveling about any destination specific medication they recommend.
• Motion sickness medicine
• Electrolyte packets
• Bandages
• Pain reliever
• Allergy medication

Pharmacies are widely available in Morocco. Members of our group were able to buy Z-Paks directly to make for a quick turnaround on ongoing stomach symptoms.

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Wallet essentials

• Visa card
• Mastercard
• A debit card for ATM withdrawals – VERY IMPORTANT
• A little MAD if you can get it at a favorable rate at your financial institution before arriving.
• RFID blocking wallet

Cash is still very important throughout Morocco.

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Technology

Items I used most:

• Phone
• A very good power bank
• Charging cables
• Meta AI Glasses
• Portable fan
• ESIM or international plan

I actually wish I had worn my Meta glasses even more.

The point-of-view footage turned out fantastic.

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Final Thoughts

Packing for Morocco doesn’t need to be complicated.

Pack light.

Stay cool.

Protect yourself from the sun.

Leave room in your suitcase for pottery, scarves, spices, and all the incredible treasures you’ll discover along the way.

Morocco quickly became a memorable trip, and having the right gear helped me spend less time worrying about what I packed and more time soaking in every incredible experience.

If you’re planning your own Moroccan adventure, I hope this list helps you travel with confidence.

Happy travels,

Rachelle