Travel Tips
What to Pack for Morocco?
The complete checklist, by season and trip type (desert, mountain, city).
Here is the complete checklist to print before leaving. Adapted by trip type (desert, mountain, city) and by season.
## Essentials (year-round)
Passport valid 6 months after return date (required)
Travel insurance (repatriation, cancellation) — check that the desert is covered
Money: 1000-2000 MAD in cash (southern inns don't always accept cards)
Bank card without foreign fees (Revolut, N26, Wise)
Adapter: type C and E (French plugs, like in Europe)
Sunscreen SPF 50 (Moroccan sun is intense)
Sunglasses + hat
Reusable water bottle (tap water is not drinkable)
Personal medications + small pharmacy (anti-diarrheal, painkiller, mosquito repellent)
Photocopies of passport and insurance (keep separately)
## Clothes (year-round)
- 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (closed, non-slip)
- 1 pair of flip-flops (showers, hammams)
- 1 light windbreaker (especially for the desert in the evening)
- 1 scarf or cheche (useful against sun, sand, cold)
- 1 swimsuit (hammam, riad, sea)
- Covering clothes for medinas (shoulders + knees)
- 1 light pajamas (desert nights are cool in winter)
## By season
Spring/autumn (Mar-May, Sep-Nov): mid-season jacket, fleece, long and short-sleeve T-shirts, convertible pants.
Summer (Jun-Aug): light linen or cotton clothes, wide-brimmed hat, lots of T-shirts.
Winter (Dec-Feb): down jacket, fleece, beanie, gloves (for Atlas and desert at night).
## By activity
For the desert (Merzouga, Agafay):
- Cheche or keffiyeh (head cover against sun and sand)
- SPF 50 sunscreen + lip balm
- Warm jacket (nights drop to 41-50°F in winter, 59-68°F in summer)
- Headlamp (no electricity at bivouac)
- Power bank
For the Atlas (Toubkal, trek):
- High trekking shoes
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm fleece
- Sleeping bag (provided at refuge, but yours is better)
- Walking poles (provided by guide)
- Category 3 or 4 sunglasses
For the medina and cities:
- Easy-to-remove shoes (mosques and riads are entered barefoot)
- Covering clothes (shoulders + knees)
- Small daypack for day trips (beware of pickpockets)
## What NOT to bring
- Drone: prohibited without authorization (except commercial use with permit)
- Hair dryer / straightener: different voltage and risk of burning out; quality riads provide them
- Flashy jewelry: to avoid in souks and medinas
- Too many jeans: heavy, long to dry, not ideal for the climate
- Very revealing swimsuits: frowned upon outside your riad
## Useful extras
- Small padlock (for youth hostel lockers)
- Foldable cloth bag for souk purchases
- Cleaning wipes (sand and dust are everywhere)
- USB car charger if renting a car
- Your favorite book (wifi is not always available in the South)
## Weight and luggage
- 40-50L backpack: ideal for desert + Atlas tours
- Wheeled suitcase: OK for city stays only
- 15-20L daypack: for day trips
Tip: leave room for souvenirs. You'll come back with a tajine, spices, a rug, argan oil, and probably some traditional clothes.
## Essentials (year-round)
Passport valid 6 months after return date (required)
Travel insurance (repatriation, cancellation) — check that the desert is covered
Money: 1000-2000 MAD in cash (southern inns don't always accept cards)
Bank card without foreign fees (Revolut, N26, Wise)
Adapter: type C and E (French plugs, like in Europe)
Sunscreen SPF 50 (Moroccan sun is intense)
Sunglasses + hat
Reusable water bottle (tap water is not drinkable)
Personal medications + small pharmacy (anti-diarrheal, painkiller, mosquito repellent)
Photocopies of passport and insurance (keep separately)
## Clothes (year-round)
- 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes (closed, non-slip)
- 1 pair of flip-flops (showers, hammams)
- 1 light windbreaker (especially for the desert in the evening)
- 1 scarf or cheche (useful against sun, sand, cold)
- 1 swimsuit (hammam, riad, sea)
- Covering clothes for medinas (shoulders + knees)
- 1 light pajamas (desert nights are cool in winter)
## By season
Spring/autumn (Mar-May, Sep-Nov): mid-season jacket, fleece, long and short-sleeve T-shirts, convertible pants.
Summer (Jun-Aug): light linen or cotton clothes, wide-brimmed hat, lots of T-shirts.
Winter (Dec-Feb): down jacket, fleece, beanie, gloves (for Atlas and desert at night).
## By activity
For the desert (Merzouga, Agafay):
- Cheche or keffiyeh (head cover against sun and sand)
- SPF 50 sunscreen + lip balm
- Warm jacket (nights drop to 41-50°F in winter, 59-68°F in summer)
- Headlamp (no electricity at bivouac)
- Power bank
For the Atlas (Toubkal, trek):
- High trekking shoes
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm fleece
- Sleeping bag (provided at refuge, but yours is better)
- Walking poles (provided by guide)
- Category 3 or 4 sunglasses
For the medina and cities:
- Easy-to-remove shoes (mosques and riads are entered barefoot)
- Covering clothes (shoulders + knees)
- Small daypack for day trips (beware of pickpockets)
## What NOT to bring
- Drone: prohibited without authorization (except commercial use with permit)
- Hair dryer / straightener: different voltage and risk of burning out; quality riads provide them
- Flashy jewelry: to avoid in souks and medinas
- Too many jeans: heavy, long to dry, not ideal for the climate
- Very revealing swimsuits: frowned upon outside your riad
## Useful extras
- Small padlock (for youth hostel lockers)
- Foldable cloth bag for souk purchases
- Cleaning wipes (sand and dust are everywhere)
- USB car charger if renting a car
- Your favorite book (wifi is not always available in the South)
## Weight and luggage
- 40-50L backpack: ideal for desert + Atlas tours
- Wheeled suitcase: OK for city stays only
- 15-20L daypack: for day trips
Tip: leave room for souvenirs. You'll come back with a tajine, spices, a rug, argan oil, and probably some traditional clothes.