In Marrakech the golden rule is layers: the gap between afternoon and night is often more than 15 °C. Pack light, loose clothes for the day, a warm layer for the evening (even in spring and autumn), comfortable closed shoes and an outfit covering shoulders and knees for the medina.
Three principles
- Layers: T-shirt, light shirt, jumper or fleece, jacket. Take off in the afternoon, put back on at sunset.
- Light and loose: linen and cotton breathe and protect from the sun far better than synthetics.
- Closed shoes: medina alleys are cobbled, dusty, sometimes slippery and full of scooters.
Season by season
| Season | Daytime | Evening | Don’t forget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Light jumper, 18-21 °C | Coat, 5-8 °C | Warm pyjamas, scarf |
| Spring (Mar-May) | T-shirt, 23-29 °C | Jumper, 10-15 °C | Rain jacket in March |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Linen, 34-38 °C | Light, 18-21 °C | Hat, water bottle, SPF 50 |
| Autumn (Sep-Nov) | T-shirt, 23-33 °C | Jumper, 11-19 °C | Jacket for the desert |
For month-by-month detail see our Marrakech climate page. Our home page also gives a daily “What to wear” list based on the real forecast.
Respectful dress in the medina
There is no dress code imposed on visitors, but covering shoulders and knees is appreciated in the medina and traditional neighbourhoods, for women and men alike. A large light scarf is the perfect accessory: it protects from sun and dust and covers your shoulders when needed. In hotels, by the pool and in the modern districts (Guéliz, Hivernage) dress is more relaxed.
Desert, Atlas and ocean
- Agafay or Merzouga desert: a warm jacket for the night in every season except summer, a scarf against sand, sunglasses.
- Atlas (Imlil, Ourika, Oukaïmeden): walking shoes, fleece and windproof; mountain gear in winter.
- Essaouira: a windbreaker, essential even in summer because of the trade winds.
Checklist
- Sunglasses and SPF 30-50 sunscreen (UV up to 11 in summer)
- Hat or cap
- Reusable water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes + sandals
- Jumper or fleece and an evening jacket
- Versatile light scarf
- Swimwear (April to October)
- Plug adaptor: type C and E sockets, 220 V