Packing for Morocco trips people up because it’s really several trips in one. A single week can take you from a 35°C medina to a freezing desert night to a windy mountain pass. Pack for one and you’re caught out by the others.
This is the full checklist — documents, electronics, health, the daypack, and the season and region add-ons. For the clothing side (what’s appropriate to wear and where), see the separate dress code guide; this page focuses on the whole kit so you don’t forget the things that actually matter.
The five things travelers always forget
Start here. These are the items people wish they’d packed, every time.
- A large lightweight scarf. The single most useful thing in the bag — sun cover, sand shield, modesty layer for religious sites, and warmth on cold desert nights.
- A power bank. Your phone dies fast when you’re on maps, photos, and translation all day. Riads and desert camps don’t always have a socket where you want one.
- A headlamp or small torch. Desert camps often run on limited power or none. You’ll want light for the toilet tent and the pre-dawn camel ride.
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes with grip. Medinas are car-free mazes of uneven, slippery cobbles. Heels and flimsy sandals are a bad idea.
- A proper warm layer. Even in summer, desert and mountain nights get cold, and old riads hold the chill in winter. People always underpack warmth.
Documents and money
- Passport (valid at least six months past your trip) plus a photo or copy stored separately.
- Any visa paperwork if your nationality needs one — check before you fly.
- Two bank cards, kept in different places, in case one is blocked or swallowed by an ATM.
- A little cash in your home currency (clean euros or dollars) to change on arrival.
- Travel insurance details, saved offline.
- Accommodation and transport bookings, screenshotted so you can show them without signal.
Electronics and charging
Morocco runs on 220 volts at 50Hz with Type C and Type E sockets — the round two-pin European style.
- Travelers from Europe usually don’t need an adapter at all.
- Travelers from the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and similar need a Type C/E plug adapter.
- Dual-voltage devices (phones, laptops, camera and e-reader chargers, labeled 100–240V) only need the adapter.
- Single-voltage heat tools (some hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons rated 110–120V only) need a voltage converter, or just leave them home — most hotels provide a hair dryer.
Worth adding: a multi-USB charger and a small travel power strip. Riads and desert camps often have just one or two outlets, so one adapter turns into a charging station for the whole group. Buy your adapter before you fly; you can find them in big supermarkets like Marjane or Carrefour, but quality and price are better online at home.
Health and toiletries
Morocco doesn’t require special vaccinations for most travelers, but check your doctor or your country’s official travel-health guidance before you go, and keep routine vaccinations current.
- Any personal medication in its original packaging, with a copy of the prescription.
- A small first-aid kit: pain relief, plasters, anti-diarrhea tablets, rehydration salts.
- Motion-sickness tablets if you’re doing winding mountain roads or long desert transfers.
- Sunscreen and lip balm — strong sun, especially in the south and desert.
- Hand sanitizer and travel tissues (handy, and some public toilets lack paper).
- Refillable water bottle. Drink bottled or filtered water, not tap.
- Basic toiletries; most things are easy to buy locally if you run short.
Your daypack
What you carry each day matters more than the suitcase.
- A zipped crossbody bag worn in front — better against pickpockets than a backpack in crowds.
- Power bank and cable.
- Water bottle, sunscreen, that scarf.
- Small notes and coins for taxis, tips, and stalls (big notes are hard to break — see the money guide).
- Phone with offline maps already downloaded, so you’re not standing in the street looking lost.
- Hand sanitizer and a few tissues.
Add-ons by season and region
Summer (cities and coast). Light, breathable fabrics, a wide-brim hat, strong sunscreen, and sunglasses. Plan shade breaks midday inland.
Winter. A real warm jacket and layers. Cities are mild by day but cold at night, and riads can feel cold inside. The Atlas gets snow.
The Sahara. Loose long trousers and long sleeves for sun and sand, the headlamp, a warm jacket for the night, sunglasses, and that scarf for wind. Wear long trousers for camel riding to avoid chafing.
The Atlas Mountains. Layers — a breathable base, a fleece, and a windproof shell — plus sturdy walking shoes or boots. Mountain weather turns fast.
The beach (Essaouira, Agadir). Swimwear and a cover-up for walking back through town, plus a light layer for breezy evenings.
What to leave at home
- Single-voltage hair tools that need a converter — too much hassle; use the hotel’s.
- Flashy jewelry and valuables you’d hate to lose.
- A drone, unless you’ve sorted permits in advance. Drones are tightly restricted in Morocco and are commonly held or confiscated at the airport — check the current rules before even packing one.
- Too many shoes. One comfortable walking pair, one sandal, one nicer pair is plenty.
- Excess cash. You’ll use ATMs as you go.
FAQ
What is the one thing I shouldn’t forget for Morocco? A large lightweight scarf. It works as sun protection, a sand shield, a modesty cover for religious sites, and warmth on cold desert nights — the most versatile item you’ll carry.
What plug adapter do I need for Morocco? Morocco uses Type C and Type E sockets at 220V/50Hz. Europeans usually need nothing; travelers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia need a Type C/E adapter. Dual-voltage electronics only need the adapter, not a converter.
Can I drink the tap water in Morocco? Stick to bottled or filtered water. Tap water is the most common cause of an upset stomach for visitors. Bring a refillable bottle and refill from safe sources.
Do I need special vaccinations or medication for Morocco? No special vaccinations are required for most travelers, but check official travel-health guidance and your doctor before the trip, and keep routine vaccinations up to date.
Can I bring a drone to Morocco? Be very careful. Drones are heavily restricted and are frequently confiscated at customs on arrival. Don’t pack one without checking and arranging the current requirements first.
What should I pack for the Sahara? Long loose trousers and sleeves for daytime sun, a headlamp for the camp, a warm jacket for the cold night, sunglasses, and a scarf for wind and sand.