Admittedly, when packing for my Morocco Topdeck tripI focused more on style and was preoccupied with questions of what scarf would match what maxi dress. In reality, style be damned, I realised there are key items to bring! Read on for 20 travel essentials to pack for Morocco.
It’s incredible how one minute you aredrinking, no, chugging, water with a scarf wrapped around yourhead out of necessity (not fashion); and the nextyou’re in fuzzy socks and a sweater. It’s a volatile climate that changes swiftly from the Sahara Desert to the top of the Atlas Mountains to the frying-pan heat of Marrakech.
1. Imodium/Gastro Stop
Let’s be honest, traveller’s diarrhoea is a real concern in Morocco and when every single person onthe trip falls ill, Imodium is passed around like Skittles. Lesson here? Bring Imodium to Morocco.
2. Water, plenty of water
It goes without saying that drinking plenty of water in Morocco is necessary. If there is ever a time to be worried about hydration, it’s when you’re inthe Sahara Desert!
3. Socks
Most hotels havecold, stone floors so socks come in handy to keep feet toasty.
4. Electrolyte tablets
If you should unfortunately get a dodgy tummy while travelling, these handy tablets are crucial for keeping you hydrated and giving your body the necessary vitamins needed to avoid dehydration. You gotta be savvy when you pack for Morocco!
5. Sunscreen
You’re in Africa. Enough said.
6. Hat
Protect your face and head from the blazing sun (and early aging) with ahat. Ain’t nobody got time for sunstroke.
7. Insect Repellant
Some relyon the local method of ‘amber stones’ which Moroccans seem to swear by. But if that doesn’t work: the good old tried and tested insect repellant is a must.
8. Head wraps & scarves
Both out of respect to local customs and to protect from the heat, scarves are thebest travel accessory in Morocco. Whether I wrapped them around me when I was cold, wrapped my head when I was hot or covered my hair in a mosque, scarves are necessary.
9. Loose fitting pants
Likewise, loose fitting pants are key when you pack for Morocco. Forget the jeans, the hot weather will just make you feel like you’re walking around in a sausage casing.
10. Long skirts & maxi dresses for the ladies
Similar to the head scarves, it’s out of respect for ladies to bring long dresses and skirts to Morocco to cover up.
11. Appropriate footwear
Sneakers in the High Atlas, sandals in Marrakech, flip flops at the Sahara camp – bring suitable shoes for wherever you’re going. Trust us.
12. Swimsuit
I didn’t think I would need a swimsuit in Morocco, but when we arrived in the Sahara and had time to kill by a hotel pool it was incredible to cool off and evade the heat.
13. A light sweater
The High Atlas Mountains can be cold, so having a light sweater proved surprisingly necessary (not to mention it was great to have on the always freezing international flights). Pack for Morocco – pack for all kinds of weather!
14. Sunglasses
Sunglasses are an obvious necessity in Marrakech to protect your eyes, but also forwalking through the medina tobrowse without a vendor catching yourgaze and hawking their products for the next 15 minutes.
15. Backpack
A day pack is necessary for the Sahara as you’ll ditch your suitcase for a night and just take what you absolutely need.
16. Travel-size toilet paper or bathroom wipes
Just bring it. There are some questionable bathroom situations to be had in Morocco (particularly in the smaller villages) and when you’re confronted with either paying for toilet paper or doing without, you’ll be happy you brought your own.
17. Handsanitiser
A super-handy way to keep your hands clean, particularly as you’ll be eating with them often.
18. Brand products from home you can’t live without
Any face washes, contact lenses solution, feminine products etc. you use on a daily basis should be brought with you because in Morocco, you’ll be hard pressed to find brand names you like back home.
19. Eye mask
I don’t usually wear eye masks while sleeping but in the Sahara the sand blew on our faces all night. Although I woke up still covered head-to-toe in sand, my mask protected my eyes.
20. Adaptor
You should always have this while travelling! Thank us later.
Ready to pack for Morocco and hit the road? Book your next trip to Morocco with Topdeck.
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Nikki is a travel journalist with stories in VICE, Elite Daily, Thought Catalog, FOOD & WINE, The Daily Meal, Matador Network and more; and is the blogger behind The Pin the Map Project, which has been featured on the Zero to Travel podcast, Buzzfeed Life & other travel sites. The Pin the Map Project is part of the Mode Media Network, which reaches 406 million readers worldwide and is ranked #7 out of the top 100 web properties in the world; and speaks to solo traveling, destination guides and more.
