What to wear on holiday in Marrakech

[Marrakeshmaybe]

I’m going to Marrakech over the water holidays and don’t know what to pack to wear.

I’m taking hand luggage only which makes it trickier as I don’t have the option of taking choices.

What would you take for 3 days?

Easter not water holidays 🙄

When I went in my early 20s it was quite warm in the day but cooler at night. I took loose clothes and didn't have bare shoulders etc when walking round - found I had fewer comments in the main souk if I was more covered up.

Long loose dresses, sunhat, flat shoes, and a cotton jacket. Bikini, sleepwear, lingerie, washbag.

If you are going to be walking around the souks etc, you will get quite dirty/dusty, so take enough dresses to wear two per day.

We went in March 2020, the week before lockdown!

The weather was hot in the daytime, but in the evening we needed cardigans or light jackets. There were some very scantily clad people there!
I’d pack shorts and vests, a cardigan in case you go somewhere that expects you to dress modestly, maybe a long summer dress.
The restaurants are all quite hip!

@HelloDulling

Long loose dresses, sunhat, flat shoes, and a cotton jacket. Bikini, sleepwear, lingerie, washbag.

If you are going to be walking around the souks etc, you will get quite dirty/dusty, so take enough dresses to wear two per day.

Yea, and wear trainers!

If you’re planning in having a spa day book in advance - they’re amaz9ng1

Long loose dresses are not a problem but most of mine have a v neck, will that be an issue?

I’d take your dresses and maybe a floaty scarf you can use to cover up if it feels appropriate.

We went at a similar time. I took loose clothing mostly and cardigans for when it got colder. Comfortable shoes, the old town isn't paved and whilst they clean every day it can get quite dusty. Also took a scarve to cover my hair if needed but to be honest you won't need it in Marrakesh.

I didn't massively like Marrakesh, if you can do a day trip to eg Essaouira which is gorgeous and lovely people.

For v neck dresses it's useful to have a light scarf/pashmina so if you go anywhere you feel you want to be more covered then it's easy. It's also a great keep sake to buy when you are there. Lots of lovely silk etc cheaply. Tie it to your handbag when you don't need it. It's a wonderful place. Ask your hotel about tours and shopping and don't be afraid to say 'no, thank you' if you don't want to go into a store. And haggle, it's expected. The red bus city tour is worth doing. Sorry, I'll stop now! You were asking what to wear not what to do...Have a fab time. It's a great city.

That sounds hideous @BattenbergdowntheHatches but maybe naively as a grey haired mid forties woman I’m kind of assuming that won’t be too much of an issue for me

In the old town/souk covering up is better. We went in March 2015 ish and I wore long dresses or cool trousers and had a scarf if I needed to cover up more. Tourists wearing very little were frowned upon and there were women getting some lewd and nasty comments (although generally youngsters with very short shorts/skirts crop tops etc). In the new town, people were dressed in jeans and t-shirt and shopping in 'western' shops. Nothing revealing but certainly not covered from head to toe. I went by the general rule of covering shoulders, knees and no low cut tops. If the v-necks are low, have you got any vest tops you can pop underneath? Or a light scarf you can put around your neck?

I think I should be ok so long as I pack a scarf to cover up. Just need to find the scarf now.

All my dresses are black or pink and black. I basically only wear black but I’m wondering if a black scarf will be too much

@Marrakeshmaybe

Long loose dresses are not a problem but most of mine have a v neck, will that be an issue?

No, honestly, it’s not a great deal different to Barcelona where I went a couple of months before.

I always dress very conservatively (so completely covered up) when I'm there, especially if I'm in the medina. Even when it's superhot. The locals I've spoken with say they appreciate it as they find it more respectful. However, you do see some tourists rather inappropriately dressed but they seem to be in the minority. I keep the shorts and T-shirts etc for inside my riad/hotel.

Even as a middle aged woman, I still get hassled and it gets very tiresome. I tend to take a local guide with me now when I'm out and about as then the hassle stops. Keep your wits about you, especially in the medina. The locals know you're a visitor. The more criminally inclined locals will call ahead and let their friends know there's a potential target on the way. (I have this on good authority from a trusted source who grew up there and still lives in the medina). If you get lost/need help, ask a local woman rather than a man.

It's a fascinating place and I'm sure you'll have a good time. Just stay aware of your surroundings and expect regular attempts to rip you off.

Bring a hat as it can get very hot, also as PP said scarves are useful as a sign of respect to cover up. I’ve been twice and the last time I went it’s definitely become more touristy so I would say you can wear what you might normally wear on a holiday, but just a bit more modest - so I wouldn’t show my shoulders or legs. I mostly wore long dresses and comfy loose fitting trousers and a top with a cardigan or scarf over the top.

Something like these
www.fatface.com/women/womens-clothing/women-new-in/louisa-tencel-cuffed-trousers/973245.html?cgid=women-clothing-new-in&dwvar_973245_color=rust#filterIndex=5&prefn1=refinementType&prefv1=Trousers%7CLeggings+and+Jeggings&start=3

In the evening it does get cooler so bring a warm jumper to wear on top. Sunglasses can also be useful when out and about in the medina so you don’t make eye contact. Don’t wear any ostentatious jewellery, there will be plenty of lovely things there you can buy anyway.

Relax and have fun, it’s a wonderful and spectacular place. One of my favourites.

Also came on to say if you want a day away from the souks and to have a swim and some lunch, the Beldi Country Club is awesome and they do day passes. It’s a short taxi drive away from Marrakesh.

Long dresses plus a cardigan/jacket/scarf to give you a bit more cover if you need it. Definitely worth covering up in the souks - be aware of people trying to scam you/asking you to come with them (they’ll lead you miles away to their shop) and unfortunately trying to touch/grope you. Yes it’s an issue for women - I don’t think being middle aged is going to stop that.

Unfortunately I didn’t love Marrakesh due to the non-stop hassle when you’re out, you might need to plan some respite either elsewhere or book a spa/spend some downtime in your hotel. It’s a bit exhausting. Great aspects of it and I’m sure you’ll have a great time - I did and was glad I went, but wouldn’t go back.

I don’t know if I’ve got the resilience for the hassle, only going as non refundable carried over holiday from pre-lockdown.

It’s not what I’d be booking 2 years later!!

Still will distract myself with looking at light weight scarves 😄

I had a fabulous trip there in December 2019, I'd go back in a heartbeat!

I wore long sleeved, full length dresses- about £20 from Amazon- and a light scarf. Scarf over my head and sunglasses on. I had few problems as I had a large teen son with me.

@BattenbergdowntheHatches that sounds absolutely horrendous.

It might not be that hot - you'll potentially need a jumper and jacket in the evenings. If you are keen on a scarf as a cover up, I'd buy one in the souk - there are loads and they are beautiful. I love Marrakech. It's one of my favourite places ever.

I went in 2019 with a friend. We stayed in an all inclusive hotel just outside of Marrakech, but when we went outside the hotel, we wore loose cotton trousers, long sleeved loose blouse, a headscarf and a fake wedding ring.

I was slightly dreading going as two women on our own, but we didn't encounter any pervy hassle from men at all, which was surprising. We did get some hassle in the souk from people trying to sell us stuff. Walk like you know where you are going, and don't let anyone give you directions that take you further into the souk.

My favourite thing that we did was a day trip to the Atlas mountains, beautiful.

I went 5 years ago and had zero hassle. And I'm blonde.

I loved it.