Marrakesh Travel Answers

Cover your knees and shoulders. No shorts, no tank tops. Short sleeves are fine.

I've always felt more comfortable wearing long skirt or cotton trousers and long sleeved top in Marrakech - got more respect from locals, but there will be others wearing shorts and vest tops or less!

While the majority Berbers are tolerant and friendly, they are still conservative and the above advice is apt. Not to attract attention by baring yourself, Jamaat Al Fina is very crowded and better to dress conservatively

I have seen this taken to extremes with breast feeding in the middle of a restaurant to low-cut tops and shorts (same women) in the restaurant a few months before it got blown up. My mum was with me and was appalled. She dressed conservatively and even had a scar with her. I (and my mum) personally feel you should respect local culture. That's anything from hand signals, common courtesy, learning to say thank you, etc. There are also places to visit like the historical sites where you need to be covered. If you adopt the dress code they have at the Vatican and similar you can't go wrong. And no, I never wear shorts if the local men don't. I have just sweated the last 2 weeks in West Africa except at the pool. So its more showing respect than it is trying not to offend. If the locals came to where I live I would expect them to dress respectfully (Manchester United shorts or a nice top). Respect opens doors and sometimes insight into local culture. The 2 waiters frozen in disbelief as the woman breast feeding (she essentially removed half of her small top off) in the very middle of the restaurant was amazing. They did not move from where they were until she finished. We (the customers) could not get any response from them. They certainly were not going to have a chat about local life, food, or even give out a menu for that matter. When in Rome....you need to be prepared for both if you want to see anything. Have a great time.

Hi, I go to Morocco and Marakech quite often and frequently - I agree with whats written here about respecting local culture but one of your answers here is from a local Moroccan....I have friends here in London from Marrakech and I have talked to them about this subject ie re previous similar questions and answers and my friends from Marrakech say the same as the answer you got here from a local... I usually wear loose clothing as summer can be so hot, esp in Marrakech 4-45 degrees to have some shade from the sun or tshirts with a shirt that i can take off or put on when Im out and about in the parts of the day where the sun is not at its peak. I also have a friend who is South African and could therefore pass as Moroccan and she has since married a Moroccan based here in London, the family homes are near Marrakech and Casablanca and when they are in Marrakech if its hot then they are commonly in sleeveless dresses which are fine for them...its not as though they are big busty ladies though - they are quite small ladies, if they were big and busty then dressing like that would draw attention to the big bustiness and therefore does not have the same look and effects. Shorts and sleeveless tops are actually fine in Marrakech but it depends on the look - shorts to mid thigh can still give a nicely dressed appearance as opposed to shorts that go to just below the buttocks...tank tops with busty boobs sticking out and huge arms just do not escape attention that a small person may look nicely dressed with. Ive read here in the past wearing bikinis are a no no in Morocco even on the beach in Essaouira, well my Moroccan friends wear bikinis in the public pool in Marrakech and Id have thought shock horror especially reading reactions that questions here evoke about wearing sleeveless tops and shorts in Marrakech and my Marrakechi friends say lots of other Moroccan females are wearing bikinis in the public pool in Marrakech and that of course they can wear bikinis, nearly everyone is, and of course they can wear sleeveless tops...its Marrakech. If someone was walking down one of the main roads in Marrakech with say a sari tied over their bikinis and bikini top Id feel pretty uncomfortable too at how the locals would react (just like I have done when ive seen girls with half their buttocks hanging out of their shorts and walking around Marrakech as if they couldnt care less what the local culture prefers)...as that is not really appropriate to walk around with so much leg and body exposed whereas the public pool it has now become acceptable there. But take layers and go with the flow when you get there. Layers are good as every now and then the weather and temp changes and you might end up surprised at how oold its become one day or night....ive been there in mid June mid summer when its suddenly become icey cold....doesnt happen much but does happen. you might spend most of the time there though in sandles...but bear in mind too theres some great clothes and shoe shops in Marrakech so you can pick up some nice garments to add to your supply esp if you find you want to get more summery clothes for the hot weather, also Marjane the big supermarket on the edge of town has budget clothing and footwear.

Most of my time in Morocco has been in the summer. And although it can be brutally hot, having also been in the Southern US in the summer, I can tell you it's comparable in some ways and different in others. It can be oppressively hot sometimes. Last summer in Marrakech, in June, it was pushing 110 degrees, and Marrakech is not really a true dry heat. The desert is dry, and equally hot...sometimes hotter :) But that being said, I personally hate the heat, and I survived the heat in Morocco and loved my time there. I agree with Maggie - lots of water, AC in your transportation, and a hotel room with AC that you can retreat to, and you'll be fine. Your city choices are great! To mix it up a little you could throw in cool break from the heat and visit Essaouira. Its charming, relaxed, beach city 2 hours away from Marrakech. The weather is great and if you really want a "foodie" experience - find the "local" fish market in the center of the Medina. You can get the freshest fish at 1/3 the cost of the food stands out on the port. Its literally in the center of the medina and little restaurants nearby will grill up your fresh catch on the spot brienbelda@yahoo.com for a few dollars. Its an awesome , very "local" and very delicious experience! And I would definitely say do the desert! Merzouga is the best choice for a Sahara overnight. The camel treks won't leave until the evening when its cooler, and its truly breathtaking to hike the dunes and night, and even sleep out under the stars instead of in your tent. And the guides will take good care of you, lots of water, and good food. As woman, I can say, no scarves neccessary, and you don't even need long sleeves and pants. No one really cares how you dress, Morocco is a very liberal country as Muslim countries go. Its just comes down to how much you care about the attention you attract....which being foreigner, you will attract regardless of what you wear :) If you want to feel less ogled, just don't wear anything too short, or too tight and you'll feel fine. I could go on and on about things to see and do, but hopefully that helps a little! :)

Hi and welcome to VT. And spirited discussion. I think you have contradicted yourself. The attention you get and no one cares... A little respect goes a long way and not doing so can put people off. I also find that in a society, like Morocco that prices and local information are better with a few words in Arabic and modest dress. Open mouthed staring isn't going to tell you the history of a building, directions, etc. I know Easy Jet has opened Morocco to a huge influx of tourists, it hasn't changed the religion or culture. I advise moderation and conservative manners. That's my opinion and its never been anything but of benefit to me in my travels. Respect is very powerful in most cultures. Unfortunately this often makes taking pictures a bit tricky, but a good rooftop - especially in Marrakech, will serve you well. Have a great time, you have a range of opinions and info here. That's why the forums are great. All the best, DAO