Women travellers & dress code
Do women have to cover their hair in Morocco in summer?
No, women do not have to cover their hair anywhere in Morocco, in summer or any other season — Morocco is a Muslim country but not one that requires head covering for visitors. You’ll see plenty of Moroccan women with uncovered hair in the cities, and tourists are under no obligation at all, except inside a working mosque or shrine that a non-Muslim can enter.
What helps in the heat is covering shoulders and knees rather than hair, which keeps you cooler and draws less attention in conservative areas and smaller towns. A light scarf is still worth carrying — it’s useful for sun, dust, and stepping into a religious site.
The general rule is simply to dress a little more modestly than you might at a European beach, especially away from tourist resorts. Do that and your hair can stay exactly as you like it.
Planning a trip and want this sorted for you? We’re a local Berber team in Merzouga — tell us your dates and we’ll build a route, handle the logistics, and answer every question like this one before you arrive.