Seasonal Planning for Morocco Travel
Spring and fall are the most popular seasons for a Morocco adventure, with kimkim travelers choosing May and September as their prime vacation time. The weather is at its best countrywide, where the nights in the Sahara won't be as chilly as in the winter nor sweltering hot in the summer, and the beaches remain inviting, though best visited in September.
Meanwhile, touring the cities during these months is relatively enjoyable with the more agreeable weather; it's less sweltering inland in places like Fes and Marrakesh during the day. You may also find discount prices on tours and accommodation earlier in spring and later in fall (barring the holidays). That said, Morocco is a destination worth visiting at any time of year, as long as you take into account the varied climate and weather of the country's different regions—from the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts to the dunes of the Sahara and the mountainous interior—and plan your trip accordingly.
| Seasons | Pros | Cons | Best for | Where to Visit |
|
Spring (Mar-May) best for food, nature, and/or culture lovers |
Festival season; pleasant weather nationwide; blossoming flowers |
Crowds (esp. around Easter), prices are at a premium; oceans are cold (more inviting toward the end of May) |
Cities, outdoors, Sahara, hiking, cultural activities (joining local practices/ traditions around Ramadan) |
Valley of the Roses, the stretch between Marrakesh and Ouarzazate (for the almond blossoms), cities, desert |
|
Summer (Jun-Aug) best for active travelers who don't mind the heat |
Less crowded; pleasant weather along the coast and in the mountains; somewhat less costly |
Locals flock to the coast and cities, creating noise and crowds (schools are out); it's hot nearly everywhere, especially in Marrakesh |
Kite surfing, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and cultural activities in the mountains and off the beaten track |
The Rif and Atlas mountains, Chefchaouen, Atlantic: Essaouira and Dakhla for kitesurfing |
|
Fall (Sep-Nov) best for first-time visitors |
Sunny and pleasant weather across the country suits most activities |
High season for foreign travelers; an uptick in prices |
Cities, outdoors, Sahara, hiking in the Atlas mountains, visiting the coast, swimming |
Imperial cities, Todra Gorge, Dadès Valley, Toubkal National Park, Imlil for hiking, Erg Chebbi, Erg Chigaga |
|
Winter (Dec-Feb) best for adventurous travelers |
Offseason deals and discounts (excluding Christmas and New Year); fewer tourists; most hotels have heating |
Nights are cold; expect rain, especially in the north and along the coasts |
Cities, hiking in the south, cultural activities, skiing in the mountains, warming in a hammam |
Southern areas, Aït Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Merzouga, Todra Gorge (for hiking) |
Spring in Morocco (March to May)
Though cooler than the fall, spring is an equally excellent time to book a trip to Morocco, with May—the gateway to summer—being the optimal month. Perfect for travelers who love to spend time out of doors, the day's heat is still reasonable in most places, and nature is in full bloom. Overall, spring temperatures are pleasant, the skies are clear and sunny, and the landscapes are bright and green; March marks the beginning of the season, with budding trees and flowers. By April, the days will be warmer and longer (evenings will still be cool), though there's the chance of sandstorms in the Sahara due to strong winds.
Temperatures in April reach a high of 75°F (24°C) in many places, while the coastline is a bit cooler, though you'll find the Atlantic coast warmer than the Mediterranean the farther south you venture. In Marrakesh, the weather sits around 75°F (24°C) during the day and drops to lows of 54°F (12°C) at night. Such pleasant weather draws like-minded sightseers, so you'll want to book your accommodation in advance to ensure you get your first pick.
Morocco's natural beauty is impossible to ignore, and neither should the food scene. Fresh fruits and vegetables are available, and many regions highlight their produce. And if Ramadan falls in the spring, prepare Iftar with a local family and indulge in delicious dishes; restaurants, too, remain open for tourists who can eat and drink freely, even if locals are fasting. Consider this 13-day spring-themed itinerary that leads you from Tangier and Chefchaouen in the north to imperial cities Fes and Marrakesh. You'll explore sweetly scented Kelâat M'Gouna's Rose Festival and check out the almond blossoms that add color to desert scapes like Aït Benhaddou and Boumalne Dades.
Events in Spring
International Nomads Festival, M'Hamid El Ghizlane (March). This three-day festival, which takes place in the remote Saharan village, celebrates nomadic culture. The open-air event features local musicians, dancers, writers, and craftspeople, plus traditional food and educational workshops. Dates vary, but the festival usually happens toward the end of the month.
Sufi Music & Cultural Festival, Fes (April). This eight-day celebration of Sufi music brings a roster of musicians, artists, and spiritual leaders from all over the world for more than a week of festivity.
Festival of Roses, Kelâat M'Gouna (May). In the aptly named Valley of Roses, Kelâat M'Gouna hosts this lively celebration coinciding with the harvest of Damascus rosebuds, the basis for rose water. Expect Berber dancers, traditional food, and, of course, plenty of rose-related products to buy. Check ahead for specific dates and times, as these vary every year.
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Morocco in March
Morocco in April
Morocco in May
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Summer in Morocco (June to August)
Morocco is sweltering in the summer, with July being the hottest month. You can expect daily and nightly averages of 83°F (29°C) and 70°F (21°C) in Marrakesh, with highs reaching upward of 100°F (38°C) by midafternoon. If you can stand the heat, visiting major cities in the country's interior shouldn't be off-limits, but you'll want to add visits to the coast and/or excursions in the Atlas or Rif mountains to your itinerary. The Sahara in Morocco's east will be extremely hot, so it's best experienced early morning or evening when the sun has set. However, don't be fooled by the day's extreme heat, as nights can be significantly cooler.
During the summer season, locals flock to the coasts, particularly along the calmer (and warmer) Mediterranean. In contrast, the slow-to-warm Atlantic offers major waves drawing the active to its shores for a variety of water sports, namely kitesurfing. Check out this nine-day itinerary that takes you from the cool gardens of Marrakesh into the High Atlas mountains and Agafay Desert to the coastal kitesurfing haven of Essaouira. Or, see more of Morocco's cities on this 12-day trip plan, dividing your time between Tangier, Chefchaouen, the imperial cities of Fes and Marrakesh, and Essaouira.
Events in Summer
Gnaoua World Music Festival, Essaouira (June). The seaside city hosts a three-day festival paying tribute to the Gnaoua (also known as Gnawa), an ethnic group indigenous to the Maghreb. Historically, Essaouira is the center for Gnaoua music, but the festival also features pop, jazz, rock, and other contemporary music forms. The beachfront setting makes this event one of the coolest places to be in June.
Feast of the Throne, Nationwide (July 30). The national holiday marks the anniversary of King Mohammed VI's ascendance to the throne. Expect fireworks, food, and street parades, but only after dark if the Feast of the Throne falls during Ramadan.
Setti Fatma Moussem, Ourika Valley (August). One of Morocco's most important religious festivals, this mid-August event features agricultural displays, religious rituals, and plenty of traditional food.
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Morocco in June
Morocco in July
Morocco in August
Fall in Morocco (September to November)
Fall is one of the ideal seasons to explore Morocco (next to spring), particularly for first-time visitors and those looking to cover the highlights. The weather, though hotter than the spring months, is less oppressive than in summer, with mild low temperatures of 58°F (15°C) and maximum daytime highs around 84°F (29°C) in Marrakesh. And as there's also very little rainfall to contend with, packing shorts and T-shirts is best, with layers for the cooler evenings, especially sweaters and a light jacket for the desert and mountains.
If you find yourself in the Atlas mountains, you can expect even cooler temperatures, helping along the changing foliage. While on the coasts, you may notice the heat of the sun is in direct competition with the chill of the ocean breeze. However, this should not deter you from experiencing the coast as they're less crowded now (locals have returned home), though, by November, the ocean might be best experienced by those donning a wetsuit.
Fellow travelers looking to take advantage of the fair weather, head to the cities and go on Sahara-related adventures, so it's wise to book accommodations and tours well in advance. See this classic 10-day itinerary that offers cities like Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, and Marrakesh, as well as desert excursions beyond the Atlas mountains to camp under the stars in a Bedouin-style tent outside of Merzouga.
Events in Fall
Oasis Festival, Marrakesh (September). An Ibiza-style electronic music festival set outside Marrakesh that's increasingly popular every year. Check the website for exact dates and a lineup.
Erfoud Date Festival (October). This three-day festival happens in Erfoud, the center of date production and home to nearly a million date palms. After the dates are harvested yearly, a celebration follows with parades, food, music, races, and the crowning of the "Date Queen."
Moroccan Independence Day, Nationwide (November 18). Morocco celebrates its independence from French rule every year on November 18. Expect colorful festivals, parades, and parties all over the country, and especially in larger cities.
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Morocco in September
Morocco in October
Morocco in November
Winter in Morocco (December to February)
Contrary to what some might think, Morocco has a winter season. It gets cold enough in the Atlas mountains for snow, where you can even book yourself a ski holiday (best in January). Elsewhere, it's bright and sunny, though cool (compared to other times of the year). Marrakesh, for example, has average lows of 43°F (6°C) and highs of 66°F (19°C). Adding to the pleasant weather, there's minimal rainfall, with about 2 inches (51 mm) or less of expected rain over 7-11 days a month, most of which falls in the north, leaving southern Morocco a little drier. Referred to as the "cold country with the hot sun," be mindful temps drop once that sun sets.
Yet compared to much of the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, Morocco's weather in winter is downright balmy, especially in February, as the mercury begins to rise. Pack a raincoat just in case, and take to the medinas of Morocco's cities—great for exploring now that there are fewer crowds and prices are at their lowest, with February being the cheapest month for travel. If seeking to explore the Sahara, nights are cold (like elsewhere), but most camps have heating, so you'll be able to experience the country in relative comfort.
Read Winter Adventure in Southern Morocco for an exciting 10-day itinerary that takes you from Marrakesh to the coast, loops through Taroudant, and into the lesser-visited (but no less impressive) Erg Chigaga dunes.
Events in Winter
Tan Tan Moussem (December). This legendary festival in southeast Morocco brings together more than 30 Indigenous tribes for camel racing, traditional dancing, and horse competitions.
Yennayer (January 12). Morocco celebrates Yennayer (or Amazigh New Year) annually to mark the start of the crop year in traditional Berber communities nationwide. Celebrations are particularly lively in the Berber villages of the Middle Atlas mountains, where the locals sing, dance, and prepare traditional foods.
Almond Blossom Festival, Tafraoute (February). An annual harvest celebration featuring traditional Berber art forms, from live music to folkloric dance, and a range of almond products for sale.