Trying to choose the best time to visit Morocco doesn’t have to be complicated. However Morocco is a big country, and first it’s best to determine if your main goal with visiting is to see the Moroccan mountains, the Sahara, the beaches, or simply stroll around the Marrakech medina.
Morocco is a land of sand and coastline. Desert landscapes and mountains dominate the country’s interior, with its cities hiding labyrinthine marketplaces.
It’s fine to explore when the weather’s mild, but when it’s scorching hot and the sun is beating down on you? It can make for a miserable time. So we’re helping you decide when the best time to visit Morocco is, with an in-depth look at what’s going on weather (and festival) wise in this North African nation.
When is The Best Time To Visit Morocco?
High season (June-August)
This is the time when European tourists take their summer break and the streets of Morocco are very busy. However this doesn’t mean it’s the best time to travel Morocco. As mentioned it’s the hottest times of the year so try to avoid this travel time if you can.
Shoulder Season (March-May, September and October)
There really is no true shoulder season, as it’s always a great country to visit. However with Europeans back to work, the tourism dies down a bit during these months. It’s also not so incredibly hot making it a great time to travel to Morocco. Morocco is lovely in both spring and autumn, especially if you are spending time hiking outdoors.
Low Season (November-February)
These are some of the cooler months of the year in Morocco, but it’s not really that cold with temperatures hovering around 20°C, with around 10-11 hours of sunshine per day.
Our opinion on the Best Time of Year to Visit Morocco?
In my opinion, the best time of year to travel to Morocco is in the Spring and Autumn when the weather is cooler and tourism has gone down. That being said I also visited Morocco once in February and had a fantastic time, never saw rain, enjoyed lower prices, and walked around in pants and a long sleeve tunic comfortably.
When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Morocco?
The cheapest time to visit to travel to Morocco is in the low season (November to February) when Moroccan riads will be empty and lowering their prices. That being said, Morocco is never a crazy expensive destination to visit.
When is the Best Time to Go to Marrakech?
Marrakech is fantastic anytime of the year, but to avoid the crowds and make the most out of your Morocco itinerary I would recommend visiting Marrakech during the shoulder and low season.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Sahara Desert?
Chances are if you’re in Morocco you’re going to want to travel to the Sahara desert. The most comfortable time to travel to the Sahara desert is in the fall or spring. You’ll be able to dodge the brutally high temperatures of the summer and cold temperatures at night in the winter (and believe me it gets cold!) I recommend always bringing a down jacket to the desert.
When is the best time to visit Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains?
Spring and fall are the best times to visit the Atlas Mountains if you wan to do any hiking. Temperatures are milder this time of year and you won’t be battling the high heat of the summer or the snow capped peaks on the highest peaks.
When is the best time to Visit the Moroccan Coastline
Thanks to the ocean breeze, summer is actually not a bad time to visit Morocco’s coastlines and towns like Essaouira. The climate is reasonably cool and it’s almost always sunny and dry. Head there between May and September for the best chance at no rain.
Morocco weather Month by month breakdown
Morocco Weather in January
Thanks to Morocco basically being mainly desert, January is never what you’d consider properly cold. Okay, so the night time temperatures might drop to about 8°C in some places, but it’s nothing like many other northern hemisphere countries.
The average day time temperature for Marrakech, for example, is 19°C. There’s also plenty of sunshine and little rainfall, meaning you’ll have great weather that isn’t too sweltering; perfect for exploring some of the city’s top sights. It’s one of the best times to visit Morocco if you don’t like a) heat, or b) tourist crowds.
The rest of the country features a nice breeze from the Atlantic ocean, so even in the sun, you feel nice and cool. That said, the sun feels nice and warm on the Mediterranean coast.
Morocco Weather in February
Another one of the best times to visit Morocco is in February. Filled with sunny days, February may be one of the colder months of the year, but it also marks the beginning of things hotting up (slightly) for Morocco.
Temperatures average out at about 21°C, with around 11 hours of sunshine per day. That’s not too bad for February anywhere in the world!
Agadir – on the North Atlantic – is still pretty much okay for a beach holiday; the sea is a not-horrific 17°C. That said, the sunset is relatively early, and nights still get quite chilly.
Thanks to there being no reason for any mass number of people to be taking a vacation during February to Morocco, the country is still relatively free of tourist crowds, perfect to complete your Morocco itinerary. This also means nicely affordable hotel prices too!
Like skiing? Head to , a ski resort on Mount Toubkal, for February fun. Yep, you can ski in North Africa!
Morocco Weather in March
Temperatures are on the rise in Morocco. Things are still not scorching yet, which means you’ll be able to wander around without burning to a crisp. The days are sunnier during March in Morocco, with approximately 12 hours of sunshine to enjoy.
There’s not a lot of rain going on either, which means it’s a good time to visit Morocco if you don’t like getting caught in the rain. (That said, it is also the second-rainiest month of the year).
What’s more, towards the end of the month, daylight savings comes into play, meaning more hours of daylight.
Spring is on the way. Trees and flowers are budding. It’s a great time to travel to Morocco if you feel like exploring outside of the cities before the desert heat starts getting completely crazy; beware as the Atlas Mountains can still have a lot of snow this time of year. Temperatures plummet in these areas at night, too.
Morocco Weather in April
April is Spring in Morocco. This is the time of year when temperatures are no longer mild, but getting towards the realm of ‘warm.’ This is when you’ll want to start packing light and loose clothing.
Still… night times can be surprisingly chilly; sweaters at ready, especially if you are on a Sahara desert tour.
Tourists begin to flock to Marrakech, but it’s definitely still not peak season here. The temperature in this much-visited city gets to 24°C, with a nationwide average of 25°C.
In Tangiers, things are cooler. Think around 20°C. Around the coastline, these cooler temperatures are pretty much par for the course.
If you want to head to the Atlas Mountains, well, you might want to reconsider that. This is the time of year that this mountainous region gets the most rain of the year. The deserts are still cold at night – no matter how hot they feel in the day.
Morocco Weather in May
Part of Morocco’s gradual move into warmer weather, May features pretty warm nationwide average temperatures of 29°C. Coastal places stick to their guns on being cooler than everywhere else (~26°C).
The desert nature of the south means that the daytime high can soar above 30°C, but Marrakech itself sees daytime temperatures of 27°C. Tourists begin thinking of Morocco as a good idea, as the weather warms up and the days get longer.
Rainfall in May is pretty low: expect only about three rainy days the entire month.
Morocco Weather in June
Sunny and hot. Marrakech is boiling. Streets are busy with tourists, meaning it’s not the best time to visit Morocco. It’s a nicer time to visit than later in summer, but you still might be kicking yourself for not visiting a couple of months earlier. It’ll be 31°C in Marrakech. The midday sun will make it feel even hotter.
It’s still not super uncomfortable in terms of heat; however, you should definitely be wearing a lot of sunscreen and limiting the amount of time you spend in the sunshine when it’s at peak hotness.
The Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Morocco are a good idea during June. Places like Essaouria make a good destination. The breeze keeps the heat at bay, with temperatures around the mid-20s. This marks the start of the dry season too, with rain beginning to become a rarity.
Morocco Weather in July
Morocco in the summertime. It’s very, very warm. It’s very, very bright. It’s the second hottest month of the year, in fact, and also marks the real beginning of tourist (or ‘high’) season in the North African nation.
Coastal cities can get quite crowded with visitors in July, for example, though these are the coolest areas of the country – as you should know by now!
Did we mention it’s hot? Expect average temperatures of 37°C in the daytime, but still the evenings are relatively cool, around the low 20s.
You’re really going to want to keep cool. Loose clothing, preferably cotton and linen, is highly recommended. It’s super dry during July as well, so make sure you stay hydrated, you’ll definitely be wanting some fresh-squeezed orange juice from the many vendors!
Morocco Weather in August
Hottest month of the year, here we come. If you don’t like heat this is not the best time to visit Morroco. Average temperatures are officially around 37°C, but Marrakech averages out at around 36°C with much higher not unheard of.
It’s weirdly busy with tourists who want to come and experience the heat and heaving cities.
The searing heat in said cities can be pretty suffocating. You should take measures to protect yourself against getting sunstroke. Plenty of water, people, and cover up.
The best way to experience Morocco in August? Head to the coast. Or the mountains. Chefchouen, in the mountain, will be more pleasant. Both these areas have much lower average temperatures than the crazy heat of the desert and Marrakech.
Do as the locals do to beat the heat: stay inside in the hottest part of the day. Cities often come alive once the sun’s gone down; it’s comfortably mild.
Morocco Weather September
What has been a scorching summer begins to wane into a less scorching September. It’s still hot in the middle of the day, but things start to get much cooler as the month presses on.
It could be a good time of year since it’s not super hot and there are fewer tourists around – though they’re still to be found around the main attractions of the country.
Coastal areas have an average high of 25°C, while Morocco’s mountainous regions are at a cooler 18°C. There’s still not a lot of rain going on, so we’d recommend this as another good ‘shoulder season’ time to visit and see the sights.
Morocco Weather in October
A beautiful time of year to visit Morocco, fall begins to come into play now that it is October. The heat of summer is really dropping off by now, and there are no longer hordes of tourists.
Days can be mixed. Some are hot, some are cool, some are rainy; that’s a transitional season for you. Marrakech, for example, can still hit 29°C on some days. That’s not every day, though – just sometimes.
In the mountains, the leaves on the trees start to change color, making these areas an even more Instagrammable spot for a hike. Coastal areas get more breezy, too, and beachside resorts are still a good option; the sea is a not unpleasant 21°C.
October marks the end of daylight savings, so the days get shorter.
Morocco Weather in November
Cool and less unbearable in terms of temperature, as well as much less touristed, November is a pretty decent time of year to visit Morocco. Fall is definitely in place, temperatures are starting to drop – even though it might not feel like fall where you’re from.
Rainfall is, however, on the increase. This shouldn’t be too much of a downer though, just expect a few random showers here and there.
The evening requires warmer clothes – for sure. Long pants and sweaters are pretty much necessary; sunset is around 5:30 pm, meaning the warmth of the sun is gone earlier.
It’s basically pretty mild though. Good for exploring making it the best time to visit Morocco.
Morocco Weather in December
December is one of the coolest months of the year… in Morocco, obviously. I think December is a fantastic time to visit Morocco. As far as Decembers go, we’re into the idea of a mild one like this. If you’re looking for winter sun, it’s a good time to visit.
Not really about the beaches anymore, Morocco in December is about seeing the sights and exploring a bit of nature. Even Marrakech, typically hot, is around 14°C in December. It rains a bit too. Not a crazy amount, but enough to warrant some rain gear. There are enough dry days to make up for it, so don’t worry too much.
December is also the start of the coldest weather in the Atlas Mountains, but it’s still not exactly super cold; a daytime average of 11°C in the mountains means hiking is a viable option.
The Best Time for Moroccan festivals
Festivals in Morocco in Winter
January is Eid el Kebir. This national holiday celebrates Abraham not sacrificing his son and sacrificing a lamb instead. Henna and colorful clothing abound.
January 12 and 13 is the Berber community’s New Year. Called Yennayer, it marks the beginning of the crop year. Festivals for this occasion are found in more traditional areas.
The second week of February means Tafraoute. This celebrates the coming of almond blossom! Local communities dine on delicious dishes to the sound of music beneath the blossoming trees. Sounds like a Berber hanami to us!
Festivals in Morocco in Spring
International Nomads Festival happens in March. What’s that? It’s a chance to attend conferences, lectures, and talks about nomadic culture in the Sahara, as well as witness desert-based sports like camel polo. Fun!
March is also Ashura. In Islam, this is the time of year when 1/10th of your income goes to the poor.
There’s also the annual blooming of the roses in the Vallée des Roses; between April and mid-May a whole valley of roses bloom. This valley produces somewhere between 2 to 3,000 tonnes of roses each year, which gives you an idea of just how many flowers you’re likely to see!
In May, Eid el Mouloud is Prophet Muhammad’s birthday! It heralds celebrations, feasts, prayer, and music across the country.
Festivals in Morocco in Summer
Three days in June are reserved for Sefrou – the Cherry Festival. It’s all about colorful torchlight displays of music and dancing.
In July, there’s a mad festival in Marrakech: Marrakech Popular Arts Festival. We’re not sure all the arts are popular (fire swallowing?), but it’s still a frenetic festival that’s good to have a look at.
On July 30 there’s the Feast of the Throne. A national holiday featuring parades and fireworks, it marks the ascension of King Mohammed VI (the most recent) to the Moroccan throne in 1999.
Festivals in Morocco in Fall
September sees a marriage festival in the village of Imilchil, high in the Atlas Mountains. It’s all about love, marriage, and the celebration of both those things; it’s also during this festival that marriages that occurred in Berber tribes around Imilchil become official. An interesting sight to see.
Film buffs head to Marrakech for the Marrakech Film Festival. That’s in September, spread across four days. Independent films are premiered. Watch, take notes, review, critique, enjoy.
October is Ramadan. This is the start of one moon cycle’s worth of fasting during the daylight hours, abstinence and prayer… culminating in Eid, of course. Properly called Eid al Fitr, it’s a time of feasting after fasting and enjoying life.
In November, it’s Independence Day. Parades, food stalls, music, and feasting. General fun and good times erupt across the country for a weeklong celebration of the proclamation of independence from France back in 1944.
Quick Travel Tips for Morocco
- Languages Spoken: Arabic is the common language, although many Moroccans speak French. In Northern Morocco, you may also get by with Spanish. Berber is the second official language spoken by the Berber population – the original inhabitants of Morocco.
- Capital: Rabat
- Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD). Some places may take USD or EUR. Morocco is a cash country. Outside of accommodation we never paid anything via credit card.
- Visa: Most visitors can enter Morocco visa-free for 90 days – check with your embassy.
- What to Pack: Morocco is a predominately Muslim country so visitors should dress conservatively. I would suggest a scarf for covering up, harem pants, sandals, and loose shirts.
- Stay Connected: Maroc Telecom, Meditel, and Inwi are the main service providers. Maroc Telecom seemed to work the best for us. Data is cheap in Morocco and you can find sim cards in any town center. Read more about the internet here.
- Be Warned: Morocco is scam city. Many locals are well versed in running cons and making a quick dirham off a traveler in any way they can. In medinas, it is common for locals to give false directions in order to get you lost and then demand payment for the correct directions. Yea, it’s messed up – remember I said we love and hate it.
Our Recommendation For Travel Insurance
We don’t travel without travel insurance, and neither should you. You never know what can happen in a foreign country, and it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo offers excellent short and long-term travel insurance policies.
Morocco Travel Planning Resources
- Packing Guide — Check out our Morocco Packing List to help pack your bags and ensure you don’t leave anything at home.
- Protect Your Trip — We don’t travel without travel insurance, and neither should you. You never know what can happen in a foreign country, and it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo offers excellent short and long-term travel insurance policies.
- Travel Adapter – Make sure you find a good adapter to keep your personal electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.
- Travel Backpack – We like the Nomatic Travel Backpack for our travels. Check the price here.
- Book an Experience – See all the best Moroccan experiences here
- Rent a Car – We use Discover Cars to find the best deals on car rentals.
