The best time for Marrakech and southern Morocco is mid-March to mid-May and late September to mid-November: warm but not punishing in the city, beautiful in the Atlas valleys, comfortable in the desert and pleasant on the coast. But there is no season that is bad everywhere at once. July is hard work in Marrakech and perfect in Essaouira; January is cool in the city but ideal for the desert and a balloon flight. Here, month by month, is what we see on the roads.
Month by month
Temperatures are average daytime highs in Marrakech. Nights are much cooler, especially in winter and in the desert.
| Month | Marrakech | What works well | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18 to 19 °C | City, balloon flight, Agafay by day | Nights close to 5 °C, snow on the Atlas |
| February | 20 °C | Desert, almond blossom near Tafraout | Some rain possible |
| March | 23 °C | Everything: city, Atlas, desert | High season begins |
| April | 25 to 26 °C | Atlas in bloom, Ouzoud, Ourika | Easter holidays: book early |
| May | 28 to 29 °C | Day trips, the coast, Valley of Roses | Hot afternoons late in the month |
| June | 32 to 33 °C | Essaouira, the Atlas early in the day | Gnaoua festival in Essaouira |
| July | 37 °C and above | Essaouira, Agadir, Taghazout | Marrakech very hot in the afternoon |
| August | 37 °C and above | The Atlantic coast | Moroccan holidays, busy coast |
| September | 32 to 33 °C | Coast, Atlas, desert late in the month | Heat eases slowly |
| October | 27 to 28 °C | Everything | Excellent month, quiet at the start |
| November | 22 °C | City, desert, Agadir | Shorter days |
| December | 19 °C | City, desert, festive season | Cold nights, high season at Christmas |
By destination
Marrakech. Avoid July and August if you plan to walk the medina in the afternoon. The rest of the year works, with a preference for spring and autumn. Winter is underrated: blue skies, mild days, fewer people, but choose a heated riad.
The Atlas valleys (Ourika, Imlil, Ouirgane). Spring is unbeatable. In summer they are a refuge from the heat; in winter, snow can disrupt some roads and trails, especially around Imlil.
The desert. October to April for Merzouga, and almost all year for an evening in Agafay. In high summer the Erg Chebbi dunes regularly exceed 45 °C: doable, but not enjoyable. Our comparison Agafay or Merzouga explains the differences.
Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou. October to May. In summer, the south of the Atlas is scorching in the afternoon; in winter, snow sometimes closes the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which you must cross to get there, for a few hours.
Essaouira. All year round. The trade wind blows hard, especially from May to August: perfect for kitesurfing, less so for sunbathing. The town stays cool when Marrakech is stifling.
Agadir and Taghazout. The most consistent region in the country, often described as sunny around 300 days a year. Waves are best from October to March, and the sea is warmest at the end of summer.
Ramadan: should you avoid it?
Ramadan follows the lunar calendar and moves about ten days earlier each year; in 2027 it falls around February and early March. Travelling during Ramadan causes no practical problems for visitors: hotels, riads and tourist restaurants stay open, and our transfers run as normal. A few differences all the same:
- some small neighbourhood restaurants close during the day;
- the pace slows in the afternoon, and traffic is heavy just before the fast is broken at sunset;
- evenings are lively and warm, which is a lovely experience.
It is simply polite to avoid eating or drinking conspicuously in the street during the day.
High season, low season and prices
The busiest periods are the Easter holidays, the May bank holidays, October and Christmas – New Year. Hotels are pricier then and fill up quickly, as do the popular excursions. By contrast, January (outside the holidays), June and November often offer a very good balance between weather and crowds. On the Agadir coast it is summer that is busiest, with Moroccan holidaymakers.
Events worth a detour
- February: almond blossom in the Ammeln Valley near Tafraout.
- May: the rose harvest in the Dades Valley around Kelaat M’Gouna.
- June: the Gnaoua festival in Essaouira, very popular, book early.
- Late November – early December: the Marrakech International Film Festival.
Our booking advice
- For Easter, October and the festive season, book transfers and excursions as soon as your flights are confirmed.
- In winter, keep some slack for the balloon flight and the Atlas, which depend more on the weather.
- In summer, schedule excursions early in the morning and city visits late in the day.
To estimate your driving times once your dates are set, our table of driving distances and travel times in southern Morocco will help, and the guide to the best day trips from Marrakech will help you pick outings that suit the season.
