On the same spring day in Morocco, you can walk through blossoming orchards in the Atlas, wear a jumper against the wind in Essaouira and sunbathe by a pool in Marrakech. The country's variety is part of its magic, but it also means there is no single answer to the question of the best time to visit Morocco. It depends on where you are going and what you want to do.
Here is how the year really works, from people who drive its roads in every season.
Four climates in one country
- The Atlantic coast (Essaouira, Agadir, Oualidia) is mild all year, cooled by the ocean and often windy.
- The inland cities (Marrakech, Fès) have hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters with cold nights.
- The Atlas mountains are cool in summer and cold in winter, with snow on the peaks.
- The desert has scorching summers and pleasant winter days, but very cold nights.
Month by month
| Months | Marrakech | Coast | Atlas and desert |
|---|---|---|---|
| January–February | Sunny days, cold nights | Mild, some rain | Snow on the peaks, cold desert nights |
| March–May | Warm and pleasant | Mild, wind picking up | Blossom in the Atlas, ideal in the desert |
| June–August | Very hot | Warm, windy, busy | Cool mountains, extreme heat in the desert |
| September–November | Warm, then mild | Warm sea, calmer wind | Golden autumn, great desert season |
| December | Mild days, cold nights | Mild, quiet | Snow possible on the passes |
The best time to visit Morocco, season by season
Spring (March to May): our first choice
Spring is the most beautiful season almost everywhere: green countryside, almond and apple blossom in the Atlas, full waterfalls in the Ourika Valley and comfortable temperatures in Marrakech. It is the perfect time for our Ourika Valley day trip and for a first visit combining city, mountains and coast. Easter holidays are busy, so book ahead.
Summer (June to August): head for the coast and the mountains
Inland, summer is very hot — Marrakech regularly passes 40°C in the afternoon. The trick is to adapt: sightsee early and late, rest at midday, and spend part of the trip on the coast, where Essaouira stays fresh, or in the mountains. July and August are the busiest months on the coast, when many Moroccan families go on holiday.
Autumn (September to November): the insider's season
Autumn is excellent everywhere: the heat eases, the sea is at its warmest, the light is golden and the crowds thin out after the summer. It is also the start of the desert season and of the big surf swells.
Winter (December to February): sun, snow and low prices
Winter days are often sunny and pleasant in Marrakech and on the coast, although nights are cold and riads can be chilly. Snow covers the Atlas and can briefly close the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Outside the Christmas and New Year holidays, it is a quiet, good-value time to travel.
The best time by activity
- Sightseeing in Marrakech: March to May and October to November.
- Beach holidays: June to September on the coast; Agadir is pleasant all year.
- Surfing: October to April for the big swells; see our guide to surfing in Morocco.
- Kitesurfing: April to September in Essaouira; see our kitesurfing guide.
- Hiking in the Atlas: April to June and September to October; see our guide to the Atlas mountains from Marrakech.
- The desert: October to April; read our desert trip guide.
Ramadan, holidays and festivals
Ramadan moves about eleven days earlier each year. Travelling during Ramadan is perfectly possible: restaurants for visitors stay open, but the rhythm of daily life changes, many local cafés close during the day and the evenings become festive. Morocco also changes its clocks during Ramadan, so double-check pickup times.
Festivals are another reason to choose your dates: the Gnaoua World Music Festival in Essaouira is usually held in June, and the rose harvest is celebrated in the Dades valley region in spring. Our guide to the best time to visit Essaouira covers the coast in more detail.
Prices, crowds and booking ahead
Prices follow the calendar. Riads and hotels in Marrakech are busiest and most expensive around Easter, in autumn and over Christmas and New Year, when many Europeans escape the cold. The coast fills up in July and August. January, early February and June are often quieter, with better availability and prices. Whatever the season, the most popular riads, the Majorelle Garden tickets and private transfers are best booked a few weeks ahead, especially for groups and families.
Our recommendation
If you can choose, travel between mid-March and May or between late September and November. You will enjoy pleasant temperatures in the cities, beautiful landscapes in the mountains, a calmer coast and good conditions for the desert — in short, the best time to visit Morocco for a first trip.
Whatever your dates, pack according to the season with our guide to what to wear in Morocco, plan your route with our 7-day Morocco itinerary, and book your Marrakech airport transfer so your trip starts smoothly.
