The best time to visit Morocco depends less on the calendar than on where you will be standing. On an average October afternoon Marrakech sits at about 29 °C, the dunes at Merzouga cool fast after a 17:45 sunset, and Tangier is getting its first real autumn rain. Choosing a month means choosing a region first, which is why this guide works from official averages for six named cities rather than one number for a whole country.
For most trips, the best time to visit Morocco is March to May and late September to November. Marrakech then averages daytime highs between 23 °C and 29 °C, desert days are comfortable and Atlas trails are open. Summer belongs to the coast and the mountains; winter suits cities and quiet desert days, if you pack for cold nights.
If you can choose only one month, choose October: the summer heat has left Marrakech and the Sahara, nights are still mild and rain is rare. April is a close second, greener but busier around Easter. July and August are months to plan around rather than avoid: we run Merzouga all year, but inland afternoons are hot.
Last checked: November 2026
What has changed. This guide was rebuilt in November 2026. Temperatures now come from the official 1991 to 2020 averages for named weather stations; the Ramadan dates were corrected (in 2026 it began on 19 February in Morocco) and the expected 2027 dates added; and the note on clocks was updated, since Morocco has stayed on GMT all year from 20 September 2026.
Morocco weather by month↑ Contents
Pick a month below to see average highs and lows for six weather stations, from the Mediterranean north to the edge of the Sahara. These are 30-year averages published by Morocco’s national weather service through the World Meteorological Organization, so they describe a typical year, not a forecast. Switch to Fahrenheit if that is how you think about heat: the whole page follows.
October
The pick of the year for most routes: warm days, mild nights and very little rain.
- MarrakechImperial cities29° / 16°19 mm · 4 days
- FesNorthern interior26° / 13°54 mm · 7 days
- TangierMediterranean north25° / 16°87 mm · 9 days
- AgadirAtlantic coast26° / 17°21 mm · 3 days
- OuarzazateGateway to the Draa28° / 13°15 mm · 3 days
- ErrachidiaNearest station to Merzouga27° / 14°24 mm · 5 days
Source: 30-year averages (1991 to 2020) from Morocco’s Direction Générale de la Météorologie, published by the World Meteorological Organization. Daylight calculated for the 15th of each month.
The month-by-month table
The same averages for the three places most itineraries combine: Marrakech, the Sahara (Errachidia, the nearest official station to Merzouga) and the Atlantic coast (Agadir). Each cell gives the average daily high, then the average daily low.
| Month | Marrakech | Sahara (Errachidia) | Atlantic coast (Agadir) | Travel conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19° / 6° | 16° / 2° | 21° / 8° | Cities, quiet desert, cold nights |
| February | 21° / 8° | 18° / 5° | 22° / 10° | Almond blossom, cities, cold nights |
| March | 24° / 10° | 22° / 9° | 23° / 12° | Spring touring, comfortable desert |
| April | 26° / 12° | 26° / 13° | 23° / 14° | Excellent for most trips |
| May | 29° / 15° | 30° / 17° | 24° / 16° | Roses; desert afternoons hot |
| June | 34° / 18° | 35° / 22° | 26° / 18° | Coast and mountains |
| July | 38° / 21° | 40° / 26° | 27° / 19° | Coast, mountains, desert at dusk |
| August | 37° / 21° | 38° / 25° | 27° / 20° | Coast, mountains, desert at dusk |
| September | 33° / 19° | 33° / 20° | 26° / 19° | Better late in the month |
| October | 29° / 16° | 27° / 14° | 26° / 17° | Excellent for most trips |
| November | 23° / 11° | 21° / 8° | 24° / 13° | Cities and desert; wet north |
| December | 20° / 7° | 17° / 4° | 22° / 10° | Quiet travel, cold desert nights |
Two things stand out. Marrakech and the desert follow almost the same curve, so a month that is pleasant in one is usually pleasant in the other; the difference shows at night, when Errachidia runs a few degrees colder in winter. And the coast barely moves: Agadir stays between 21 °C and 27 °C by day all year, which makes it a summer escape and a mild winter base at the same time.
Spring, summer, autumn and winter compared↑ Contents
Rather than a score out of ten, here is what each season means in practice: the weather, how busy it gets, what it costs and what it is good for.
Spring, March to May
Warm days, cool nights and, in March, the last wet spells. The Dades valley turns pink with roses in early May.
- Weather
- Pleasant, some rain in March
- Crowds
- High, peaking around Easter
- Prices
- Moderate to high
- Best for
- Desert, cities, hiking, roses
Summer, June to August
Inland Morocco is hot, with Marrakech averaging 38 °C highs in July, while the coast stays mild. If heat is your main worry, our guide to handling the Moroccan summer goes further.
- Weather
- Very hot inland, mild on the coast
- Crowds
- Busy coast, calmer inland cities
- Prices
- Highest on the coast
- Best for
- Beaches, Atlas valleys, desert at dawn and dusk
Autumn, September to November
September starts hot and ends gentle. October is the most reliable month of the year; November brings shorter days and the first rain in the north.
- Weather
- Hot early, then warm and dry
- Crowds
- Moderate, busy in October
- Prices
- Moderate to high
- Best for
- Desert, cities, photography, walking
Winter, December to February
Bright, mild days in Marrakech and the south, cold nights and snow on the High Atlas summits. The quietest season, apart from the fortnight around Christmas and New Year.
- Weather
- Mild days, cold nights, mountain snow
- Crowds
- Low, except Christmas and New Year
- Prices
- Lowest outside the holidays
- Best for
- Cities, quiet desert, snowy Atlas views
The best months for each kind of trip↑ Contents
Most trips mix two or three of these, so read down the column for your dates rather than one row on its own. The current month is outlined.
How this calendar works: the desert and city rows follow the official averages above. Ideal means daytime highs between 20 and 30 °C (68 and 86 °F) at Errachidia or Marrakech, with nights above 8 °C (46 °F) for the cities; hard means highs above 33 °C (91 °F). The beach row uses Agadir: ideal is 25 °C (77 °F) or more with under 10 mm of rain. The Atlas row reflects trail and snow conditions, which no city station measures.
For the desert, the ideal windows are March to April and October to November. December to February are good months too, with one condition we come back to below: the nights are cold. Marrakech, Fes and Meknes are at their best from March to May and in October and November; in summer, keep medina walks for the morning and the evening. To see how the regions fit together on one trip, read what a week in Morocco can hold, region by region.
The High Atlas and the Atlantic coast are the summer answers. Imlil and the valleys below Toubkal stay noticeably cooler than Marrakech, and the ocean keeps Essaouira and Agadir mild while the interior bakes.
Climate by region↑ Contents
Morocco packs an ocean coast, a Mediterranean north, several mountain ranges and the edge of the Sahara into one country. Each has its own calendar.
Atlantic coast: Casablanca, Essaouira, Agadir
The ocean flattens the seasons. Agadir averages highs of 21 °C in January and 27 °C in August, and most of its rain falls between November and March. Casablanca is cooler and wetter in winter. Essaouira adds wind: steady summer trade winds keep the town cool and bring windsurfers and kitesurfers.
The north: Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen
The wettest part of the country. Tangier averages about 117 mm of rain in November and 114 mm in December, against barely 1 mm in July and August. Spring is green and fresh; for the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, May to October is the safe choice.
Imperial cities: Fes, Meknes, Marrakech
Inland, the gap between day and night is wide. Fes is colder and much wetter in winter than Marrakech (60 mm of rain in January, against 25 mm), and both cities pass 35 °C on summer afternoons. For Marrakech on its own, our month-by-month Marrakech guide goes into more detail.
High Atlas: Imlil, Toubkal, Oukaïmeden
Altitude rewrites the calendar. As a rule of thumb the air cools by about 6.5 °C (12 °F) for every 1,000 m you climb, so Imlil, at around 1,740 m, is usually several degrees cooler than Marrakech. Snow covers the summits in winter, and the ski area at Oukaïmeden opens when the snow allows.
The south and the Sahara: Ouarzazate, Zagora, Merzouga
Dry all year, with no month averaging more than 17 mm of rain at Ouarzazate, and extreme in both directions: Errachidia averages 16 °C by day and 2 °C at night in January, then 40 °C by day in July.
The southern provinces: Laâyoune, Dakhla
Further down the Atlantic coast, the ocean keeps Laâyoune and Dakhla mild for most of the year, and the steady wind over the Dakhla lagoon has made it a kitesurfing destination.
Ramadan and the two Eids in 2027↑ Contents
Ramadan dates change every year according to the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the solar year. If you are planning a trip during Ramadan, check the expected dates for your travel year, as opening hours, restaurant schedules and daily activities may change.
When Ramadan started, and is expected to start
Each bar covers about 30 days. Hatched bars are astronomical estimates, confirmed only by the moon sighting.
For 2027, Ramadan is expected to begin around Monday 8 February, with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March, and Eid al-Adha is expected on 16 or 17 May. These are astronomical estimates: in Morocco, the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs confirms each date after the crescent moon has been sighted, usually the evening before.
What it means on the ground: many cafés in the medinas close during the day, while hotels, riads and restaurants used to visitors keep serving. Evenings are the reward, when streets fill after the sunset meal and some shops reopen late. Eid al-Adha is a family holiday, so expect shops to close for a day or two and roads to be busy before it.
One detail older guides still get wrong: Morocco no longer changes its clocks for Ramadan. Since 20 September 2026 the country has stayed on GMT all year round.
Festivals and events by month↑ Contents
A short list of events worth planning around. Organisers set new dates every year, so read the 2026 dates as a guide to the season rather than a promise for 2027.
- 14 JanuaryAmazigh New Year (Yennayer), a national holiday since 2024.
- FebruaryAlmond blossom around Tafraoute in the Anti-Atlas. The timing follows the trees, not a fixed date.
- Early to mid MayRose festival, Kelaat M’Gouna, in the Dades valley. The 61st edition opened on 7 May 2026.
- Late JuneGnaoua and World Music Festival, Essaouira. In 2026 it ran from 25 to 27 June.
- Early JulyNational Festival of Popular Arts, Marrakech, with folk troupes from across the country (2 to 6 July in 2026).
- 30 JulyThrone Day, a national holiday.
- NovemberGreen March (6 November) and Independence Day (18 November), both national holidays, then the Marrakech International Film Festival, from 20 to 28 November in 2026.
Crowds and prices through the year↑ Contents
Weather is half of the decision. The other half is who else is travelling. Marrakech is at its busiest over Christmas and New Year, when riads fill weeks ahead and rates climb. Easter and the European spring holidays make spring busy (in 2027 Easter Sunday falls on 28 March), and October is popular for the same reason it is pleasant.
Summer moves the crowds rather than reducing them. Moroccans living abroad come home in July and August, families head for the coast, and ferry ports and main roads are at their busiest, while inland cities feel calmer by comparison.
The quieter windows tend to be the second half of January, early June away from the coast, and the second half of November.
Local travel advice: choosing your month↑ Contents
Six questions that decide many itineraries, answered from the averages above and, where we say so, from the trips we run.
Why is October so good for Marrakech and the desert?
Because both have just come out of summer. Marrakech averages 29 °C by day and 16 °C at night in October, Errachidia 27 °C and 14 °C, and rain falls on only four or five days in the month. Days are still long, with about eleven and a half hours of light, which matters on the long road days over the Atlas. The catch is demand: October is popular, so book early.
Can you visit Merzouga in July?
Yes. We run Merzouga all year; summer is simply the hot season. Errachidia, the nearest official station, averages 40 °C by day in July and 26 °C at night, so the dunes are for early morning and the hour before sunset, and the middle of the day is for shade. If you are still deciding whether the desert belongs in your trip at all, here is an honest look at whether the Sahara is worth it.
Is the cold at night a problem in winter?
It surprises people more than it spoils anything. Winter in the desert is a beautiful season: clear, calm and bright, with the sun around for shorter stretches. Errachidia averages 2 °C at night in January, and in December the sun sets over Merzouga at about 17:15, so evenings start early and the cold arrives fast.
What catches winter visitors off guard is the cold, not the desert. Treat the cold as part of the plan: pack a warm layer and a hat for the evening around the camp, and build the day so that you reach the dunes while the sun is still up.
Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga: does the season change the choice?
Less than people expect. Both dune seas sit in the same dry south, and the Ouarzazate and Errachidia figures follow almost the same curve. What differs is access: Erg Chebbi is reached by paved road to Merzouga, while Erg Chigaga lies beyond M’Hamid, at the end of a 4×4 track. On short winter days, that extra driving weighs more heavily in the plan.
When are the Atlas Mountains right for walking?
April to June and September to October are the best months for the trails around Imlil. July and August are hot in the lower valleys but fine higher up, which is why the Atlas is Marrakech’s summer escape. From December to February, snow changes the picture: valley walks remain possible, while the Toubkal summit becomes a winter climb that needs proper equipment and experience.
Is Essaouira too windy in summer?
Windy, yes; too windy depends on your plans. The summer trade winds keep the town cool and are the reason surfers and kitesurfers come, but they can turn a lazy beach afternoon into hard work. If calm swimming matters most, Agadir’s bay is more sheltered.
Marrakech to Merzouga: 3 days in the Sahara
Your own vehicle and driver-guide over the Tizi n’Tichka pass, a night in the Dades valley, then camels into Erg Chebbi at sunset and a private tent at the camp. Departures every day, with timing and stops set by you. From €195 per person, depending on group size.
See the 3-day Sahara tourWhat to pack, season by season↑ Contents
Pack for the coldest place on your route, not the average one. In winter, the same trip can take you from mild afternoons in Marrakech to near-freezing nights in the dunes.
- Spring and autumn: light layers for warm days, a sweater for the evening, and a light rain jacket in March or November.
- Summer: loose cotton or linen that covers shoulders and knees, a wide hat, sun cream and a refillable bottle.
- Winter: a warm jacket, hat and gloves for the desert or the mountains; riads can feel cool indoors at night.
- All year: comfortable shoes for uneven medina lanes, and sunglasses.
For what to wear in cities and villages, see our Morocco packing list.
Timing mistakes to avoid↑ Contents
- Treating Morocco as one climate. In November, Tangier averages ten rainy days and Agadir four. Check every stop on the route, not just the first.
- Underestimating desert nights in winter. Daytime highs around 17 °C at Errachidia in December hide nights close to freezing.
- Planning medina walks for early afternoon in July. Marrakech averages 38 °C highs; the city is at its best in the morning and evening. For a cooler day out, a private day in Imlil and the Atlas swaps the heat for mountain air, an hour and a half from Marrakech.
- Forgetting how short winter days are. About ten hours of daylight in December means long road days need an early start.
- Copying last year’s Ramadan dates. They move about 11 days earlier every year.
Questions travellers ask↑ Contents
What is the best month to visit Morocco for a first trip?
October, with April a close second. Both bring warm days and mild nights to Marrakech and comfortable conditions in the desert, so the classic route of Marrakech, the Atlas and Merzouga works without compromise. Pick April for greener landscapes, October if you want the desert just after the summer heat.
Is December a good time to visit Morocco?
Yes, if you like bright, cool days. Marrakech averages 20 °C by day and 7 °C at night, the desert is calm and clear, and the High Atlas usually has snow. Days are short, at about ten hours of light, and the fortnight around Christmas and New Year is the busiest of the year in Marrakech, so book that part early.
Is March 2027 a good time to visit Morocco?
Mostly, yes. Spring weather arrives, with Marrakech averaging 24 °C by day, the desert is comfortable and the north still has a few wet spells. In 2027 Ramadan is expected to end around 9 March, so medinas are quieter by day in the first week, and Easter falls on 28 March, which makes the end of the month busier.
When is Ramadan in 2027, and should I avoid it?
Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February 2027 and to end about a month later, with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March; the official dates follow the moon sighting. There is no need to avoid it: monuments stay open, sometimes with shorter hours, and hotels and tourist restaurants serve food, but daytime cafés in the medinas close and life shifts towards the evening.
Does it rain much in Morocco in winter?
It depends on the region. The north takes most of the rain: Tangier averages more than 100 mm in both November and December. Marrakech gets about 25 mm a month in winter, spread over five or six days, and Ouarzazate, in the south, between 5 and 15 mm. Even in the wettest months, most days are dry.
Can you see snow in Morocco?
Yes, in the High Atlas. Snow usually covers Toubkal and the high passes in winter, and Oukaïmeden, above Marrakech, has a ski area that opens when the snow allows. Snow can also slow the Tizi n’Tichka road between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, so leave some slack on winter road days.
Is April or October better for Morocco?
Both are excellent; the difference is the mood. April is greener and busier around Easter. October is warmer in Marrakech (29 °C highs against 26 °C), the desert has just come out of summer, and the nights are milder. For the Sahara, October has the edge; for green Atlas valleys, April.
Is November a good time to visit Morocco?
Yes, especially for Marrakech and the desert. Days are pleasant, with Marrakech averaging 23 °C highs, nights are cooler and daylight is down to about ten and a half hours. In 2026 the Marrakech International Film Festival runs from 20 to 28 November. The north is the exception: November is Tangier’s wettest month.
Sources
- Monthly averages 1991 to 2020 from Morocco’s Direction Générale de la Météorologie, published by the World Meteorological Organization: Marrakech climate page and all Moroccan stations.
- Sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of each month at Marrakech and Merzouga, in Moroccan time (GMT).
- Religious holiday dates for 2027 are astronomical estimates until the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs confirms them.
Official figures and dates are revised over time: the institution’s own page is the reference on the day you read it.
So, which month should you book?↑ Contents
If your dates are free, book October or April and build the route around Marrakech, the Atlas and Merzouga. If you are tied to summer, lean on the coast and the mountains and keep the desert for dawn and dusk. If winter is your window, you get quiet cities and bright desert days, provided you pack for the nights. And if you are travelling in February or March 2027, check the Ramadan dates before anything else.
Mouhssine ELIOUJ
Official licensed guide, Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, licence No. 2898. Send your dates and he will tell you how they are likely to feel on the road.
WhatsApp +212 671 437 971About this guide: Moroccan Travel Trips, operated by PROMYTHIC TOURS SARL AU, offers licensed tourist guide services in Morocco. The seasonal advice comes from trips we run in every month of the year; the figures come from the official sources listed above.
