The Best Times to Travel in Morocco

There are a variety of climate zones in Morocco, with the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Sahara surrounding the country, together with the Atlas and Rif mountains stretching inland bringing their influences. Due to the diversity of landscapes, there is no bad time to travel in Morocco as there is always something to enjoy.

Best Times to Visit Morocco

Generally speaking, the best times to visit Morocco are the springtime from March to May and autumn time from September to October, when it is warm and pleasant, with enough sunlight and without the coldness of winter or the scorching heat of summer.

The temperature in these middle months is normally 17 to 35°C (63–95°F). The average temperature in lowland cities, such as Fez and Marrakech, is generally a bit higher than the cities in the mountains, such as Chefchaouen.

If you prefer to avoid rain as much as possible, then May and September are the best of the best months. The temperature in these two months is about 20 to 35°C (68–95°F), and the average rainfall is about 4 mm to 40 mm, dependent on the region. It generally rains less in September and the sky is clearer.

Best Times for Morocco's Historical and Cultural Sights

All year round, it's suitable for visiting historical and cultural sites in Morocco. The relics and history of ancient civilizations are the most appealing points of interest, attracting visitors at all times of the year. However, ideally, history/culture enthusiasts would favor fewer tourists around while traveling. Discarding the pursuit of the best weather, the months below are best substitutes for lower visitor numbers:

November and December are favorable as they are much less crowded at the scenic sites and souks (markets). The daily temperature range is about 10 to 22°C (50–71°F) and it's mostly sunny and mild, but it does rain sometimes and gets chilly in the afternoon.

January and February are the least crowded months in Morocco, when you can sometimes have the scenic sites to yourself. The temperature is about 10 to 20°C (50–68°F), and January is the coldest month. Generally it's sunny, but there is a chance of rain especially in the coastal cities.

June is also a month with fewer visitors, but it's the start of Morocco's burning hot summer. Temperatures are 21 to 38°C (70–100°F) on a typical day, and it hardly ever rains. If you don't mind the heat and dislike rain, then June could be your best month.

Best Times for the Sahara Desert

It's awesome to go into the wilds of the Sahara Desert for one or two days, but this is not recommended in summertime (June, July, and August), when temperatures are dangerously hot at around 40°C (104°F) during the day, meaning the body must work hard to cool down and avoid heatstroke.

The best months to visit are March, April, May, September, October, and November, which gives you plenty of choice. If you can only schedule your holiday in the summer, then June is the most bearable of the hot months. Irrespective of which month you go, it is necessary to take a warm jacket for nighttime in the desert.

December, January, and February are also recommended for the desert during the day, but it will be cold at night requiring thicker clothes, such as a sweater or down jacket.

Best Times for Morocco's Mountain Areas

Morocco has two mountain ranges — the Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains. The best times to hike in the mountains are April and May as well as September and October. The weather during these months is the best. The spring views with the wildflowers and greenery are inspirational, and the yellows of autumn are also appealing.

Other months are also workable for the mountains. Temperatures in summer are relatively mild, but there may be thunderstorms in the afternoon, which makes hiking more difficult; it is generally cold in winter with rain or snow from time to time, but December is the best time for skiing. The weather in the mountains can vary according to the elevation, so it's unpredictable to some degree.

Best Times for Morocco's Coast

Summer (June, July, and August) is the best time for visiting the beaches, when the average temperature is around 27°C (81°F), which is cooler than inland, and the sea water is about 22°C (71°F), which is comfortable for swimming, diving, etc. However, summer is the peak season, when there will be many more tourists at the coastline. Securing hotel bookings in advance is necessary.

If you are looking for surfing at the best spots, such as Taghazout and Agadir, then the winter months are the best option with good swells and surf breaks, when the sea water temperature is around 18°C (64°F), which is bearable when wearing a thin wetsuit.

Weather, Activities, and Travel Tips for Each Month in Morocco

January

Weather: Sunny and mild mostly, with rain sometimes and snow from time to time in the mountains, the average temperature range is 6–17°C (43–62°F).

Things to do: Historical sites, medinas and souks, surfing at Taghazout and Agadir, desert, skiing, mountain hiking.

Travel tips: It is cold at night in the desert or mountains, so remember to take enough clothes. Some of the the riads (guest houses or hotels in traditional buildings), especially those in the north, may not provide adequate heating.

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February

Weather: Sunny and mild mostly, rain falls sometimes and there is snow from time to time in the mountains, and the temperature is about 8–18°C (46–65°F) over the course of an average February day.

Things to do: historical sites, medinas and souks, mountain hiking, the desert

Travel tips: As in January, it will be cold at night in the desert or mountains, so remember to take enough clothes.

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March

Weather: With more sunshine, it rains occasionally, and there is barely any snow in the mountains, while average daily temperatures are 9–21°C (49–69°F).

Things to do: desert adventures, mountain hiking, historical sites, medinas and souks, coastal towns

Events and festivals: Festival International de Cinéma d'Animation de Meknès, Ramadan (from March 10 in 2024)

Travel tips: Being the beginning of spring, flowers starting to come out presenting enchanting countryside views. The weather varies dramatically sometimes, so it's best to take clothes for every scenario.

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April

Weather: The wonderful spring weather is mild througout Morocco with low rainfall, with an average temperature range of 11–22°C (52–71°F).

Things to do: mountain hiking, desert experiences, historical sites, medinas and souks, coastal towns

Events and festivals: Jazzablanca music festival and Boulevard de Jeunes Musiciens in Casablanca, Ramadan (up to April 9 in 2024)

Travel tips: The weather is very changeable because of the season diversity of landscape, so it may be showery in one place but sunny in another.

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May

Weather: Wonderful spring weather continues with the average temperature range slightly higher at 14–22°C (52–71°F).

Things to do: mountain hiking, desert trips, historical sites, medinas and souks, coastal towns

Events and festivals: Labour Day on May 1st, Gnaoua World Music festival in Essaouira, Sacred World Music festival in Fez

Travel tips: As in April, the weather differs due to the diversity of landscapes with warm desert conditions and mild conditions on the Essaouira coast. On the May 1st Labour Day holiday, some shops and banks will be closed and there will be more local people at attractions.

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June

Weather: The scorching heat of summer begins with basically no rain, and the temperature range averages 17–29°C (63–84°F) across the country, and it is several degrees hotter in the desert.

Things to do: beach time, mountain hiking, historical sites, visiting medinas and souks

Events and festivals: Eid al-Adha — the Muslim 'Feast of Sacrifice' (June 16 to 17 in 2024), Marrakech du Rire Comedy festival, Sacred World Music festival in Fez, Gnaoua World Music festival in Essaouira

Travel tips: Cities along the coastline, such as Essaouira and Tangier, are still relatively cool (mild) and comfortable. June is the last bearable month to go to the desert before autumn, as the heat rises above body temperature from late June. Water-related activities are popular ways to cool down at the beaches. Many Muslim businesses close for Eid al-Adha, but it's a good time for meat lovers.

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July

Weather: Summertime arrives with intense heat, and it barely rains. Morocco's mean temperature range is 20–32°C (68–90°F), but it is much hotter in the desert.

Things to do: Beach relaxation, excursions in the mountains (near Chefchaouen or Marrakech), visiting historical sites, medinas, and souks

Events and festivals: Alegria Festival de Chefchaouen, Festival Timitar d'Agadir (music), Festival International Culturel d'Asilah

Travel tips: Most people go to places on the coastline, so it's necessary to book hotels or riads in advance. Pools in hotels are a welcome bonus in July. The temperature reaches its highest at midday, so it's best to go outside for sightseeing in the morning or after sunset. It's nice to walk in the woods in the mountains near a waterfall, but it may be too hot for serious hiking. Insects and snakes are particularly active in July and August, and mosquito repellent is necessary in most places.

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August

Weather: Summertime continues its intense heat with no rain and daily temperatures averaging 20–32°C (69–89°F), which is about the same as in July, and note it is about 8°C (14°F) hotter in the desert.

Things to do: Beach time, excursions in the mountains (near Chefchaouen or Marrakech), visiting historical sites, medinas, and souks

Events and festivals: Festival International Culturel d'Asilah.

Travel tips: Same as in July.

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September

Weather: The weather is great in autumn with mostly clear skies and gentle breezes. It starts to cool down from summer's baking conditions, and the average temperature range is 18–29°C (64–84°F).

Things to do: desert explorations are back on the menu, mountain hiking, sightseeing at historical sites, medinas, and souks, visiting coastal towns

Events and festivals: Milad un Nabi ('Birthday of the Prophet') falls between the evenings of September 15 to 17 in 2024

Travel tips: Shops may shut down for about 3 days because of Milad un Nabi. There are no regular dates for Muslim holidays in Morocco because the local Muslim calendar is used, so it's necessary to check every year.

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October

Weather: The great weather of autumn gives rise to beautiful views, and it's even better than September as it's cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. The temperature range is about 15–25°C (58–77°F) on average for Morocco.

Things to do: desert trips, mountain hiking, exploring historical sites, medinas, and souks, visiting coastal towns

Travel tips: Tours and hotels or riads are extremely popular in October, so prior booking is a must.

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November

Weather: The end of autumn sees temperatures drop from warm to mild levels of about 11–21°C (51–70°F) on average.

Things to do: Visiting historical sites, medinas, and souks, desert excursions, coastal town trips, mountain hiking

Travel tips: Some of the riads (guest houses or hotels in traditional buildings), especially the ones in the north, do not provide adequate heating.

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December

Weather: The best time for skiing, December is as cold as in January with the temperatures about of 7–18°C (45–64°F) on average for Morocco.

Things to do: Surfing for those who like big waves, skiing, visiting historical sites, medinas, and souks, mountain hiking, desert trips

Events and festivals: The International Film Festival in Marrakech.

Travel tips: It will be cold at night in the desert or mountains, and layered clothing is necessary. Some of the riads, (especially in the north) are not heated adequately.

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