It's suitable all year round for visiting historical and cultural sites in Morocco. The relics and history of ancient civilizations are the most appealing points of interest, attracting visitors all the time. However, people always favor fewer tourists around while traveling. Discarding the pursuit of the best weather, the months below are best substitutes:
November and December are favorable as they are much less crowded at the scenic sites and souks (markets). The temperature 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 have the scenic sites to yourself sometimes. 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, yet it's the start of the burning hot summer in Morocco. The temperature is about 21 to 38°C (70–100°F) and it hardly ever rains. Water-related activities are the ways to cool down. If you don't mind the heat and dislike rain, then June is the most satisfying.
The Best Time for the Sahara Desert
It's marvelous 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). The temperatures will be dangerously hot, around 40°C (104°F) during the day, draining water from the body quickly.
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.
The Best Time for the Mountain Areas
Morocco has two mountain ranges — the Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains. The best time to hike in the mountains is April, May, September, and October. The weather during these months is the best. The spring views with the wildflowers and greenery are adorable, and the yellow color in autumn is also appealing.
The other months are also workable for the mountains. The temperature in summer is 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, yet 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.
The Best Time for the Coast
June, July, and August is the best time for visiting the beaches, when the average temperature is around 27°C (81°F), 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 aim for surfing at the best spots, such as Taghazout and Agadir, then the winter months are the best option with good swell and surf breaks. The sea water temperature will be 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, rains sometimes, snows from time to time in the mountains, the temperature is about 10–18°C (50–64°F).
Things to do: Historical sites, medinas and souks, surfing at Taghazout and Agadir, desert, skiing, mountain hiking.
Travel tips: It will be cold at night in the desert or mountains, remember to take enough clothes. Some of the the riads (guest houses or hotels in traditional buildings), especially the ones in the north, may not provide adequate heating.
February
Weather: Sunny and mild mostly, rains sometimes, snows from time to time in the mountains, the temperature is about 12–20°C (53–68°F).
Things to do: Historical sites, medinas and souks, mountain hiking, desert.
Travel tips: Same as in January, it will be cold at night in the desert or mountains, remember to take enough clothes.
March
Weather: More sunshine, rains occasionally, and barely any snow in the mountains, the temperature is about 10–24°C (50–75°F).
Things to do: Desert, mountain hiking, historical sites, medinas and souks, coastal towns.
Events and festivals: Festival International de Cinéma d'Animation de Meknès.
Travel tips: The beginning of spring, flowers starting to come out. The weather varies dramatically sometimes so best to take clothes for every scenario.
April
Weather: Wonderful spring weather, the temperature is about 15–30°C (59–86°F).
Things to do: Mountain hiking, desert, historical sites, medinas and souks, coastal towns.
Events and festivals: Jazzablanca music festival and Boulevard de Jeunes Musiciens in Casablanca.
Travel tips: The weather differs in different places because of the diversity of landscape, so it may be showery in one place but sunny in another.
May
Weather: Wonderful spring weather, the temperature is about 20–35°C (68–95°F).
Things to do: Mountain hiking, desert, 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 in different places because of the diversity of landscape. On the May 1st labour holiday, some shops and banks will be closed and there will be more local people at each tourist site.
June
Weather: Start of the scorching heat of summer, basically no rain, the temperature is about 21–38°C (70–100°F), and even hotter in the desert.
Things to do: Beach, mountain hiking, historical sites, medinas, and souks.
Events and festivals: Ramadan, 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 and comfortable. June is the last bearable month to go to the desert before autumn.
July
Weather: Summertime with intense heat, barely rains, the temperature is about 22–45°C (71–113°F), even hotter in the desert.
Things to do: Beach, excursion in the mountains (near Chefchaouen or Marrakech), historical sites, medinas, and souks.
Events and festivals: Ramadan, Alegria Festival de Chefchaouen, Festival Timitar d'Agadir (music), Festival International Culturel d'Asilah.
Travel tips: Most people go to places on the coastline, it's necessary to book the hotels or riads in advance. Pools in the hotels will be a bonus. 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 active in July and August, mosquito repellent is necessary.
August
Weather: Summertime with intense heat, no rain, the temperature is about 22–45°C (71–113°F), which is about the same as in July, even hotter in the desert.
Things to do: Beach, excursions in the mountains (near Chefchaouen or Marrakech), historical sites, medinas, and souks.
Events and festivals: Festival International Culturel d'Asilah.
Travel tips: Same as in July.
September
Weather: Great in the autumn time with clear skies mostly and gentle breezes. It starts to cool down after summer and the temperature is about 22–35°C (71–95°F).
Things to do: Desert, mountain hiking, historical sites, medinas and souks, coastal towns.
Events and festivals: Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice).
Travel tips: Shops may shut down for about 3 days because of the Feast of Sacrifice but it will be a good time for meat lovers. There are no regular dates for the Muslim holidays in Morocco because the Muslim calendar is used, so it's necessary to check every year.
October
Weather: Great in the autumn time with beautiful views, even better than September as it's cooler and more comfortable for sightseeing. The temperature is about 19–29°C (66–84°F).
Things to do: Desert, mountain hiking, historical sites, medinas and souks, coastal towns.
Travel tips: The tours and hotels or riads are extremely popular in October, so prior booking is a must.
November
Weather: End of autumn and the temperature drops, generally about 14–22°C (57–167°F).
Things to do: Historical sites, medinas and souks, desert, coastal towns, mountain hiking.
Travel tips: Some of the the riads (guest houses or hotels in traditional buildings), especially the ones in the north, may not provide adequate heating.
December
Weather: Best time for skiing, as cold as in January with the temperature about 10–18°C (50–64°F).
Things to do: Surfing, skiing, historical sites, medinas and souks, mountain hiking, desert.
Events and festivals: The International Film Festival in Marrakech.
Travel tips: It will be cold at night in the desert or mountains, layered clothing is necessary. Some of the the riads, especially the ones in the north, may not provide adequate heating.
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