Morocco Weather in October 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

October is a great time of year to visit Morocco, with mild to warm temperatures throughout the country, when top things to do include Marrakesh sightseeing and Sahara Desert trips.

Information below includes weather details for different cities with temperatures, rainfall, humidity, as well as other travel advice, which places to go to, travel tips, festivals, and what to wear.

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1. Morocco Weather in October: Overview

Moroccan countryside

Averages:

• Temperature range: 15–25°C (58–77°F)
• Rainfall: 4 cm (1.5 inch)
• Rainy days: 7
• Sunshine hours/day: 8
• Ocean temperature: 18°C (64°F)
• Humidity: 41–83% (comfortable in the desert to much more humid on the coast)

October is the last month that sees mostly warm temperatures across Morocco, with fall being well underway.

Temperature wise, Marrakesh, Mergouza and Fez are still seeing highs of over 25°C (77°F) during the day, meaning you can still expect a lovely warm holiday in Morocco even in October. Because temperatures aren't as high as in summer (June–September), October is also part of Morocco's high season.

Temperatures at the beach are slightly cool by October, meaning you likely wouldn't be coming for purely a hot beach holiday. There is a slight increase in chance of rain in October too, especially along the coast, but you can still expect 8 hours of sunshine a day, making October a great time of year to visit Morocco for sightseeing and hiking.

October Climate Comparison (Averages) for Morocco's Top Tourism Areas

2. The Best Places to Visit in Morocco in October

If you are considering a visit to Morocco in October, you're in luck, as October is part of the high season for a reason: most of the country has great weather and comes recommended to visit at this time of year.

If we had to be picky, we would probably say October is not the best time of year to visit the beach, as temperatures in the mornings and evenings drop a little. However, if you really wanted to, you could definitely still see Morocco's beaches even in October.

Coast aside, October can give you an all-round Morocco experience, from Marrakesh and Fez, to Chefchaouen and Mergouza. With temperatures dropping slightly, it is more comfortable to go on hikes and visit the Atlas Mountains and do other active activities.

To get some more information about what we recommend doing in Morocco in October, read on.

1) Marvel at the Sights of Marrakesh

Street scene in Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh is most tourists' number one stop in Morocco, and for good reason. Its winding alleys and shops at the markets (souks) make for a great day of soaking up Moroccan culture and for a spot of shopping.

After you've passed the shops, there are some important historical sites to see including the El Badi Palace, the Majorelle Gardens (which Global Highlights can take you to on one of our most popular tours Marrakesh Cuisine and Majorelle Garden — 1-Day Marrakesh Private Tour with a Cooking Experience) or the Manara Gardens.

To learn more about Marrakesh's sights, we've curated the Top 11 Things to Do in Marrakesh.

2) Ride a Quad Bike in the Desert from Merzouga

Erg Chebbi, Merzouga, Morocco

From Marrakesh you can venture to the sandy dunes of Morocco in Merzouga. From here, it's possible to take a camel ride and even spend a day in the desert at Erg Chebbi, learning about the desert way of life.

If you are interested, you can also stay overnight in the desert and take a multi-day trip. Spending the night in the desert, you'll be surprised at how many stars you can see in the sky.

For thrill seekers there are also options to ride quad bikes in the desert or you can go sand boarding across the peaks of the desert.

While October is still relatively warm in the middle of the day, it is a great time of year to visit the desert with temperatures dropping less in October than in the winter months. There are some other spots in Morocco to see the desert too, which we've laid out in How to Plan a Desert Trip in Morocco.

3) Check out the Unparalleled Mosque in Casablanca

The Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca is Morocco's main port, and it's worth visiting in October when the temperatures are perfect for walking around and exploring. Our main recommendation in Casablanca is the Unparalleled Mosque (also known as the Hassan II Mosque), the largest functioning mosque in Africa. On the site there is an Islamic school, bathhouses, a museum on Moroccan history, conference halls, and an impressive library.

The mosque is built partially across the sea, under instruction from King Hassan II in 1993. Nearby you will also be able to explore the El Hank lighthouse, as well as the Palace Oued el Makhazine.

Casablanca is a must for anyone wanting to gain a thorough understanding of Morocco, for more Casablanca tips read our The Top 8 Things to See in Casablanca.

10-Day Heart of Morocco

4) Hike the Rif Mountains near Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Chefchaouen, also known as the blue city, is a hot-spot for a good reason, and October' is weather is the perfect time of year to spend some time exploring the city and hiking in the nearby Rif Mountains.

A 45-minute walk up to the Spanish Mosque gives a beautiful sight over the city, or if you want something a little more intense, there is a 4–5-hour hike to the Akchour waterfall.

The city has plenty of traditional guesthouses (known as riads) to spend the night in, and Chefchaouen is great to visit alongside Tangier and Fez, read more about Chefchaouen here: Top 7 Things to See and Do in Chefchaouen.

5-Day North Morocco Discovery

3. End of the High Season: Average Crowds and Average Cost

Mules in Morocco

October marks the end of Morocco's high season (the high season is in spring from March to May and in the fall months of September and October), with temperatures starting to drop as winter is just around the corner.

Given that Morocco is relatively warm most of the year, fall is not chilly but instead pleasant, meaning lots of people take the opportunity to visit at this time of year.

As a result, you can see higher numbers of crowds at the top tourist destinations, and you might find prices slightly higher for hotels and for transportation and tours around the country.

4. What to Wear in October

Moroccan street performer

October is a pleasant time of year to visit Morocco, and during the day you will be fine with trousers and a t-shirt or a shirt.

We do recommend bringing an additional layer or two for the evenings to ensure that you don't get too cold. This is especially the case for those planning to hike in the mountains and visiting the desert into the evenings, when temperatures can really drop. A light jacket is not a bad idea for the evenings.

Make sure you bring supportive footwear for your adventures, as well as a shawl or a scarf to wrap around your hair for women if you're planning on visiting one of Morocco's mosques during your travels.

Monthly Weather in Morocco

Recommended Tours for Morocco in October

Given that October is the perfect time of the year to visit Morocco, almost all itineraries and tours are suitable for this time of year. To help you get started on picking where to go in Morocco in October, we have listed a few examples to get you started.

• Zagora and Wild Chegaga Dunes — 3-Day Private Tour to the Erg Chegaga Sahara Wilds from Marrakesh
• Casablanca to Fez Highlights Tour — 5-Day Casablanca–Rabat–Meknes–Volubilis–Fez–Casablanca Private Tour
• Morocco and Spain Highlights Tour — 12-Day Private Tour: Madrid–Córdoba–Granada–Seville–Tarifa–Tangier–Chefchaouen–Fez–Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakesh
• Morocco and Tunisia Discovery Tour — 11-Day Private Tour: Casablanca–Meknes–Fez–Rabat–Marrakesh–Casablanca–Tunis–Kairouan–Hammamet – Sidi Bou Said – Tunis
• More Morocco Tours

If you already know roughly where you want to go, and you have some particular dates in mind, Global Highlights can also help you put together your ideal itinerary to fit your wishes. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.