Winter
Dec → Feb20 to 21°
nights 5 to 7°
- 5 rainy days · 31 mm
- 9.3 h of sun
- sea 17°
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
In short: March to May and September to November, when Marrakech sees 23 to 33 °C in the afternoon and the desert becomes manageable again. Winter stays mild by day for visiting the cities (20 °C in January in Marrakech, 5 °C at night), while summer is better spent on the Atlantic coast, from Essaouira to Agadir.
- The dunes of Merzouga: In spring and autumn, the two seasons the tourist board recommends for the Sahara, before and after the intense summer heat.
- The medinas of Marrakech and Fez: From March to May and in October and November, with 23 to 30 °C in the afternoon in Marrakech for walking for hours through the souks.
- Rose Festival: In May in Kelaat M'Gouna, at the foot of the High Atlas: the valley celebrates the end of the rose harvest with dancing, Amazigh songs and competitions.
- The Atlantic coast: All year round and especially from June to September: Agadir has around 300 days of sunshine a year, with mild temperatures and steady breezes.
- Winter sun: From December to February, Marrakech keeps 20 to 21 °C in the afternoon, but nights drop to 5 to 7 °C: bring something warm for the evenings.
Best avoided: July and August inland: Marrakech peaks at 39 °C in July and 38 °C in August, and desert excursions become gruelling; the Atlantic coast is then the best refuge.
Sources: visitmorocco.com, visitmorocco.com, en.wikipedia.org
- Jan20°fair
- Feb21°fair
- Mar23°recommended
- Apr26°recommended
- May30°recommended
- Jun33°fair
- Jul39°not recommended
- Aug38°not recommended
- Sep33°recommended
- Oct30°recommended
- Nov24°recommended
- Dec21°fair
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Morocco, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20° | 5° | 9.2 h | 28 mm | 4 d | 17° | |
| February | 21° | 7° | 9.7 h | 39 mm | 6 d | 17° | |
| March | 23° | 9° | 10.2 h | 51 mm | 7 d | 17° | ✓ |
| April | 26° | 12° | 11.3 h | 33 mm | 5 d | 18° | ✓ |
| May | 30° | 15° | 11.9 h | 18 mm | 4 d | 17° | ✓ |
| June | 33° | 17° | 12.2 h | 3 mm | 1 d | 19° | |
| July | 39° | 21° | 12.6 h | 2 mm | 1 d | 18° | |
| August | 38° | 21° | 12.2 h | 4 mm | 2 d | 18° | |
| September | 33° | 18° | 10.7 h | 7 mm | 1 d | 19° | ✓ |
| October | 30° | 15° | 9.9 h | 22 mm | 3 d | 20° | ✓ |
| November | 24° | 10° | 9.2 h | 25 mm | 4 d | 19° | ✓ |
| December | 21° | 7° | 8.9 h | 25 mm | 4 d | 18° |
The four seasons in Morocco, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Marrakech) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May23 to 30°
nights 9 to 15°
- 5 rainy days · 34 mm
- 11.1 h of sun
- sea 17°
Summer
Jun → Aug33 to 39°
nights 17 to 21°
- 1 rainy days · 3 mm
- 12.3 h of sun
- sea 18°
Autumn
Sep → Nov24 to 33°
nights 10 to 18°
- 3 rainy days · 18 mm
- 9.9 h of sun
- sea 19°
Book early for March to May and September to November
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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Daylight in Morocco, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In June there are 14h12 of daylight, in December 10h06, a difference of 4h06.
10h18Jan
11h01Feb
11h54Mar
12h55Apr
13h45May
14h12Jun
14h01Jul
13h18Aug
12h19Sep
11h20Oct
10h30Nov
10h06Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Marrakech" (31.63°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Morocco, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | ||||||||||||
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Towns & culture | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
EventsTafraoute Almond Blossom FestivalFebruaryMarathon des SablesAprilFes Festival of World Sacred MusicMay to JuneEssaouira Gnaoua FestivalJuneDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: January, February, March, April, November, December
- Towns & culture: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December
- Long days: June, July
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Morocco, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. One of these events fills the hotels and pushes prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- FebruaryTafraoute Almond Blossom Festival
The Anti-Atlas celebrates the almond blossom with ahwach dancing and markets, just as the valleys turn white.
- AprilMarathon des Sables
The multi-stage running race crosses southern Morocco, over stony plains and dunes, around Ouarzazate and Erg Chebbi.
- May to JuneFes Festival of World Sacred Music
Concerts in the palace courtyards and gardens of Fes, devoted to religious music from all over the world.
- JuneEssaouira Gnaoua Festival big crowds
Gnaoua music takes over stages in the medina and on the beach for a long weekend, and the town is fully booked.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Morocco, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇲🇦 Marrakech | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| 🇲🇦 Essaouira | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇲🇦 Fez | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| 🇲🇦 Merzouga and Erg Chebbi | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
Month by month, in detail
January
Fair20°5° at night
- 28 mm · 4 d
- 9.2 h
- sea 17°
Low season, lower prices
February
Fair21°7° at night
- 39 mm · 6 d
- 9.7 h
- sea 17°
Low season, lower prices
March
Recommended23°9° at night
- 51 mm · 7 d
- 10.2 h
- sea 17°
Busy, without the crush
April
Recommended26°12° at night
- 33 mm · 5 d
- 11.3 h
- sea 18°
Busy, without the crush
May
Recommended30°15° at night
- 18 mm · 4 d
- 11.9 h
- sea 17°
Busy, without the crush
June
Fair33°17° at night
- 3 mm · 1 d
- 12.2 h
- sea 19°
Busy, without the crush
July
Not recommended39°21° at night
- 2 mm · 1 d
- 12.6 h
- sea 18°
Low season, lower prices
August
Not recommended38°21° at night
- 4 mm · 2 d
- 12.2 h
- sea 18°
Low season, lower prices
September
Recommended33°18° at night
- 7 mm · 1 d
- 10.7 h
- sea 19°
Busy, without the crush
October
Recommended30°15° at night
- 22 mm · 3 d
- 9.9 h
- sea 20°
Busy, without the crush
November
Recommended24°10° at night
- 25 mm · 4 d
- 9.2 h
- sea 19°
Busy, without the crush
December
Fair21°7° at night
- 25 mm · 4 d
- 8.9 h
- sea 18°
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 5 °C early in the morning. Rain stays light: 28 mm over 4 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.2 h a day on average. Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 7 °C early in the morning. Rain stays light: 39 mm over 6 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.7 h a day on average. Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. Mild, 23 °C in the afternoon and 9 °C early in the morning. Rain stays light: 51 mm over 7 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.2 h a day on average. Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
April. 26 °C in the afternoon and 12 °C at night. Rain stays light: 33 mm over 5 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.3 h a day on average. Cool sea (18 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
May. 30 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C at night. Rain stays light: 18 mm over 4 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.9 h a day on average. Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
June. Real heat: 33 °C at the warmest of the day, 17 °C at night. Hardly any rain (3 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 12.2 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
July. Real heat: 39 °C at the warmest of the day, 21 °C at night. Hardly any rain (2 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 12.6 h a day on average. Cool sea (18 °C), for the brave. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
August. Real heat: 38 °C at the warmest of the day, 21 °C at night. Hardly any rain (4 mm over 2 days). Plenty of sunshine: 12.2 h a day on average. Cool sea (18 °C), for the brave. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
September. Real heat: 33 °C at the warmest of the day, 18 °C at night. Hardly any rain (7 mm over 1 day). Plenty of sunshine: 10.7 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
October. 30 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C at night. Hardly any rain (22 mm over 3 days). Plenty of sunshine: 9.9 h a day on average. Cool sea (20 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
November. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 10 °C early in the morning. Rain stays light: 25 mm over 4 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.2 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
December. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 7 °C early in the morning. Rain stays light: 25 mm over 4 days. Expect 8.9 h of sunshine a day. Cool sea (18 °C), for the brave. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
March to May and September to November, when Marrakech sees 23 to 33 °C in the afternoon and the desert becomes manageable again. Winter stays mild by day for visiting the cities (20 °C in January in Marrakech, 5 °C at night), while summer is better spent on the Atlantic coast, from Essaouira to Agadir.
Which month should you avoid in Morocco?
July and August inland: Marrakech peaks at 39 °C in July and 38 °C in August, and desert excursions become gruelling; the Atlantic coast is then the best refuge.
What is the hottest month in Morocco?
July, with 39 °C on average in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Marrakech).
What is the coldest month in Morocco?
January, with 20 °C at best during the day and 5 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Marrakech).
What is the driest month in Morocco?
July: 2 mm over 1 day of rain, against 51 mm in March, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Morocco?
July, with 12.6 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
Does it get cold at night in Morocco?
The gap between day and night reaches 18 °C in July: 39 °C in the afternoon, 21 °C at dawn. Pack an extra layer, even in high season.
When can you swim in Morocco?
The water stays cool all year (warmest 20 °C in October, measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast, Essaouira): swimming is for the brave.
When is the best time to hike in Morocco?
January, February, March, April, November, December: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Marrakech), the safest windows for walking.
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