On this page
- 1. The Short Answer: Spring and Autumn
- 2. Morocco by Season
- 3. Morocco Month by Month
- 4. Best Time to Visit by Region
- 5. Best Time by Type of Traveler
- 6. Summer Heat and Ramadan: How We Plan
- 7. Winter: Cold Nights, Rain and Snow
- 8. Holidays, Crowds and Booking
- 9. What to Pack by Season
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions
Morocco has no single climate. Marrakech, Fes, the Sahara and the Atlantic coast sit in different climate zones, so the best month for one region can be the wrong month for another. A trip that crosses all four needs a season that works for each.
We have planned private trips across Morocco since 2011. This guide lists temperatures for four places month by month, then covers the best time to go by region and by type of traveler, and says when we recommend against going.
Quick answer: When is the best time to visit Morocco?
March to May and September to November. In March, April, May, October and November, Marrakech averages 23 to 29 °C by day (25.7 °C in April, 28.5 °C in October), nights stay mild, and a single trip can combine the cities, the Atlas and the Sahara. Winter, from December to February, suits the cities and the coast, with cold nights in the desert and the mountains. Summer, from June to August, is hot inland, with daily highs above 37 °C in Marrakech in July and August. In summer we do not run southern and desert circuits because of the heat. We also choose not to run them during Ramadan, which is an operating decision of ours, and we can suggest other routes if your dates fall in that period.
The Short Answer: Spring and Autumn
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) work best for most travelers. Days are warm without the inland heat of summer, desert nights are manageable, and walking in the Atlas is practical, depending on altitude and snow. Most of the guides and operators we checked point to the same two seasons, and the temperature data supports them.
The choice between the two comes down to what you want to see. Spring brings green hillsides in the Atlas and the last of the winter rain, with most of it in March. Autumn brings warm evenings, with September still hot and rain returning from October. If your dates are fixed, the other months still work for the right route, as the month-by-month table below shows.
Morocco by Season
Spring: March to May
Marrakech climbs from 24 °C by day in March to 29 °C in May. March is the wettest of the three months in Marrakech at 35 mm, and rainfall drops to 10 mm by May. Snow stays on the high Atlas into spring, and in some years it lasts until May. Errachidia averages 22 °C in March and 30 °C in May, so early starts matter for May dunes and long drives.
Summer: June to August
Marrakech averages 37 to 38 °C by day in July and August, Fes 35 °C, and Errachidia 39.5 °C in July with a 26 °C average night. Saharan summer maximums can exceed 44 °C. The Atlantic coast stays cooler: Essaouira holds between 21 and 22 °C all summer. The high Atlas is cooler than the plains at altitude, though the valleys below it stay hot.
Autumn: September to November
Marrakech eases from 32.5 °C in September to 23 °C in November. Rain returns in October and November, and Fes has its wettest month in November at 66 mm. October is one of the best months for combining a city, the Atlas and the desert in one trip, with warm days and mild nights.
Winter: December to February
Marrakech averages 19 to 21 °C by day and 6 to 8 °C at night. Fes is a few degrees cooler. The Atlas receives heavy snow, and its coldest nights fall well below freezing. The desert is mild at midday and cold after dark.
Morocco Month by Month
The first table shows average daily highs and lows in °C (high / low, rounded) for four places: Marrakech, Fes, Errachidia and Essaouira. The figures are rounded monthly climate averages for 1991 to 2020, based on published historical records. They are not forecasts, and conditions vary by location, altitude and year. Errachidia is the regional capital with a published climate record for the desert side of the country, and temperatures at the dunes can differ from those in town.
Average daily high by month. Spring and autumn are shaded. The table below gives the same figures with night temperatures.
The second table turns those figures into a month-by-month view of what each month suits and what to watch for.
Best Time to Visit by Region
The grid below summarizes the five regions, and the sections that follow give the detail.
Which months suit which region. Our rating, based on the climate averages above. Ramadan is not shown because its dates move each year.
Marrakech
March to May and September to November suit the city. From October, evenings are comfortable for the souks and the Jemaa el-Fna square. June to August brings long hot afternoons. Our Marrakech travel guide covers the city in detail.
The Sahara and Merzouga
March, April, October and November give a good balance of day heat and night cold at the dunes. December to February works for travelers who pack warm layers for the evening. Rain is rare, with about 59 mm in a year, though storms do happen: heavy rain in October 2024 formed temporary lakes around Merzouga. Read our Merzouga travel guide for camps and routes, or our guide to what to wear in the desert.
The Atlas Mountains
Spring and autumn are the main walking seasons. Winter brings snow, and Ifrane in the Middle Atlas averages 2 °C in January, with colder temperatures higher up. Imlil, the village at the foot of Toubkal, is the base for walks toward the summit.
Fes and the imperial cities
Fes reaches 35 °C in July and August and receives its heaviest rain from November to January. The best months for walking the old medina are March to May and September to October.
The Atlantic coast
Essaouira has the narrowest temperature range of the four places in the table, from 18 °C in January to 22 °C in August by day. It stays mild in July. Rain falls from November to February, up to 56 mm in December. See our Essaouira guide.
Best Time by Type of Traveler
Families tend to travel in school holidays, and long drives with children go best in spring and autumn. Winter works for a city and coast trip, though desert nights are cold for small children. Our Sahara with young children guide explains how to plan the drive, and our Morocco family tours cover the routes.
Couples get the best evenings in October and November and in March and April. Riad courtyards are comfortable after sunset, and the desert is neither hot nor icy.
Older travelers and anyone sensitive to heat should look at the shoulder months: late March to April and October to mid-November. Midday temperatures stay below 30 °C in Marrakech, and long drives are easier.
First-time visitors who want the cities, the Atlas and the desert in one trip should choose April or October. Both months suit most regions on the route, though nights in the high Atlas stay cold.
Travelers on a tight budget can read our guide to the cheapest month to fly to Morocco. It covers flight timing.
Not Sure When to Visit Morocco?
Tell us your travel dates and what you would like to experience. Our local team will help you choose the right regions, route and pace for the season. Plan Your Private Morocco Trip →
Summer Heat and Ramadan: How We Plan
We do not recommend southern and desert itineraries in summer, from June to August. Errachidia averages 35 °C by day in June and 39.5 °C in July, and the nights stay at 22 °C or higher from June to August. The drive from Marrakech to Merzouga takes roughly 8 to 10 hours depending on stops, and in that heat it is tiring for everyone. The nights give little relief. If summer is your only window, a coastal or mountain-based trip will be more comfortable.
Ramadan is a separate matter from the heat. We choose not to run southern and desert circuits during Ramadan. That is our operating decision, and if your dates fall inside it we can plan a different route. Ramadan moves about eleven days earlier each year. In 2027 it is expected to run from 8 February to 8 March, with Eid al-Fitr on 9 March, subject to the moon sighting. Our Morocco summer travel guide lists what does work when the heat arrives.
Winter: Cold Nights, Rain and Snow
Winter in Morocco is mild at midday and cold after dark. Marrakech averages 19 °C in January and 6 °C at night. Errachidia averages 16 °C by day and 2 °C at night, and has recorded −8.1 °C in January. The Atlas can see heavy snow, and temperatures there can fall to −18 °C.
Rain is most likely from November to March on the southern Atlantic coast and from November to January in Fes. Storms can cause flooding in low-lying areas, so winter itineraries need a little flexibility. The end-of-year holidays are among the busiest weeks of the year. Our December guide covers that month in detail.
Holidays, Crowds and Booking
Demand is highest around Easter and the end-of-year holidays. For those weeks we recommend booking two to three months ahead, so that your preferred riads and desert camps are still available.
Moroccan public holidays can affect travel. The fixed ones include 1 May (Labour Day), 30 July (Throne Day) and 18 November (Independence Day). The Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and move each year. Eid al-Adha 2027 is expected around 16 May, with 17 May as a possible alternative, and most schools and businesses close for it. The date depends on the moon sighting.
What to Pack by Season
Spring and autumn call for layers: a light jacket for evenings and the desert, comfortable walking shoes, a scarf and sun protection. Winter adds a warm coat, a hat and thermal layers for desert and Atlas nights. Summer needs loose, light clothing and sun protection, plus a light layer for air-conditioned vehicles. Our Morocco packing list has the full checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Morocco?
If you can choose one month for a trip that combines the cities, the Atlas and the desert, April and October are among the best months. In April, Marrakech averages 26 °C by day and 12 °C at night, and Errachidia, our desert reference town, averages 26 °C and 13 °C. In October the figures are 29 °C and 16 °C in Marrakech, and 27 °C and 14 °C in Errachidia.
When is the rainy season in Morocco?
It depends on the region. The northern Atlantic coast sees rain from October into May, while the southern Atlantic coast gets most of its rain between November and March. Fes is wettest from November to January. Merzouga receives about 59 mm in a year, though a heavy storm in October 2024 formed temporary lakes among the dunes.
Is Morocco too hot in summer?
Inland, yes. Marrakech averages 37 °C by day in July and August, and Errachidia averages 39.5 °C in July. Essaouira on the Atlantic coast stays near 22 °C all summer. For that reason we steer clients away from southern and desert itineraries between June and August. If summer is your only window, tell us and we will look at the coast and the mountains.
Can you visit the Sahara in winter?
Yes. Winter days in the desert are mild, around 16 to 18 °C at Errachidia from December to February. Nights are the issue: the January average low is 2 °C, and the lowest January temperature on record there is −8.1 °C. Bring a warm layer for the evening and ask about camp bedding when you book.
When is Ramadan in 2027, and can I still travel?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to run from 8 February to 8 March, with Eid al-Fitr on 9 March. Local moon sighting confirms the dates, so each could move by a day. We choose not to run southern and desert itineraries during Ramadan. If your dates fall inside it, send us your window and we will suggest a shift or a different route.
How far ahead should I book?
For Easter and the end-of-year holidays, we recommend two to three months ahead. Outside those weeks, a private trip can be arranged with less notice, depending on availability, and early booking gives you more choice of riads and desert camps.
Further Reading
- Climate of Morocco - climate zones, regional rainfall, Atlas winter lows and Sahara summer highs
- Marrakesh - 1991 to 2020 climate table: daily highs, lows and rainfall
- Fez - 1991 to 2020 climate table
- Errachidia - 1991 to 2020 climate table for the desert-side reference town
- Essaouira - 1991 to 2020 climate table
- Merzouga - rainfall and the October 2024 floods
- Public holidays in Morocco - fixed and Islamic holiday dates
- Wego: Ramadan 2027 - expected Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr dates
- Wego: Eid al-Adha in Morocco - expected Eid al-Adha 2027 date
Written by
Said, Senior Guide and co-founder of Morocco Tours. A former mountain guide, Said has been a guide certified by Morocco's national tourist office since 2009.
Tell us when you can travel, who is coming and how many days you have. We will suggest the route, the regions and the pace that fit those dates, and tell you if a region does not suit the season. Our Family Tours page shows how we adjust a trip for different ages.
Explore Morocco Private Tours → · Plan a Private Trip →
You may also like: Visiting Morocco in December · Morocco Summer Travel Guide · Morocco Packing List · Marrakech Travel Guide
