Best Time to Visit Morocco Month by Month: Weather, Events and Tips

When you plan a trip from Asia, you often have fixed holidays. So the real question is not only "when is the best season?" but "what will Morocco be like in my month?". This guide explains the best time to visit Morocco month by month, from January to December. Our team lives in Merzouga, at the edge of the Sahara, and we drive these roads all year, so the advice comes from daily experience.

One rule is useful to remember: Morocco has several climates. The Atlantic coast is mild. The Atlas Mountains are cold in winter. The Sahara is very hot in summer and cold at night in winter. Most tours cross all three zones, so you always need a few layers.

Best time to visit Morocco month by month: the quick answer

• Best overall: March to May and late September to November. Warm days, cool nights, green valleys or golden autumn light.
• Good with warm clothes: December to February. Sunny days, cold desert nights, snow on the Atlas peaks.
• Hot but possible: June to August. Very hot in Marrakech and the desert; pleasant on the coast and in the mountains.

Winter: December, January and February

December

Days are short and often sunny. Marrakech is pleasant at midday, but evenings are cool. In the desert, nights can be close to freezing, so camps give thick blankets. Many travellers from the Philippines and other Asian countries come for Christmas and New Year, so book early.

January

This is usually the coldest month. Snow often covers the High Atlas, and the Tizi n'Tichka pass can close for a few hours after heavy snow. The landscapes are beautiful and the main sights are calm. A good month for photographers who do not mind the cold.

February

Almond trees start to flower in some valleys, especially in the Anti-Atlas. Days become warmer. Lunar New Year holidays often fall in this period, and it is a good time for a short desert trip with warm clothes.

Spring: March, April and May

March

Spring arrives. The valleys of the south turn green, and the temperature in the desert is comfortable day and night. March is one of our favourite months for a full route with the imperial cities and the Sahara.

April

Excellent weather almost everywhere. It is also a busy month for European visitors around Easter, so riads in Marrakech and Fez fill quickly. Sometimes the wind brings small sandstorms in the desert, but they rarely last long.

May

Warm and bright. In the Dades area, the rose harvest takes place around this time, and the town of Kelaat M'Gouna usually holds a rose festival. Japanese travellers often visit during Golden Week; it is a great choice if you book in advance.

Summer: June, July and August

June

The heat starts in the south. Essaouira usually hosts its well-known Gnawa music festival around this time. In Fez, a festival of sacred music is often held in late spring or early summer. Check the dates each year on the Moroccan National Tourist Office website.

July

This is the hottest month. Marrakech can be above 40 °C in the afternoon and the Sahara even hotter. Desert tours are still possible: we start very early, rest at midday and ride the camels at sunset. The Atlantic coast and the High Atlas villages are much cooler.

August

Similar to July, with many Moroccan families on holiday. The beaches of the north and the coast are busy. If your only free time is in August, combine a short desert trip with the mountains or Essaouira.

Autumn: September, October and November

September

The heat goes down slowly. In the High Atlas, the village of Imilchil usually holds its famous engagement festival in late summer or September. The light becomes softer and very good for photos.

October

One of the best months of the year. The date harvest starts in the palm groves of the south, and Erfoud usually celebrates it with a date festival. Desert nights are fresh but not cold.

November

Calm, sunny and less crowded. Bring a warm jacket for the desert evening. It is a great month for a long route like our 10-day tour from Casablanca.

Ramadan moves every year

Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, so its dates move about 11 days earlier every year. Travelling during Ramadan is possible and can be a special experience. Some cafés close during the day, opening hours change, and the evenings are lively after the fast is broken. Hotels and camps still serve meals to travellers. Muslim travellers can read our halal travel guide for more details.

Matching Morocco with holidays in Asia

• Lunar New Year (January or February): cool, sunny days in the cities and cold desert nights. Good for a short loop from Marrakech.
• Holy Week and Easter (March or April): popular with Filipino travellers. The weather is excellent, so book riads early.
• Golden Week (late April to early May): one of the best weather windows of the year for Japanese travellers.
• School holidays in June and July: hot inland; plan early starts, the coast and the mountains.
• Christmas and New Year: festive and busy in Marrakech, with clear skies and cold nights in the dunes.

Our advice for your dates

Every month has a good route. In the hot months we suggest the coast and the mountains, for example our luxury Marrakech and Essaouira tour. In spring and autumn, a longer journey to the dunes is ideal, such as the 3-day desert trip from Marrakech or the luxury imperial cities and Sahara tour. All our tours are private and start any day, so tell us your dates and we will adapt the plan to the season.