Best Time to Visit Morocco: Season-by-Season Guide

The sun shines in Morocco most of the year, but the best time to visit depends on where you’re going and what you want to do. The country spans Mediterranean beaches, Atlantic surf towns, snowy mountains and the edge of the Sahara, and each has its own climate.

Here’s a season-by-season guide to help you choose the best time to visit Morocco.

The short answer

For most travelers, spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons. Temperatures are comfortable in the cities, desert nights are not too cold, and the countryside is at its most beautiful in spring.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is arguably Morocco’s best season. The Atlas valleys are green, almond and fruit trees blossom, and daytime temperatures in Marrakech and Fes are pleasant. It’s ideal for combining cities, mountains and desert in one trip. Easter holidays can be busy, so book ahead.

Highlights: the rose harvest in the Dades Valley around Kelaat M’Gouna, usually celebrated with a festival in May, and excellent hiking in the High Atlas.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is hot inland. Marrakech, Fes and the desert regularly exceed 35°C, and sometimes 40°C. The Atlantic coast, however, stays breezy and comfortable, which makes Essaouira, Agadir and the surf villages around Taghazout popular. The mountains offer cooler air too.

Good for: coastal holidays, the north (Tangier, Asilah, Chefchaouen) and mountain escapes. If you visit the Sahara in summer, keep it short and plan activities for early morning and evening.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn brings back comfortable temperatures across most of the country. It’s a great time for touring and for the desert, and the Atlantic swells return for surfers from around October.

Highlights: pleasant evenings for rooftop dinners in Marrakech and clear desert skies.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is mild and sunny on the coast and in the south during the day, but nights can be cold, especially in the desert and the mountains, where temperatures can drop close to freezing. The High Atlas often gets snow, and mountain passes can occasionally close. Winter is the best time for experienced surfers on the Atlantic coast, and a great time for sightseeing with fewer crowds, outside the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Region by region

• Marrakech and Fes: best from March to May and September to November. Very hot in July and August.
• The Sahara (Merzouga): best from October to April. Pack warm layers for winter nights. See our Sahara trip guide.
• High Atlas: best for hiking from April to June and September to November. Read our Atlas hiking guide.
• Atlantic coast: pleasant year-round. Surf is best from October to April, while summer is better for beginners and beach time.
• The north (Tangier, Chefchaouen): lovely from April to October. Winter can be rainy.

Ramadan and religious holidays

The dates of Ramadan move about 11 days earlier each year. In 2027, Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February and end in early March, subject to the official moon sighting. Traveling during Ramadan is perfectly possible and can be fascinating, with lively evenings after sunset. But some restaurants close during the day, opening hours change and Morocco usually moves its clocks back by an hour. Eid al-Fitr, which follows Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, about two months later, are family holidays when transport can be busy.

Festivals worth planning around

Dates vary each year, so always check before booking:

• Gnaoua World Music Festival in Essaouira, usually in early summer
• Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, usually in late spring or early summer
• Rose Festival in Kelaat M’Gouna, usually in May
• Marrakech International Film Festival, usually in late autumn or early winter

What to pack for each season

Pack light, breathable layers for summer, a warm jacket for winter evenings and the desert, and sturdy shoes year-round. Our guide to what to wear in Morocco has a full packing list.