Best Time to Visit Morocco: Weather, Climate & Insider Tips

When is the best time to visit Morocco?

The best time to visit Morocco is in spring between March and May and in fall between September and November.

During these months, you’ll enjoy truly great weather in Morocco. The sun shines a lot, it rarely rains, and temperatures around the most beautiful attractions in Morocco range between 68 and 95°F.

In summer, especially in the south, it can get genuinely hot, with temperatures around 104°F. If you’re planning Morocco as a winter travel destination, you’ll find mild temperatures, but it rains a bit more and the nights are usually cold.

Depending on the activity, other months can also work well for your trip to Morocco. We’ll explain that in more detail below.

Best travel times by region at a glance

Certain regions can also be visited outside of Morocco’s best travel season. The table below gives you a quick overview.

Morocco's climate at a glance, with climate charts

Morocco has two climate zones, with the High Atlas mountain range of the Atlas Mountains forming the climate divide.

Northern Morocco has a more Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm and dry, winters are mild.

The climate in southern Morocco is a mix of continental, oceanic, and desert climates. Summers are very hot with barely any rain. Winters can get cold as well.

Morocco's climate on the northern Atlantic coast: climate chart for Rabat

The climate in northern Morocco — specifically around Rabat on the Atlantic coast, but also in Fès and along the Mediterranean coast — is a typical Mediterranean climate. Just like what you might know from Mallorca or Italy.

From spring through fall the weather is consistently great, it rarely rains, and temperatures are pleasant. Even in summer it doesn’t get too hot, with a maximum of around 82°F. Winters are mild and never too cold.

Morocco's climate in the interior: climate chart for Ifrane

The climate in the mountain region in the interior of Morocco, roughly between Fès and Marrakech, is comparable to the climate of South Tyrol — just a bit warmer and sunnier on average.

The region around Ifrane borders to the south on what is known as the climate divide, formed by the High Atlas mountain range. This area strongly influences the surrounding climate and separates Morocco’s north and south into two distinct climate zones.

From April through October, temperatures are mostly warm and sunny, though it rains occasionally — typical mountain weather. During the winter months it gets colder, and snow is possible.

Morocco's climate in the south: climate chart for Marrakech

Around Marrakech, in the High Atlas, and along the southern Atlantic coast, the climate is a rather dry continental climate, in contrast to northern Morocco. The warm desert wind known as the sirocco has a major influence on conditions here.

In the summer months, it can therefore get really hot in this area, with temperatures in Morocco inland pushing toward the 104°F mark and virtually no rain.

The winter months are wonderfully mild — you’ll still enjoy pleasant temperatures around 68°F during the day and it rarely rains. Nights can get chilly though. The best weather is in spring and fall, when you’ll have perfect summer conditions around Marrakech.

If you head from Marrakech toward the Atlantic, an oceanic climate comes into the mix.

Morocco's climate in the desert: climate chart for Merzouga

The desert in Morocco has a hot desert climate, especially during the summer months. Temperatures climb to over 104°F and barely cool down even at night.

In winter, on the other hand, nights in the tents can get genuinely cold, dropping to just 37–41°F. Daytime temperatures are mild.

The most pleasant desert climate is in spring and fall. Warm, but definitely not too hot. The great thing about the desert: it almost never rains and the sun shines virtually all the time. There are always exceptions, of course.

The best time to visit Morocco for a road trip

From personal experience, we can tell you that you can plan a road trip through Morocco any time of year. The weather in Morocco is never truly bad.

That said, it always depends on what you want to do. While the south can get brutally hot in summer, a road trip through the north in summer means fantastic summer weather.

In winter, on the other hand, temperatures in southern Morocco are wonderfully mild. On a desert tour, nights can still get quite cold though. Make sure you have a heater in your tent and pack a hat and layers.

If you’d prefer perfect weather throughout the country on your road trip, you’re better off sticking to Morocco’s best travel season and choosing Morocco as a fall travel destination or visiting in spring.

If heat or cold don’t bother you on vacation, the months outside Morocco’s best travel season can also be a great option.

Because during the off-season you can score real bargains at places like the most beautiful riads in Marrakech or the best riads in Fès.

Morocco's best travel seasons by activity

There are tons of different cool things to do in Morocco. As mentioned above, certain months are better suited to certain activities.

Here’s when you can best enjoy each activity.

City trips

City trips in Morocco can essentially be planned year-round. The best weather in the north — for cities like Fès, Meknès, Rabat, or Chefchaouen — is between March and October.

Between November and February it’s still pleasantly warm at up to 66°F. It rains a bit more and the sun shines a little less. Accommodations in Fès and elsewhere are somewhat cheaper during the off-season, like the hotels in Fès.

In the south, the sights in Marrakech are popular for a cultural city break. On average, it’s always a bit warmer here than in the north.

The best time to visit Marrakech is also in spring and fall. Trips are possible in other months too, with some trade-offs. If you don’t like heat, you should avoid July and August.

Winters are similarly mild to those in the north, but it can get cold at times. On the upside, accommodations in Marrakech are cheaper in the off-season. Many providers of day trips from Marrakech also offer lower prices then.

Desert tour

If you’re planning a desert tour in Morocco — whether in the Erg Chebbi desert, the Erg Chegaga desert, or the Agafay desert — you’re best off sticking to Morocco’s best travel season.
Between March and May and between September and November, desert temperatures are by far the most comfortable — both during the day and at night.

That said, a desert tour is possible in other months too. In summer, daytime temperatures are quite hot and nights barely cool down. Winter nights can get pretty cold. Bundle up!

Atlas Mountains

If you’re doing a road trip through Morocco, you’ll pass through the Atlas Mountains sooner or later. The recommended travel times here vary depending on what you want to do.

If you have no specific activity planned, you’ll probably just be driving through the High Atlas to get from Marrakech to the desert.

In that case, it’s relatively unimportant which month it is. That said, the most pleasant weather is still in spring and fall.

Stops at Ait-Ben-Haddou, the Todra Gorge, and the Dades Gorge are most enjoyable during those times too. In summer, make sure you have air conditioning in your car and avoid long stops during the midday heat.

If you’re planning to climb or hike in the gorges, though, you should avoid summer and winter.

If you’re driving from Fès into the desert, you’ll pass through the Middle Atlas. If you’re traveling in winter, be aware that it can get cold and even snow here. Great if you’re into winter sports, since the towns of Azrou and Ifrane are popular ski areas.

Hiking

Hiking is probably the most popular activity in the Atlas Mountains. The best season for it varies depending on where you want to hike.

In northern Morocco, the Rif Mountains and the towns of Azrou and Ifrane in the Middle Atlas are popular hiking areas. Here you’ll have the best hiking weather between April and October.

The good news: even in summer, temperatures are pleasant and not too hot thanks to the Mediterranean climate.

The most popular hiking area in the south is the High Atlas, specifically the national park around Mount Toubkal, Morocco’s highest peak.

If you’re planning to hike there, you should absolutely stick to Morocco’s best travel season — between March and May and between September and November. That’s when the weather in Morocco is at its finest.

Beach vacation

The weather in Morocco for a classic beach vacation is best between April and October. Temperatures during those months range from about 72 to 100°F — but with the ocean breeze, it’s absolutely manageable.

Keep in mind, though, that Morocco’s weather along the Mediterranean and the northern Atlantic coast is always a bit cooler than along the southern Atlantic coast.

The south is also where most of our 12 most beautiful beaches in Morocco are located — such as in the popular resort town of Agadir with its classic beach hotels.

Or in the charming little coastal town of Essaouira. There you can enjoy a perfect short getaway at one of our nine most beautiful riads in Essaouira and soak up the sun.

And if you’re looking to escape a cold winter back home, Morocco’s weather in December, January, and February makes it a seriously appealing destination.

Surfing

Morocco’s Atlantic coast ranks alongside Bali, Portugal, and Fuerteventura as one of the world’s most popular surf spots. The best time to go to Morocco for surfing is from November through early May.

During those months the waves are at their best, for beginners and experienced surfers alike. Temperatures are usually around 68°F, with water temperatures around 61°F.

The best surf spots — and therefore the best waves — in Morocco are around the small fishing village and surfer’s paradise of Taghazout, on the southern Atlantic coast.

Holidays and public holidays in Morocco

Morocco naturally has a number of public holidays and school breaks. These shouldn’t, however, influence your decision about when to visit Morocco.

Most tourist attractions are open even on public holidays, though some shops may be closed. On days like Eid al-Fitr, the cities can of course get very busy.

Moroccan students get a few days off every seven weeks, but we’ve never noticed any impact from this on our travels.

Important national holidays in Morocco include:

• January 1 – New Year’s Day
• January 11 – Independence Manifesto Day
• January 14 – Amazigh New Year
• May 1 – Labor Day
• August 14 – Western Sahara Integration Day
• August 20 – Revolution Day
• Ramadan (dates vary)
• Eid al-Fitr (date varies)
• Eid al-Adha (date varies)
• Islamic New Year (date varies)
• Prophet’s Birthday (date varies)

Ramadan in Morocco

Ramadan is the fasting month in Muslim countries. Devout Muslims do not eat or drink anything during this period from dawn until sunset.

When Ramadan falls in Morocco changes every year. We were in Morocco ourselves during Ramadan in 2024, and from personal experience we can tell you that while Ramadan isn’t the best time to visit Morocco, it won’t significantly impact your vacation either.
What’s different during Ramadan:

• it’s quieter during the day
• many local restaurants are closed during the day
• some tourist restaurants take a break around sunset
• attractions may be closed for 1–2 hours during the day
• more people are out in the streets at night celebrating Eid al-Fitr

What you can still do as a tourist during Ramadan:

• eat in restaurants during the day — including authentic Moroccan specialties
• book day trips
• visit all the major sights
• shop in the souks at any time
• travel by bus, train, and taxi

Natural disasters in Morocco

Because Morocco lies in a seismically active zone, earthquakes can occur.

Even though a powerful earthquake with many injuries and deaths struck as recently as September 2023, earthquakes in Morocco fortunately remain the exception.

Morocco also has a rainy season, which runs from November to March. During this time, flooding can occur in the High Atlas.

However, since Morocco’s wet and dry seasons are nowhere near as pronounced as those in, say, Thailand or Costa Rica, flooding is relatively rare — it simply doesn’t rain excessively.

So before your trip to Morocco, you shouldn’t worry too much about your safety in Morocco. During your trip planning you can also stay up to date on current events and travel warnings on the German Federal Foreign Office website.

Tips and frequently asked questions about the best time to visit Morocco