Best time to visit Morocco

January is the coolest and wettest month in Morocco, but it’s also by far the quietest, so you can enjoy having the sites to yourself and being able to browse the souks without the crowds, as well as getting a glimpse of daily life. Temperatures can still be as high as 20C in Marrakech, and only a few degrees colder in Fes and Meknes, although bear in mind it can drop down to around 5-6C at night, so either pack plenty of warm clothes or check if your accommodation has central heating. It’s not the best month for a holiday in Chefchaouen, where it’s cooler and can be cloudy, so those famous blue streets don’t pop quite as eye-catchingly.

There’s more sun at the coast, at Essaouira and Agadir, where it’s less chilly at night with temperatures only dropping to around 10C, although Essaouira’s nickname of the Windy City of Africa means it can feel cooler.

If you’re not a fan of heat, this can be a good month to head into the Sahara, which is enjoyably warm during the day but can be close to freezing during the night. You can also expect some sandstorms during January. The Agafay Desert is also pleasantly warm during the day, with mild temperatures between 15-20C but gets extremely cold at night if you’re planning to camp.

The winter rain is also great for wildflowers in the mountains, but you’re also likely to encounter snow, which means January is not the best time to visit Morocco if you’re hoping to go hiking, and anything more challenging such as climbing Mount Toubkal is not recommended at all.

Festivals: Amazigh New Year is celebrated on January 12 each year, known as Idh Yennayer (or simply Yennayer) by Berber communities in Morocco, with feasts, dancing and singing in the High Atlas, and ceremonies hoping for prosperity for the year ahead.

Best for: Sightseeing without the crowds, winter sun at the coast

There’s less rain in February and temperatures increase slightly this month, although you can still expect the main sites and souks to be quiet if you’re planning to sightsee. Temperatures range between around 17/18C in the royal cities of Fes and Meknes and 20C in Marrakech this month, although it’s still cool in the evenings, dropping to around 5-6C so be sure to check your accommodation has heating. Families can make the most of half-term too, guided by a storyteller around Marrakech, sipping mint tea with a local family in Fes

It’s still best to postpone a visit to Chefchaouen until spring if you’re hoping to see those blues at their best, but February is a great time to soak up some winter sun at the seaside, with the winds dropping slightly this month in Essaouira and temperatures around 20C here and in Agadir. Kids will also love flying kites on the beach in Essaouira and Agadir or try surfing in Taghazout

It’s still cold in the deserts at night if you’re planning to camp in the Sahara or the Agafay Stone Desert, although it’s pleasantly warm during the day, with almost no chance of rain at Ait Benhaddou. In the Dades Valley, it’s similarly chilly at night, but the river is at almost its fullest this month if you’re hoping to trek past the date palms and are ready to brave the cool.

Trekking is possible in the Atlas Mountains but if you can postpone your plans until next month, it’s an even better idea.

Festivals: The second week of February sees the annual Almond Blossom festival taking place in the village of Tafraoute when the trees are in full blossom. There’s traditional music, dancing, storytelling and food galore.

The majority of Moroccans celebrate Ramadan (February to March), with some restaurants closed during the daytime for the month of fasting, shorter hours at some attractions and other restrictions. Tourists are not expected to abide by the Ramadan fasts, but will be able to enjoy the evening atmosphere as the fast is broken.

Best for: Sightseeing without the crowds, winter sun at the coast

The cooler days of winter are over, and spring is beginning across Morocco this month with more sun, less rain and flowers blooming across the country. If you’re visiting towards the start of the month, the weather can still be unpredictable but by late March, it’s one of the best times for a holiday in Morocco. It’s getting busier this month, but you’ll still escape the crowds as you head out sightseeing in the country’s ancient cities.

Early mornings and evenings can be cool, but it’s around 24C in Marrakech, and 20C or higher in some of the other cities like Fes and Meknes. In pretty Chefchaouen, it’s only a couple of degrees cooler, so ideal for strolling those picturesque blue streets and seeing how many shades you can spot.

In the mountains, hiking season is underway with spring blooms and lush greenery after the winter rain. If you’re looking for an active adventure, head out along Berber paths to find mountain villages, or soak up the scenery at a slightly more relaxed pace in the Atlas Mountains, as well as in the foothills at Tafraoute where you can visit local villages and enjoy strolling past palms in the shadow of the peaks. If you’re looking for a challenge, the paths to Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in north Africa, should all have emerged from the snow by the end of the month too.

The Dades Valley is in full bloom too, the ideal time to explore the sights of the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, as it’s known. The nights are no longer as cold in the Sahara either, but it’s not too hot yet for an adventure in the desert – you may still encounter sandstorms, but take a tip from the Sahrawi and bring a scarf to wrap around your face if so. Team a single night visit with Ait Benhaddou or travel in traditional style by camel. For an unusual alternative, consider the Stone Desert of Agafay, only around an hour from Marrakech for a desert adventure with a difference and deliciously warm days.

Or if you’re looking to chill out on the beach, the weather is perfect for a stay in Agadir, hovering around the low 20Cs, while it’s warm and not too windy in Essaouira as well.

Best for: Spring flowers, city sightseeing, trekking, desert adventures, beach breaks without the crowds

One of the best months of the year to visit Morocco, the weather in April is ideal whether you want to venture into the desert, hike in the mountains, sightsee in the cities, sunbathe at the coast or head off the beaten track to some of the country’s less visited destinations. It’s getting busier as everyone flocks to Morocco to make the most of the weather, especially during school holidays, so be prepared to book ahead if you’re travelling then, although you’ll find some fantastic family holidays in Morocco this month too.

It’s still spring, so you can expect some showers, but otherwise the weather is firmly in the Goldilocks zone – not too hot, not too cold, just right! It’s easily one of the best months to go hiking in the Atlas Mountains, with spring flowers still in bloom and snow dusting the highest peaks. And there are plenty of options to enjoy the views and get a taste of Berber life, whether you’re planning to stay in the foothills in sunny Tafraoute or are venturing to the highest mountain in north Africa, Mount Toubkal – April is one of the best months of the whole year to tackle the climb. Or you can stick with a gentle hike in the Atlas Mountains, as well as a longer trek through mountain villages as you follow Berber paths.

The same holds for the deserts, both the Sahara and the Agafay Stone Desert near Marrakech. Temperatures are rising during the day but it’s not too hot to climb atop your camel to explore the desert the traditional way, with options even if you only have a single night to spend in the Sahara. Combine it with a visit to Ait Benhaddou, which is also in driving distance from the lush Dades Valley where you can walk among the palms and see buildings disguised in the rock face.

It’s one of the last months before the winds pick up for the summer in Essaouira, with 21C temperatures to offset the sea breeze, and more sun at the coast in Agadir. Not far away inland you can escape the crowds in Taroudant, known as Petit Marrakech. As you wander inside the city walls, it feels like you’re stepping back in time; the perfect relaxed alternative to its busier sister.

There’s still plenty to tempt you to the bigger cities too, with the sun shining on the famous blues of Chefchaouen, the labyrinthine medina of Fes and the nearby royal city of Meknes, while Marrakech is blissfully warm at around 25C.

Festivals: The International Nomads festival takes place in April (sometimes March) in the Saharan village of M’Hamid El Ghizlane, with the chance to learn more about the culture and customs of some of the nomadic tribes who make their home across the region. Expect everything from celebrations of camels to traditional art.

Best for: The best weather across the whole country, climbing Mount Toubkal, city sightseeing, beach breaks, trekking, desert adventures

Summer is around the corner, so May is another busy month with people making the most of the hot weather before it becomes unbearable. You’ll find cooler weather the earlier you come, but expect the popular destinations to get booked up fast.

It’s the last month to venture into the Sahara before the punishing heat of summer, with a chance to taste life amid the dunes and camp overnight under the stars – you could try the traditional option and arrive by camel for two nights in the Sahara, or combine a single night in the desert with a visit to Ait Benhaddou. If you’re looking for a different desert experience, the Agafay Stone Desert is not far from Marrakech, or you could team desert with the Dades Valley and hike past palms in this fascinating destination.

It’s also a fantastic time for a holiday in Morocco if you’re hoping to go hiking. This is also when to go to Morocco if you’ve got your sights set on climbing Mount Toubkal, north Africa’s highest mountain. But you needn’t head to the tallest peaks for an adventure in the Atlas Mountains. Discover Berber paths through mountain villages, or enjoy the scenery on a gentle hike in the Atlas Mountains and in the sunny foothills at Tafraoute.

It’s also the last good month to explore Marrakech. The temperature has already climbed to around 29C this month, so you’ll be enjoying the shade of your riad at midday, but with 30C+ temperatures around the corner, May is still comparatively cool if you’re happy to sightsee in the sun. The country’s other cities are slightly cooler, whether you’re exploring the royal city of Meknes, historic Fes or the winding blue streets of Chefchaouen.

Or for a quieter experience, the walled city of Taroudant is known as Petit Marrakech. Perfect for escaping the crowds, it feels like its big sister would have done 50 years ago. It’s easy to combine Taroudant with a visit to the coast as well, enjoying a few cooling breezes at Agadir and Essaouira, although the winds can be quite strong at the latter.

Festivals: May 1 is a public holiday for Labour Day, with some shops closing along with local schools which can mean sightseeing spots are busier.

The three-day Festival of the Rose, or Kelaa M’Gouna celebrates the rose of Damascus in the valley of the M’Goun River where the flowers are grown. It’s part of the harvest season, with tonnes of petals plucked for rose water and oil, as well as Berber music, dancing and singing. The date depends on the harvest but it’s usually around mid-May.

Best for: Sunny days, hiking, desert adventures, heading off the beaten track, beach breaks

Summer has arrived and the temperatures start to spike across Morocco – they’ll rise further still, but you can already expect it to be above 30C in Marrakech and the royal cities of Fes and Meknes so it limits the amount of time you can spend exploring. Chefchaouen is slightly cooler but still in the high 20Cs, which doesn’t lend itself to ambling through those picturesque blue alleys. If you can tolerate the heat, you’ll find it quieter once again with summer’s scorching temperatures driving most of the visitors away.

Instead, the best place to visit in Morocco in June is the coast, with breezes keeping everyone cool in Essaouira and Agadir. The winds usually drop slightly in Essaouira this month, before the gusts of July and August, although you can still expect the Windy City of Africa to deserve its nickname. If you want a taste of Morocco’s cities, Taroudant is known as Petit Marrakech but is significantly cooler than its bigger sibling, with a feeling that you’ve stepped back inside as you wander within the walls.

If you’ve got your heart set on heading into the desert, a lot of camps are closed now until September, and the soaring temperatures make it harder to explore here and sites like Ait Benhaddou. The same goes for trekking in the High Atlas, with more challenging climbs like Mount Toubkal off the cards this month. If you’re looking for serious hiking, it’s much better to wait until autumn, although if you head out early, some of the shorter, easier trails in the Atlas Mountains may still be an option, especially earlier in the month, but the foothills and valleys are also getting unpleasantly hot for walking.

Festivals: The Gnaoua Festival of World Museum takes place in Essaouira during June, celebrating the traditions and history behind the genre, as well as performances by Gnaoua musicians, often fused with other modern music types including reggae, hip-hop, blues and jazz.

In Sefrou, the Cherry Festival has made the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, featuring elaborate floats and parades, with a pageant to select the year’s Cherry Queen.

Best for: Enjoying the coast, escaping the crowds off the beaten track

It’s hot, hot, hot in Morocco this month, but despite the heat, it’s also a busy month for family holidays as many look to escape the unpredictable UK summer weather, and with local school holidays encouraging domestic tourism. Beach breaks or riads with swimming pools are at a premium, so it’s well worth booking in advance if you’re hoping for a trip to Morocco in July.

If you’re planning any sightseeing in the inland cities, you’ll be limited to early mornings and late evenings, retreating to the shade (or more likely, the air con) for much of the day. Rabat, Tangier and Casablanca are slightly cooler on the coast, but it’s not a great month for city breaks. It’s too hot to hike safely, even in the mountains, and it’s normal for temperatures to rise above 40C in the Sahara, with many camps closed for the summer month and more insects and snakes around.

The best option this month is to chase the breeze on the Atlantic coast, lounging by the sea or a pool in Agadir or in Essaouira. Expect the beaches to be very busy though, while it’s also the windiest month of the year in Essaouira.

Festivals: The Jazzablanca international jazz festival takes place every year in July in Casablanca, with nine days of music over four stages, including soul, funk, and new age music as well as jazz from around the world.

Best for: Beach breaks

August is another searingly hot month in Morocco, and just as busy with both local school holidays and overseas visitors seizing the chance for family holidays in Morocco. By far the best option in Morocco in August is to head to the coast, with slightly cooler temperatures at locations like Casablanca, Tangier and Rabat, as well as the more popular beach resorts like Agadir or Essaouira. It’s the second-windiest month of the year in Essaouira, so even if you can find a quiet spot on the beach, you can expect to be sunbathing in a mini sandstorm. Swimming pools are in high demand, so you’ll need to book ahead if you want somewhere to chill out in the heat.

The inland cities, including Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Chefchaouen are unpleasantly hot for sightseeing except for early mornings and late afternoons, and it’s also too hot to do any serious hiking – shorter hikes in the Atlas Mountains might be an option again towards the end of the month, if you’re prepared to set off early but you’ll be limited as to how much walking is possible in the heat. The Sahara is still searingly hot at 40C and higher, with more insects and snakes in the desert, plus many camps are still closed until the cooler days of autumn.

Best for: Beach breaks

The start of autumn spells the end of those energy-sappingly high temperatures, as well as bidding farewell to the local holidaymakers as school and work resumes. Instead, it’s pleasantly warm, with blue skies and a chance to get out exploring once again – September is a definite contender for the best time to visit Morocco if you love a sunny holiday exploring.

There are clear skies over the Atlas mountains and milder temperatures which make walking a delight. Trek through mountain villages as you follow Berber paths, soak up the views on an easier hike in the Atlas Mountains or on a guided walk in the sunny foothills in the palm valley of Tafraoute. It’s another of the best months to climb Mount Toubkal as well, before the snows of winter arrive and make it harder to summit the highest mountain in north Africa.. There’s more tempting walking elsewhere in Morocco in the Dades Valley too, where you can follow trails among the palms and by the river.

It’s still hot in the inland cities, although the temperatures start dropping below 30C as the month goes on. If you’re worried about melting in Marrakech, why not head to Taroudant, known as Petit Marrakech – venturing inside the walled city feels like stepping back in time. The blues of Chefchaouen are sparkling in the sun this month, while there’s more history to be found at Fes as you weave through the maze of its medina and the nearby royal city of Meknes.

The Sahara can still be very hot too, especially towards the start of the month, so it’s best to plan your desert adventures for later in September, whether you want the full camel-riding experience or an overnight stay combined with Ait Benhaddou and Zagora. You could also try a brief visit to the Agafay Stone Desert as an alternative to the sweeping dunes, an easy option to combine with Marrakech.

Or if you want to make the most of the sun, head to the coast where it’s perfect beach weather. The wind drops dramatically in Essaouira as soon as summer is over, although you’ll still find plenty of breezes to keep you cool or fly a kite along the sand. Or head along the coast to Agadir to soak up the rays, with temperatures hovering around the mid 20Cs.

Festivals: The Imilchil festival, or Festival of the Brides, takes place in the Middle Atlas with hundreds of Berber people gathering in intricate outfits to find a spouse, while women traditionally cover everything except their eyes. These days most couples already know each other, but it’s also a chance to share Amazigh culture, including music and dancing.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, city breaks, trekking and hiking, beach breaks

As temperatures drop a little further, the weather gets even better for sightseeing, hiking, heading into the desert and enjoying the coast. Unsurprisingly it’s also one of the most popular months to visit Morocco, so it’s worth planning and booking your trip well in advance, especially if it’s during school holidays.

With the worst heat gone, it’s a great time to head into the endless silent dunes of the Sahara. Why not ride on a camel before camping out under the stars, or if you have less time, combine an overnight stay with Ait Benhaddou. If you want a desert experience without the long journey from Marrakech, the Agafay Stone Desert is an unusual alternative to the classic sandy desert.

You might find some rain falling over the mountains as the month goes on, but it’s not enough to stop hiking and trekking. For a real challenge, this is the last month of the year to attempt the climb of Mount Toubkal before the snows of winter set in on north Africa’s highest mountain. There are plenty of alternative hiking routes through the High Atlas though, whether you want a multi-day trek following Berber paths through mountain villages, or a taste of the scenery and culture on a gentler hike in the Atlas Mountains.

Down in the foothills, it’s warmer and you can see a different side to the landscape as you wander through the palm valley of Tafraoute. Or there’s another chance to walk under the palms elsewhere in Morocco in the Dades Valley, although the water level in the river will be at its lowest this month. It’s date season, so you can even try some of the freshly harvested fruit during your visit.

The start of the month is also the best time to head to the coast. Temperatures in Essaouira and Agadir are a pleasant 25C although the sea breezes can make it feel cooler as October goes on. The inland cities are coming into their own again though with temperatures between around 25C and 28C in Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Chefchaouen, making it enjoyably warm for sightseeing but without the cooler evenings which arrive in the winter.

Festivals: The Date Festival takes place in October in Erfoud, celebrating the harvest of the fruit with dancing, music and plenty of chances to try sweets made from dates. The date depends on the harvest but it’s usually the third week of October.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, desert adventures, trekking and hiking, city breaks

The colder weather begins to return to Morocco in November, although as it’s around 23C in Marrakech, it’s still much warmer than the UK winter. You can expect a few more rainy days this month in the inland cities and temperatures dropping below 10C at night. Bear in mind than not all riads have good heating, so do check this in advance or be prepared to wrap up warm as night falls – always a good excuse for a mint tea,

The sunny cooler days are ideal for exploring the imperial cities of Fes and Meknes, where it’s still pleasantly warm although slightly cooler than Marrakech, and all three tend to be quieter than the busy days of October. It’s not the best time to visit Chefchaouen though, with lots of cloudy days this month stopping the city’s famous blues from showing at their best.

It’s not really sunbathing weather in Essaouira and Agadir any more, although you’ll get sunny warm days especially at the start of the month. Go prepared for sea breezes in Essaouira to make it feel slightly cooler, but it’s still a lovely time to wander the streets and watch the boats bobbing in the harbour though.

If you’re planning to head into the Atlas Mountains, there’s already snow on the highest peaks and it’s not a great month to climb Mount Toubkal. You can still find some hiking in the Atlas Mountains, although it’s best to stick to shorter hikes in the lower mountains if you don’t want to risk getting too wet or cold. Alternatively, consider a visit to the Dades Valley, where the changing colours of the leaves transform the scenery – the rainiest months are still ahead, although the weather gets more unpredictable towards the end of November.

The start of the month is also a good time to head into the Sahara. While daytimes will stay warm and sunny for a while yet, the nights are getting colder so time is ticking if you want to camp overnight, with some places shutting for the winter months. Don’t forget warm layers if you’re sleeping under the stars – an overnight stay combined with Ait Benhaddou is a good option.

Festivals: Morocco celebrates Independence Day on November 18, when the country gained its independence in 1944, with parades, street food and lots of parties.

The International Film Festival takes place in Marrakech every November, running for well over 20 years to promote and celebrate all forms of cinema, and often featuring some of the biggest names in film from around the world.

Best for: City breaks, the Sahara

This is one of the quietest months of the year, except during late December when you’ll find more people making the most of Christmas breaks to chase some winter sun. So it’s a perfect time to explore the cities if you want to avoid the crowds. There should be some pleasantly warm days, especially by comparison to midwinter in the UK, with temperatures of around 17C-20C in the imperial cities of Meknes and Fes, and in Marrakech. Nights are cooler and traditional riads may be less well designed for the cold, so go prepared or book somewhere designed for the chillier December evenings.

The sea breezes make the coast less tempting this month if you’re hoping for sun at the seaside in Essaouira and Agadir, where it feels comparatively cool this month.

There’s rain, and even some snow, in the mountains so it’s not a great month to go hiking or trekking, whether that’s in the High Atlas, the foothills or the Dades Valley. And while the sun shines during the daytime in the Sahara, the desert (and the Agafay Stone Desert) are very cold at night so overnight camping is more freezing than fabulous. If you’re hoping for a desert adventure without the heat, just check that the trips can run as planned with the low temperatures.

Best for: City breaks, escaping the crowds