Sun‑splashed medinas, snow‑dusted peaks, wind‑brushed coasts, and dunes that glow at sunset — Morocco is a year‑round destination, but the “best” time depends on what you want to do. Here’s a clear, practical guide from Morocco On Tour to help you choose the perfect season for cities, desert, coast, or mountains.

At a Glance

Best overall: March–May and September–November (pleasant temps, great light, fewer heat extremes).
Desert magic: October–April (cooler days, crisp starry nights).
Coast & surf: April–November; windiest June–August (great for kitesurfing, breezy for beachgoers).
Atlas hiking: April–June and September–October (summer for high-altitude treks; winter brings snow).
Value & quiet: January–February (cooler, fewer crowds; cozy riads and clear air).

Quick Picker: Best Time by Trip Type

Trip Type	Best Months	Notes
Imperial Cities (Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, Meknes)	Mar–May, Sep–Nov	Comfortable temps, ideal for medina strolls and rooftop sunsets.
Sahara Desert (Erg Chebbi, Erg Chigaga)	Oct–Apr	Cooler days, cold nights; epic stargazing. Jul–Aug is very hot.
Atlantic Coast (Essaouira, Agadir, Taghazout)	Apr–Nov	Mild year‑round; strongest winds Jun–Aug (great for kite/windsurf).
Atlas Mountains (Imlil, Toubkal, Ait Bouguemez)	Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct	Snow possible Dec–Mar; summer is lovely but start hikes early.
Photography & Golden Light	Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr	Softer light, clear skies, and fewer heat hazes.
Morocco Family Tours	Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov	Moderate temperatures and lots of outdoor options.

Region‑by‑Region: What Each Season Feels Like

Imperial Cities: Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, Meknes

Spring & Autumn: Comfortable 20–28°C (68–82°F), perfect for walking tours, gardens, and rooftop dinners.
Summer: Hot inland (often 35–40°C / 95–104°F). We plan early/late sightseeing with pool/siesta breaks.
Winter: Cool, bright days and chilly nights. Great value, festive atmosphere around the holidays.

Sahara Desert: Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) & Erg Chigaga

Oct–Apr: Ideal. Pleasant days; nights can drop close to freezing in mid‑winter — magical skies!
May–Jun & Sep: Warmer but doable with sunrise/sunset activities.
Jul–Aug: Extreme heat; we suggest short camel rides, 4×4 access, and A/C transport.

Atlantic Coast: Essaouira, Agadir, Taghazout, Asilah, Tangier

Apr–Nov: Mild to warm (18–26°C / 64–79°F). Peak winds Jun–Aug — great for kites & sails; bring a light jacket.
Dec–Mar: Cooler, occasional rain; relaxed vibe and good surf swells.

Atlas Mountains: Imlil, Toubkal, Ourika, Ait Bouguemez

Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct: Prime hiking seasons. Wildflowers in spring; crisp views in autumn.
Summer: Pleasant at altitude; start hikes early to avoid midday sun.
Winter: Snow on high trails; possible Toubkal ascents with proper gear and a certified guide.

Oases & Southern Routes: Draa Valley, Skoura, Dades/Todra, Ouarzazate

Oct–Apr: Best for palm‑grove walks and kasbah stays.
May–Jun & Sep: Warm; plan shade and siesta time.
Jul–Aug: Hot; choose A/C hotels and dawn/dusk exploring.

Month‑by‑Month Snapshot

January: Quiet, great value; crisp city days, cold desert nights, snow in the High Atlas possible.
February: Similar to January with early hints of spring; almond blossoms in some valleys.
March: Spring arrives; ideal for cities and light trekking; desert comfortable.
April: One of the best months across Morocco; roses begin blooming near Kelaat M’Gouna.
May: Warm but pleasant; fantastic for coast, cities, and valleys. Desert warming up.
June: Hot inland; coast shines with wind and surf; consider High Atlas escapes.
July: Peak heat inland/desert; best for Atlantic breezes and mountain bases.
August: Similar to July; lively coastal mood; plan sunrise/sunset activities elsewhere.
September: Heat eases; superb for cities and mountains; desert starts to cool.
October: Gold standard month: balmy days, clear nights, perfect for dunes and kasbahs.
November: Comfortable days, crisp evenings; excellent for photography.
December: Festive feel, cool to cold nights; bright coastal days, cozy riads, quieter sites outside holidays.

Holidays, Ramadan & Festivals

Ramadan: Occurs at a different time each year (shifts ~11 days earlier annually). Daytime pace is gentler; evenings are atmospheric. Major sights remain open; some cafés close daylight hours. We plan meal and activity timings for smooth travel.
Eid holidays: A few days of family travel; some businesses close briefly. We adjust routes/services accordingly.
Popular cultural festivals (dates vary by year): Fes Sacred Music Festival (late spring), Rose Festival in Kelaat M’Gouna (late Apr/May), Essaouira Gnaoua & World Music (early summer), Mawazine in Rabat (late spring/early summer), Tan‑Tan Moussem (spring/early summer). Ask us to align your trip with your favorite event.

Crowds, Availability & Pricing

High season: Mar–May and Sep–Nov; book key riads and desert camps 3–6 months ahead.
Peak dates: Christmas/New Year, select festival weeks, and long holiday weekends — early booking essential.
Value seasons: Jan–Feb and summer on the coast; great deals and quieter medinas.

What to Pack by Season

Spring/Autumn: Breathable layers, light jacket, scarf, sun hat, SPF, comfortable walking shoes.
Summer: Lightweight shirts and trousers, strong sunscreen, sunglasses, refillable bottle, swimsuit (riads/coast), a light cover‑up for sun and modesty.
Winter: Warm jacket/fleece, socks, beanie for desert nights, closed‑toe shoes, and a layer for cool mornings/evenings.
Desert year‑round: Scarf/shemagh for wind, lip balm, headlamp, and a light sweater for nights even in shoulder seasons.

Seasonal Trip Ideas We Love

Spring (Mar–May)

Imperial Cities + High Atlas day hikes + Erg Chebbi overnight
Rose Valley and Dades/Todra loop when flowers are blooming

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Essaouira/Agadir/Taghazout surf & seafood with Atlas cool‑down day trips
Northern loop: Tangier, Asilah, Chefchaouen (milder than inland)

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

Classic kasbah trail: Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Dades/Todra → Erg Chigaga or Erg Chebbi
Fes crafts, Middle Atlas cedars, and Ziz Valley palms

Winter (Dec–Feb)

City break: Marrakech riad stay, hammam night, Agafay sunset dinner
Desert stargazing with crisp skies; add Ouarzazate/Skoura kasbahs

Approximate Weather Snapshot

Daytime highs & nighttime lows vary year to year; mountains and deserts see bigger swings.

Region	Winter (Dec–Feb)	Spring (Mar–May)	Summer (Jun–Aug)	Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Marrakech	16–20°C day, 6–8°C night	22–30°C day	35–45°C day	22–32°C day
Fes	12–18°C day, cooler nights	20–28°C day	33–40°C day	20–28°C day
Essaouira (Coast)	17–20°C day, breezy	18–22°C day	20–26°C day, strongest winds	19–23°C day
Merzouga (Erg Chebbi)	15–20°C day, near 0–5°C nights	25–35°C day	38–45°C day	25–35°C day

Why Go with Morocco On Tour

Season‑smart planning: We time sightseeing for comfort and light, and build in rest and shade when it’s hot.
Handpicked stays: Riads and camps tested for A/C or heating, great locations, and warm hospitality.
Flexible pacing: Private transport, early/late entries, and scenic stops so the journey feels effortless.
Local insight: From festival dates to secret viewpoints, we tailor the trip to your month and interests.

Ready to Pick Your Dates?

Tell us your ideal month, start city (Marrakech, Fes, Tangier, or Casablanca), trip length, and travel style. We’ll design a season‑perfect itinerary — from breezy coastal escapes to star‑lit Sahara nights — and send a proposal within 24 hours.

Book & your holidays in Moroco

Contact us to book your Morocco Tours, our goal is to be your reliable and trustworthy partner during your trip in Morocco.

First Name *

Last name

Email *

Phone

Arrival Date *

Departure Date *

Starting Point

Ending Point

Number of people

Message *