What's the best time to visit Marrakech?
The best times to visit Marrakech are in the spring (March to May) and fall (September to October) when the weather is just right for exploring the city and camping in the desert. During these periods, you’ll find warm days with little rain, ideal for outdoor adventures and attending festivals. Since these seasons are quite popular, booking your stay and tickets early is a smart move to dodge the crowds.
The city of Marrakech (also spelled Marrakesh) is the best place to go for the quintessential Moroccan experience. It has everything from history to mysterious markets to food.
Marrakech used to be the capital of the empire, and its historic majesty shows in grand old buildings such as the Medersa Ben Youssef, a 14th-century religious building, and the many mosques, hammams, and other buildings.
No visit to Marrakech is complete without a dizzying stroll through the Djemaa El Fna, the main square, or one of the souks. Marrakech is also a capital of modern design and culture, which you can check out in museums like the Jardin Majorelle.
There’s so much to see and do in Marrakech; plus, it makes a great base for exploring the rest of Morocco. What really matters is making the most of your trip. Keep reading to learn more about when you should visit.
The Overall Best Time to Visit Marrakech
Le Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco – November 14, 2017: Amazing tropical garden in Marrakech, Morocco/Balate Dorin/Shutterstock
The best time to visit Marrakech is either in the spring (March-May) or fall (September-October), when the weather in the city is at its best. Marrakech is located in North Africa, a region known for its hot, dry climate influenced by the Sahara Desert.
The city itself has a semi-arid climate, which means that it isn’t as hot as the desert, but still has desert-like conditions. Expect warm temperatures and not too much rain all year round.
The UK Met Office has a good guide to year-round weather conditions in Marrakech. According to their site, average high temperatures in March are around 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) before rising to about 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) in May.
Temperatures in the fall months are similar, with average high temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) in October.
September can be hotter towards the beginning of the month, with average high temperatures reaching the low 90s, but by the middle of the month things become more bearable.
Although most meteorological websites will warn you that spring and fall are the rainiest seasons in Marrakech, this is all relative. Even the rainiest months only have a few inches of rain in this arid climate.
The weather in this season is perfect for exploring. You can walk around the city during the day and still lounge by your hotel’s pool around noon. In the spring, the jacaranda trees and other flowering plants are in bloom, while fall has the perfect weather to go hiking in the nearby Atlas Mountains.
Spring and fall are some of the best seasons to visit for cultural life. In fall, many galleries host openings as they restart their season after the summer pause. Fall and spring are also home to many music festivals and other cultural events, such as:
- MadJazz Festival (March)
- Marrakech Fashion Week (March)
- Oasis Festival (September)
One important thing to keep in mind is that spring and fall are the most popular seasons to visit Marrakech. Reserve your hotels and any timed entry tickets for popular attractions in advance. If you want to beat the crowds, visit in early spring (March) or late fall (end of October into November).
Cheapest Time to Visit Marrakech
MARRAKESH, MOROCCO – 27 JANUARY 2023: Jemaa el-Fnaa square in African city after rain, clear blue sky in warm sunny winter day/Jakub Korczyk/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Marrakech is the winter, except for the holiday period between early December and early January. Winter is the slow season in Marrakech, so you can save some money on hotels due to the lower demand.
Hotel prices in January, February, and even early March can be discounted by 20% to 30%. Traveling during the winter can also save you money on airfare.
The cheapest month to fly from North America is January, while you can save big on flights from most major European airports in March. Flight deals continue into early spring. Just don’t visit in December thinking you’ll save money since it’s winter.
December is one of the busiest seasons in Marrakech as many people come to the city to enjoy its famous nightlife for New Year’s.
This is a great time to visit if you want to check out the nightlife, but it is also one of the most expensive times to visit. Hotels have minimum stays of about five days, and nights out at clubs, restaurants, and bars cost a lot.
Least Busy Time to Visit Marrakech
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The least busy time to visit Marrakech is from November to early December, and then again from January to early March. Winter (besides New Year’s) is the slow season in Marrakech.
The weather isn’t cold, about 20 degrees Celsius during the day (around 68 degrees Fahrenheit), but it gets colder at night. Plus, it’s not warm enough to lounge by the pool. This just means that the intrepid traveler will have more space to explore the winding streets of the medina and souks.
Fewer crowds mean that shopping will be a better experience since you won’t have to elbow for room in the small market stalls, and you can really enjoy the art of haggling without worrying that you’re holding up the line.
Winter is the best time to visit for visitors who are interested in arts and culture.
During this season, Marrakech’s status as an African capital of culture really comes to light with many exciting events. From the Marrakech International Film Festival in late November to the 1-54 Art Fair in February, there’s something for everyone.
Worst Time to Visit Marrakech
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The worst time to visit Marrakech is in the summer, when temperatures become truly unbearable, and there aren’t even benefits like beating the crowds or saving money.
If you look at average weather information for Marrakech, such as this one from the UK Met Office, you can see that summer in the city is very hot. Average high temperatures in July and August are around 37 degrees Celsius, or 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, the actual situation in the city is even worse. This is an average, which means that many days are even hotter. Summer temperatures can rise up to 50 degrees Celsius, or around 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Due to the very direct sun, walking around the city often feels even hotter than it says on the thermometer. Weather this hot is not just unpleasant; it can be downright dangerous.
If you go outside in the middle of the day, you risk heatstroke. Many Marrakech residents escape the heat to the more forgiving temperatures of the coast or the Atlas Mountains in the summer. This means that many businesses, including galleries, museums, and popular boutiques, close or have shortened hours in the summer.
Instead, the city is full of tourists or Moroccan diaspora visitors. Expect plenty of crowds and higher prices due to high demand, even though the temperatures are bad.
For many, especially people with families, summer is the only time they can come visit. If you have no choice but to visit in the summer, take care of your health. Avoid the heat in the middle of the day. Try to book a hotel with a pool so you can cool off.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Still want to know more to help you decide the best time to visit Morocco? Here are some answers:
What is the best month to go to Morocco?
The best month to go to Morocco is April or October, when the weather is warm enough for swimming but cool enough for exploring.
How many days do you need in Marrakech?
You should spend at least three days in Marrakech to see all the history and monuments that the city has to offer.
What is the hottest month in Marrakech?
July is the hottest month in Marrakech, with average temperatures of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
When is high season in Marrakech?
Spring and fall are the high season in Marrakech. The two weeks around New Year’s are also very busy due to the nightlife.
What is the cheapest time to go to Marrakech?
The cheapest time to go to Marrakech is between January and March, when you can save money on flights and hotels.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Marrakech?
For the best weather, visit Marrakech in the spring or fall, when temperatures are warm but not boiling hot. To save money, the best time to visit is during the winter (but avoid New Year’s).
So, with so much to see and do and plenty of great times to visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip to Marrakech today and experience all that the city has to offer. Happy travels!