Morocco has several climates in one country. The imperial cities have hot summers and mild winters, the Sahara swings between very hot days and cold nights, the High Atlas gets snow in winter, and the Atlantic coast stays mild all year. The table shows average daily highs and lows, so you can see how the same month feels in each region.
Quick answer
The best time to visit Morocco is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Days are warm but not hot in Marrakech and Fes, the Sahara is comfortable for camel treks, and nights in the desert camps are cool rather than freezing. April and October are the two strongest months for a tour that combines cities, the Atlas Mountains and the desert.
Morocco weather month by month
| Month | Marrakech | Fes | Merzouga (Sahara) | Essaouira (coast) | For a full tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 / 6 | 16 / 4 | 18 / 4 | 18 / 11 | Good, cold desert nights |
| February | 21 / 8 | 17 / 4 | 20 / 7 | 19 / 12 | Good |
| March | 24 / 10 | 20 / 7 | 24 / 11 | 19 / 13 | Excellent |
| April | 26 / 12 | 22 / 8 | 29 / 15 | 20 / 14 | Excellent |
| May | 29 / 15 | 26 / 12 | 34 / 20 | 21 / 16 | Very good |
| June | 34 / 18 | 31 / 15 | 38 / 24 | 21 / 17 | Fair, hot in the desert |
| July | 38 / 21 | 35 / 18 | 42 / 28 | 22 / 18 | Hot, best on the coast |
| August | 37 / 21 | 35 / 18 | 41 / 27 | 22 / 18 | Hot, best on the coast |
| September | 33 / 19 | 30 / 16 | 36 / 22 | 23 / 18 | Good |
| October | 29 / 16 | 26 / 13 | 30 / 17 | 22 / 17 | Excellent |
| November | 23 / 11 | 20 / 8 | 23 / 10 | 21 / 14 | Very good |
| December | 20 / 7 | 17 / 5 | 18 / 5 | 19 / 13 | Good, cold desert nights |
Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira: 1991 to 2020 climate normals. Merzouga: approximate averages. To convert, 20°C is 68°F, 30°C is 86°F and 40°C is 104°F.
Spring (March to May): the best all round season
Spring is our favourite season for a first trip. Marrakech and Fes sit in the low to mid 20s °C (70s °F), the almond and orange trees are in flower, and the Atlas peaks still carry snow for the photos. In the Sahara at Merzouga the days are warm enough for the camel trek and the nights are comfortable around the camp fire.
May brings the rose harvest in the Dades Valley around Kelaat M'Gouna, usually with its rose festival. By late May the desert is getting hot in the middle of the day, so camel treks move to sunrise and sunset.
Summer (June to August): coast and mountains, short desert stays
Summer is hot inland. Marrakech averages about 38°C (100°F) in July and Merzouga often passes 40°C (104°F). You can still visit the desert, but plan one night instead of two, ride the camels at sunset and leave early in the morning. Air conditioned vehicles make the long drives comfortable.
The coast is the place to be. Essaouira stays around 22°C (72°F) all summer thanks to the Atlantic wind. June is also festival month: the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (4 to 7 June in 2026) and the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira (25 to 27 June in 2026).
Autumn (September to November): warm days, golden light
Autumn is the second best season and often quieter than spring. The summer heat breaks in September, and October is close to perfect everywhere: about 29°C (84°F) in Marrakech and 30°C (86°F) in the Sahara, with clear skies for stargazing. November is cooler and calmer, a great month for the imperial cities and the blue streets of Chefchaouen.
It is also date harvest season in the oases of the Draa and Ziz valleys, which you pass on the road to the desert.
Winter (December to February): sunny days, cold nights
Winter days in Morocco are often sunny and pleasant, around 18 to 21°C (64 to 70°F) in Marrakech and the Sahara. The nights are the difference. Desert camps can drop close to freezing, and the riads in Fes and the mountains feel cold after dark, so bring warm layers. Good camps provide heavy blankets.
Snow falls on the High Atlas, which makes the drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass beautiful, and on rare days a storm closes the pass for a few hours. Christmas and New Year are busy, so book early for those dates.
The best time for each part of Morocco
- Marrakech and Fes: March to May and September to November. Summer afternoons are hot, so plan the medina walks for the morning.
- The Sahara (Merzouga and Zagora): October to April. Read our best time to visit the Sahara guide for the desert in detail.
- The High Atlas: April to October for hiking. Winter brings snow and closed high trails.
- The Atlantic coast: all year, and the best escape from the summer heat.
- Chefchaouen and the north: March to June and September to November. Winter is green but rainy.
Travelling during Ramadan
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 5 or 6 February 2027 and end with Eid al Fitr around 6 or 7 March 2027. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon. You can travel normally during Ramadan: sites and tours run as usual, and restaurants for visitors stay open in the cities. Some cafes close during the day, the pace is slower in the afternoon, and the evenings come alive after sunset when families break the fast. Eating and drinking discreetly in public during the day is a kind gesture.
