Month-by-month guide: are spring and autumn really the best seasons? What about summer, winter? We tell you everything.
The most-asked question by travelers: "When to go to Morocco?" The short answer: March-May and September-November are the best seasons for most travelers. The long answer depends on what you're looking for.
Spring (March – May): the ideal season
Mild temperatures (68-82°F during the day, 50-59°F at night), blooming landscapes (almond trees in February, bougainvillea in April), low tourist turnout. This is the preferred season for photographers and hikers.
Pros: Perfect weather for the desert, Atlas and imperial cities. Mid-range prices. No queues at tourist sites.
Cons: A few days of sandstorms (chergui) in March-April, especially in the South.
Summer (June – August): hot but doable
Moroccan summer can be scorching (104-118°F in Marrakech and the South), but coastal cities (Essaouira, Rabat, Tangier) stay mild thanks to the Atlantic (75-82°F). It's also high season for festival-goers (Essaouira Festival in June, Mawazine Festival in Rabat in May-June).
Pros: Festivals, Atlas mountains pleasant (77-86°F), few people in southern cities. Ideal for European families on school holidays.
Cons: Extreme heat inland, higher prices on the coast, desert should be avoided in mid-summer.
Autumn (September – November): the harvest season
After the summer heat, autumn is arguably the best season for the desert: temperatures drop to 86-95°F during the day, nights are cool (59-68°F), and landscapes regain ocher and golden colors. It's also the harvest season (dates in Erfoud, saffron in Taliouine).
Pros: Desert at its best, spectacular Atlas, perfect temperatures. Ideal for most tours.
Cons: More people than spring, especially in October.
Winter (December – February): mild and sunny
A surprise for many: Moroccan winter is mild (59-68°F during the day in Marrakech, 64-72°F in Essaouira), and the sun shines almost every day. Atlas peaks are snowy (skiing possible at Oukaïmeden, 37 miles from Marrakech), southern kasbahs are visited without suffering the heat, and it's the gliding sports season (surfing in Taghazout, skiing in Oukaïmeden).
Pros: Few people, low prices, snowy Atlas, peaceful desert.
Cons: Cold nights in the desert (41-50°F in Erg Chebbi), possible rain on the coast.
Our recommendation
For a first trip: go in April or October. You'll have the best of Morocco without the extremes.
For the Sahara desert: October-March. Avoid July-August.
For the Atlantic coast (Essaouira, Taghazout): May-September. Water is cool but surfers don't care.
For the Atlas and hiking: May-June or September-October. Avoid high mountains in mid-winter if you're not equipped.
A question about the best time for your trip? Contact us, we'll advise you for free.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
March–May and September–November. Days are mild (20-28 °C), nights are cool, the landscape is green in spring, and crowds stay reasonable. For a first trip, April or October give you the best of the country without the extremes.
Can you go to the desert in summer?
It is not advisable. July and August bring 40 to 48 °C to Marrakech and the south, and the desert is best avoided at the height of summer. The right window for the Sahara runs October to March.
Is Morocco a good idea in winter?
Yes, and it is the most underrated season: 15-20 °C by day in Marrakech, 18-22 °C in Essaouira, sunshine almost every day, few people and low prices. Expect cold nights in Erg Chebbi (5-10 °C) and a snow-covered Atlas.
When should I go for the Atlantic coast?
May to September for Essaouira and Taghazout: inland is scorching then, while the Atlantic keeps the coast mild. The water stays cold all year.
Is there a season to avoid completely?
No season is off-limits, but two combinations are: the desert in July-August, and the high mountains in midwinter without proper gear. Everything else plans easily.
