There is no single "best month"
Morocco stretches from the Mediterranean to the Sahara, with mountains over 4,000 metres in between. On the same day in July you can be sweating in Marrakech, pulling on a jumper for the evening in Essaouira and walking in cool air in the Middle Atlas. So the right question is not "when should I go to Morocco?" but "what do I want to see, and when is that part of the country at its best?"
Here is how the four big landscapes change through the year.
The Sahara: Merzouga and Zagora
If you're still choosing between the two deserts, our guide to Merzouga or Zagora compares them side by side. The desert is at its best from October to April. Days are warm and bright, and the nights at camp are clear enough to see the Milky Way. March, April, October and November are the sweet spot: comfortable during the day and only cool at night.
December to February brings sunny days and cold nights, close to freezing at camp, so pack a warm layer and a hat. From June to August the heat is serious, often above 40°C by midday. A summer desert trip is still possible, but the camel rides happen at dawn and dusk and the middle of the day is spent in the shade.
7 days · from MarrakechSahara Loop via MerzougaSee the route
6 days · from FezFez to the Sahara, Two Desert NightsSee the routeThe Atlas Mountains
The mountains run on their own calendar. Spring is beautiful: snow still sits on the peaks while the valleys below turn green, and in May the rose harvest begins around the Dades Valley. Summer is the coolest escape inland, with long days for walking. Autumn brings settled weather and harvest time in the villages.
Winter is the one season to plan around. Snow falls on the high passes, and the main road over the High Atlas, through the Tizi n'Tichka pass at about 2,200 metres, can close for a few hours after a storm. Trips still run; they just need a little flexibility.
The Atlantic coast
Essaouira, Oualidia, Asilah and the rest of the coast are the easy answer for summer. When Marrakech passes 40°C, the coast stays warm and breezy, and July and August are its busiest months. May, June and September are quieter, with long sunny days and a warmer sea in September. Winter on the coast is mild, with some rain and the odd Atlantic storm.
5 days · from MarrakechEssaouira and the Atlantic CoastSee the route
5 days · from CasablancaThe Atlantic Coast to EssaouiraSee the routeThe cities and medinas
Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, Rabat, Chefchaouen and Tangier are at their best in spring and autumn, when you can walk the medinas all day. The old centres of Marrakech, Fez, Meknes and Rabat are all UNESCO World Heritage sites: see the Medina of Fez (opens in a new tab) and the Medina of Marrakesh (opens in a new tab). Summer afternoons in Marrakech and Fez are very hot, so the trick is early mornings, a long lunch and evenings outside. Winter is cool and bright, and busy around the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Month by month
The table below is the same guide we use when we plan a trip, and the same one you'll find on our tour pages. "Best" means the region is at its most comfortable; "Tough" means you can still go, but plan around the weather.
| Month | Desert | Mountains | Coast | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | GoodSunny days, but nights at camp get close to freezing. | ToughSnow on the high passes; Tizi n'Tichka can close for a few hours. | GoodMild and quiet, with some rainy days. | GoodCool and calm, with few crowds. |
| February | GoodClear days and cold nights. Pack a warm layer. | ToughStill snowy up high, while the valleys turn green. | GoodMild, with the odd Atlantic storm. | GoodCool mornings and pleasant afternoons. |
| March | BestWarm days, cool nights and clear skies. | GoodSnow lingers on the peaks as the valleys bloom. | GoodFresh and green, though the sea is still cool. | BestComfortable for walking all day. |
| April | BestWarm, settled weather and long golden evenings. | BestGreen valleys with snowy summits behind them. | GoodSunny and breezy, with a cool sea. | BestWarm, bright days in the medinas. |
| May | GoodHot by midday; mornings and evenings are lovely. | BestRose harvest time around the Dades valley. | BestLong sunny days, quieter than summer. | BestWarm and lively, with evenings outdoors. |
| June | ToughHot. Shade at midday, camel rides at dawn and dusk. | BestCool air up high and long days for walking. | BestSunny and fresh, with Atlantic breezes. | GoodHot afternoons; walk in the mornings. |
| July | ToughVery hot, often above 40°C. Keep the visit short. | GoodThe coolest escape inland in high summer. | BestThe best region this month: warm, never stifling. | ToughVery hot in Marrakech and Fez by afternoon. |
| August | ToughThe hottest month, with heat that lasts past sunset. | GoodPleasant up high; afternoon storms can roll in. | BestBusy, breezy and warm all month. | ToughHot; slow days and late dinners. |
| September | GoodHot early in the month, easing by the end. | BestSettled weather and harvest time in the valleys. | BestWarm sea and quieter beaches. | GoodWarm, with cooler evenings returning. |
| October | BestWarm days and comfortable nights at camp. | BestClear skies and great walking weather. | GoodWarm days, with some wind on the coast. | BestPerfect for long days in the medinas. |
| November | BestMild days and cool, starry nights. | GoodCrisp and clear, with the first snow up high. | GoodMild, with the first autumn rains. | BestComfortable and calm. |
| December | GoodSunny days and cold nights; bring a warm jacket. | ToughSnow on the high passes; dress for winter. | GoodMild days by the sea. | GoodCool and bright, busy around the holidays. |
Ramadan
Ramadan moves about eleven days earlier each year, so check the dates for your year before you book. The Moroccan National Tourism Office (opens in a new tab) lists festivals and events across the country. Travelling during Ramadan is fine: hotels, camps and tours run as normal, and the evenings after sunset are lively. Some cafés and restaurants close during the day outside the main tourist areas, and it is polite not to eat or drink openly in the street in daylight.
Questions
What is the best month to visit Morocco?
April and October are the safest choices if you want one trip that covers the desert, the mountains and the cities. Both months are warm without being hot, and the nights at desert camps are mild.
Is Morocco too hot in summer?
Inland it can be. Marrakech, Fez and the desert often pass 40°C in July and August. The Atlantic coast and the high mountains stay comfortable, so a summer trip works well if it is built around them.
Is it cold in the Sahara in winter?
The days are sunny and pleasant, but nights at camp from December to February get close to freezing. Bring a warm jacket, a hat and warm socks.
Can I visit Morocco during Ramadan?
Yes. Tours, hotels and desert camps run as normal. Some local cafés close during the day, and evenings after sunset are a good time to be out.
