Choose a month to see its temperatures, rain, sunshine and how busy the city is.
Travel planning
The best time to visit Marrakech
Spring and autumn, for most people: warm days, cool evenings and the Atlas on the horizon. But every season has its reasons, and its prices.
Marrakech has sun almost all year and very little rain. What changes is the heat: pleasant from October to May, fierce in July and August, when afternoons pass 37°C. Winter days are bright and mild, but nights are cold and old riads are hard to heat.
The best weather also brings the most visitors and the highest riad prices. This page sets out the weather month by month, when the city is busiest, the right season for what you want to do, and the dates worth knowing for late 2026 and 2027.
- Best months
- March–May, October–November
- Hottest
- July–August, about 38°C
- Coldest nights
- December–January, about 6°C
- Rain
- Rarely more than 4 days a month
Marrakech weather, season by season
- Best time
- Good
- Very hot
- Crowds
October 28° / 15° 3 rainy days 9h of sun a day Busy Best time
Spring
The best weather of the year: warm days, cool nights and gardens in flower. Also peak season, so book riads two to three months ahead, especially around Easter.
Where to staySummer
Afternoons pass 37°C, so the city runs early and late. Choose a riad or hotel with a pool, see the sights before 11 am, and enjoy lower prices.
Pool stays in the PalmeraieAutumn
The heat breaks in late September. October is close to perfect and November quieter, with the Film Festival and the first snow on the Atlas.
ItinerariesWinter
Sunny 20°C days and snow on the Atlas, but nights near 6°C. Pick a riad with heating, and expect crowds and high prices over Christmas and New Year.
Luxury riads
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 °C | 6 °C | 4 | Steady | Good |
| February | 20 °C | 8 °C | 4 | Steady | Good |
| March | 23 °C | 10 °C | 4 | Busy | Best time |
| April | 25 °C | 12 °C | 4 | Busy | Best time |
| May | 29 °C | 15 °C | 2 | Steady | Best time |
| June | 33 °C | 18 °C | 1 | Quiet | Good |
| July | 38 °C | 21 °C | 0 | Steady | Very hot |
| August | 37 °C | 21 °C | 1 | Steady | Very hot |
| September | 33 °C | 19 °C | 2 | Steady | Good |
| October | 28 °C | 15 °C | 3 | Busy | Best time |
| November | 23 °C | 11 °C | 4 | Steady | Best time |
| December | 20 °C | 7 °C | 4 | Steady | Good |
Long-term averages for Marrakech-Menara. A single year can be hotter, colder or wetter.
Month by month
Twelve months in one table
Average daytime high and night-time low, and what each month is best for.
| Month | High / low | What it is like |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19° / 6°C | Bright, cool days and cold nights. Quiet after New Year, with low prices. Snow on the Atlas |
| February | 20° / 8°C | Almond blossom in the valleys, still cold at night. A good month for city sightseeing |
| March | 23° / 10°C | Spring arrives: warm days, green countryside. Busy from mid-month |
| April | 25° / 12°C | Ideal weather and gardens in flower. One of the busiest months, especially at Easter |
| May | 29° / 15°C | Warm to hot, long evenings on rooftops. Pools open; still good for the desert |
| June | 33° / 18°C | Hot afternoons, pleasant mornings and evenings. Fewer visitors; Gnaoua festival in Essaouira |
| July | 38° / 21°C | The hottest month: sightseeing at dawn and dusk, the pool in between. Lowest prices |
| August | 37° / 21°C | Very hot, the Atlas valleys are a welcome escape. Busy with Moroccan and European holidaymakers |
| September | 33° / 19°C | Hot at first, easing by the end. Riad prices start to rise again |
| October | 28° / 15°C | Close to perfect: warm days, golden light, good for every trip. Busy |
| November | 23° / 11°C | Mild and clear, quieter than October. The Film Festival brings stars to the city |
| December | 20° / 7°C | Sunny days, chilly nights. Calm until the Christmas and New Year rush, the priciest weeks |
Rain is rare in every month: two to four days at most from October to April, almost none in summer. When it does rain, it tends to be a short shower, and the lanes of the Medina turn slippery.
Prices & crowds
When it is busy, and when it is cheap
Riad prices follow the weather and the European school holidays. The difference between the busiest and quietest weeks can be large.
| Period | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas and New Year | Very busy | The highest of the year; book months ahead |
| Easter and spring holidays | Very busy | High, especially in April |
| March to May, October to November | Busy | High to medium |
| January (after the 6th), February | Quiet to steady | Medium to low |
| June, September | Steady | Medium |
| July and August | Steady with summer holidaymakers | The lowest for most riads, except those with pools |
The cheapest weeks combine good value with real compromises: heat in summer, cold nights in January. Shoulder weeks, such as early March, late May or late November, often give the best balance.
By activity
The right season for what you want to do
The city is fine all year. Trips out of it depend more on the season.
| Activity | Best time | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Sahara desert trip | October to April | July and August: over 40°C in the dunes. In winter, nights in camp are close to freezing |
| Atlas day trips and walks | March to June, September to November | Heavy rain days; snow can close high roads in winter |
| Climbing Toubkal (4,167 m) | June to October without snow gear | Winter, unless you have crampons and a mountain guide |
| Hot air balloon | All year; clearest views from October to April | Nothing: flights simply move if the wind is strong |
| Pool days and rooftops | May to September | December to February: pools are cold |
| Essaouira and the coast | All year; cooler than Marrakech in summer | Expect strong wind from spring to summer |
Dates worth knowing, 2026–27
Events and holidays that change the city, for better or for busier.
-
20–28 Nov
Film Festival 2026
The Marrakech International Film Festival brings premieres and stars, with free open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fna every evening.
-
24 Dec–2 Jan
Christmas and New Year
The busiest and most expensive fortnight of the year. Riads and New Year dinners sell out early.
-
Late Jan
Marrakech Marathon
The marathon and half-marathon usually run through the city and the Palmeraie on a Sunday in late January. Some roads close that morning.
-
≈ 8 Feb–9 Mar
Ramadan 2027
Expected dates. Cafés may close by day, but evenings are festive. Clocks go back one hour. Eid al-Fitr follows, around 10 March.
-
Easter
Spring holidays
Late March to April, with European school holidays: the busiest spring weeks. Book early.
-
Late June
Gnaoua festival
Essaouira’s world music festival, usually in late June: three hours from Marrakech, and a good reason to stay a night.
When to go to Marrakech: your questions
What is the best month to visit Marrakech?
April and October have the best weather, with warm days and cool evenings. For fewer crowds with similar weather, try early March, late May or November.
Is Marrakech too hot in summer?
July and August often pass 37°C in the afternoon. It is manageable if you sightsee early and late and stay somewhere with a pool, and prices are at their lowest.
Is Marrakech cold in winter?
Days are sunny and around 20°C, but nights drop to about 6°C, and old riads can be cold. Bring a warm layer and choose a riad with heating.
When is the rainy season in Marrakech?
There is no real rainy season. From October to April expect two to four rainy days a month, usually short showers; summer is almost dry.
When is the cheapest time to visit Marrakech?
July and August, and January after New Year, have the lowest riad prices. Avoid Christmas, New Year and Easter if you are on a budget.
Is it a good idea to visit during Ramadan?
Yes, if you plan for it: sights stay open, evenings are lively, and the city is calmer by day. Some cafés close until sunset, and eating in public by day is best avoided.
Next on your list
Checked on 22 October 2026 against official and recent sources. Rules and prices change: confirm anything important before you travel.
Marrakist Concierge