When it comes to Morocco’s seasons and local holidays, there are a few things to know beforehand to ensure you are picking the absolute best time to travel, considering your travel plans and expectations.
There is nothing worse than arriving for a summer of fun to be greeted by the rainy season or traveling during the country’s most celebrated events, so everything ends up being closed.
These scenarios, amongst others, can ruin your trip, so it is crucial to make sure you research the best time to travel to Morocco, so you can rest assured you have made the right decision without any nasty surprises. Worry not, because we will make this part easy for you with a breakdown of the seasons and local holidays in Morocco and the best time to travel, so you don’t have to do anything but look forward to a fun-filled North African discovery.
Seasons in Morocco
Morocco is located in the Northern Hemisphere, hugging the Mediterranean to the north, and the Atlantic to the west, meaning it has four distinct seasons, just like many countries in Europe. This can make things easier for you if you are traveling from one of these countries, or North America, especially if you have a summer vacation planned; you can expect summer sun in Morocco.
The climate is that of the Mediterranean seen, as it lies just 9 miles from Spain, so it follows the same patterns as any other country in the Northern Hemisphere. However, like in any country, weather can be unpredictable and vary between regions and altitudes, so bear this.
Let us go into a little more detail about the seasons in Morocco.
Spring (March-May):
Although the weather is not yet warm enough to swim or sunbathe, spring is still a great time to visit Morocco, with various activities to undertake during the season of bloom. To Moroccans, the weather can seem cold, with temperatures around 20-23C (69-73F) and a water temperature of around 19C (66F). But to some Europeans, this may be the perfect time for a swim, so the choice is yours. Early spring tends to be colder, and the temperature starts to warm up quickly by April and May.
Summer (June – August):
This is the hottest time of the year and is the time when people flock to the coast for seaside holidays, but it is worth noting that the Atlantic coast can be windy and takes time to heat up, while the Mediterranean is warm and calm. Summer in Morocco is not as blistering hot as you might think in certain areas, but it is a more comfortable temperature of between 26-28C (79-82F), but in the desert and the cities, the heat can be unbearable.
Autumn (September – November):
September is a lovely time to visit Morocco when the weather is still warm, but the crowds have dispersed. However, as the months go on, it gets cooler in preparation for wintertime, but crowds get lesser and lesser. Therefore, this can be a fantastic time to explore cities that were once crowded and hot in the summer peak season.
Winter (December – February):
Winter in Morocco is relatively mild compared to some parts of Europe, but you can expect various temperatures depending on where you are in the country and at which altitude, so it’s best to be prepared for rain and for cold. Marrakech sees a daily temperature of around 18C (65F), which can seem dreamy to Europeans, making it a superb winter destination with lower prices and no crowds.
The best time to travel
March-May and September – October are lovely times to visit Morocco, when the heat is not quite scorching, that you cannot enjoy a walk around a medina or a tour to the desert, both of which can be unbearable in the summer heat.
The low seasons in the cities in between June & August, when prices are low due to the hot temperatures; this is the high season on the coast, where people flock for seaside holidays.
The shoulder season is over the winter when a visit to the desert is a good idea, but evenings can get cool, so be prepared with layers and warm sleeping bags if overnighting in the desert.
Local Festivities are not to be missed
Marathon des Sables:
This world-famous 251km (156 miles) ultra-marathon is one of the most significant events in Morocco and sees people from all over the world coming to take part in this incredible feat of endurance lasting over six days. If you are in the right place (The Sahara Desert) at the right time (March/April), you might see some of these superhumans putting their fitness to the test during the world’s toughest race. Or perhaps you think you’ve got what it takes? This is what you can expect to take part in or perhaps witness from the sideline.
Kalaat Mgouna Rose Festival:
During the first/second week of May, the region of the Dades Valley is blooming with roses, hence why it is known as The Valley of the Roses. This is a celebration of the blooming of the most loved flower in the region, organized by locals and featuring craft stalls, parades of roses, entertainment in the form of snake charmers, song and dance, and the crowning of Miss Roses. The smell of roses fills the air, and this event is one to attend if you are in the area, especially if you are a nature and culture enthusiast, don’t forget to take home some rose water produced here.
Fez Festival of World Sacred Music:
This sustainable event, which is held annually in the spiritual town of Fez for over a week, is one of the best music gatherings in the world. It features sacred musicians of all faiths and traditions who have come from all over the world to honor this town, each nation’s practices, and the music. Since 1994, this incredible music event has attracted crowds of international and local visitors to attend this unmissable event, where you never know who you might see. This is what you can expect from Fez Festival.
Marrakech Popular Arts Festival:
For the lover of the arts, this event cannot be overlooked, featuring fortune tellers, snake charmers, sword swallowers, fire breathers, and a host of other entertainers and artists from all over the world. This fantastic event is held every July in Marrakech and is a cultural event that people love for many reasons.
Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr:
Ramadan is an event you may have heard of because it is a tradition among Muslim nations that fast during the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. They abstain from food, drink, and other luxuries during this month. Still, They indulge in feasts during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, making this a very social practice and a time for purification, cleansing, and self-sacrifice.
