The two best windows for Marrakech are March-April and late September-mid November: 23 to 28 °C by day, strong sun and heat you can walk in. October is probably the single best month of the year. July and August are to be avoided if you plan to sightsee, and perfectly workable if your stay revolves around a pool.
The months ranked, and why
A month is not judged on temperature alone. It is judged on the combination of heat, rain, daylight, crowds and price. Here is how the twelve rank for a sightseeing trip.
| Month | Day / night | Verdict | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 28.4 / 15.3 °C | Excellent | First rains, 6 days |
| April | 25.8 / 12.4 °C | Excellent | 40 mm of rain, cool nights |
| March | 23.7 / 10.4 °C | Very good | Cold nights, 8 rain days |
| May | 29.5 / 15.1 °C | Very good | Spikes to 38 °C possible |
| September | 32.4 / 18.1 °C | Good | Still hot early in the month |
| November | 23.3 / 10.5 °C | Good | Wettest month, 40 mm |
| February | 20.8 / 7.7 °C | Fair | Cold nights, pool ruled out |
| December | 20.2 / 7.4 °C | Fair | Short days, festive rates |
| June | 33.7 / 18.0 °C | Fair | Hot from mid-month |
| January | 19.2 / 5.9 °C | Fair | Coldest month |
| August | 37.4 / 21.0 °C | Hard | Sightseeing very limited |
| July | 37.7 / 20.6 °C | Hard | Hottest of the year |
Climate normals for 1991-2020 at the Marrakech station, published by Climates to Travel. These are thirty-year averages: any single year can depart from them noticeably. Properties at the foot of the Atlas sit two to three hundred metres higher and are routinely two to four degrees cooler at night.
If your dates are already set, the most useful thing is to check availability now: both good windows fill three to four months ahead.
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Choose by what you came to do
Sightseeing and walking
You need to be able to walk four to six hours a day. That rules out July and August, and part of June. March, April, October and early November are the months: 23 to 28 °C, alleys that stay bearable at midday, and good light for photographs. The three-day Marrakech itinerary shows how to build days in those conditions.
Pool and garden
Here the logic inverts. You need warm water and long afternoons: mid-May to mid-September. June and September are the best compromise, with highs of 33 and 32 °C, ten and nine hours of sun, and nights still cool enough to sleep. July and August work well if you accept doing nothing between noon and 5 pm.
The mountains
From December to March the peaks are white and the air is clear: the most striking period from a terrace. For walking in the mountains, though, aim for April-May or September-October, when tracks are passable and temperatures at altitude are pleasant. The Ourika Valley day trip guide covers conditions season by season.
Hosting an event
The constraint is harder, because a dinner laid outdoors survives neither a heatwave nor a downpour. The two reliable windows are April-May and late September-October. March and November are workable with a covered plan B. July, August and January should be ruled out. See the Marrakech wedding venue guide and the Events and stays page.
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Crowds and prices: the variable people forget
The best weather coincides with the strongest demand. April, May, October and the spring bank holidays are when good addresses fill earliest. Two practical consequences.
- For April, May or October, book three to four months ahead; longer if you want a whole house.
- For a stay outside school holidays in February or November, you will get the best rates and markedly quieter sites.
- The festive period is the exception: December is a quiet month except between 24 December and 2 January, when everything tightens.
Our exclusive offers show the periods where we open particular terms, including in the quieter months.
Ramadan, worth knowing before you choose
During Ramadan the rhythm of the city shifts: some restaurants close during the day, administrative hours tighten, and the evening atmosphere becomes wonderfully animated after the fast is broken. Monuments stay open and hotels run normally. It is not a period to avoid, it is a period to choose knowingly. Its date moves roughly eleven days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar, so check it for your year of travel.
Our recommendation in three lines
If your dates are open: the first half of October, then April. If you are travelling with young children or older guests: March, April, October, November, and never July-August. If budget decides: February and November give the best conditions-to-price ratio of the year, provided you accept cold nights or a few showers. The month-by-month weather guide has the figures to weigh it up.
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Best time to visit Marrakech: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Marrakech?
October, for most trips: a 28.4 °C high, 15.3 °C at night, eight hours of sun a day and only 25 mm of rain. April comes next, with cooler nights and a little more rain.
Should I avoid Marrakech in summer?
For a sightseeing trip, yes: July and August average above 37 °C and runs beyond 45 °C are common. For a stay built around a pool and shade it is entirely workable, as long as you go out before 11 am and after 6 pm.
When is Marrakech least busy?
January, February and November, outside school holidays and the festive period. These are also the months with the lowest rates.
How far ahead should I book?
Three to four months for April, May and October, and longer for a whole house or an event. One to two months is enough for February or November. For New Year's week, allow six months.
Can you visit Marrakech in winter?
Yes, and it is pleasant: 19 to 21 °C by day and seven hours of sun. You simply have to accept nights at 5 °C, short days and a pool that is unusable without heating.
How many days do you need in Marrakech?
Three full days cover the city. Add a day per excursion, and allow five to six days if you want to combine the medina, a day in the mountains and some rest.
