Discover the Best Time To Go to Marrakech, Morocco

The Red City welcomes visitors all year around. Whenever you choose to travel, Marrakech is alive with colour, noise, gaiety and charm. The Medina roars with life, musicians and snake charmers pack Djemma el-Fna square and stall holders announce their wares in the souks just as they did a thousand years ago. In fact, there’s really not a best time to go to Marrakech, Morocco – it’s an enriching and fascinating experience every day of the year! Read on to find why.

Let’s have a look at the facts – hopefully you’ll soon see Marrakech as a perfect travel destination all year round.

If you come alive in sunshine, Marrakech is the right place for you as its location in north-west Morocco brings a hot, dry climate all year around. The summer season sees temperatures averaging 38°C (100°F), so if you don’t cope too well with extreme heat, plan your trip for early spring, when cloud cover is more common and the mercury is lower, hovering around an agreeable 24°C (75°F).

Comfortable temperatures await you in spring, coinciding with the city’s exquisite gardens – Le Jardin Secret, Jardin Marjorelle, the Agdal Gardens to name a few – bursting into bloom and filling the air with the scent of orange blossom. Make the most of the equable weather to take excursions to the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, go hiking among the trees at the Palmeraie oasis or escape into the Sahara Desert on a camel safari.

To avoid the hot, dry heat of a Marrakech summer’s day, get up early to tour the Kasbah or Bahia Palace at a time when most other visitors are still asleep. Otherwise dodge the fierce sunshine by heading indoors and discovering the city’s roster of outstanding contemporary museums; of these, Musée Yves Saint Laurent and Musée des Confluences are standouts. And of course, you can always head back to your exquisite riad hotel for a siesta before venturing out into the cool of the Medina’s shaded alleys after dark.

A few degrees hotter than spring, autumn’s sunny, pleasant weather is perfect for strolling in the beautiful Marrakech outdoors under cloudless azure skies; the ornamental gardens are at their best, while produce stalls in the bazaars overflow with pomegranates, dates and figs, freshly harvested herbs and wild mushrooms. It’s the season for exploring the Atlas Mountains before the snows come, and also the time when several international festivals hit the city.

If you’re escaping the sepulchral gloom of a northern European December, winter is a great time to go to Marrakech, as temperatures of around 20°C (68°F) are hardly a hardship. The city's tumultuous street life carries on unabated, and all the attractions remain open, as do the restaurants, cafés and shops. Same beguiling city – just fewer crowds. And should you feel the need for a little January pampering, book yourself into the luxurious Sofitel Marrakech Palais Imperial & Spa and enjoy a soak in the hotel’s signature hammam spa.

As seen above, choosing when to go to Marrakech largely depends on how you cope with hot weather. Read on for a few tips to maximise your comfort in the heat.

As Marrakech enjoys high temperatures in all seasons, it’s best to pack loose and light clothes. Linen and layers are your friends in summer, while cardigans, shawls or light jackets are useful for cooler evenings in winter.

Morocco is a conservative Muslim country and while visitors are not required to cover up completely, women should avoid figure-hugging outfits and keep their knees, shoulders and cleavage covered when out and about in Marrakech. It’s also a must to cover your hair when visiting the holy landmarks, so carry a headscarf for sightseeing trips.

Men can get away with long shorts during the day, but will feel more comfortable wearing long trousers and collared shirts with sleeves at night.

It’s nearly always sunny in Marrakech, so pop some sun lotion, cotton hats and sunglasses into your suitcase whenever you visit. A cross-body bag with zip is sensible for tours of the Medina’s narrow alleyways – and perhaps a foldable bag for carrying all your purchases.

Comfortable and sturdy shoes are also recommended, as your feet will get sore walking on the cobbles in flip-flops or open sandals.

Ramadan or the autumn festivals are ideal times to visit Marrakech if you're seeking cultural experiences.

Islam’s most spiritual and significant festival ushers in a month of daytime fasting and prayer, with the dates changing annually according to the lunar calendar. While eating and drinking in public is not permitted until after sundown during this time, Ramadan is actually a good time to visit as most restaurants catering to non-Islamic visitors remain open for the discreet serving of food, drinks and alcohol, and they are quiet during the day. As ever when visiting Morocco, you are required to dress modestly, as well as being mindful of noise levels as people may be at prayer. Opening hours in the Medina souks, shops and eateries usually alter, but otherwise your visit will not really be impacted until evening.

As the sun sets, a cannon sounds across the city, and suddenly the streets empty as the majority of locals rush home to join their families for Iftar, the nightly breaking of the fast. Wait a while until the traffic clears before heading to Djemma el-Fna to see crowds gather around the food stalls to snack on tagines, couscous dishes and salads. At around 8pm, yet more people reappear and head to their mosque for evening prayers.

The months of September through to early December see plenty of cultural action in Marrakech. First up is the Marrakech Music Festival, setting things in motion with a trio of dance and DJ events taking place under the desert stars, while the jet-setting fashion crowds converge on the city in late October for shows organised by Fashion Trust Arabia.

Also in October, Harvest Festival celebrates Marrakech’s thriving organic food scene with gourmet happenings all over the city, and if red carpet glamour fascinates you, the Marrakech Film Festival rolls in by late November for a week. Just be sure to book tickets to your chosen event well in advance.

You don’t so much visit Marrakech as collide with it, but a bit of pre-planning will help you engage with the Red City confidently and ensure that any time is the best time to go to Marrakech, Morocco.

A colossal 17.4 million visitors descended on Marrakech in 2024, meaning hotel rooms are in very high demand. Do your research to find the Marrakech district that suits your holiday needs, and reserve rooms long before your travel date.

Marrakesh is Morocco’s leading tourist destination and attractions book up weeks in advance – especially if you’re travelling in the spring high season. Bucket-list attractions like the sublime Jardin Majorelle and the neighbouring Musée Yves Saint Laurent require you to book tickets in advance.

Save money as you visit all the top sights with the Marrakech City Card. Only available online, it can be delivered to your hotel and is valid for periods of 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours. The card offers reduced entry to the Red City’s magical gardens, contemporary museums and heritage sites as well as discounts in restaurants, shops and spas.

This famously colourful and dynamic city may be compact enough to walk around on foot, but it’s not easily navigated by first-time visitors. There are numerous companies offering guided walking tours of Marrakech, and it’s certainly a good idea to book one for your first foray into the labyrinth that is the Medina – you won’t get lost and you’ll be led into hidden corners of the souks that many visitors never see.

Having advised you to plan sightseeing visits and to take a guided tour for your first encounter with Marrakech’s Medina, don’t lose all your spontaneity. Half the joy of experiencing this entrancing city is meandering its streets, grazing at food stalls in Djemma el-Fna and immersing yourself in the infectious vibe of its diverse neighbourhoods.

Decided on the best time to go to Marrakech, Morocco? Discover the best things to do while you're there.