Best Time to Visit Marrakech: Month-by-Month Weather, Events & Tips (2026–27)
The best time to visit Marrakech, in short: March to May and late September to November, when daytime highs sit between about 22°C and 32°C and rain is light. July and August are the hottest months, with average highs around 36°C. December to February brings mild, sunny days but cold nights. In 2027, Ramadan is expected from around 8 February to early March, which changes opening hours and the rhythm of the city.
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Marrakech is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit Marrakech depends on what you want from the trip: comfortable sightseeing, pool days, low prices or festivals. This guide shows Marrakech weather by month, the 2026–27 events calendar, Ramadan dates and how crowds change through the year, so you can choose your dates with confidence. It is part of our Marrakech travel guide.
Marrakech Weather by Month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rainy days | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°C | 6°C | 7 | 6 | Good, cold nights |
| February | 20°C | 8°C | 7 | 6 | Good |
| March | 22°C | 9°C | 8 | 6 | Excellent |
| April | 24°C | 11°C | 9 | 6 | Excellent |
| May | 27°C | 14°C | 9 | 4 | Excellent |
| June | 31°C | 16°C | 11 | 1 | Good, getting hot |
| July | 36°C | 20°C | 11 | 1 | Very hot |
| August | 36°C | 20°C | 10 | 1 | Very hot |
| September | 32°C | 18°C | 9 | 2 | Good, hot early on |
| October | 27°C | 15°C | 8 | 5 | Excellent |
| November | 22°C | 10°C | 7 | 6 | Excellent |
| December | 19°C | 6°C | 7 | 6 | Good, cold nights |
Long-term monthly averages from Weather2Travel, based on data from the Met Office, the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit and the Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Individual days can be much hotter or colder than the average. The “verdict” column is our own assessment of the best time to visit Marrakech for sightseeing.
Best Time to Visit Marrakech by Travel Style
| If you want… | Go in | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable sightseeing | March–May, October–November | Warm days, cooler nights, little rain |
| Pool days and riad deals | June–August | Hot, dry and sunny, with summer deals |
| Fewer tourists | January–February (outside holidays) | Quieter medina, mild sunny days |
| Festivals and events | November–February | Film festival, marathon, art fair |
| Atlas Mountains and desert trips | Spring and autumn | Mild in the desert, no summer heat |
| New Year nightlife | Late December | Busy parties, book early |
For most first-time visitors, the best time to visit Marrakech is April or October: warm enough for rooftop evenings, cool enough to walk the medina all day.
Marrakech Seasons Explained
Spring (March to May): The Best Time to Visit Marrakech for Most Travelers
Average highs climb from about 22°C in March to 27°C in May, with long sunny days and only a handful of rainy days. Gardens such as Jardin Majorelle and Le Jardin Secret are at their greenest, and the Atlas Mountains often still have snow on the peaks. This is high season, so book riads and Majorelle tickets well ahead, especially around Easter.
- Pros: ideal walking weather, green gardens, good for day trips.
- Cons: higher room rates and busy sights, especially at Easter.
Summer (June to August): Hot, Dry and Cheaper
July and August average highs of about 36°C, and heatwaves push temperatures well beyond that. Summer is not the best time to visit Marrakech for long sightseeing days, but it can work if you plan around the heat: sights at opening time, a long break in your riad or by the pool in the early afternoon, and the medina again in the evening. Lonely Planet notes that summer brings deals on riads and hotels.
- Pros: almost no rain, pool weather, lower room rates.
- Cons: intense midday heat, tiring for children and older travelers.
A summer day trip to the cooler Atlas Mountains is a good escape from the city heat.
Autumn (September to November): The Second-Best Window
Early September is still hot, at about 32°C, but by October highs fall to around 27°C and November to about 22°C. Late September to November is the other best time to visit Marrakech, with warm days, pleasant evenings and the Marrakech International Film Festival in late November. November is one of the wetter months, so pack a light rain jacket.
- Pros: excellent weather, good for desert trips, festival season begins.
- Cons: October and November are popular, and a few rainy days are likely in November.
Winter (December to February): Mild Days, Cold Nights
Days are mild and sunny, with highs around 18–20°C, but nights drop to about 6°C. Many riads have thin walls and open courtyards, so check that your room has heating. Winter is the best time to visit Marrakech for fewer crowds, outside the Christmas and New Year holidays, when the city fills up again and some hotels set minimum stays.
- Pros: quieter sights, events such as the marathon and art fair, snow on the Atlas peaks.
- Cons: cold evenings, unheated rooms in some riads, busy at New Year.
October is one of the best months to visit Marrakech. With average daytime highs of around 27°C, the weather is comfortable for exploring the medina, visiting gardens and enjoying dinner on a rooftop terrace. The evenings are generally pleasant, making October an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience the city without the intense summer heat.
Marrakech Month by Month
- January: sunny days around 18°C, cold nights. The Marrakech Marathon takes place on 31 January 2027, and Amazigh New Year on 14 January.
- February: warming up to about 20°C. The 1-54 contemporary African art fair is usually held in February. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February.
- March: one of the best months, around 22°C. In 2027, the first days of March are still Ramadan, with Eid al-Fitr expected around 10 March.
- April: around 24°C, green gardens and peak spring demand. Book early around Easter.
- May: about 27°C and drier. Eid al-Adha is expected around 17 May 2027, when many local businesses close for a few days.
- June: about 31°C. Early mornings and evenings are still pleasant.
- July: the hottest month, about 36°C. The Popular Arts Festival is usually held in July.
- August: also about 36°C. Busy with Moroccan families and European holidaymakers.
- September: hot at first, about 32°C, cooling through the month.
- October: one of the best months, around 27°C, warm and settled.
- November: about 22°C. The Marrakech International Film Festival runs from 20 to 28 November 2026. Independence Day falls on 18 November.
- December: around 19°C, cold nights. Quiet until the Christmas and New Year rush.
Ramadan in Marrakech: 2027 Dates and What Changes
Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year, because it follows the lunar calendar. In 2027 it is expected to start around 8 February, with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March, according to Calendarific’s provisional 2027 calendar for Morocco. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon and are confirmed only a day or so in advance.
- Shorter opening hours: monuments and shops often close earlier, so plan sightseeing for the morning.
- Quieter days, lively evenings: the city slows down during the day and comes alive after sunset, when families break the fast.
- Food: tourist restaurants and riads still serve visitors, but many local cafés close during the day.
- Respect: avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.
For travelers who want to see the city’s evening atmosphere, Ramadan can even be the best time to visit Marrakech. You will see less in a day, so allow extra time.
Marrakech Events Calendar 2026–2027
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 18 November 2026 | Independence Day (public holiday) |
| 20–28 November 2026 | Marrakech International Film Festival (23rd edition) |
| 14 January 2027 | Amazigh New Year (public holiday) |
| 31 January 2027 | Marrakech International Marathon |
| February 2027 | 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair |
| Around 8 February – early March 2027 | Ramadan (provisional) |
| Around 10 March 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (provisional) |
| Around 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (provisional) |
| July 2027 | Popular Arts Festival (usually July) |
| 30 July 2027 | Throne Day (public holiday) |
Sources: The Rio Times (film festival), Finishers (marathon), Calendarific (public and religious holidays), Lonely Planet (1-54 art fair) and Civitatis (Popular Arts Festival). Religious holiday dates depend on the moon and may shift by a day or two.
During the film festival, open-air screenings on Jemaa el-Fnaa are free and open to everyone, according to The Rio Times.
Crowds and Prices Through the Year
- Busiest: spring (especially Easter), October to November, and Christmas to New Year. Book rooms and Jardin Majorelle tickets early.
- Quietest: January and February outside holidays, and the hottest weeks of summer.
- Cheapest rooms: summer usually brings the best riad and hotel deals, according to Lonely Planet.
- Most expensive: New Year, when many places are full and some ask for minimum stays.
Food, buses and entry fees cost the same all year, so on a budget the best time to visit Marrakech mostly depends on room rates. See our Marrakech budget guide for daily costs.
Compare Marrakech riads and hotels for your dates on Klook →
What to Pack for Each Season
- Spring and autumn: light layers, a sweater for the evenings, comfortable walking shoes and a light rain jacket for November.
- Summer: loose, breathable clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen. Carry water.
- Winter: a warm jacket for the evenings and a layer for sleeping in unheated riads.
- Desert or Atlas trips: a warm layer in every season, because nights in the mountains and desert are much colder than in the city.
Compare Marrakech day trips and desert tours on Klook →
Best Time to Visit Marrakech: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Marrakech?
For most travelers, the best time to visit Marrakech is April or October, with average highs of about 24°C and 27°C, long sunny days and little rain. March, May and November are also excellent.
When is the worst time to visit Marrakech?
July and August are the hardest months for sightseeing, with average highs around 36°C. If you go then, plan sights for early morning and evening and choose a riad or hotel with a pool.
Is it worth visiting Marrakech in winter?
Yes. Winter days are mild and sunny, at about 18–20°C, and the sights are quieter outside the New Year period. Nights are cold, around 6°C, so make sure your room has heating.
When is Ramadan in Marrakech in 2027?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to start around 8 February, with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March. Exact dates depend on the moon sighting and are confirmed shortly before.
Does it rain a lot in Marrakech?
No. Even the wettest months, from November to April, average only about six rainy days, and summer is almost completely dry.
When is the cheapest time to visit Marrakech?
Summer usually has the best riad and hotel deals, and January and February outside the holidays are also quieter. If you want low prices and good weather together, the best time to visit Marrakech is early March or late November, outside the holiday periods.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
Once you have chosen the best time to visit Marrakech for your trip, these guides will help you plan the rest:
- Marrakech Travel Guide
- 3 Days in Marrakech Itinerary
- Things to Do in Marrakech
- Where to Stay in Marrakech
- Best Riads and Hotels in Marrakech
- Getting Around Marrakech
- Marrakech Airport to City Center
- Day Trips from Marrakech
- Morocco Travel Guide
- Best Cities to Visit in Morocco
Where to stay is the next decision after dates. Our guide to the best areas to stay in Marrakech compares every neighborhood.