The Best Time to Visit Morocco
If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, there is never a bad time to visit! With great weather in Morocco all twelve months of the year, there are plenty of places to see and visit since Morocco is geographically diverse.
For most tourists, Morocco’s weather is a major factor for deciding when the best time to travel is. Like any other country in the Northern Hemisphere, Morocco has a similar seasonal pattern with winter occurring from December to February and summer occurring from June to August.
Summer
A good thing to know before you go to Morocco is that during the summer months, it can be uncomfortably hot, especially in Marrakech, Fez and the cities in the southwest, since they’re near the Sahara Desert. Even with the intense heat, many tourists still choose to visit because it overlaps with their summer vacation.
If you’re looking to visit Morocco in the summer but want to escape the heat, try the coastal towns of Tangier, Agadir, and Essaouira, since they have the advantage of a cool sea breeze and water temps of 21 celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit). If you’re not a fan of sitting on the beach, trekking through the Atlas Mountains can be a great option too, due to the mild heat and beautiful views.
Fall
The best time of the year to visit the Sahara desert is during the fall months. Fall is perfect for anyone who wants to visit and avoid the scorching summer heat or chilly winter temperatures. Spring can also be a great time to visit the desert, just be wary of the occasional sand storms.
If your trip to Morocco happens to land in October, stopping at the annual Erfoud Date Festival is a must! The entire community of Erfoud comes together to celebrate the end of the date harvest with dances, traditional music, parades, and local food. Different tents are set up for companies to promote their date or date-related products and a ‘Date Queen’ is announced at the end of the festival. This is a great way to experience a true Moroccan celebration first-hand!
Winter
The winters in Morocco are usually pretty mild. The temperature in Marrakech can drop down to -1 celsius (30 degrees Fahrenheit) and light snow flurries are not unusual.
The Atlas Mountains in northern Morocco are prone to substantial snowfall during the winter time. On the Bright side, fifty miles south of Marrakech is Oukaïmeden, a ski resort with six lifts and over six miles of trails.
Spring
Even though every season in Morocco is picturesque, some argue that spring is the most pleasant time to visit due to the warm and dry weather. For example, visiting the Sahara in the spring can be a lot more comfortable temperature-wise than visiting in the summer.
If you choose to visit the more mountainous regions, you’ll experience beautiful green mountains filled with trees flowering almonds, apples, and cherries. The wildflowers during this time also enhance a landscape filled with orange poppies, irises, and roses. Snow melt from the surrounding mountain peaks also form small rivers and waterfalls.
Whatever time of the year you choose to visit Morocco, it’s sure to be magical because each season offers something a little extra special. Morocco is a big country and has something to offer for everyone!
