Best time to visit Morocco

Best for: cooler weather, small crowds, camping in the Sahara and Yennayer

Not a fan of the heat? January is the coolest and wettest month with daytime highs of 10-20°C, though it’s chillier in the mountains and warmer in the desert. The Sahara sees higher foot (read: camel) traffic due to more manageable daytime temps, while the rest of Morocco is usually crowd-free so you’ll have the sites and souks (almost) all to yourself.

If you time it well, you might experience Yennayer (Amazigh New Year), celebrated by traditional Berber communities in North Africa. Festivities can get pretty lively in the High Atlas with communal feasts, dancing and singing to honour the connection between the Amazigh and nature, and to call in abundant crops and prosperity for the year ahead.

Best for: cooler weather, trekking Mt Toubkal and Blossom Festival

There’s less rain in February and temperatures increase slightly. Queues at popular sites are minimal and you’ll have more opportunities to banter with locals. The weather is near perfect for hiking and camel rides in the desert. Or, if you prefer snow over sand, head to the High Atlas to experience the wintery magic of the mountains and summit Mt Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.

If you’re around in mid-February, consider visiting the quaint village of Tafraout in the Souss-Massa region for the annual Almond Blossom Festival. Expect delicious food, traditional Berber folk music and, of course, heaps of sweet-smelling almond blossoms.

Best for: lush landscapes, hiking and the International Nomad Festival

Hello, spring! March is a gorgeous month with budding flowers and lush vegetation thanks to the winter rains. Foot traffic picks up, but the weather is great for exploring iconic landmarks and getting lost in the winding streets of Marrakesh, Fes and Chefchaouen. Daytime temps climb into the low 20s, but layers are still required for the evening.

You could also align your trip with the International Nomad Festival in the remote Saharan village of M’Hamid El Ghizlane. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the culture and customs of nomadic tribes from the region.

Best for: warmer weather, spring blooms, hiking and the Sufi Festival

Spring’s in full swing by April with rising temps and longer days. There's usually a rush of tourists around the Easter holidays, so keep this in mind if there’s somewhere in particular you want to stay as you may need to book in advance. Hiking in the Middle and High Atlas is a delight with blooming flora set against snow-topped peaks.

Be sure to check out the Sufi Festival if you’re around Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco. Sufism is an esoteric form of Islam that promotes mysticism, introspection and divine love. You’ll be able to witness Sufi devotees from around the world perform rituals, chanting, poetry and concerts in amazing venues across the city.

Best for: pleasant weather, trekking and the Festival of the Roses

May's hot but not sweltering weather makes it a popular month, so it’s best to book your activities and accommodation in advance. It’s one of the best months to go trekking, and it's the last month to venture into the Sahara or explore bustling cities like Marrakesh before the intense heat arrives.

If you visit M’Goun Valley (AKA, Valley of the Roses) in early May, you can see and smell beds of sweet Damascus roses as far as the eye can see. Pickers then pluck tonnes of petals for rose water and oil production – a key ingredient in Arab culture. Festival of the Roses coincides with the end of the harvest season and is a fantastic cultural experience.

Best for: enjoying the coast, cultural music festivals and the Cherry Festival

June marks the start of the summer (and the notorious heat), though it’s slightly cooler than July and August. The weather is prime for enjoying fresh seafood in Casablanca or kicking back on the beaches of Essaouira.

The festival calendar is jam-packed with musical goodness, including Essaouira's Gnaoua Music Festival and Fes's Festival of World Sacred Music. There’s also the Cherry Festival in Sefrou which features elaborate floats and parades, authentic Moroccan food and the crowning of ‘Miss Cherry’.

Best for: enjoying the coast, Jazzablanca and balmy evenings

Temperatures soar in June, often topping 40°C. But it's totally doable if you can cope with the heat (and remember to use sunscreen and stay hydrated!). It’s hotter the further inland you go – crowded cities like Marrakesh can feel stifling – so it’s the perfect excuse to head to Essaouira, Rabat or Tangier where the salty sea breeze cools things down.

Casablanca also hosts the annual Jazzablanca festival featuring soul, funk, new age and jazz music. Despite the heat, July is a reasonably popular month due to European summer breakers, so be sure to pre-book any activities on your bucket list.

Best for: balmy evenings, hitting the beach, Todra Gorge and Dades River

August is hot with a capital H. Beat the heat along the Atlantic or Mediterranean coastlines, or at Todra Gorge and Dades River where you can cool down in limestone river canyons. It’s best to start the day early and take refuge from the midday sun in museums, cafes or hammams. Days are quieter, but evenings come alive as locals fill the streets to eat and make the most of the cooler temps.

Best for: comfortable weather, the whole gamut of activities and Imilchil Marriage Festival

September is one of the best months to visit in terms of weather. The scorching heat subsides, sunshine is plentiful and the rush of summer holidaymakers comes to a halt. Aside from the Sahara which can still be oppressively hot, September offers prime conditions for trekking, swimming and exploring historical sites.

You could also head to the Middle Atlas to experience a side of Morocco most travellers don’t see at the Imilchil Marriage Festival. This annual event sees hundreds of Berber people gather in elaborate outfits to find their perfect spouse.

Best for: harvest season festivities, mild weather and Sahara adventures

Pleasant weather continues into October, and while the rain starts falling in the Middle Atlas mid-month, it’s usually not enough to disrupt hiking. It can get windy along the coast, so head inland to Fes, Marrakech and Chefchaouen to immerse yourself in the colour, chaos and charisma of Morocco sans the heat.

If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love October as it’s date season! It’s a great time to experience traditional harvesting festivities and, of course, get your fill of Mother Nature’s caramels.

Best for: the Sahara, exploring the cities and cosying up in cafes

Things pick up again in the Sahara (but remember your warm layers!). Yes, it’s busier, but it’s worth it for more bearable temps. On the flip side, Morocco’s cities see lower foot traffic in November, making it a great time to tick off the highlights. The cooler weather is the perfect excuse to cosy up in cafes with mint tea and a plate of warm Moroccan pastries. Or go all out on the food on a tagine, harissa and couscous-filled adventure from Casablanca to Marrakesh.

Best for: winter trekking, cultural activities and Sahara adventures

For most of December, you’ll enjoy a crowd-free Morocco – excluding late-December which sees a spike in festive holidaymakers. It’s not quite bathing suit weather along the coast, but sun-seekers can visit the Sahara where clear skies and sunshine await. Mild daytime temps inland also make for excellent hiking conditions at lower altitudes like Todra Gorge (without sweating buckets).

If you want to embrace the wintry weather, you could go on a snow-crunching trek in the High Atlas to Mt Toubkal with a trusty pack of mules and an expert crew to lead the way.