Morocco is year-round. Spring and autumn are the crowd-pleasers, summer rewards coast and mountain explorers, and winter brings crisp Atlas views and good city deals.
Related: 5-Day Morocco Desert Itinerary • What to Pack for Morocco • Choosing a Riad
Quick verdict
- Best overall: March–May & September–November.
- Coast & mountains: June–August (Essaouira breeze, High Atlas hikes).
- Value & clear skies: December–February (shorter days; layer up).
Season by season
Winter (Dec–Feb): Cool, crisp, fewer crowds. City breaks, desert camps with starry skies, Atlas panoramas. Book heating-equipped stays.
Spring (Mar–May): Blooming valleys, comfortable days—book early. Perfect for classic desert circuits.
Summer (Jun–Aug): Hot inland; refreshing along the Atlantic and at elevation. Start early, siesta midday, go again at sunset.
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Golden light and balanced temps—prime time for Sahara trips and city+desert combos.
Month-by-month snapshot
- Jan–Feb: Cool and calm; great value; pack warmer layers.
- Mar: Valleys wake up; ideal for desert loops.
- Apr: Peak pleasant—reserve activities ahead.
- May: Do-it-all month before heat builds.
- Jun: Shift plans to coast/mountains; early starts inland.
- Jul–Aug: Coastal energy; keep inland days shorter.
- Sep: Heat eases; dunes beckon.
- Oct: Iconic Sahara sunsets; comfy city temps.
- Nov: Cooler evenings; quieter than October.
Planning pointers
- Routes by season: Winter—Marrakech+Fes+Sahara; Spring/Autumn—classic Marrakech→Dades/Todra→Merzouga loop; Summer—Marrakech→Essaouira + High Atlas day hikes.
- Packing: Always bring a warm layer; desert nights can surprise year-round.
- Booking: Spring/autumn fill quickly—secure riads and camps early.
