Marrakech riad courtyard with a pool, palms and carved wooden doors

Destination

When should you visit Marrakech?

April and October are the strongest choices for Marrakech: warm days for the medina, gardens and outdoor meals without the extreme summer heat. Winter brings mild afternoons but cold nights, while July and August demand a much slower sightseeing pace. The most comfortable months also come with busier sights and less favourable accommodation value; quieter winter dates or a heat-conscious summer stay offer different trade-offs.

My recommendation

April

April and October share the strongest overall recommendation, both scoring 9/10. April brings average daily highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C; October is warmer at 29°C and 16°C. Choose either for exploring on foot, gardens and outdoor dining, with April’s supplied crowd and price scores slightly more favourable. November is a strong alternative for film festival visitors.

Best weather

April & October

Comfortable medina walks and garden visits without peak summer heat.

Best for low crowds

January & July

More space to explore, with cold winter nights or intense summer heat as the trade-off.

Best for nightlife

October

Warm evenings for rooftop dinners and exploring after the daytime heat eases.

Best for value

July & August

Favourable editorial price assessments, but outdoor plans must work around very high temperatures.

April scores

Weather9/10

Crowds5/10

Prices$$$$

Events7.5/10

Busy Marrakech market square and rooftops in warm sunset light

Plan around

What to know before you book

Plan around the heat: Average daily highs reach 34°C in June, 38°C in July, 37°C in August and 33°C in September. These are climate normals, not forecasts or limits on extreme temperatures. Keep long walks out of the hottest hours and choose accommodation with reliable cooling.
The sweet spot: Both months score 9/10 overall and are the primary recommendations. April is slightly cooler and has marginally more favourable crowd and price assessments; October offers warmer evenings. Allow for busy sights and book your preferred accommodation ahead.
Film festival & Ramadan: The announced 2026 Marrakech International Film Festival runs from 20 to 28 November; these dates apply only to that edition. Check the official programme and access arrangements before planning around screenings. Ramadan moves through the calendar and its dates depend on lunar confirmation; check opening hours and meal arrangements for your actual travel dates.

Marrakech travel tip

Explore the medina early when temperatures are lower, especially from June through September. Keep the hottest hours for a shaded lunch or a break at your riad, then head out again later. For an Atlas Mountains day trip, check the forecast at your actual destination: conditions at altitude can differ considerably from Marrakech.

Month by month