Marrakech-Safi is a region in west-central Morocco stretching from the red-walled imperial city of Marrakech, at the foot of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, west across olive plains and argan forest to the Atlantic port towns of Safi and Essaouira. It combines Morocco's most visited historic Medina, UNESCO-listed since 1985, with mountain villages, desert day trips, and a laid-back fishing-and-ceramics coast.
Marrakech-Safi has a hot semi-arid (steppe) climate shaped by its position between the Atlantic coast and the High Atlas Mountains. Marrakech itself sees very hot, dry summers with June-August highs regularly reaching 38-42C/100-108F, tempered by low humidity and cool nights, while winters (December-February) are mild by day (18-20C/64-68F) but can drop close to freezing overnight, especially with clear desert-influenced skies. Rainfall is light and concentrated in the cooler months (November-March), with long dry summers. The coastal town of Safi and Essaouira on the Atlantic are noticeably cooler and windier year-round than inland Marrakech, moderated by sea breezes.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
13C/55F
Mild sunny days, cold nights; lowest hotel prices of the year and a comfortable month for sightseeing and Atlas Mountain day trips
February
15C/59F
Still cool and pleasant, with almond blossoms beginning in the surrounding valleys; Ramadan may begin in mid-to-late February in some years, shifting restaurant hours
March
18C/64F
Spring arrives with warm, dry, comfortable days; excellent for walking the Medina and day trips before summer heat sets in
April
21C/70F
Ideal conditions - warm but not hot, gardens in bloom, comfortable for both city and mountain excursions
May
25C/77F
Warm and sunny with rising heat by month's end; still very pleasant for exploring before peak summer temperatures
June
30C/86F
Hot and dry, with daytime heat becoming intense by midday; early mornings and evenings remain enjoyable
July
34C/93F
Very hot, often exceeding 38C/100F at midday; sightseeing is best done early morning or late afternoon, with siesta-style breaks in between
August
34C/93F
Peak summer heat, with heatwaves regularly pushing past 40C/104F; the least comfortable month for extensive outdoor walking in the Medina
September
30C/86F
Still hot early in the month but cooling by late September; a transitional month back toward comfortable conditions
October
25C/77F
Warm, dry, and pleasant with clear skies - one of the best months for both city exploring and mountain or desert excursions
November
19C/66F
Mild and increasingly cool, with the first light rains; comfortable temperatures and thinning crowds
December
14C/57F
Mild sunny days with cold nights; a popular month for holiday travelers, so book riads and Atlas excursions ahead around Christmas and New Year
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
Warm, sunny, and blooming - jacaranda and orange blossom scent the city, temperatures are comfortable (20-28C/68-82F) for walking the Medina and day trips into the Atlas foothills. This is one of the two best times to visit, alongside fall.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
Very hot and dry, with Marrakech regularly exceeding 38C/100F and occasional heatwaves above 45C/113F in July-August. Humidity stays low, and evenings cool noticeably after sunset. The Atlas Mountains and Essaouira's coast offer relief from the city heat.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September and October are warm and pleasant (26-32C/79-90F), with the harshest summer heat fading and clear skies persisting; November cools further and brings the first light rains. This is the other prime season for visiting.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
Mild, sunny days (18-20C/64-68F) contrast with cold nights that can approach 5C/41F or lower, particularly in the riads' unheated stone interiors. Snow is visible on the High Atlas peaks, visible from Marrakech on clear days. This is Marrakech's low season and best value period.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Mar-May and Sep-Nov (best weather, plus Christmas/New Year week in December), when riads and popular restaurants fill up and should be booked well ahead
- Shoulder Season
- Jun and early Sep, and Jan-Feb, with fewer tourists but still comfortable-to-warm conditions
- Low Season
- Jul-Aug, when extreme heat keeps many travelers away and hotel rates drop, despite it being technically a summer holiday period for European visitors
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Marrakech International Film Festival
A major international film festival held in Marrakech (the 2026 edition runs November 20-28), drawing filmmakers and celebrities for screenings, red-carpet events, and public film showings around the city
Ramadan
The Islamic holy month of fasting shifts roughly 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar; in 2026 it is expected to run approximately February 17-March 18. During Ramadan, many restaurants close during daylight hours, opening hours for shops and sights change, and the city's rhythm shifts to evening activity after the iftar meal - a fascinating time to visit but one that requires flexible planning
Eid al-Fitr
The three-day festival marking the end of Ramadan brings a lively, festive atmosphere with family gatherings, special foods, and many businesses closing for part of the holiday
Marrakech Marathon
An internationally popular marathon and half-marathon through the city streets and past the Menara Gardens and Koutoubia Mosque, drawing thousands of runners
Marrakech Popular Arts Festival (Festival National des Arts Populaires)
A folklore festival celebrating traditional Moroccan music, dance, and performance from across the country, held in the El Badi Palace ruins
Rose Festival (El Kelaa M'Gouna, day-trip distance)
A regional rose harvest festival in the Valley of Roses in the Atlas foothills, reachable on a longer day trip or overnight excursion from Marrakech, celebrating the annual Damask rose harvest with parades and music