This article is the detailed guide on “Things To Do in Morocco Throughout the Year”. Morocco is a magical place to visit any time of the year. But as you start to plan your Morocco Tour and Travel you may be wondering about the best places to visit and events to attend during the month you have chosen to travel.
Luckily, below you will find a breakdown of all the different interesting and exciting things you can do in Morocco, month by month. We will also give you some handy Morocco Travel Tips to make sure you get the best out of your visit.
Things to do in Morocco in January
As the weather is relatively cool, by Morocco standards, you should consider visiting the Sahara Desert and High Atlas Mountains during this time. The weather will be a little less harsh than in the summer months as you hike through these vast, majestic landscapes.
This is also an enjoyable time to have a Morocco tour that visits cities like Casablanca, Fez, and Marrakech as these popular tourist destinations will not be heaving with visitors the way they do during the summer months.
From 12-13 of January, Yennayer (the New Year) is celebrated, and you may come across some festivities among the Berber people who celebrate a new year of growing crops with music, food, and dancing. The 11th also marks the Independence of Morocco from French colonial rule, and this is celebrated with entertaining parades and performances throughout the country.
Things to do in Morocco in February
February is the end of winter in Morocco, but that doesn’t mean that the temperatures suddenly soar; this is still a great time to visit if you would like to witness the wonders of the deserts and dunes in dry, cooler weather.
The low chances of rain mean that this is the perfect time to plan a Morocco Tour with camel rides across the Erg Chebbi or go on fascinating hikes through the Sahara exploring ancient ruins, traditional Berber villages, and old trails. This is also the perfect time to spend a cooler evening huddled around a fire on a traditional Berber campsite!
Prices for flights, accommodation, and venue admission prices may be a bit lower than during the peak tourist season and you will not have to elbow your way amongst other tourists to get an unobstructed view of the many magnificent buildings and sites a trip to Morocco has to offer.
During this month, the Almond Capital of Morocco –Tafraoute – hosts the Almond Blossom Festival, a celebration of the harvest. This period is celebrated by traditional Berber music and dance performances.
Things to do in Morocco in March
March is the start of Spring in Morocco when the weather begins to get warmer again, however, it is not yet peak tourist season so this could be a good time for Morocco Travel to enjoy its wonders in relative peace and quiet. The start of Spring does however bring with it some rain, so you may want to concentrate on city visits during this time, where you can explore the imperial palaces, markets, and kasbahs that Morocco is so famous for.
One thing to watch out for when you are booking your Morocco Tour in March is whether your vacation coincides with the Easter celebrations of that year. If so, you may have to contend with weekend visitors to the cities celebrating this event.
During this month in the remote Saharan Desert, the Berber village of M’Hamid El Ghizlane hosts the International Nomads Festival. This is a three-day-long celebration of the nomadic culture featuring music, dance, food, art, and workshops. This can be a fantastic place to learn more about the traditional nomadic desert culture and lifestyle.
Things to do in Morocco in April
As Spring arrives and the rain recedes, April is a fantastic time to explore the best Morocco has to offer. You may still encounter the odd spring shower here and there, but generally, you will be able to enjoy lovely warm weather during this time.
April is a wonderful time to visit the Sahara, you can book guided tours across the dunes, enjoy camel rides, and explore ancient Berber villages and Roman ruins in lovely, warm temperate weather. You can also combine this with a trip to one of the fascinating ancient cities such as Marrakech, where you can explore the stunning palaces, gardens, and museums.
In April Morocco hosts the International World Music Festival of Merzouga in the Erg Chebbi Dunes. If you choose to visit this festival during your stay you will have a magical once-in-a-lifetime experience listening to music in the desert surrounded by the stars!
Things to do in Morocco in May
May is arguably one of the best times to book your trip to Morocco, the weather is fantastic, the plant life is abundant, and it is still not too hot to pay a visit to the desert and dunes. So, if you really want to visit the Sahara during your trip to Morocco, now is the perfect time to go before it gets uncomfortably hot.
Although the country is not yet at its hottest, increasing crowds and temperatures in Southern cities such as Fez and Marrakech might make North Morocco or beach-based holiday in Agadir or Mirleft a sensible choice for this time of year. If you do plan to visit the cities, you should arrive early in the day, and it is best to hire your own private tour guide who will be able to lead you expertly through the city as the tourist crowds are exceptionally large during this period.
In May you will be able to visit the town of El Kelaa M’Gouna in the Valley of the Roses for the Festival of the Roses Celebration. You will be able to see traditional performances of Berber dances, taste local delicacies, and buy lots of lovely rose-related perfumes and products.
Things to do in Morocco in June
By June Morocco is beginning to hit the heat it is famous for, so if you are looking for a sun-drenched trip now is one of the best times to go. In fact, it gets so hot, that visits to the desert may not be recommended for people who do not do well with the heat. Luckily the absolutely stunning Atlas Mountains offer a beautiful and cooler alternative to visit during this time of year.
The Northern Coast of the country, where you will find cities such as Tangier and Fez see relatively cooler temperatures and make for a lovely base to explore the North coast and beaches during your trip. These cities and others in the North have an absolute wealth of historic and beautiful attractions which will keep you busy and entertained throughout your trip.
If you make it to Fez in the last week of the month, your visit will coincide with the Festival of World Sacred Music. The city festival hosts a wide range of entertaining attractions such as music concerts, film festivals, craft demonstrations, and interactive workshops.
Things to do in Morocco in July.
July is probably the busiest month in Morocco’s years for tourism, so you should take this into account when you plan your trip. You should also think about the hot temperatures when you plan your travel itinerary. For example, will you want to be spending hours under the blaring sun in open spaces? Or concentrate your trip on cooler places on the coast and on cities with lots of cool, air-conditioned museums and buildings to escape to when you need some shade?
Trips to coastal and beach areas are perfect for this time of year, as are sojourning up into the cooler Atlas Mountains. If you decide upon a city or beach break during this period, it is recommended that you get in touch with a local tour guide to show you around, as the city spaces can become extremely crowded and chaotic.
During July, the beautiful beach city of Agadir hosts the Timitar Music Festival celebrating the culture of the Berbers. This magical coastal festival lasts for four days and is extremely popular with both locals and tourists.
Things to do in Morocco in August
In Morocco, August is the hottest month of the year with temperatures soaring over 100 Fahrenheit. Because of this, when you plan your trip, you should probably concentrate on the cooler Northern towns and attractions. If you visit cities such as the famous Tangier or the beautiful “Blue City” of Chefchaouen you are likely to have a more comfortable time.
August is also the busiest month for tourists, so you should make sure to book everything as far in advance as possible and arrive at the venue early to beat the crowds. If you want a beach break, the beaches of Agadir, Mirleft, and Essaouira are all extremely beautiful as the number of tourists they attract will testify!
You should also consider taking the chance to pay a visit to the majestic Atlas Mountains, where you will be able to enjoy cooler temperatures as you hike and explore. Casablanca also enjoys a cooling breeze you will appreciate as you visit the ancient ruins, kasbahs, and palaces of this iconic city.
In August, the coastal, quiet city of El Jadida hosts the scared Muslim religious festival of Moussem Moulay Abdellah Amghar which brings large crowds of campers to the area.
Things to do in Morocco in September
In September, the heat begins to drop slightly as the year begins to edge toward the winter months. This means that this month is a suitable time to book if you want to explore outdoor spaces such as the Sahara Desert, Erg Chebbi, or Erg Chi Gaga. The temperatures are cooler but still warm enough for you to enjoy exploring these spaces comfortably.
A Morocco Tour Guide can lead you through the deserts, introducing you to local Berber villages, ancient Roman ruins, old crumbling buildings, and other secrets the sands have to offer. Although temperatures will drop in the evening time, this is also the perfect opportunity to enjoy a fireside camping experience in the desert to get an authentic nomad experience.
September is also a wonderful time to head to Tangier to experience the fantastic Tanjazz Music Festival where you can experience wonderful jazz music performed by musicians from all over the world. This is a magical way to experience music in the wonderful ancient port and when you aren’t listening to performances you can spend your days exploring the beach and the historical sites local to the area.
Things to do in Morocco in October
As Morocco cools down you will find that the tourist crowds begin to thin out. This makes the month a perfect place to visit the country to see the incredible cities, attractions, and venues that are usually bustling with tourists during the summer months.
You can plan a Morocco Tour with trips to desert and dune areas as well as the Southern parts of the country which experienced heat extremes during the previous months. Now is the perfect time to visit Marrakech and experience the history, culture, and magic this ancient city has to offer.
You can also choose to explore the Atlas Mountains, although the area will experience quite a substantial temperature drop once the sun goes down. Surfing along the country’s coasts is also an immensely popular activity during this part of the year.
In October, the beachside city of Essaouira hosts the MOGA Electronic Music Festival, where you can enjoy digital arts and electronic music from local Moroccan talents.
Things to do in Morocco in November
November is the perfect time for a Morocco Tour with some camel riding and daytime treks through the desert. During this period, the temperatures have cooled considerably in comparison to the summer months and tourists will no longer have to contend with heat stroke to experience the magical outdoor spaces and landscapes Morocco has to offer.
Admission and accommodation prices begin to drop along with the temperatures, so now might be a suitable time for Morocco Travel to take advantage of the bargain offers. Cities such as Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier will be cloudier and will experience some rain, but there are enough indoor attractions and interesting entertainment to still make these cities worth a trip during this time.
If you visit on or around the 18th of November, you will also be able to experience the Moroccan Independence Day celebrations, where parades, parties, and festivals are held throughout the country.
Things to do in Morocco in December
The last month of the year is another wonderful time to devote to exploring the Sahara Desert, Erg Dunes, and the Atlas Mountains. You won’t have to contend with high temperatures or large crowds of tourists getting in your way. If you hire a local guide, now is the time of year you can really immerse yourself in Moroccan history and culture as you experience mainly uninterrupted visits to ancient Berber cities, Nomad camps, and stunning valleys.
This is not the best time of the year to visit coastal and beachfront cities. But you can still have a very enjoyable time exploring the sights and sounds of the ancient and imperial cities such as Marrakech, Tangier, Casablanca, and Fez. Each city holds its own identity and wonder and at this time of year, if you plan for your Morocco Travel for this month, you will be able to explore them untroubled by boisterous crowds and extreme heat.
December sees the Marrakech International Film Festival, so you can combine your visits to the ancient cultural and historical buildings and palaces with the chance to discover modern movie wonders and maybe spot a celebrity or two! Book your next morocco tour to visit this beautiful country with expert tour guides.