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Morocco

Morocco travel guide

Coastal cities, mountain towns and desert edges within a few hours of each other

Best: Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov

Photo: Tobias Waibl / Pexels

Capital
Rabat
Languages
Arabic, Standard Moroccan Tamazight
Currency
Moroccan dirham
Time zone
UTC
Plugs
Type C, E · 220 V / 127 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112

Why visit Morocco

Morocco suits travellers who want cities, coast and mountains without long distances between them. You can mix Marrakech's streets with the coast at Essaouira or Agadir, or head north to Fez, Tangier and Chefchaouen. Best months are March, April, October and November, when temperatures are milder. Summers inland get very hot, and the honest limitation is that weather and crowds swing a lot by region and season, so plan around where you're headed, not just the country as a whole.

  • Four distinct cities, one country

    Casablanca has 3,215,935 people, Fez 1,167,842, and Marrakech 1,002,697. Each feels different: Casablanca is a modern business hub, Fez keeps its old medina, and Marrakech mixes souks with desert gateways. You can move between very different urban rhythms in a single trip.

  • A long Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline

    Coastal cities include Tangier (1,275,428 people), Agadir (538,000) and the smaller port town of Essaouira (82,962). Rabat, the capital, is also coastal with 515,619 residents, so beach time and city sightseeing sit close together.

  • A mountain town with its own character

    Chefchaouen, with just 46,168 people, sits inland in the mountains and is far smaller than Morocco's main cities. Its scale makes it a quieter stop compared to the larger urban centres.

  • Shoulder-season travel windows

    The best months to visit are listed as November, April, October and March. These months bracket the hottest summer stretch and the coolest winter weeks, giving travellers a defined window to plan around.

  • Room to explore a large country

    Morocco covers 446,550 square kilometres, linking coastal cities, inland capitals like Fez, and mountain towns like Chefchaouen within one country. That size supports varied itineraries without crossing borders.

Is Morocco right for you?

Great for

  • Spring travellers who want mild days around 18–27°C from March to May
  • Autumn trips, since October and November sit comfortably in the 18–23°C range
  • Shoulder-season city breaks in Marrakech, Fez or Chefchaouen when heat and rain are both low
  • Coastal trips to Essaouira, Agadir or Tangier for sea air without midsummer extremes
  • Sun-seekers happy with 9 to 13 hours of sunshine almost year-round

Less ideal for

  • Travellers sensitive to heat, since July highs reach 35.8°C and August stays near 34°C
  • Anyone wanting a classic beach-and-swim rainy getaway, as rain is rare even in wetter months like September at 25 mm
  • Cold-weather travellers, since even January lows only drop to about 1.5°C
  • Trips planned around heavy rainfall, as most months bring fewer than 5 rain days

Morocco right now: October

9.3/10
Avg high
23°C
Avg low
12°C
Rain days
3

Averages for Morocco.

Weather by month

This data is for Marrakech. March to May and again October to November bring warm days around 18–27°C with little rain, making these the most comfortable stretches for exploring. July and August are the toughest, with highs of 34–36°C and strong sun of up to 12.7 hours a day, so midday heat dominates.

Average highs and lows in Morocco by month January: high 14°C, low 2°C , 3 rain days . February: high 15°C, low 3°C , 3 rain days . March: high 19°C, low 6°C , 4 rain days . April: high 23°C, low 10°C , 3 rain days . May: high 27°C, low 14°C , 3 rain days . June: high 32°C, low 18°C , 1 rain days . July: high 36°C, low 22°C , 1 rain days . August: high 34°C, low 21°C , 2 rain days . September: high 29°C, low 17°C , 5 rain days . October: high 23°C, low 12°C , 3 rain days . November: high 18°C, low 6°C , 2 rain days . December: high 15°C, low 3°C , 2 rain days . 14°C 2°C JAN 3d 15°C 3°C FEB 3d 19°C 6°C MAR 4d 23°C 10°C APR 3d 27°C 14°C MAY 3d 32°C 18°C JUN 1d 36°C 22°C JUL 1d 34°C 21°C AUG 2d 29°C 17°C SEP 5d 23°C 12°C OCT 3d 18°C 6°C NOV 2d 15°C 3°C DEC 2d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Morocco (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Morocco: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Imperial Cities and the Blue Pearl

  1. Day 1–2

    Tangier

    Start on the coast where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Walk the old medina and the kasbah, and enjoy views over the strait.

  2. Day 3–4

    Chefchaouen

    Head inland to this small mountain town known for its blue-washed streets. Spend a day wandering the lanes and nearby hills on foot.

  3. Day 5–6

    Fez

    Explore one of the country's non-coastal cities, with its dense medina, tanneries, and traditional workshops. Two days gives time to get lost in the alleys and find your way back.

  4. Day 7

    Rabat

    Finish in the capital, a coastal city with a calmer pace. Visit the old town and the riverside before heading home.

10 days

Coast, Culture and the Sahara Gateway

  1. Day 1–2

    Casablanca

    Begin in Morocco's largest city, a major coastal hub. Walk the seafront corniche and the central districts before moving on.

  2. Day 3–4

    Fez

    Travel inland to this historic city away from the coast. Spend time in the medina and its old craft quarters.

  3. Day 5–6

    Marrakech

    Continue to this inland city, a long-standing hub for trade and craft. Explore the main square and surrounding souks over two days.

  4. Day 7–8

    Essaouira

    Return to the coast at this smaller port town. Walk the ramparts and harbour, a quieter stop compared to the bigger cities.

  5. Day 9–10

    Agadir

    End on the Atlantic coast in this beach city. Use the last two days to relax by the sea before departing.

Food to try in Morocco

Tagine

This is a slow-cooked stew of meat or vegetables, named after the clay pot it is cooked in. It is served across Morocco for lunch or dinner, often with bread instead of cutlery.

Couscous

Steamed semolina grains are topped with vegetables and meat in a light broth. Many Moroccan families serve it on Fridays after midday prayers.

Pastilla

This is a sweet and savory pie with layers of thin pastry, traditionally filled with pigeon or chicken, almonds, and cinnamon sugar. It is a common starter at celebrations and weddings.

Harira

A thick soup made with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and herbs, it is the dish most linked to breaking the daily fast during Ramadan. It is also eaten year-round as a starter.

Mint tea

Green tea brewed with fresh mint and sugar is poured from height into small glasses. It is offered to guests throughout the day as a sign of hospitality.

Msemen

This is a square, flaky flatbread cooked on a griddle, eaten for breakfast or as a snack. It is often served with honey, butter, or jam.

Know before you go

  • Language: Arabic and Standard Moroccan Tamazight are the official languages. French is widely used in business and tourism, so don't expect everyone to speak English.
  • Currency: The currency is the Moroccan dirham. It's a closed currency, so you can't easily buy it outside Morocco; change money on arrival or use ATMs.
  • Plugs and voltage: Morocco uses plug types C and E, the same two-round-pin style found across much of Europe. Voltage is 220 V (some older sockets run 127 V), so check your device before plugging in.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. If you're used to left-hand driving, take extra care at roundabouts and when overtaking.
  • Emergency number: Dial 112 for emergencies anywhere in the country. It's the single number to remember for police, fire or medical help.
  • Calling code: Morocco's international calling code is +212. Keep this handy if you need to give your number to hotels or contacts back home.
  • Timezone: Morocco runs on UTC year-round, which is useful to know when booking tours or transport that list local times.

Morocco: frequently asked questions

Is Morocco good to visit in August?

August is rated just 4 out of 10, so it's one of the weaker months. Average highs hit 34.2°C, with lows around 21.1°C, making midday heat tough in cities like Marrakech and Fez. There are 11.9 hours of sun a day and little rain (5mm over 1.8 days), so it's dry but hot. Coastal spots like Essaouira or Agadir are more comfortable than inland areas.

What is the best month to visit Morocco?

November scores highest at 9.6 out of 10. Highs average 18.1°C and lows 6.2°C, with only 11mm of rain over 1.9 days and 9.5 hours of sun daily. April, October and March also score above 9, making the spring and autumn shoulder seasons the most reliable stretches for comfortable temperatures across the country.

Is Morocco too hot in July?

Yes, July is the hottest and lowest-scoring month, rated 3.5 out of 10. Average highs reach 35.8°C, the peak for the year, with lows of 22.1°C even at night. Rain is almost absent at just 2mm over 0.5 days, and sun hours stay high at 12.2. This heat is most intense inland, in places like Marrakech and Fez.

When does Morocco get the most rain?

September has the highest rainfall in the data, with 25mm over 4.6 rain days. March follows closely with 22mm over 4.4 days, and February brings 21mm over 2.8 days. By contrast, June and July are nearly dry, with 3mm and 2mm respectively. Rain is spread lightly through the year rather than concentrated in one short season.

What is the plug type and voltage in Morocco?

Morocco uses plug types C and E, with a voltage of 220V for most sockets (127V appears in some older installations). The country drives on the right, uses the Moroccan dirham as currency, and the emergency number is 112. Arabic and Standard Moroccan Tamazight are the official languages, and the country runs on UTC time.

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