When’s the Best Time to Visit Morocco?

Morocco is a country situated in the North Africa region. As a premier vacation spot, Morocco boasts of stunning natural landscapes, historic landmarks and endless array of shopping options. If you are planning a trip to Morocco, it is important to learn more about the climate and determine when is the best time to plan your trip.

Understanding the Climate

According to Michael Palin’s BBC travel special, Sahara, Morocco is described as a cold country with a hot sun. For some, this description could be confusion but it is actually an accurate depiction of the local weather.

Essentially, the High Atlas Mountains split the climactic zone of the country into two. The climate at north of the High Atlas is cooler while the south of High Atlas is warm. The cooler temps of the north are attributed to the mountains and the western winds. The hotter temps of the south are caused by the Sahara desert.

When’s The Best Time to Visit Morocco

Morocco has four seasons: summer, winter, autumn and spring. The best time to visit the country is during the spring and fall season.

Spring season in Morocco is between April and May. During this period, the temperature is just right for casual explorations and tours. Meanwhile, autumn falls between the months of September to October. During this period, the temperature is cooler and the air is neither dry nor humid.

Summer can be unbearably hot and uncomfortable in Morocco. The heat of the summer season in the country peaks between the months of June to August. Winter season occurs during the months of November to February. Winter season could be a great time to visit if you love to go hiking or trekking. But if you hate snowy conditions, do not travel from April to October.

Local Holidays to Watch Out For

In Morocco, there are two types of special events celebrated by the locals: National public holidays and Western holidays.

National public holidays are special dates to commemorate the country’s recent history. During these events, expect all banking institutions, government buildings and post offices to be closed. Some shops could be closed during the holiday season too. Public transport remains active but traffic is slightly reduced. Labor Day, New Year’s Day, and the Party’s Independence Manifesto are examples of national public holidays observed in Morocco.

Western holidays are dates celebrated by different countries/religion. Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Easter Sunday are examples of western holidays observed in the country.

As an Islamic country, locals observe all Islamic holidays. Some of these holidays last up to two days. Most of the Islamic holidays are influenced by the lunar or hejira calendar. The dates of these holidays will depend on every new moon.

The most sacred period in the Islamic year is the Ramadan. And of all Islamic holidays, the four most important are: the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast after Ramadan Eid al Fitr, Eid al Adha; Ras as-Sana, the first day of the Muslim New Year; and Mouloud, the celebration of prophet Mohammed’s birthday.