When to visit Marrakech and the square
The best time to visit Marrakech depends on how much heat you enjoy and what you plan to do. Jemaa el-Fna is an outdoor space that comes alive in the late afternoon and evening, so the temperature at dusk matters more than the midday peak. Average daily highs run from 19.1 degrees C in January to 37.7 degrees C in July, and average lows from 5.9 degrees C to 21.1 degrees C.
The figures below are long-term averages for the city for 1991 to 2020. They describe a typical month, not the weather on your dates. In the hot months an evening food tour is a cooler way to see the stalls than a midday visit. For forecasts and day-by-day detail, see the Marrakech weather guide.
Our pick: a mild desert evening
Our take: the Agafay evening is most pleasant outside the hottest summer weeks.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Evening walks and food tours on the square
Guided evening tours around Jemaa el-Fna and the souks, with live prices and availability.
Month by month: heat and rain
Average daily high and low in degrees C, and average monthly rain in mm.
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.1 | 5.9 | 25.0 |
| February | 20.7 | 7.6 | 25.7 |
| March | 23.6 | 10.3 | 35.3 |
| April | 25.7 | 12.4 | 26.3 |
| May | 29.4 | 15.2 | 10.3 |
| June | 33.6 | 17.9 | 3.1 |
| July | 37.7 | 20.6 | 2.2 |
| August | 37.4 | 21.1 | 4.7 |
| September | 32.5 | 18.6 | 15.2 |
| October | 28.5 | 15.7 | 19.1 |
| November | 23.1 | 10.7 | 29.8 |
| December | 20.2 | 7.3 | 24.2 |
For most visitors who want mild days and warm evenings, March to May and October to November are the easiest months. If you cope well with heat and want fewer layers at night, summer works with a slow midday. If you prefer cool air for walking the souks, winter days are mild but nights are cold. No month promises dry weather.
What each season is like
Based on the averages above.
March to May
Highs rise from 23.6 to 29.4 degrees C and lows from 10.3 to 15.2. March is the wettest month at 35.3 mm, and May is far drier at 10.3 mm. A light jacket covers the evenings early in the season.
June to August
Highs reach 33.6 to 37.7 degrees C, and lows stay around 18 to 21. Rain is rare, between 2.2 and 4.7 mm a month. Plan palaces, museums and the medersa for the morning, rest in the middle of the day and head to the square in the late afternoon.
September to November
September is still hot at 32.5 degrees C, October eases to 28.5 and November to 23.1. Rain returns, from 15.2 mm in September to 29.8 mm in November.
December to February
Highs are 19.1 to 20.7 degrees C, but lows fall to 5.9 to 7.6, so evenings on the square feel cool. Bring layers. Rain is 24.2 to 25.7 mm a month.
Ramadan 2027
The month shapes the day more than the season does.
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March 2027. Both dates are provisional and depend on the moon sighting, so check closer to your trip. During the month there is less choice of places to eat during the day, and the evening gets busier after iftar, the meal that breaks the fast. Stall hours change in Ramadan, so ask your riad on the day.
Opening hours can also shorten. The Ben-Youssef Medersa, for example, opens from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Ramadan instead of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Do not assume other museums or stalls follow the same pattern, and check hours for the souks as well.
Opening hours through the year
Hours that change with the season, for 2026.
| Place | Usual hours | In Ramadan |
|---|---|---|
| Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, Saadian Tombs | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | – |
| Ben-Youssef Medersa | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily | 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Le Jardin Secret | January to March 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; April to September to 7:30 p.m.; October to 6 p.m.; November and December to 5:30 p.m. | – |
| Souks near the square | Often until 9 or 10 p.m.; smaller craft lanes close earlier | – |
The last entry at Le Jardin Secret is 30 minutes before closing. Friday prayers can interrupt individual shops, but the souks do not close as a whole. Check the current hours before you go, and see the Koutoubia page for the mosque and gardens.
Plan the rest of your trip
Choose your season, then your base.
Best time to visit Marrakech: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Marrakech?
March to May and October to November have lower average highs than July and August, between about 23 and 29 degrees C. The best month for you depends on your heat tolerance and plans.
How hot does Marrakech get in summer?
Average highs are 33.6 degrees C in June, 37.7 in July and 37.4 in August. Individual days can differ from the averages, so check the forecast closer to your trip.
Is it cold in winter?
Days average about 19 to 21 degrees C, but average lows of 5.9 to 7.6 degrees C make the evenings cool. Pack layers for the square.
When is Ramadan in 2027?
It is expected to start around 8 February 2027 and end with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March 2027. The dates are provisional and depend on the moon sighting.
Is Jemaa el-Fna open during Ramadan?
The square is a public space, and the evening is busy after iftar. Food choices during the day are fewer, and stall hours are not fixed. Ask your riad before you head out.
Is this the official tourism site?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not the website of the City of Marrakech, the tourist office or UNESCO, and it is not connected to any tour operator, riad or hotel.