Spring (March to May) is one of the best times to visit Morocco: 22–30°C in Marrakech, green Atlas valleys, roses in bloom in May and comfortable Sahara days, with only wind and holiday crowds to plan around.
Visiting Morocco in spring means warm, sunny days (around 22–30°C in Marrakech), cool nights, snow still capping the High Atlas and green valleys full of almond, olive and rose blossom. March, April and May are among the most comfortable months for a Sahara desert tour too, as long as you plan around spring winds and holiday crowds. Here is what each month really feels like, where to go, and the events worth timing your trip for.
Why spring is one of the best times to visit Morocco
In our 12+ years of running private tours, spring is the season our guests remember for its colours. After the winter rains, the Ourika and Dades valleys turn bright green, barley fields ripen around Ouarzazate, and wild flowers line the road over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Daylight grows from about 12 hours in March to more than 14 hours in late May, which gives you long afternoons for sightseeing and golden light for photos.
Spring also avoids the two extremes of the Moroccan climate: the cold desert nights of December and January, and the 40°C+ heat of July and August in Marrakech, Fes and the Sahara. If you are still comparing seasons, our full guide to the best time to visit Morocco puts spring side by side with autumn and winter.
Who spring suits best
- First-time visitors who want Marrakech, Fes and the desert in one trip.
- Hikers: lower Atlas trails are open and green, while Toubkal (4,167 m) keeps snow into April.
- Photographers looking for clear air, snowy peaks behind palm groves and flowering orchards.
- Families travelling during Easter school holidays.
Morocco weather in March, April and May
Morocco is big and varied, so "spring weather" depends on altitude and distance from the Atlantic. The table below shows approximate average daily highs and lows that our drivers see year after year.
| Place | March (high / low) | April (high / low) | May (high / low) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 23°C / 9°C | 26°C / 11°C | 29°C / 14°C |
| Fes | 19°C / 7°C | 22°C / 9°C | 26°C / 12°C |
| Merzouga (Sahara) | 25°C / 10°C | 30°C / 14°C | 34°C / 19°C |
| Essaouira (coast) | 20°C / 12°C | 21°C / 13°C | 22°C / 15°C |
| Imlil, High Atlas (1,740 m) | 14°C / 2°C | 17°C / 5°C | 21°C / 8°C |
| Chefchaouen | 18°C / 7°C | 20°C / 9°C | 24°C / 12°C |
Approximate long-term averages; individual days can be 5°C warmer or cooler.
Morocco in March
March is fresh and bright. Days are warm in Marrakech, but evenings call for a jacket, and the north (Fes, Chefchaouen, Tangier) can still see rain showers. Snow often closes high trails in the Atlas, and the Tizi n'Tichka road occasionally has short weather closures early in the month. In 2027, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to end around 9–10 March (dates follow the moon, so check before travel); the days after Eid al-Fitr are festive but busy on the roads.
Morocco in April
April is, for many of our guests, the sweet spot. Marrakech sits in the mid-20s, the desert is warm without being hot, and the Dades and Todra gorges are green and full of birdsong. The main downside is popularity: Easter brings European families, and prices in riads and good desert camps rise accordingly.
Morocco in May
May is warmer, with 29–30°C in Marrakech and some days above 35°C in the Sahara by the end of the month. It is rose season in the Dades valley and a great month for the coast and the mountains. In 2027, Eid al-Adha is expected around 16–17 May (approx., check before travel): many shops close for two or three days and buses are full, so a private driver makes a real difference that week.
The Sahara desert in spring: what to expect
A spring Sahara desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is one of the most comfortable trips of the year. The camel ride at sunset is warm, dinner can be served outside, and sunrise over the Erg Chebbi dunes is mild enough to enjoy without three layers. For a detailed monthly breakdown, see our page on Merzouga weather by month.
Wind and sand in March and April
Spring is the windiest season in the pre-Saharan south. Most days are calm, but a few afternoons each month bring a sandy wind that hazes the sky and cancels the sunset view. In our experience, it rarely lasts more than a few hours. Our drivers keep a cheche (desert scarf) and sunglasses in the car for every guest, and when wind is forecast we adjust the timing of the camel trek or the 4x4 dune loop.
Nights in the camp
Desert nights in March can drop to around 8–10°C, so camps provide thick blankets and many standard and luxury tents now have heating. By May, nights are pleasant at 18–20°C and many guests sit outside by the fire until late. Pack a fleece and a light down jacket in March and April regardless.
If you want to see the dunes in this season, our Sahara desert tours from Marrakech run in 3, 4 or 5 days with a private driver, which lets you leave early on windy days or add a night when the weather is perfect.
Spring festivals and events in Morocco
Spring carries some of the country's most photogenic local events. For the full calendar, including summer music festivals and Islamic holidays, read our guide to Morocco festivals and holidays.
- Rose Festival, Kelaat M'Gouna – Held in the Valley of Roses, about 90 km east of Ouarzazate, usually in the first half of May. Damask roses are picked at dawn, and the town celebrates with music, dances and a parade. The rose harvest itself runs from late April to late May.
- Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr – In 2027, expected to finish around early March (approx.). Travel is perfectly possible; restaurants for visitors stay open in tourist areas.
- Eid al-Adha – Expected around mid-May 2027 (approx., check before travel); a family feast with slower services for a few days.
Where to go in Morocco in spring: a 7-day route
Spring is the ideal season for the classic loop combining the imperial cities, the Atlas and the desert. Here is a route we often build for spring travellers:
- Day 1–2: Marrakech – Gardens are at their best in April; Majorelle and the Agdal are full of bloom.
- Day 3: Tizi n'Tichka and Ait Ben Haddou – 2,260 m pass with snowy peaks, then the UNESCO-listed ksar.
- Day 4: Skoura, Valley of Roses and Dades Gorge – Pink hedges of roses in May, green oasis fields.
- Day 5: Todra Gorge to Merzouga – Sunset camel trek and night in a desert camp. See our Todra Gorge and Dades Valley guide.
- Day 6–7: Ziz valley, Middle Atlas cedar forests and Fes – Ending in Fes, or return to Marrakech via the Draa valley.
Every one of our Morocco private tours can be adapted to this pattern, with more nights in the mountains if you like walking or more time on the coast if you prefer a slower pace.
Practical tips for travelling to Morocco in spring
What to pack
- Layers: T-shirts for the day, a fleece and a warm jacket for evenings and the desert.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat: the spring sun is strong at altitude.
- A light rain jacket if you go north to Fes or Chefchaouen in March.
- Comfortable walking shoes for medinas and gorges.
Booking and prices
Spring is high season. Riads in Marrakech and Fes and the best camps in Merzouga fill quickly around Easter and the May holidays. As a rough guide, a private 3-day desert tour costs noticeably more in April than in January or July, and the best rooms go first. We recommend booking 6–10 weeks ahead for April and early May. The official tourism board, Visit Morocco, also publishes regional event news before the season.
Thinking of travelling between March and May? Tell us your dates and interests and we will send you a free, no-obligation quote for a private tour within 24 hours, with routes adjusted to spring weather and holidays. Contact Chahid Voyages Maroc by form or WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Is spring a good time to visit Morocco?
Yes. March, April and May are among the best months to visit Morocco. Marrakech averages 23–29°C, valleys are green, the Atlas still has snow on its peaks and the Sahara is warm by day without the extreme summer heat. The main things to plan around are spring winds in the desert, occasional showers in the north in March, and busy periods around Easter and Islamic holidays.
Is it too windy in the Sahara in spring?
Spring is the windiest season in the Moroccan Sahara, but most days are calm. A few afternoons a month bring sandy wind that may hide the sunset, usually for a few hours only. With a private driver you can shift the camel trek or the dune excursion to a calmer moment, and camps provide sheltered tents. Bring a scarf and sunglasses for comfort.
When is the Rose Festival in Morocco?
The Rose Festival in Kelaat M'Gouna, in the Dades valley, is usually held in the first half of May, at the end of the damask rose harvest. Exact dates are announced each year, so check before travel. It fits naturally into a desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga, as Kelaat M'Gouna lies on the main road between Ouarzazate and the Dades Gorge.
What should I wear in Morocco in spring?
Pack light, breathable clothing for the day and warm layers for evenings, as temperatures drop quickly after sunset, especially in the desert and mountains. Long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders are respectful in medinas and villages. Add a fleece, a light down jacket for desert nights in March and April, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
