Experience the bustling night market in Marrakesh, Morocco, illuminated against a stunning twilight sky.

Morocco · Destination guide

Marrakech, Morocco

Best seasonMarch–April and October–November for generally milder sightseeing

CurrencyMoroccan dirham (MAD)

Plug typesC, E · 230 VCheck adapter →

Time zoneAfrica/Casablanca (UTC)

Emergency number150 (ambulance and fire), 190 (police), 177 (gendarmerie)

Destination guide

A first look at Marrakech

Start with Koutoubia’s exterior and Jemaa el-Fnaa, then give the northern medina its own outing for Ben Youssef and Rahba Kedima. Visit Bahia Palace separately in the southern medina. Book Majorelle through the garden’s official ticket site and keep the rest of that day flexible.

Explore our Marrakech guides

Busy street scene in Marrakech with Koutoubia Mosque in view and people walking under a dramatic sky.

A first weekend in Marrakech: medina courtyards and a garden morning

Sunlit courtyard of the Bahia Palace in Marrakech with stunning Moroccan architecture.

Bahia Palace: courtyards, ceilings and a southern medina outing

Main courtyard of ancient Ben Youssef Madrasa with arched passage and walls decorated with arabesque ornaments on sunny day in Marrakesh

Ben Youssef and Rahba Kedima: a northern medina walk

Weather guide

Weather in Marrakech

Summer is very hot and usually dry. Winter days can be mild but mornings and evenings are chilly; spring and autumn offer more comfortable walking conditions, with occasional rain.

27–31°C

Warm afternoons with cooler evenings

October · representative month, not a forecast

Evenings: 14–18°C
Rain: Showers possible
Daylight: Plan exposed walks around the forecast and cooler hours

See weather details →

What this means for packing

October often offers a useful balance for palace and garden visits. Pack airy daytime clothes plus a removable evening layer, and keep a compact umbrella handy if rain is forecast during the walk between sights. Use this general list as a starting point, then download Packtricia for a detailed personal list and quantities based on your actual dates, trip length, luggage, weather, preferences and plans.

Choosing a season

The best-season badge suggests months for general sightseeing, using the typical daytime temperatures and rainfall in our monthly guides. Beach holidays, festivals, winter sports and northern lights trips may suit different dates.

Climate methodology

Packing bands extend approximately 2°C either side of the monthly mean daily maximum (28.5°C) and minimum (15.7°C), rounded to whole degrees. The WMO World Weather Information Service publishes Morocco’s Marrakech station normals for 1991–2020. These are historical averages, not a forecast or limits: heatwaves and cold spells can fall outside the bands. Rain wording is qualitative; check the forecast shortly before travel. Mountain trips need separate altitude-specific advice.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

WMO World Weather Information Service — Marrakech 1991–2020 normals

About the climate in Marrakech

Summer is very hot and usually dry. Winter days can be mild but mornings and evenings are chilly; spring and autumn offer more comfortable walking conditions, with occasional rain.

Packing guide

What to wear in Marrakech in May.

An example packing list for Marrakech in May

Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.

Clothing

Underwear
Bras (if worn)
Socks
Sleepwear
Loose breathable tops
Light trousers or long skirt
Comfortable walking shoes with grip
Sun hat
Cardigan or light jumper
Light jacket
Light rain shell (if rain is forecast)
Swimwear (if using a pool)

Toiletries

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash or soap
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Hairbrush or comb
Menstrual products (if needed)
Contact lens solution (if used)

Essentials

Passport
Travel tickets and booking confirmations
Wallet and payment cards
Cash in dirhams
Phone
Charging cable and charger
Travel adapter (if needed)
Medication (if needed)
Glasses (if used)
Secure day bag
Drinking water
Sunglasses
Saved accommodation directions
Compact umbrella (if rain is forecast)

Monthly weather and packing notes

May is a transition towards summer heat. Visit Bahia early in your sightseeing day, wear airy clothes with sun coverage and keep water in a small bag rather than carrying a heavy jacket through the medina. Use this general list as a starting point, then download Packtricia for a detailed personal list and quantities based on your actual dates, trip length, luggage, weather, preferences and plans.

Daytime: 27–31°C
Evenings: 13–17°C
Rain: Showers possible
Daylight: Plan exposed walks around the forecast and cooler hours
Packing style: Breathable daytime clothes and an evening layer

Packing bands extend approximately 2°C either side of the monthly mean daily maximum (29.4°C) and minimum (15.2°C), rounded to whole degrees. The WMO World Weather Information Service publishes Morocco’s Marrakech station normals for 1991–2020. These are historical averages, not a forecast or limits: heatwaves and cold spells can fall outside the bands. Rain wording is qualitative; check the forecast shortly before travel. Mountain trips need separate altitude-specific advice.

Outfit ideas for your outings

May palace and medina walks

Comfortable walking shoes with grip
Loose top with shoulder coverage
Light trousers or long skirt
Breathable long-sleeved layer

Jardin Majorelle visit

Sun hat
Sunscreen
Small day bag
Light sun layer

Jemaa el-Fnaa evening

Light evening layer
Secure bag
Comfortable closed shoes
Phone with saved return directions

What to leave behind

Only summer clothes for a winter trip: mornings and evenings can be chilly.
Mountain equipment solely for city sightseeing; research separate clothing needs if an Atlas outing is actually planned.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

WMO World Weather Information Service — Marrakech 1991–2020 normals

Transport guide

Getting around Marrakech

Walk between nearby medina sights, using a saved map and your accommodation’s directions for the final lanes. Moovit has Marrakech bus and rail coverage, but some operator labels remain historical: confirm the actual stop, route and fare locally before boarding. Its route planner is not a city-bus ticket or proof of a live departure.

Moovit — Marrakech routes and app access
Use the mobile website or its app links to compare bus stops and route patterns. Listed ALSA branding can be stale after the operator transition; confirm the service with staff. Planning does not purchase or activate a bus ticket.
Marrakech tourism — planning your visit
Use the official tourism website for local visitor guidance, then ask your accommodation or the boarding staff for the current urban fare and payment method. Do not assume contactless payment or an app ticket is accepted.
Supratours — intercity coach booking
This booking website sells intercity coach journeys. An Essaouira or other intercity reservation is separate from urban bus travel and does not validate a Marrakech city-bus ride.

Check the operator’s current service notices and ticket instructions before travelling.

Practical essentials

Language and calling code

Language: Arabic, Amazigh
Calling code: +212

Useful essentials for Marrakech

Comfortable walking shoes with grip
Loose breathable layers
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Secure day bag
Evening layer
Travel adapter (if needed)

Do you need a visa?

Check travel-document and visa requirements for your passport, destination and transit stops.

Check your requirements on TravelDoc

Use the checker as a starting point, then confirm requirements with the relevant government or embassy before travelling.

Stay connected

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Photo: Francisco Cornellana / Pexels

A first look at Marrakech