Visiting Marrakech in August: Weather + Festivals + Things to Do
- Malika
- 6 يناير
- 6 دقيقة قراءة
تاريخ التحديث: 4 أغسطس
Is August a good time to visit Marrakech? If you ask me: No!
August in Marrakech is swelteringly hot, with temperatures often soaring past 40°C (104°F). The city’s sandstone buildings radiate heat like a tandoor oven and the narrow alleyways of the medina can be stifling. If you don’t like the heat, Marrakech in August might not be for you.
Yet despite the energy-sapping conditions, August remains a popular time to visit Marrakech, with many European and North American visitors on their annual summer break. August is also the school holiday period in Morocco, although most domestic tourists are heading to the coast or mountains, rather than to Marrakech.
While August in Marrakech isn’t for me (I’m not a fan of the heat), I don’t mean to imply that it won’t appeal to everyone. Many people love the intense warmth of a North African summer, particularly in the evenings when Marrakech really comes to life.
For those seeking respite from the city's cauldron, the nearby Atlas Mountains offer a welcome escape, with their higher elevations providing a refreshing drop in temperature. And the artsy coastal city of Essaouira is also within easy reach, although you can expect its beaches to be packed in August.
In this article, discover everything you need to know about visiting Marrakech in August, from the weather to crowds and special events. I’ll also share with you some of the best things to do in Marrakech in August to help you plan a seasonally suitable itinerary.
Planning a longer Moroccan summer escape? Discover everything you need to know about travelling to Morocco in August here.
For more information about exploring the "Red City", check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Marrakech.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing and ensure my content stays free!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Marrakech weather in August
Marrakech in August is incredibly hot, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 41°C (77°F to 106°F) during the day. The intense, dry heat creates a distinctly North African atmosphere - the ancient walls of the medina absorb the sun's rays all day before releasing the heat slowly overnight. This means that early morning is the coolest time to explore the labyrinthine alleys, with evening coming in a close second.
In the evenings, the temperature drops to around 21°C (70°F), making it a much more pleasant time to be out exploring the souks. This is also when Djemaa el-Fnaa comes to life, with sizzling food stalls, storytellers and musicians.
Moroccans tend to stay up late during the summertime to take advantage of the comfortable nighttime temperatures and they siesta in the afternoon instead. Taking a leaf out of their book isn't a bad idea!
Top tip: If you're travelling to Marrakech in August, I highly recommend booking a riad with a swimming pool. It gives you somewhere to retreat to when the heat is at its peak. Many are located within shady internal courtyards - there really isn't a better place to be on an August afternoon in Marrakech.
Is August a good time to visit Marrakech?
Is August a busy time in Marrakech?
August is the peak season for travel across Europe and Marrakech is no exception, despite the notoriously hot weather. That being said, most domestic tourists will head to the coast, so there is somewhat of a reprieve in visitor numbers! But don't expect the city's major tourist attractions to be "quiet" by any means.
Marrakech accommodation prices sometimes dip slightly during August, compared to April/May and September/October at least. This reflects demand as travellers seek cooler temperatures along the Moroccan coastline in cities such as Agadir and Essaouira. This makes it a great time to splurge at a hotel or riad that might be out of your price range during the peak season.
Looking for a high-end stay in the "Red City"? Get inspired with this selection of the best luxury boutique hotels in Marrakech.
Is August a good time to visit Marrakech?
What’s on in Marrakech in August
Setti Fatma Moussem
Every year, the beautiful Ourika Valley (around 45 minutes’ drive from Marrakech) hosts a four-day festival dedicated to the esteemed local saint, Setti Fatma, whose holy shrine is situated beside the flowing river. Although non-Muslims cannot enter the sacred koubba, the nearby village hosts a lively celebration during the moussem.
Here you'll find stalls featuring local produce and crafts, while pilgrims gather to participate in religious rituals. Ourika Valley is the perfect day trip from Marrakech during August as it's slightly cooler due to the elevation and valley setting.
Visiting Marrakech in August
Best things to do in Marrakech in August
To avoid the sweltering heat of Marrakech in August, it's important to schedule your sightseeing activities mindfully and avoid being out during the hottest time of the day. I recommend kicking off your explorations early in the day to visit some of the city's architectural gems, such as the Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs and Ben Youssef Madrasa.
As the temperature climbs, consider retreating to Le Jardin Secret or Jardin Majorelle, where the greenery provides a refreshing escape. If you don't want to pay for a garden experience, I also love just sitting beneath the orange trees of Park Lalla Hasana while gazing up at Koutoubia Mosque. Alternatively, you can cool off indoors at the Moroccan Museum of Culinary Art or Le MAP, both of which are among the best museums in Marrakech.
When the hustle and bustle of the medina becomes too much, consider taking a day trip to the Ourika Valley or joining this 5 Valleys Tour from Marrakech. Both options explore traditional Amazigh villages and offer breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains, with much cooler temperatures to be enjoyed at the higher elevations.
Another great way to escape the heat of Marrakech is to head to the coast and explore the charming city of Essaouira. You can enjoy a leisurely day wandering through its whitewashed medina, which experiences refreshing ocean breezes (and has a far more relaxed vibe than the Marrakech medina).
Pop into one of Essaouira’s many art galleries, dine alfresco at the eclectic cafes and feast on fresh sardines at the port. Stretching south of the medina is a golden crescent of sand where you can refresh with a swim or take a kitesurfing lesson.
If you like slow travel, I’d recommend spending your August afternoons in Marrakech back at your riad or hotel, simply lazing by the pool or enjoying a siesta in the cool of an air-conditioned room. Marrakech has some amazing riads with swimming pools, which are either set within their inner courtyards or on their rooftop terraces. Scheduling in some relaxation time will allow you to recharge and give you energy to head out again in the evening, once the temperatures have cooled.
In August, Marrakech really comes alive after dark, as both locals and tourists emerge from their afternoon hibernations to populate the medina streets. Not only can you soak up all the sights, sounds and smells of Djemaa el-Fnaa but some of the souks trade later than usual in summer due to the increased evening demand. This makes it a great time to do some shopping if you don’t have the energy during the heat of the day.
Is August a good time to visit Marrakech?
Is August a good time to visit Marrakech?
If you’re not comfortable in hot climates, August can be a challenging time to visit Marrakech. Daytime highs regularly climb into the upper 30s°C and early 40s°C (high 90s°F/low 100s°F), making sightseeing and outdoor activities uncomfortable for many travellers.
However, if you're willing to adapt your schedule and take advantage of the cooler mornings and evenings, August can be an incredible time to experience the energy of Marrakech. While the medina isn't as busy as it is in May and September, the city still maintains a festive ambiance and you certainly won't feel like you have the place to yourself.
And if you hot weather, you'll be in your element visiting Marrakech in August! Just make sure you stay hydrated and take time out to rest somewhere cool and shaded if you feel even the slightest hint that heatstroke might be setting in.