Travelling to Morocco in September: Is it a good time to visit?
- Malika
- Jun 25, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 15
Travelling to Morocco in September? Discover everything you need to know about visiting Morocco in autumn, from weather to crowds and where to go.
As the intense heat of summer starts to abate, Morocco is undeniably alluring in September. While the inland desert regions are still really hot, many other parts of the country experience a cooling trend, creating the perfect conditions for discovery.
As someone who has lived through many Moroccan summers, I always feel a sense of relief when September rolls around. In fact, I think autumn is one of the best times to visit Morocco - it's my favourite season in any part of the world!
Whether you want to relax on the sun-drenched beaches of the Atlantic coastline or go hiking in the Atlas Mountains, travelling to Morocco in September gives you LOTS of options. Temperatures in Fes and Marrakech are becoming much more bearable for sightseeing and the summer vacationers have largely gone back home. With reduced demand for accommodation, you can be a little more flexible with your travel plans.
Although September may not be the peak of the tourist season in Morocco, the country still welcomes a steady stream of travellers and there’s definitely a buzz in the air. Music festivals ignite major cities across the country, making this a great time for fans of jazz, electronica and rock.
No matter what you want to do, visiting Morocco in September offers a wealth of opportunities to experience everything this enchanting North African gem has to offer.
Read on to discover what you can expect if you’re travelling to Morocco in September, from weather to events and where to visit.
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Weather in Morocco in September
As Morocco transitions from its scorching summer into its mild autumn season, the weather in September can vary dramatically depending on where you are visiting. Coming right on the heels of the country's hottest month, September can still be swelteringly hot in many inland areas but also offers a much more comfortable climate in others.
In Marrakech, for instance, the daily average highs in the low 30s°C (high 80s°F) are manageable for exploring the souks and historic palaces, without being overwhelmed by intense heat. However, September is still usually too hot to venture into the Sahara Desert, where the blistering daytime heat (well into the high 30s°C/90s°F) can be oppressive.
In contrast, the coastal areas and mountainous regions of Morocco offer a much more pleasant escape from the lingering summer heat. Along the Atlantic seaboard, you can expect plentiful sunshine and daily averages in the mid-20s°C (mid-70s°F) in Agadir and Essaouira. A September holiday in Morocco is perfect for relaxing on the beach, swimming in the ocean or learning to surf.
The Atlas Mountains also enjoy similar temperatures, although the daytime highs and nighttime lows are more extreme than along the coastline. This makes September the perfect month for hitting Morocco's hiking trails.
Visiting Morocco in September
Is September a popular time to visit Morocco?
As the summer crowds begin to dissipate, September ushers in a slightly mellower atmosphere across Morocco. That being said, it’s still a popular time to visit for travellers who are set on avoiding the summer throngs and I definitely wouldn't call it "quiet".
If you’re travelling to Morocco in September, you may benefit from marginally cheaper flights and good accommodation deals, although don’t expect the discounts to be immense.
Travelling to Morocco in September
Festivals and events in Morocco in September
Imilchil Marriage Festival
The Imilchil Marriage Festival is a large-scale match-making event that draws young men and women to a remote Atlas Mountains village in late August/early September. For many of its participants, it is a once-a-year opportunity to meet potential life partners and start a family.
Dressed in their finest traditional attire, the unmarried are often accompanied by their watchful parents, who play an important role in the love-finding process. The festival has a lively, celebratory atmosphere, complete with music, dancing and the preparation of local delicacies.
Tanjazz Festival
Based in the coastal city of Tangier, this three-day celebration of jazz brings together both local and international talent while drawing audiences from around the world. In addition to artists inspired by Moroccan musical transitions, it showcases boundary-pushing international acts and Afro-jazz legends.
Performances are staged in public squares and intimate venues across Tangier, a city that has long been at a cultural crossroads.
L'Boulevard Festival
Held in Casablanca each year, this week-long celebration features electronic, rock and underground music acts from across the country and beyond. For many up-and-coming Moroccan musical groups, this festival represents a rare opportunity to gain exposure and recognition on a national stage.
A key component of the festival is the Tremplin (trampoline) segment, a competition that allows emerging artists to perform in front of large crowds and industry professionals. Beyond the concert stages, the festival also features Sbagha Bagha, an initiative that transforms Casablanca’s whitewashed landscape through large-scale graffiti murals.
Visiting Morocco in September
Where to go in Morocco in September
If you’re thinking about visiting Morocco in September and wondering where to go, the question should more appropriately be where shouldn't you go?
With the temperatures starting to drop to more comfortable levels and the summer crowds thinning, Morocco is ideal for exploration in September. The only real exception is the Sahara Desert, which remains too hot at this time of year to offer a really enjoyable experience.
Along the coast, the weather is still wonderfully warm - perfect for a beach vacation. And with Moroccans back at school and work, there are far fewer people competing for space on the sand compared to July and August.
Inland, the mild temperatures in the mountainous regions make September an ideal time for hiking, whether you’re trekking to the summit of Jebel Toubkal or exploring the rugged Rif scenery around Chefchaouen.
With the cooling temperatures, September also presents an ideal time for urban exploration, especially in the northern cities of Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier. In the imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech, you can enjoy relatively long days for sightseeing while encountering fewer tour groups than during the busier summer months.
September also happens to be a particularly eventful time in Morocco, with a range of music festivals and cultural celebrations taking place across the country. Whether you want to experience the Marriage Festival of Imilchil or discover the contemporary sounds of Tanjazz, September in Morocco is perfect for culture vultures.
