When to go: the best month
Arguably the best month to visit Morocco: mild everywhere, from the Sahara to the imperial cities, the coast and the Atlas, with the date harvest in the oases.
Camel shadows on the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Photograph: Johannes K Becker, CC BY-SA 3.0
If you can visit Morocco only once, many experienced travellers would tell you to choose October. The summer heat has gone, the winter rains have not yet arrived, and every region is comfortable, from a night in the Sahara to a trek in the Atlas, a day in the medina or a walk on the beach.
Marrakech sits around 25-27 °C, so the medina is pleasant at any hour. In the Sahara, days are warm and nights cool enough to sleep well under clear skies. The Atlas offers the last reliable window for high-altitude trekking before the snow, and on the coast the sea is still warm enough to swim as the summer wind eases.
It is also date-harvest season in the southern oases, and the international date fair in Erfoud, with exhibitions, tastings and a market, falls at the end of the month.
Mild conditions across Morocco. Here is what to expect in each region.
| Region | Temperature | Rain | Our verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic coastEssaouira, Agadir, Rabat, Casablanca | 20-25 °C | Low | Excellent | Warm and pleasant. The sea, around 20-22 °C, is still swimmable, especially at Agadir. Essaouira is breezy but sunny. Beach season runs through October in the south. |
| Mediterranean coastTangier, Tetouan, Al Hoceima, Nador | 18-24 °C | Moderate | Very good | Warm days, with the first showers arriving in the north. Swimming is still possible, especially early in the month. The Rif behind the coast takes on autumn colours. |
| Interior citiesMarrakech, Fes, Meknes | 20-28 °C | Low | Excellent | Neither too hot nor too cold. Marrakech averages 25-27 °C, so the medina is comfortable at any hour, and evenings of 15-18 °C suit dinner on a roof terrace. Fes is similar. |
| SaharaMerzouga, Zagora, Draa Valley, Erfoud | 18-32 °C | Virtually none | Excellent | The desert season begins: warm days without summer extremes, and nights of 15-20 °C that are comfortable in camp. The date harvest is under way, and the skies are clear for stargazing. |
| Atlas MountainsImlil, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge | 8-20 °C | Low to moderate | Very good | Hiking conditions stay good. It is cooler than September, but the passes are open before the winter snow. Autumn colours appear in the valleys; nights are cold, and frost is possible high up. |
Temperatures are approximate ranges. Early October is warmer than late October across all regions. Our verdict is our own editorial judgement for travel that month.
The date harvest peaks in the oases, and Erfoud holds its international date fair.
The Salon International des Dattes au Maroc (SIDATTES) is October's main event. It is held in Erfoud, the gateway to the dunes and the heart of the Tafilalet palm oasis, and celebrates the date harvest that sustains the region. Dozens of date varieties are on show, from Boufeggous to Medjool and Aziza, with agricultural exhibitions and a market.
The harvest that begins in September peaks in October across southeastern Morocco. In the Draa, Ziz and Tafilalet oases, families harvest, sort and pack the dates, and the freshest and widest range of varieties is on sale.
Dates vary each year. Check official sources for confirmed 2026 dates.
Every region works in October. These six are especially good.
Days of 25-27 °C make the city comfortable at any hour, including the midday souks that are punishing in summer. Evenings of 15-18 °C suit roof-terrace dinners and Jemaa el-Fnaa after dark.
The desert season is under way: warm days (25-32 °C), nights of 15-20 °C and clear skies. Camel rides are pleasant at any time of day, and nights in camp are neither cold nor hot.
Temperatures of 20-26 °C take the summer swelter out of the medina's lanes. The tanneries are less overpowering, the workshops are comfortable to linger in, and the light in the alleys is good for photographs.
Hiking stays good, with the passes open before the winter snow (usually November to December). The valleys start to colour, and the cool air makes trekking easier. Toubkal is still within reach, and multi-day village treks are at their most comfortable.
Warm enough for beach walks and eating outdoors (20-24 °C), and the strong summer wind eases. The medina is quiet, and the port seafood is excellent.
The low autumn sun throws strong shadows across the blue lanes, and the Rif behind the town begins to colour. With fewer visitors, the best-known corners are easier to photograph.
Layers: warm days and cool evenings in most regions, with wider swings in the mountains and the desert.
Layers
A medium-weight jacket or fleece
A light rain jacket
Sun protection
Walking shoes and sandals
A scarf or shawl
Book desert tours in Morocco
Take the train between the imperial cities
Buy dates from the producers
Eat tagine at lunch
Negotiate multi-day tours
Use the October light
Go to the Sahara in the second half of the month
Combine the desert and the gorges
Trek high early in the month
Book Erfoud ahead during the date fair
The imperial cities, the Sahara and the date country, then the coast or the mountains.
Days 1-2
Days 3-5
Days 6-7
Days 8-9
Questions
Many experienced Morocco travellers say so. Temperatures suit every region: warm enough for outdoor activities without summer extremes. The Sahara season is under way, the Atlas offers good hiking before the winter snow, the coast is warm for beach walks, and the imperial cities are comfortable to explore. Add the date harvest and the Erfoud date fair, and October is hard to beat.
Coastal cities see 20-25 degrees, with the sea cooling but still around 20-22 degrees. Interior cities like Marrakech and Fes have 20-28 degrees with cool evenings. The Sahara ranges from 18 to 32 degrees, with comfortable nights for camping, and the Atlas Mountains from 8 to 20 degrees, good for hiking. Rain is low but increasing, with more in the north.
No, particularly in Agadir and on the southern Atlantic coast, where October days reach 24-26 degrees and the sea holds around 21-22 degrees. Essaouira is warm for beach walks and eating outdoors, though swimming depends on your tolerance for cool water. Early October is generally better for the beach than late October.
Moderately. The summer crowds have gone, and the winter season for desert and cultural tours has not fully begun. You will share the popular sites with other travellers, but without the crush of peak periods. Erfoud gets busy during the date fair and popular desert camps book up, but the cities and coastal towns are comfortable.
Use ONCF trains between the major cities, stay in budget riads and guesthouses, and eat at local restaurants. Book desert tours locally rather than from abroad, and use shared grand taxis for shorter routes such as Fes to Meknes. Many of the best things are free: walking the medinas and the beaches, the souks and the festival events.
For desert camps and tours around the Erfoud date fair (late October), book 3-4 weeks ahead. Book popular riads in Marrakech and Fes 2-3 weeks ahead. For the rest of October, 1-2 weeks is usually enough. Walking in without a reservation can work for budget rooms but is risky for mid-range and luxury places, especially at weekends.