With its scorching temperatures and summertime crowds, August isn’t the most ideal time to visit Morocco. As the mercury soars, the cities can become almost unbearable and journeying into the Sahara Desert is out of the question. But if you’re willing to plan your trip strategically, you can still get a lot out of an August vacation in Morocco.
The key is to focus your travels on the country's cooler, more temperate regions, such as the northern mountain towns and the coastal resorts. Seaside spots like Essaouira and Tangier offer a welcome respite from the inland heat, with their pleasant ocean breezes and relatively mild temperatures. The High Atlas Mountains bring a refreshing coolness that's perfect for soaking in the stunning vistas while the “Blue City” of Chefchaouen enjoys a comfortable August climate.
If your heart is set on visiting Morocco’s hottest regions, you can take a cue from the locals and adjust your daily rhythm to work with the climate. Siesta during the midday hours (when the sun is at its peak) and emerge in the cooler evenings to enjoy the energised nighttime atmosphere. With a bit of smart planning and flexibility, a Moroccan getaway in August can be an immensely rewarding experience.
Read on to discover what you can expect if you’re travelling to Morocco in August, from weather to events and where to visit.
Travelling to Morocco in August
Weather in Morocco in August
With the scorching summer sun beating down across much of Morocco, August can be a challenging time for travellers. In Marrakech, the mercury often soars well past 40°C (100°F) and the Sahara Desert feels almost inhospitable during daylight hours. Even the typically temperate Atlas Mountains are warm, with daily averages hovering in the high-20s/low-30s°C (80s°F).
That being said, Morocco’s coastlines offer a welcome respite. In the seaside city of Agadir, the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean helps to moderate temperatures, with daily highs hovering around 25°C (80°F). The northern port of Tangier enjoys similarly comfortable conditions while the Rif Mountains town of Chefchaouen is slightly cooler.
Visiting Morocco in August
Is August a popular time to visit Morocco?
While August may not be the ideal time to visit Morocco for the classic Marrakech + Sahara itinerary, the allure of the country at the peak of summer remains firm. August is most definitely high season, with many Europeans and North Americans on their long summer break, alongside Moroccans travelling during the school holidays.
In the cities, it can be difficult to escape the presence of tour groups and desirable accommodations book out well in advance. If you’re visiting Morocco in August, it’s essential that you lock in dates for hotels and riads, rather than travelling on a whim. For your comfort, it’s best to find places with air conditioning - not all hotels and guesthouses have it!
It’s also worth keeping in mind that many urban areas grind to a halt during the hottest parts of the day, with shop owners and workers heading home for a siesta. Most will return in the late afternoon once the mercury starts to dip and stay open extended hours. As a result, there’s a distinct buzz in the air in Moroccan cities on warm summer nights as locals head out to socialise with family and friends.
Travelling to Morocco in August
Festivals and events in Morocco in August
Moussem Moulay Abdellah Amghar
Taking place in early August, this moussem (spiritual pilgrimage) occurs near the coastal city of El Jadida, partway between Casablanca and Safi. Over the course of a week, more than half a million Muslims from across the country descend upon this sacred site, pitching their tents for an immersive religious celebration. For those who attend, the Moussem Moulay Abdellah Amghar is a chance to reaffirm their Islamic beliefs and deepen their connection to the divine through communal prayer and rituals.
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.
Setti Fatma Moussem
Held annually in the picturesque Ourika Valley, this four-day celebration honours the revered local saint, Setti Fatma, whose sacred shrine lies on the banks of the rushing river. While non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the hallowed koubba itself, the surrounding village comes alive with a carnival-like atmosphere during the moussem. In addition to stalls selling local agricultural products and handicrafts, pilgrims arrive from near and far to experience the religious ceremonies, music and dance performance.
Visiting Morocco in August
Where to go in Morocco in August
With much of inland Morocco unbearably hot during August, the coast is the place to be. Destinations like Agadir, Asilah and Essaouira offer a refreshing respite from the heat, with cool, ocean breezes and plenty of opportunities to swim and surf in the Atlantic waters. With many Moroccans also travelling to the coast in August, nowhere is really “crowd-free” and booking ahead is crucial.
While the Atlas Mountains provide an altitude-driven temperature drop (and fewer crowds), midday can still be uncomfortably hot. Hikers and trekkers should time their mountain adventures strategically, taking breaks during the hottest hours of the day to recharge in the shade or cool off in the area’s rivers and canyons. Both the Dades and Todra Gorges offer opportunities to combine an invigorating hike with a refreshing dip.
While the cities of Marrakech and Fes become virtual furnaces, temperatures are more bearable in Morocco’s northern cities, such as Rabat and Casablanca. Urban-dwelling locals have perfected the art of navigating these scorching conditions, rising early to accomplish tasks before retreating indoors during the midday hours for a siesta. My advice would be to follow their lead and embrace afternoon napping!
Considering the crowds, the heat and the demand for accommodation and transport services, August isn’t the best month to visit Morocco. But with a little foresight and flexibility, you can still make a height-of-summer holiday in this North African nation one to remember.
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