Discover Morocco

04/09/2026

Morocco in September: what visitors can expect

September is a wonderful month to discover Morocco, marking the transition from the intense heat of summer towards the country's more comfortable autumn season. The days remain warm and generally sunny, but temperatures begin to ease, particularly later in the month, while the summer crowds start to thin. Morocco's National Tourist Office describes autumn as one of the country's particularly appealing seasons, with the Sahara and mountain regions becoming increasingly attractive.

☀️ Warm days and cooler evenings

September is still summer-like in many parts of Morocco, but the oppressive heat of July and August begins to retreat.

Marrakech and the interior can still reach the low-to-mid 30s°C, particularly during the first half of the month, while the Atlantic coast is noticeably more moderate. Marrakech's official tourism guide lists September and October among the best periods for discovering the city.

By late September, evenings become particularly pleasant—perfect for rooftop restaurants, strolling through the medina or relaxing beside a hotel pool.

🕌 Marrakech and the imperial cities

Marrakech, Fez and Meknes remain compelling destinations in September, with their labyrinthine medinas, palaces, gardens, souks and historic architecture.

Mornings and late afternoons are the best times for exploring, particularly early in the month when temperatures can still be high. By the latter part of September, sightseeing becomes considerably more comfortable.

Expect a wonderful combination of spice-filled souks, traditional riads, rooftop cafés, hammams, gardens and exceptional Moroccan cuisine.

🌊 The Atlantic coast

For those seeking sunshine without extreme heat, Morocco's Atlantic coastline is particularly appealing.

Essaouira, Agadir, Taghazout and Casablanca generally enjoy more moderate temperatures thanks to Atlantic breezes. The Moroccan National Tourist Office highlights Agadir's mild temperatures and year-round sunshine, while Essaouira and Taghazout offer beaches, surfing and a more relaxed coastal atmosphere.

Essaouira is especially atmospheric in September: its whitewashed buildings, ancient ramparts, fishing harbour and broad beach combine with a cooler, breezy climate.

🏔️ The Atlas Mountains

September is an excellent month for mountain adventures.

As the summer heat recedes, the Atlas Mountains become increasingly attractive for hiking, trekking and exploring Berber villages. Temperatures are considerably cooler at altitude, although nights can be chilly.

The landscape also provides a dramatic contrast to Marrakech and the desert—green valleys, rugged peaks, waterfalls and traditional villages.

🏜️ The Sahara becomes increasingly tempting

One of September's biggest attractions is that the Sahara begins to become practical again after the extreme summer heat.

The Moroccan National Tourist Office specifically recommends spring and autumn for visiting the desert.

Early September can still be extremely hot during the day, so travellers planning camel rides and desert camps should ideally consider the latter part of the month. Sunset camel treks followed by dinner and an overnight stay beneath a huge canopy of stars can be one of the defining experiences of a Moroccan journey.

🌴 Harvest season

September also brings a distinctly seasonal character to parts of Morocco.

The date harvest begins in the country's southern oases, particularly around the Draa Valley and southeastern Morocco. Visitors travelling through these regions may see palm groves laden with fruit and experience a side of Morocco that is far removed from the major tourist cities.

The countryside is also beginning to transition towards autumn, creating beautiful golden landscapes.

🎶 A lively cultural calendar

September 2026 has some particularly interesting events.

Tanjazz in Tangier is scheduled for 18–20 September 2026, bringing international and Moroccan jazz performers to the northern city.

L'Boulevard in Casablanca, celebrating urban and alternative music, is scheduled for 17–20 September 2026.

And for late-September travellers, MOGA Festival in Essaouira begins on 30 September and continues into October, combining electronic music with the atmospheric setting of Morocco's Atlantic coast.

🍽️ Food is a major part of the experience

September is an excellent time to explore Morocco's culinary traditions. Expect tagines, couscous, pastilla, grilled meats, fresh seafood, mint tea and an abundance of fresh fruit and dates.

From street-food stalls in Marrakech to sophisticated riad restaurants and seafood restaurants overlooking the Atlantic, food is as much a part of the Moroccan experience as the architecture and landscapes.

🛍️ The souks become more enjoyable

The slightly lower temperatures make September a good time to lose yourself in Morocco's famous souks.

Visitors can shop for handwoven rugs, leather goods, ceramics, lanterns, spices, jewellery and traditional clothing, while the quieter atmosphere after the summer peak can make browsing more relaxed.

👥 Fewer crowds

One of September's attractions is the gradual decline in visitor numbers after the European summer holidays.

It isn't empty—Morocco remains a popular destination—but the atmosphere can feel noticeably more relaxed than at the height of summer. September is therefore a useful shoulder-season compromise between weather, availability and atmosphere.

🎒 What should visitors pack?

A September suitcase needs to cope with several climates.

Bring:

Lightweight clothing for warm days
A light jacket or jumper for evenings
Comfortable walking shoes
Sun protection and a hat
Swimwear
A light waterproof layer for the mountains
Warmer layers if travelling into the High Atlas or spending nights in the desert

And remember that Morocco is culturally conservative in many settings, so modest clothing is advisable when visiting mosques, villages and religious or traditional sites.

⭐ The September verdict

Morocco in September offers an exceptional mix of warmth, culture and adventure.

It is a month when visitors can move from the souks of Marrakech to the blue streets of Chefchaouen, from the Atlantic beaches of Essaouira to the peaks of the Atlas Mountains and, later in the month, into the golden dunes of the Sahara.

The secret is to plan around the heat: sightseeing early and late in the day, using the middle of the afternoon for lunch, a hammam, a pool or a siesta.

For a first visit, September is particularly attractive because it combines Morocco's extraordinary cultural heritage with beaches, mountains, desert landscapes, outstanding food and the beginnings of autumn, without the full intensity of the summer season.

02/09/2026

The World Travel Awards announced the winners of the 2026 Africa Gala Ceremony on August 28, 2026, hosted at Diamonds Bijoux in Zanziba

Winner Africa's Leading Casino Resort 2026 - Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, Morocco.

Located just an hour from Casablanca Airport, Morocco, Sprawling across 250 hectares & adorned with 7 kilometers of pristine beachside, Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort is a unique, eclectic and vibrant beach destination.

With a curating playful and extravagant leisure and entertainment venues that showcases the Moroccan authenticity through a modern and energetic lens.

Mazagan's Casino, a 3,000 sqm venue, blends elegance and innovation in an elegant setting. With its refined atmosphere and cutting-edge entertainment, it offers a distinguished experience in a sophisticated environment.

photos Mazagan Beach Resort

World Travel Awards

29/08/2026

Off-roading above the canopies in Morocco’s Rif Mountains, Oliver Keohane witnessed the city of Chefchaouen emerge like a blue iris among the lower mountain folds; equally as impressive as strolling the city’s side streets, exploring its character and cuisine.

Nearly 2 000 m above sea level, there’s a plateau marked as Plaza España, a name borrowed from the Spanish by our lunch spot in the contoured, coniferous network of the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco. We sat cross-legged on Berber rugs, stomachs filled with kefta (ground meat on skewers), cooked peppers and khobz (similar to pita), absorbing a lesson in local botany. ‘It’s called the Moroccan fir (Abies marocana),’ explained the local chef, pointing to the impressive horizon line of fir-filled limestone slopes. ‘It’s a type of tree – there’s another species belonging to the same genus in Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Spain, which is called the Spanish fir tree (A. pinsapo). But this is A. marocana, which is endemic to this area. It only grows at over 1 500 m above sea level,’ he continued.

Off-roading above the fir forests of Morocco's Rif Mountains, Oliver Keohane watched Chefchaouen surface, shining blue in the folds below.

29/08/2026

Morocco’s Airports Handle Over 22 Million Passengers in First Seven Months of 2026

The traffic gains come as Morocco accelerates the expansion of its airport network ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Morocco’s airports received 22,282,997 passengers during the first seven months of 2026, an increase of 8.77% over the same period last year, according to the National Airports Office (ONDA).

29/08/2026

TRAVEL Tetouan, the White Dove of Northen Morocco

By Penelope Louise It was the kind of flight that makes you wonder why you even bothered to fly in the first place. I'm fairly certain the cabin crew had to sprint the drinks trolley up and down the aisle before the overhead lights were blinking ...

29/08/2026

Marriott International’s Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar Es Salam in Morocco has announced a new exclusive partnership with ESPA.

Marking the British brand’s re-entry into the Moroccan market, the collaboration establishes the property as the only hotel spa in the country currently offering ESPA experiences.

Through this partnership, guests can experience a curated collection of personalised ESPA treatments designed to restore balance across mind, body and spirit, including the globally renowned Ritz-Carlton Spa signature treatments.

Developed by ESPA exclusively for Ritz-Carlton Spas, the collection forms the cornerstone of the brand’s wellness offering worldwide.

Marriott International’s Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar Es Salam in Morocco has announced an exclusive partnership that marks ESPA’s re-entry into the Moroccan market

19/08/2026

Eclipse fever 2026 may be subsiding, but travel driven by a love of the celestial realm continues to surge, with an even more impressive eclipse set to hit Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, the Atlantic and Indian oceans in 2027.

For many people in regions in the path of totality, 2026 gave them their first-ever glimpse of a total eclipse. Iceland, where around 80,000 stargazers are reported to have travelled this time, had not experienced a total eclipse since 1954 and will not witness one again in those viewers’ lifetimes, with the next scheduled for 2196.

In Spain, which was expecting up to six million eclipse arrivals thanks to the promise of clear skies and good views, it was the first total eclipse for 121 years

But in 2027, an eclipse is to come that will eclipse all that. At the start of August, the longest total solar eclipse of the century will sweep over Spain, North Africa and the Middle East, creating six and a half minutes of wonder in locations as iconic as Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.

Alongside Egypt, countries and territories in the path of totality include Algeria, Gibraltar, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, Tunisia and Yemen, as well as parts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, meaning that uncanny eclipse darkness will fall on destinations including Cádiz, Tangier, Luxor and Jeddah.

Eclipse fever 2026 may be subsiding, but travel driven by a love of the celestial realm continues to surge, with an even more impressive eclipse set

16/08/2026

THE ODYSSEY AND TRAVEL+LEISURE BOOSTING TRAVEL TO MOROCCO’S ESSAOUIRA
“The new movie adaptation of The Odyssey, whose Trojan Horse scene was filmed on the beach near Essaouira, is increasing interest in visiting us,” says Eric Molle, General Manager of Relais & Chateaux’s L’Heure Bleue Palais hotel. “The movie’s release came just weeks after the readers of Travel+Leisure magazine voted Essaouira as #3 on its ‘Best Cities in Africa & the Middle East’ list, after Jerusalem and Cape Town,” Mr. Molle continued.

Lying 110 miles west of Marrakech on the Atlantic coast, Essaouira is a romantic fishing port and resort, its historic medina filled with white houses, shops, mosques and synagogues with blue doors and shutters. Its plentiful souks are a major attraction for visitors, as is the Scala, the city’s massive seaside fortifications built by the Portuguese in the 17th century. Long known by the Portuguese name, Mogador, Essaouira has miles of wide sand beaches ideal for surfing, swimming and sunning.

The L’Heure Bleue Palais hotel, considered Essaouira’s leading hostelry, was originally the 18th century palace of Pasha Caïd Mbark Saïd. Built into the city’s historic walls, it was transformed into a luxurious 33-suite riad-hotel in the early 21st century, L’Heure Bleue Palais has just unveiled its renovated roof top, with swimming pool, sunning deck and rebranded Le Sama lounge and restaurant. “Even though we are close to the desert oasis of Marrakech, the climate in Essaouira is completely different – with Atlantic breezes cooling the city even in the heat of summer,” Mr Molle continued.

Most Americans reach Essaouira by road from Marrakech, “but more and more visitors are arriving from Paris, London, Spain, Belgium and Germany on nonstop flights directly into Essaouira-Mogador International Airport,” Mr Molle added.

For more information on L’Heure Bleue Palais, visit: www.heure-bleue.com/en

13/08/2026

Marrakech is an improbable garden city. Its medina, a dense jigsaw of riad courtyards and cloistered gardens, reflects centuries of Islamic belief about water, light and the art of living in harmony with the natural world. Jnane Rumi sits squarely within this tradition yet seemingly manages to surpass it.

Tucked into the Palmeraie, the historic palm grove north of the city, the property was originally designed by Tunisian architect Charles Boccara. Since then, it has been transformed by an unlikely pair: Gert-Jan van den Bergh, an art restitution lawyer, and his wife Corinne, a somatic therapist and sculptor. Together, they have turned a private villa into something closer to a cultural institution, one that platforms contemporary Moroccan artists and designers, whilst facilitating a dialogue between Morocco, Europe and North Africa. The property takes its name from the tradition it inhabits: jnane, meaning garden in Arabic, and rumi, a nod to both the Sufi poet and the Arabic word for Roman.

Marrakech is an improbable garden city. Its medina, a dense jigsaw of riad courtyards and cloistered gardens, reflects centuries of Islamic belief about

13/08/2026

I went on a book club retreat in Morocco and discovered the joys of finding your people

An international monthly book discussion on Zoom has its challenges; trying to dovetail time differences is one, remembering not to interrupt people is another. And so late last year, the club – reduced to nine stalwart members – met up in person at a villa called Dar Sinclair in Tangier, Morocco.

Travel writer Catherine Fairweather shares life lessons from a book club weekender in Tangier