Things to Do in Morocco in May
Great month for almost everything – the last really comfortable month for the desert. Updated October 2026 · by our local team
There are more things to do in Morocco in May than in almost any other month. Spring is still green in the mountains, the roses are picked in the Dades valley, and the Sahara still has fresh nights for sleeping in a desert camp. In the cities the days are already warm, so our guides plan the big walks for the morning and keep the afternoon for a riad pool or a slow lunch.
May is also the bridge to summer. Late in the month Marrakech and Merzouga can feel hot by midday, while the coast stays fresh and breezy. That is why we love trips that mix all three: a few days in the Atlas, one or two nights in the dunes, and an ending by the ocean in Essaouira or Agadir.
The best things to do in Morocco in May are hiking in the High Atlas, walking the Dades and Todra gorges in rose season, a camel ride and a night in the Merzouga dunes before the summer heat, and surfing or kitesurfing on the Atlantic. Days are warm everywhere, so start early inland and keep the afternoons slow.
Morocco weather in May
| Where | Temperatures | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | about 28°C by day, 14°C at night | sunny and dry, hot afternoons late in the month |
| Sahara (Merzouga) | about 32°C by day, 18°C at night | hot middays, pleasant mornings and evenings |
| High Atlas | about 20°C by day in the valleys, 8°C at night | fresh and green, possible afternoon showers; snow may linger near the highest summits early in May |
| Atlantic coast (Essaouira, Agadir) | about 22°C by day, 16°C at night | sunny, windy in Essaouira, sea still cool |
Typical values – the weather changes from year to year.
Best things to do in Morocco in May
Click any idea to see the details.
Hike between Berber villages in the High AtlasGreen terraces, walnut trees and mild walking weather.Details +- Catch the rose harvest in the Dades valleyPink fields and the smell of roses on the road to the desert.Details +
Ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunesOne of the last months with soft evenings in the Sahara.Details +
Sleep in a desert camp under the starsWarm nights, clear skies and dinner on the sand.Details +- Walk the Dades and Todra gorgesRed canyon walls and shady river paths.Details +
Fly over Marrakech in a hot air balloonClear sunrise skies over the palm groves and the Atlas.Details +
Surf or kitesurf on the AtlanticFresh ocean air when the inland heats up.Details +- Explore the medina of FesSouks, madrasas and tanneries in spring light.Details +
Where to go in Morocco in May
High Atlas
The mountains are green, the rivers full and the days perfect for walking. Toubkal treks start their main season towards the end of the month.
Merzouga
The last comfortable month for camel treks and desert camps before the summer heat. Choose early May if you can.
Dades valley
Rose harvest, kasbahs and gorge walks – an easy stop on the way to the Sahara.
Essaouira
Breezy, fresh and relaxed, with good wind for kitesurfing – a fine way to end a trip.
Festivals & events in Morocco in May
Rose festival in Kelaat M’Gouna
usually May
A local festival that celebrates the end of the rose harvest with music, dances and rose products. Dates change every year – check before you travel.
Eid al-Adha
dates change every year – check before you travel
The Feast of the Sacrifice moves about 11 days earlier each year and falls in late spring in the coming years. Families gather, some shops close and transport is busy for a few days.
Morocco itineraries for May
Private trips that are at their best this month.
What to pack for Morocco in May
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- High-factor sunscreen
- Light, long sleeves for sun and medinas
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A light rain jacket for the mountains
- A warm layer for desert and mountain nights
- Refillable water bottle
- Scarf or buff against dust and sun
Plan your trip in May
Tell us your dates and what you love – our local team plans the route, the stays and the activities for this time of year.
Morocco in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Morocco?
Yes – May is one of the best months. The mountains are green, the roses bloom in the Dades valley and the desert is still comfortable, especially early in the month. Late May gets hot inland, so plan the desert first and the coast at the end.
What are the best things to do in Morocco in May?
Hike in the High Atlas, see the rose harvest in the Dades valley, ride camels and sleep in a camp at Merzouga, fly in a balloon over Marrakech and kitesurf in Essaouira. Most travellers combine mountains, desert and coast in one trip.
Is Morocco warm in May?
Yes. Marrakech is usually around 28°C by day and Merzouga around 32°C, with hotter days late in the month. The coast is milder at about 22°C, and the mountains are fresh, with cool nights.
What is the weather like in Marrakech in May?
Sunny and dry, with warm to hot afternoons and pleasant evenings. Plan walks and visits for the morning and the late afternoon, and keep the middle of the day for a riad pool or a long lunch.
What should I wear in Morocco in May?
Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees for the medinas, a sun hat and good walking shoes. Add a warm layer for desert nights and mountain evenings, and a light rain jacket if you hike in the Atlas.
Is the Sahara too hot in Morocco in May?
Not usually. Middays are hot, but mornings, evenings and nights in Merzouga are pleasant. We ride camels at sunset and sunrise, and early May is cooler than the end of the month.
Travel to Morocco in May
Private trips on your dates, planned by a local team who knows what each month brings.
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