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Ouarzazate’s desert climate makes it visitable year-round, but the window that balances temperature, crowds and prices is March to May and September to November. Summer days regularly pass 38°C (100°F), while winter nights sit near freezing. Here’s exactly when to come for each priority.
Best Time to Visit Ouarzazate: March to May (Overall Best)
March to May gives you daytime highs of 23 to 30°C (73 to 86°F) and nights of 8 to 15°C (46 to 59°F), with only 4 to 8mm of rain per month. This is the best window for walking the Ait Ben Haddou ksar and filming locations without heat exhaustion. April is when the Marathon des Sables ultra passes through the southern desert, so book accommodation in early April several months ahead. Pick your base early with where to stay in Ouarzazate.
Best Time to Visit Ouarzazate: September to November
September to November runs 21 to 33°C (70 to 91°F) by day and 8 to 18°C (46 to 64°F) at night. October is the wettest month at 14mm but still averages only 2 to 3 rainy days. November is the best month for photographers: the light is low and golden, temperatures drop to 21°C (70°F), and the date harvest fills the souks. Prices are 10 to 20% lower than spring. See Ouarzazate neighborhoods for the quietest districts in this lower-priced season.
Best Time to Visit Ouarzazate: December to February (Lowest Prices)
December to February is the cheapest period, with hotel rates 30 to 40% below peak. Daytime highs reach 17 to 19°C (63 to 66°F) and are pleasant in the sun, but nights fall to 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F), so you’ll need a warm coat, and many riads have limited heating. Crowds are at their lowest, and you’ll often have the Atlas Studios tour to yourself. Pack for cold nights and check Ouarzazate travel tips for what to bring.
Best Time to Visit Ouarzazate: Why to Avoid June to August
June to August sees 35 to 38°C (95 to 100°F) highs and almost no rain, making midday sightseeing uncomfortable. If you do come in summer, plan activities before 11am and after 4pm, choose a hotel with a pool (the Berbère Palace and Kasbah Zitoune both have one), and carry 2 litres of water per person per day. The annual Ouarzazate events and festivals calendar thins out in summer too. For pool hotels to survive the heat, see the Ouarzazate city guide.
Best Time to Visit Ouarzazate: Month by Month at a Glance
- January: 17°C / 3°C, cold nights, lowest prices, few crowds.
- February: 19°C / 5°C, warming days, still low season.
- March: 23°C / 8°C, nomad festival season, good hiking weather.
- April: 26°C / 11°C, Marathon des Sables, book early.
- May: 30°C / 15°C, Rose Festival in Kelaa M’Gouna.
- June: 35°C / 19°C, first hot month, quiet afternoons.
- July: 38°C / 22°C, hottest and driest month, avoid midday sun.
- August: 37°C / 21°C, still very hot, pool time essential.
- September: 33°C / 18°C, heat easing, good return month.
- October: 27°C / 13°C, wettest month, date harvest.
- November: 21°C / 8°C, best photography light, lower prices.
- December: 17°C / 4°C, cool days, festive, lowest crowds.
For the month-by-month temperature and rainfall numbers behind these windows, read the Ouarzazate weather by month guide, and browse things to do in Ouarzazate to match your dates to the best attractions.
