Marrakech in April: weather, temperatures and tips
The safest month, statistically: 26°C (79°F) by day, 12°C at night, little rain, nine hours of sunshine. You range the medina morning to evening. The flipside: with Easter and the school break, it's also the most crowded and priciest of the year.
April is, statistically, the safest month to visit Marrakech: the one where you’re least likely to hit awkward weather. The average high settles at 26°C, the low at 12°C, rain thins out and the sun holds nine hours a day. You range the medina morning to evening without chasing shade, and the evenings stay mild. That comfort has a price: April is also one of the two busiest months of the year and rates follow.
Marrakech weather in April
At 26°C average high and 12°C low, April brings together what visitors most often want: warm days and cool nights. The day-night gap is still noticeable, around fourteen degrees, but the evenings no longer bite as they did in winter. Sun dominates, rain falls on just six or seven days and the showers space out.
The month isn’t proof against a heat spike: a chergui episode can push the temperature to 35°C for two or three days, sometimes loading the air with dust. On the Atlas, the snow pulls back to the summits but stays visible on clear days.
Your day, hour by hour
| Time | Feel | What you do with it |
|---|---|---|
| 8-11am | 14-20°C | Medina and souks, T-shirt |
| noon-5pm | 24-26°C, sharp sun | Gardens, palaces, shade at the peak hours |
| 6-8pm | 18-20°C | Rooftops, terraces, the golden hour |
| night | 12°C | A light layer is enough |
What to pack
April lightens the case. Light-coloured, loose pieces for the day, a jacket or a thin jumper for the evenings which still cool off, closed shoes for the medina alleys. Hat, sunglasses and SPF earn their keep, mainly between noon and 4pm. A swimsuit works if your accommodation has a heated pool: without heating, the water sits around 18-20°C - fine for a dip, cool for laps.
Crowds and prices in April
April is the peak of high season. The near-perfect climate, the UK Easter school break, French spring school holidays and the Easter weekend converge: riads run full and push their rates. Reckon on £88-£128 a night double in a boutique riad, sometimes more over Easter weekend. For these dates, book the flight and accommodation two to three months ahead. To compare addresses, see our riads and hotels. For the same climate with fewer people, look at late May or October.
What to do in Marrakech in April
In April, Marrakech turns violet: the jacarandas bloom, and the avenues of Guéliz and the edges of the gardens shift to blue-purple for a few weeks - a sight the other months don’t get. On the visits front, nothing is capped by the weather: medina, souks, gardens, palaces and rooftops at sunset. It’s also a good month for day trips, before the real heat. The Ourika valley runs green, the Ouzoud waterfalls run full and the Agafay desert has still-tempered nights, perfect for a dinner under canvas. The Essaouira coast is doable as a day trip, bearing in mind the sea stays cold and the wind sharp.
On the bill in April
Our verdict on April
April earns its reputation: the month where you’re least likely to hit awkward weather, and the city shows its best face. The flipside is well known - crowds and high prices, especially around Easter.
If the date is fixed, book early and accept the crowd. If you’re free, late May or October offer a similar climate for a bit less.
The twelve months compare on our best time to visit, and the packing brief is on what to pack.
