Marrakech in May: weather, temperatures and tips
Summer moving in without yet burning: 29°C (84°F) by day, 15°C at night, rain almost gone. The pool turns fun again, evenings stretch out on the terrace and the spring crowd loosens, especially in the first fortnight.
May tips Marrakech into summer, without yet the hard edge. The average high reaches 29°C, the low 15°C, and rain turns anecdotal: you enter the long dry season. It’s the first month you really make the most of the pool, when evenings stretch out on the terrace and the spring high season starts to loosen. For sun without the crowds or the April rates, the window is narrow but real, especially in the first fortnight.
Marrakech weather in May
At 29°C average high and 15°C low, May warms up sharply without yet overwhelming. Nights stay cool, around 15°C, which means good sleep and pleasant terrace evenings. Rain has all but gone, with four to five days and 11 mm on the month, and the sun holds nine hours a day.
Late in the month announces summer’s tone: a chergui episode, that hot southern wind, can push the temperature to 38-40°C for two or three days, especially in the second fortnight. On the Atlas, only snow patches hold on the highest peaks.
Your day, hour by hour
| Time | Feel | What you do with it |
|---|---|---|
| 8-11am | 18-24°C | Medina and souks, the morning cool |
| noon-5pm | 27-29°C, sharp sun | Pool, shade, gardens in the shade |
| 6-9pm | 22-24°C | Rooftops, dinner outside, long evening |
| night | 15°C | Light, no heating |
What to pack
May sharply lightens the case. Light-coloured, loose pieces, swimsuit, hat, sunglasses and high-factor SPF: the midday sun bites. A light layer for the evening is enough - riad heating no longer needed. Closed comfortable shoes still earn their keep for the medina. If you’re planning a high-altitude Atlas day trip, keep a jumper: the cool comes back fast up there.
Crowds and prices in May
May is a transition month on footfall. The start stays lively, on the tail of spring and the French May bank-holiday long weekends, then crowds thin as the heat settles. Riad rates start to drop after the April peak: reckon on £72-£104 a night double in a boutique riad, with variation by date. It’s a decent compromise for the spring climate without the Easter rate. To compare, see our riads.
What to do in Marrakech in May
May is the month of the Mai de la Photo: Marrakech’s photography festival takes over galleries and heritage venues all month, enough to string exhibitions between two visits. The month also opens pool and rooftop season: medina and gardens in the morning, swim or spa in the hot hours, open-air dinners in the evening, stretching out on the long, warm nights.
On day trips, it’s still a decent window before the real heat. The Essaouira coast becomes a pleasant option: cooler and windier than Marrakech, it offers a break when the city heats up, even if the sea stays at 18°C. The Agafay desert is best at sunset and by night, days there turning hot.
On the bill in May
Our verdict on May
May nearly holds the April climate, with the pool added and the crowd subtracted, especially in the first fortnight. The only caveat is the end of the month, when heat can spike in episodes.
Our pick for warm dry weather without the spring price peak.
For visitors who dislike high heat, June and summer call for more precautions; see June, or the full calendar on our best time to visit.
