Seasonal travelBy Clever Tourists · Published
October is one of the two best months for Morocco, alongside spring: Marrakech falls to about 28.5°C (83°F) by day, Fes to 26.1°C (79°F), the Atlantic coast at Essaouira stays near 22.2°C (72°F), and the Sahara is finally comfortable for a night in the dunes. The trade-offs are that Marrakech and the desert are still warm at midday, the first autumn rains begin in the north (Tangier averages about 65 mm), and flash floods in the south-east are a real risk in late summer storms. We were in Morocco from 26 August to 19 September 2022, so we saw the end of summer, not October. The weather figures are 1991 to 2020 normals as listed for each city (Tangier is the older 1961 to 1990 average).
• Weather: warm to hot in the south by day, cool nights, and the first rain in the north and Atlantic coast.
• Sahara: good for a dune night: the Errachidia region averages about 26.8°C (80°F) by day and 14.2°C (58°F) at night.
• Crowds: demand picks up after the summer, so book riads and desert camps ahead.
• Holidays: no major religious holiday in October 2027; Ramadan began on about 8 February and Eid al-Adha is in May.
• Skip October if: you want to be certain of dry skies in the north, or hate midday sun in Marrakech.
Normals for October as listed for each city; the desert varies a lot between day and night.
• Marrakech: highs 28.5°C (83°F), lows 15.7°C (60°F), about 19 mm of rain. Hot at noon, lovely in the evening.
• Fes: highs 26.1°C (79°F), lows 12.6°C (55°F), about 54 mm. Mornings are cool in the medina.
• Essaouira: highs 22.2°C (72°F), lows 17°C (63°F), about 33 mm. A breezy Atlantic port that stays mild.
• Tangier (north coast): highs 23.7°C (75°F), lows 15.6°C (60°F), about 65 mm. The wettest here, according to the older 1961 to 1990 average.
• Errachidia (south-east, near the Sahara): highs 26.8°C (80°F), lows 14.2°C (58°F), about 21 mm.
For comparison, Marrakech's September average high is about 32.5°C (90.5°F), as noted in our Marrakech guide, so October is about 4°C cooler by day. We spent 6 days in Marrakech across two stays in September 2022.
October is a good time for a dune night. The two best-known dune areas are Erg Chigaga in the south-west and Erg Chebbi at Merzouga. We spent about 2 days at Erg Chigaga from 11 to 13 September 2022, after Zagora and Tamgroute; our Erg Chigaga vs Merzouga guide explains the difference. Allow time: the drive from Marrakech is long.
Flash floods are the safety issue. In September 2024 heavy rain in south-eastern Morocco killed at least 18 people according to the Interior Ministry, with Tata the worst hit, and a bus was swept away near Tata a few days later. Dry riverbeds (wadis) can fill quickly. Check the forecast, avoid crossing flooded tracks and ask your driver to follow local advice. More on desert logistics is in driving in Morocco.
For November onward, see Morocco in winter.
• Unity Day, 31 October 2027 (Sunday): a new public holiday observed since 2026, per the wafir.ma holiday calendar. It falls on a Sunday and no substitute day is given, so it should not change opening hours much. The source is a single secondary calendar, so treat it as provisional.
• Green March, 6 November (Saturday), and Independence Day, 18 November (Thursday) come just after the month.
• Erfoud Date Festival (SIDATTES): the 15th edition runs 28 October to 1 November 2026 in the Erfoud area. The 2027 dates are not announced; the festival has been held in October, so check closer to the date if you route through the desert.
• Ramadan 2027: starts about 8 February, long before October. Our Ramadan 2027 guide covers the dates.
There is no major religious holiday in October 2027, so shops, restaurants and transport run normally.
Our route covered Tangier (3 days), Chefchaouen (3), Fes (3), Rabat (2), Casablanca (1), Essaouira (2), Marrakech (6 days over two stays), Ouarzazate, the Atlas and the Sahara over about three weeks. October suits the same circle.
• Marrakech: plan the souks for the morning or evening; see how many days in Marrakech and day trips from Marrakech.
• Fes and Chefchaouen: comfortable for walking, with some rain risk; see how many days in Fes and the Fes to Chefchaouen guide.
• Essaouira: a mild coastal stop; see Marrakech to Essaouira.
For routes use the 24-day route we followed or the 7-day Morocco itinerary.
October has moderate demand. Book desert camps and riads early. Cash is useful: see the dirham and ATM guide and tipping in Morocco. For haggling and scams see the souk guide and is Morocco safe. Costs are in how much does a trip to Morocco cost.
Light long sleeves and trousers for sun and modesty, a scarf, a sun hat, closed shoes for the medina, and a warm layer for desert nights. A light rain jacket helps in the north. See the Morocco packing list, what to wear in Morocco and the mosque dress code guide.
Yes. Marrakech is about 28°C (83°F) by day, Fes 26°C (79°F), Essaouira 22°C (72°F), and the Sahara is cooler than in summer. The north can see its first autumn rain.
No. The south-east around Errachidia averages about 27°C (80°F) by day and 14°C (58°F) at night, which suits a night in the dunes.
Mostly in the north. Tangier averages about 65 mm, Fes 54 mm, Essaouira 33 mm and Marrakech 19 mm; flash floods in the south-east are possible in storms.
One provisional: Unity Day on Sunday 31 October, a new holiday per one calendar. There is no religious holiday, so businesses run as normal.
Both are good. October is warmer in Marrakech and the desert; Ramadan 2027 ends around 9 March, so it will not affect April either.
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