What to Do in Marrakech in July: Heat, Festival and Day Trips

July weather: hot, dry and bright

Sources: NOAA normals for the Marrakech-Menara station for temperatures and rain; sunshine from the weather-and-climate.com averages. Averages hide heatwaves: during a chergui, the hot wind from the Sahara, the thermometer stays above 40°C for several days. The sun sets around 8:30 pm and nights stay warm, around 20°C.

Crowds and prices in July

Medina riads are among the quietest of the year in July and discounts are common, because many European travelers avoid the heat. Hotels with a large pool, in the Hivernage or the Palmeraie, stay in demand during the school holidays. Moroccan school holidays and the return of Moroccans living abroad (Operation Marhaba, from 10 June to 15 September in 2026) make leisure spots very busy on weekends: Oasiria, the Ourika Valley and the road to Essaouira. Check that your room has air conditioning. Our guide to where to stay in Marrakech compares the neighborhoods.

Events in July

National folk arts festival

The national folk arts festival brings together music and dance troupes from every region of Morocco. The 55th edition ran from 2 to 6 July 2026; the 2027 dates have not been announced, but the last two editions took place in early July. On the first evening a free parade leaves Avenue Mohammed V and passes through Jemaa el-Fna; the paid evening shows are held in the courtyard of the El Badi Palace, with tickets sold online.

Throne Day: 30 July

On 30 July, Throne Day marks the anniversary of King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne. It is a public holiday: government offices and banks close, and the streets are decked with flags and lights. Monuments and souks generally stay open.

What to wear in July

• Loose, light-colored clothes, in linen or cotton, covering shoulders and knees: they protect from the sun and suit the medina.
• A hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
• Closed sandals or breathable shoes for the scorching paving stones.
• A light layer for evenings at altitude or by the sea.
• A water bottle: drink before you feel thirsty. See what to wear in Marrakech.

The best things to do in July

• Early morning: the Majorelle Garden opens at 8 am, the El Badi Palace at 9 am. Arrive at opening time.
• Afternoon: museums, a hammam or a pool. Our guide to pools and day passes in Marrakech compares the options, and Oasiria offers slides and a wave pool (300 DH per adult).
• Evening: Jemaa el-Fna comes alive at sunset. For terraces and shows, see Marrakech at night.

To plan your days, our guide to Marrakech in summer explains the rhythm to adopt.

Cooler escapes

• The Ourika Valley: about 60 km away, with the Setti Fatma waterfalls and restaurants beside the river. Avoid weekends.
• Oukaïmeden: alpine pastures above 2,600 m, much cooler.
• Essaouira: about 190 km away, 3 hours by bus, with average highs of 21.9°C. Book your bus: in summer it often leaves full.

The full overview is in our guide to day trips from Marrakech.

July in Marrakech at a glance

Going further

July follows what to do in Marrakech in June and comes before what to do in Marrakech in August. To compare all the seasons, read our guide to the best time to visit Marrakech.