Weather in Marrakech in May: the first heat
According to the 1991-2020 normals for the Marrakech-Menara station (NOAA), May has an average high of 29.4 °C and an average low of 15.2 °C. About 11 mm of rain falls over 2 days. The sun shines roughly 7 to 9 hours a day from January to May (weather2travel). Averages hide variations: higher heat spikes are possible.
| Normal (1991-2020) | May at Marrakech-Menara |
|---|---|
| Average maximum temperature | 29.4 °C |
| Average minimum temperature | 15.2 °C |
| Rainfall | 11 mm, about 2 rainy days |
| Sunshine | about 7 to 9 hours a day |
Crowds, prices and school holidays
May has variable crowds. The Moroccan school holidays run from 9 to 16 May 2027; in France, Thursday 6 May (Ascension) starts a long weekend, and zone B's spring holidays end on 3 May. Around Eid al-Adha it is mostly transport that gets saturated. Riad prices are more moderate than in April. To place May in the year, read the best time to visit Marrakech.
Public holidays and religious festivals in May 2027
- Saturday 1 May: Labour Day, public holiday.
- Eid al-Adha, around Monday 17 May: the great feast of the sacrifice is expected around 16 or 17 May; the date depends on the sighting of the moon. It is the big family holiday of the year: some shops and restaurants in the medina close for a few days, and trains, coaches and domestic flights are packed in the days before. Avoid planning a day trip or a coach journey then.
See also our Marrakech events calendar.
The Kelaat M'Gouna rose festival
The Kelaat M'Gouna rose festival, in the Valley of the Roses in the south-east of the High Atlas, celebrates the rose harvest, generally in early May. Its 2027 dates had not been published in October 2026: follow the organisers' announcements before booking. Kelaat M'Gouna is far from Marrakech: allow for a journey over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and a night on site, with a stop at Ait Ben Haddou.
What to pack for May
- Light, loose linen or cotton clothes covering shoulders and knees: see how to dress in Marrakech.
- A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a water bottle.
- A thin jacket for evenings and the desert.
- Light walking shoes for Atlas trails.
- A swimsuit: pools are very pleasant.
What to do in Marrakech in May
- Visit early in the morning and take shelter in the hot hours, at the riad or in a hammam.
- Enjoy a pool: see day-pass pools in Marrakech.
- Go out in the evening: Jemaa el-Fna square and the terraces are very pleasant, see Marrakech at night.
Day trips from Marrakech in May
- Imlil and Toubkal: in April-May the trails are dry and temperatures mild; snow remains at altitude. See Imlil and Toubkal.
- Ourika Valley: the coolness of the river, preferably on weekdays. Compare the valleys in the guide to the High Atlas from Marrakech.
- Ouzoud Falls: still well fed in spring.
- Essaouira: cooler than Marrakech. Comparison in day trips from Marrakech.
May 2027 at a glance
| Dates | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 1 May | Labour Day (public holiday) | Morocco |
| Thursday 6 May | Ascension (long weekend in France) | — |
| 9 – 16 May | Moroccan school holidays | Morocco |
| Around 16 or 17 May | Eid al-Adha (depending on the moon) | Whole city |
| Early May | Rose festival (2027 dates not published) | Kelaat M'Gouna |
Dates noted in October 2026; religious holidays can vary by a day.
Going further
The previous month is the spring-holiday month: see what to do in Marrakech in April. For what comes next, read what to do in Marrakech in June.
