Morocco weather in April: temperatures by city and the desert
April is one of the two best months to be in Morocco. Daytime highs sit around 24 to 26°C in Marrakech, 22 to 24°C in Fes, 19 to 21°C on the coast and close to 30°C at the Sahara dunes, with nights everywhere still cool at 9 to 13°C. Rain is light and mostly confined to the north, the Atlas passes are open, and the countryside is as green as it ever gets.
Average temperatures in Morocco in April
Morocco is a big country with the sea on two sides, three mountain ranges and a desert, so one April forecast never fits everyone. These are long-run averages; any given week can run a few degrees either side.
| Place | Average high | Average low | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 24 to 26°C | ~11°C | Warm, sunny afternoons; cool evenings |
| Fes | 22 to 24°C | ~9°C | Pleasant days; a chance of showers |
| Casablanca | ~20°C | ~12°C | Mild and breezy; cool sea air |
| Tangier | ~19°C | ~11°C | Spring-like; some rain and wind |
| Chefchaouen | ~21°C | ~9°C | Fresh mountain air; showers possible |
| Merzouga (Sahara) | ~29°C | ~13°C | Hot in the afternoon, cold after dark |
The gap between day and night is the thing visitors underestimate. In Marrakech you will want a T-shirt at 3 pm and a jacket at 9 pm. At the dunes the swing is even bigger, and a desert camp at dawn can feel like a cold morning at home.
Marrakech weather in April
Marrakech in April is close to ideal. Expect mostly sunny days in the mid-20s, occasionally touching 30°C towards the end of the month, and perhaps two or three days with some rain, usually short showers rather than a washout. Evenings on a rooftop are comfortable with a light layer. The snow still sits on the High Atlas behind the city for most of the month, which makes the view from the Menara gardens or any terrace in the medina one of the best of the year.
Pool water is still on the cool side unless it is heated, so do not count on daily swims. The real gift of April is being able to walk the souks and gardens in the middle of the day, which is not true from June to September.
Fes, Meknes and the north
Fes is a few degrees cooler than Marrakech and gets more rain in spring; April is the tail end of the wet season. You may get a grey morning or an afternoon shower, but days of steady rain are uncommon. The Middle Atlas between Fes and the desert, around Ifrane and Azrou, is cooler still, often 15 to 18°C, with the cedar forests at their greenest.
Tangier and Chefchaouen are the wettest places on this list. The Rif catches Atlantic weather, so bring a waterproof layer and expect that one of your days may be cloudy. The reward is that the hills around Chefchaouen are green and full of wildflowers, which is not something you see in August.
Casablanca, Rabat and the Atlantic coast
The coast is the mildest zone. Casablanca, Rabat and Essaouira sit at 18 to 21°C with a steady sea breeze and sea temperatures of only 16 to 17°C, so the beaches are for walking rather than swimming unless you are hardy. Essaouira’s wind, famous with kitesurfers, is already blowing in April. Agadir, further south, is warmer at 22 to 24°C and is the one coastal spot where sunbathing is realistic.
Sahara desert temperature in April
April is one of the best windows for Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes. Afternoons reach the high 20s and sometimes low 30s, which is warm but not the 40°C-plus of summer, and the sand is comfortable to walk on by late afternoon. Nights drop to around 10 to 13°C, so a desert camp needs blankets, which any decent camp provides, and you will want a fleece for the sunrise climb up the dunes.
Two things to know. Spring can bring sandstorms when the hot southerly wind, the chergui, blows for a day or two. They are not dangerous, but they can make a camel ride unpleasant, which is why we keep desert nights flexible in spring. And the drive to the desert crosses the High Atlas, where the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) is open in April but can still be cold with patches of snow on the peaks either side. See our Morocco desert tours page for the routes from Marrakech and Fes.
Rain, snow and daylight in April
- Rain. Marrakech averages only a handful of rainy days; Fes and the north more. Nowhere in Morocco sees monsoon-style rain, and showers tend to clear quickly.
- Snow. The High Atlas peaks stay white into April and sometimes May. Higher trekking routes around Toubkal still need crampons early in the month, while the valleys around Imlil and Ourika are green and walkable.
- Daylight. Roughly 13 hours, with sunrise around 6:45 and sunset around 7:30 pm by mid-month. That is plenty of time for long driving days through the mountains.
- Sea. Still cool at 16 to 17°C on the Atlantic and a little warmer in the Mediterranean.
Is April a good time to visit Morocco?
Yes. If we had to pick two months for a first trip, they would be April and October. Here is the honest balance.
In April’s favour
- Comfortable temperatures in every region, including the desert.
- Green landscapes, wildflowers and snow on the mountains, which makes the High Atlas drive more scenic than at any other time.
- Long days for sightseeing and driving.
- Roses in the Dades Valley; the Kelaat M’Gouna rose harvest and festival usually fall in late April or May.
Against
- It is high season. Easter school holidays often fall in April, and the second half of the month is busy in Marrakech and at the dunes. Riads and desert camps book up weeks ahead.
- The north can be showery.
- Ramadan moves through the calendar and in some years overlaps with April. Shops and restaurants adapt and tourism continues, but the rhythm of the day changes; check the dates and read our Ramadan in Morocco guide before fixing your plans.
For a month-by-month comparison, see our best time to visit Morocco page.
What to pack for Morocco in April
The short version is layers. Light clothes for the afternoons, a warm layer for every evening, a proper jacket for the desert night and the mountains, and a waterproof if you are going north. Comfortable walking shoes matter more than anything else, because the medinas are on foot and the dunes are sand. We have a full list, with notes on dressing respectfully, on our what to wear in Morocco in April page.
A good April route
With April’s weather you can do the full loop without worrying about any region being too hot or too cold. A typical plan from Marrakech crosses the Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou, follows the Dades and Todra gorges to Merzouga for a night in the dunes, then continues through the Ziz Valley and the Middle Atlas cedar forests to Fes. Our 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour covers the first half of that, and the longer Morocco tour packages take it on to Fes, Chefchaouen and the coast.
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Morocco in April?
Daytime highs are typically 19 to 21°C on the coast, 22 to 26°C in Fes and Marrakech, and around 29°C at the Sahara dunes. The last week of April is noticeably warmer than the first, and Marrakech can see an early 30°C day.
Does it rain in Morocco in April?
A little. Tangier, Chefchaouen and Fes may see a few showery days, Marrakech usually two or three light ones, and the desert almost none. Steady all-day rain is rare anywhere.
Is April too hot for the Sahara?
No. April is one of the better months for the desert, with afternoons in the high 20s to low 30s rather than the 40°C-plus of July and August. Nights are cold, so bring a warm layer for the camp.
Can you swim in Morocco in April?
In a heated pool, yes. The Atlantic is about 16 to 17°C, which is cold for most people, and unheated riad pools in Marrakech are still chilly. Agadir is the warmest spot for a beach day.
Is Morocco crowded in April?
It is one of the busier months, particularly around Easter and in the second half, when Marrakech, the dunes and popular riads fill up. Booking accommodation and desert camps a few weeks ahead avoids disappointment.
Is the High Atlas pass open in April?
Yes. The Tizi n’Tichka road between Marrakech and Ouarzazate is open all year and only closes briefly during heavy winter snowfalls. In April you may still see snow on the surrounding peaks, which makes the drive more beautiful, not harder.
If April is your window, you have picked well. Our private tours from Marrakech and tours from Fes run through the Atlas and the desert with a driver-guide who knows the roads, and we can shape a route around your dates.
