What to do and see in Marrakech in May?
Spring is undoubtedly the perfect time to go to Morocco and benefit from exceptional climatic conditions. During a stay in Marrakech in May, you can take advantage of the long sunny days to make many discoveries in the streets of the city. You can also explore the whole region while avoiding the heat of the summer months. Climate, tourist numbers, visits, cultural events… here is a broad overview of what awaits you during a trip to Marrakech in May
Marrakesh weather in May
You can enjoy very pleasant climatic conditions throughout the year in Marrakech. But we must admit that the heat can sometimes be difficult to bear in the middle of summer, while the nights, mornings and evenings can be cold in winter.
The good news is that you won’t have to worry about any of this during a stay in Marrakech in May. Spring is the perfect season to discover this city. The days are long, the nights are very mild, and you can really enjoy a very pleasant heat, but which is almost never too strong, even in the middle of the day.
When the sun is at its highest, the average temperature is around 28 degrees. It is hot in the morning, since the thermometer already shows 24 degrees on average from 9 am. Even long hours after sunset, the temperature mostly stays around 20 degrees.
The climate is very dry in May in Marrakech. It hardly rains. During the month of May, the days are long and continue to get longer as the month progresses. They last between 1.20 p.m. and 2 p.m. approximately. The sun rises between 6:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m. and sets between 8:10 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
May is therefore a very favorable month for trips to Marrakech in terms of weather conditions. You can plan your visits and outdoor activities in the morning, evening or in the middle of the day. At the end of the month, it can still happen on certain days that the heat is a little excessive between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., but the long days will leave you plenty of time to enjoy your stay.
If the climate in May in Marrakech is not what you are looking for, you can read my dedicated article to find out when to go to Marrakech
Tourist attendance in Marrakech in May
But is one of the most touristic months of the year in Marrakech. It is only during the Easter and Christmas holidays that visitors are even more numerous.
You should therefore not expect to discover the greatest attractions of the city in complete privacy. On the other hand, even if demand is very strong at this time, prices do not explode and traveling in May is not more expensive, especially if you take the precaution of booking your plane tickets and your accommodation. hotel early enough.
What to do and see in Marrakech in May?
You now know that the month of May in Marrakech is one of the most touristic. It is for this reason that the majority of attractions will be accessible at this time. If you don’t know what to do in Marrakech in May, you will quickly find out, just below
Discover the must-see sites in Marrakech
The souks of Marrakech are often considered the most important in the whole country, or even in the whole of the Maghreb. In these souks located in the labyrinth of alleys of the Medina of Marrakech, you can exercise your negotiating skills and find all the local and authentic products (jewellery, leather goods, handicrafts, pottery, clothing, spices, etc.).
Jemaa El Fna square is THE historic square of the city, and a true symbol of Morocco. This square, which is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, is the meeting point par excellence in Marrakech. During a visit to the city, it is an absolutely unmissable place, where you can enjoy a unique atmosphere and come across snake charmers, fortune tellers and many street artists. This square is one of the liveliest places in the city day and night. In the evening, go on a guided tour with a local guide who will reveal all the secrets of the Medina for 30 $ per person.
The Marrakech palm grove, which lies just northwest of the city, is a historic site of almost 15,000 hectares where there are around 100,000 palm trees. It is one of the favorite places for tourists, and all around are a lot of hotels and restaurants. During a private tour of the palm grove of Marrakech, you will have the opportunity to take part in many activities: take a camel ride with your local guide, or discover the palm grove and its valley on the occasion of a quad outing.
The Saadian Tombs were built at the time of the Saadian dynasty, the same one that made Marrakech a great capital from the 16th century. Located just south of the medina, this royal necropolis made up of several funeral rooms houses particularly impressive burials, notably that of Sultan Ahmed El Mansour in the main mausoleum.
The El-Badi Palace is a large palace built at the end of the 16th century. Its name means “the incomparable”, because it was intended to be the most luxurious building ever built in the country. Located in one of the districts of Marrakech: the Mellah, this site which is now in ruins remains one of the most fascinating places in the city. In addition to discovering superb remains that give an idea of ​​the past magnificence of the place, you can also visit the Museum of Photography and Visual Arts of Marrakech. To kill three birds with one stone and visit this palace as well as the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs,
The Bahia Palace is undoubtedly the most famous palace in the city. During its visit with the Saadian tombs, you will be able to admire the beauty of its spectacular architecture, discover its gardens and its interior courtyards, and marvel at the richness of the decoration of its many rooms. Price of the visit? $ 47 per person.
Enjoy the gardens of Marrakech
May is an ideal time to enjoy the most beautiful gardens in the city of Marrakech. You can have a good time there from the early hours of the day and into the evening, and their shaded paths will be perfect for protecting yourself from the sun during the hottest days.
The Majorelle Garden is the best known in the city. This green paradise, designed by the French painter Majorelle and bought in the 80s by Yves Saint-Laurent, brings together plants from all over the world. You can visit this place during an activity which will then take you to one of the best spas in Marrakech and you will relax in a hammam! Price of the activity: 80$.
Cyber ​​Parc Arsat Moulay Abdelslam is the most modern and best maintained public park in Marrakech. You can take very nice walks there, enjoy the large lawns and protect yourself from the sun in the wooded areas, and even access the Internet for free thanks to the multimedia terminals.
The Koutoubia Gardens, located around the famous mosque, form one of the most romantic places in the city. It is a real haven of peace where you can recharge your batteries, admire the beautiful fountains and walk between the tall palm trees and orange trees.
The Secret Garden, in the heart of the Medina of Marrakech, is a historical site designed during the Saadian dynasty. Both an Islamic garden and an exotic garden, it is also a site steeped in history where you can discover the beauty of Moroccan architecture.
Take a desert trip
A trip to Marrakech would not be complete without exploring the Marrakech desert. And the month of May is probably the last time when you can go into the middle of the desert without fear of suffering from excessive heat. You can also spend the night there, enjoying the much milder temperatures than during the winter months.
If you are wondering why take a trip to the Moroccan desert, it is simply because you will live unforgettable experiences there. You can notably visit the dunes on camel back, contemplate a sunset in the middle of the desert, dine in a Bedouin camp under the starry sky before sleeping in a tent, admire the magnificent landscapes of the Atlas mountains, discover small authentic villages… In short, a change of scenery is guaranteed and you will leave with memories in your head.
Marrakech is the ideal place to go to the Moroccan desert, and you can easily book this experience on the Internet to be sure not to miss anything.
Several choices are available to visitors, the most popular are:
Excursion to the Agafay desert: you will go to this rocky desert located less than 50 km from the city for a day in the company of an experienced guide. On the program, a beautiful camel or horseback ride and an immersion in Berber culture for around $36 ​​per person 🙂
The excursion in the desert of Merzouga, to discover the Moroccan Sahara and one of its most emblematic sites, the dunes of Erg Chebbi. During this 3-day excursion, you will take the opportunity to spend the night in the desert of Marrakech, you will be able to watch a sunset and a sunrise over the dunes. You will also have the opportunity to discover the kasbahs of Ouarzazate and the High Atlas mountains, and many other surprises await you. Everything is included in the price which amounts to around 105 $ per person.
Celebrating Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is the major Muslim holiday that celebrates the breaking of the fast at the end of the month of Ramadan. It takes place at the beginning of the 10th month of the Muslim lunar calendar, so its date changes every year and it does not always take place during the month of May.
This very popular festival is a great moment of conviviality and sharing, which lasts for three days. If you are in Marrakech for this occasion, you can take the opportunity to discover the local gastronomic specialties such as tajine, couscous, tanjia… and many other dishes based on dates, raisins, lamb or even mutton roasted on a spit…
Of course, you can also taste Moroccan pastries (baklava, gazelle horns, makroud…). One of the best places to discover all these local specialties is the Jemaa el Fna square, the liveliest place in the city.
Take part in the Transahara Festival
Since 2002, the Transahara Festival has taken place in May in one of the most iconic places in Morocco, the Merzouga desert. This music festival takes place in a dry lake, an immaculate setting close to the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors who come from all over the world to take advantage of this unique opportunity to celebrate with music and commune with nature in an exceptional site.
I hope this article will have convinced you to go to Marrakech in May, but if not, don’t hesitate to choose another time of year and why not the following month! For this come and discover our article on Marrakech in June.