Marrakech Weather in March
So you’re planning to visit Marrakech in March, and after you’ve researched riads and planned the perfect itinerary, you’re probably wondering what to pack. But to pack, you need to know what the weather’s going to be like. And the question that’s probably going through your head is: “how warm is Marrakech in March?”
I know, because I asked the exact same question before my trip last March. And now, I’ve got first-hand knowledge of what the weather’s like. In this guide, I’ll cover the weather you can expect in Marrakech in March, whether you can sunbathe and swim, and what I’d recommend packing.
Plus, I’ll give you recommendations for my favourite things to do in Marrakech in March. Ready to discover how warm Marrakech is in March? Let’s go.
How warm is Marrakech in March FAQs
Is March a good time to visit Marrakech?
Yes, March is a good time to visit Marrakech. The average daytime temperature is 23°C in March – mild, and perfect for exploring. You’ll probably be doing a lot of walking in Marrakech, so you don’t want it to be too hot!
Can you sunbathe in Marrakech in March?
Yes, you can definitely sunbathe in Marrakech in March, especially towards the end of the month when the temperature can reach over 30°C. There’s no beaches in Marrakech though, so if you want to sunbathe, try and book a hotel with a swimming pool.
What clothes to take to Marrakech in March?
If you’re visiting Marrakech in March, I’d recommend taking layers, as although it’s warm during the day, it gets cold at night. Whilst there’s no law stating you have to wear certain clothes, Morocco is a Muslim country, so I’d suggest taking clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
What’s the temperature in Marrakech in March?
The average temperature in Marrakech in March is 23°C in the daytime and 10°C at night. Expect cooler temperatures of around 19°C at the start of the month. If you’re a sun worshipper, plan your trip for the end of the month, when temperatures can reach over 30°C.
How warm is Marrakech in March? Overview
This section is going to cover all of the areas that I think are most important for understanding the weather in Marrakech in March:
- How warm is Marrakech in March?
- Whether you can swim
- What you should pack
- Whether it rains in March
- Things to do in Marrakech in March
- What else you should bring to Marrakech
How warm is Marrakech in March?
The most important question, is it t-shirt weather in Marrakech in March? The answer’s yes! I think March is one of the best months to visit Marrakech. Whilst the start of the month is slightly cooler, around 19°C, by the end of the month you can see temperatures over 30°C. For me, Marrakech isn’t really a trip where you spend a lot of time by the pool. You want to be out exploring (there’s a lot to see!), and if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to be exploring in temperatures much higher than 30°C.
Does it rain in Marrakech in March?
The average rainfall in Marrakech in March is about 31mm. I don’t know why rain’s reported like this, because does anyone even know what 31mm of rain looks like? To put into context, with our trip (we visited in the middle of March), on our first full day, there was a downpour. As in, we couldn’t even leave the Riad the rain was that bad. But it quickly stopped and we were able to head out. We were there for 7 days and it rained twice, but both times it passed quickly. So yes, it does rain in March, but don’t let it put you off.
Can you swim in Marrakech in March?
The answer to this question depends on 2 things: where you’re staying, and your tolerance for cold water.
Firstly, there’s no beaches in Marrakech, in fact the nearest seaside town is Essaouira, a 3-hour drive away. So your only chance of swimming is in a pool. If you’re staying in a Riad with a pool, it’s very unlikely to be heated.
The word Riad literally means “enclosed garden” and they’re typically houses spanning several floors, with a courtyard in the middle. Usually the pool is in the middle of the courtyard, so it doesn’t get much sunlight. Which means the water is freezing. My boyfriend took a dip in the swimming pool in our Riad and got straight back out. Which leads me to my second point, if you’ve got a higher tolerance for cold water, or you enjoy an ice bath, you can swim in Marrakech in March. But would I do it? No thank you.
If you’re staying in a hotel, they’ll often have heated swimming pools, so you’ll be able to swim in March. I wouldn’t worry about it too much though, there’s far too much to see in Marrakech to have time to go swimming.
What to wear in Marrakech in March?
Regardless of when you’re visiting Marrakech, you’ll want to be mindful of modesty. There’s no dress code in Marrakech, and no law that states you have to wear certain clothes. But Morocco’s a Muslim country, so it’s considered disrespectful to show too much skin. Unfortunately, this is a bigger problem for women than it is for men, but there’s guidelines I’d follow regardless.
In March, as well as everything on the packing list below, I’d bring a light jacket for the evenings. I packed my denim jacket and it was perfect for throwing on over clothes. If you know you’re going to the desert, bring a hoodie or a jumper. I barely ever travel without a jumper anyway because I find planes freezing. But even if you don’t get cold easily, you’ll feel it in the desert. So don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Packing list for Marrakech in March
For women
- A t-shirt that covers your shoulders
- A maxi skirt
- A long dress
- Wide-legged trousers. These are great at keeping you cool and covered-up whilst still looking good. Just make sure they’re not too long otherwise they might drag along the floor of the souks
- A long-sleeved shirt. These are a great option for tucking into trousers. You’ll look really put together but remain covered up
- A pair of trainers you don’t mind getting dirty.
- Sandals
For men
- Long trousers if you have them, otherwise, shorts are fine
- A shirt
- T-shirts
Outfit ideas for Marrakech in March
Click the images below to shop the outfits
What to pack in Marrakech in March?
As well as your clothes, there’s a few other things I’d recommend bringing with you to Marrakech.
Packing cubes
These are definitely not revolutionary, but there’s a reason they’re so popular. I use packing cubes to organise my clothes into categories, which makes them so much easier to find when I arrive. Because the last thing I want to be doing when I’ve just got off a flight, is rummaging around in my bag trying to find a change of clothes.
A liquid bag for airport security
I NEVER travel without this and I’ve recommended it to all my friends, and so now they all have one too. It’s a game-changer. No more scrambling around before security shoving your liquids into a sandwich bag. It’s the correct size for the amount you can take on board, so just pack it beforehand and breeze through security. I’ve never once been stopped and asked to take anything out using this.
An extension cable
One of my favourite travel hacks and also something I’d never travel without is an extension cable. This way, you only need one travel adapter. The one I have and swear by is this one – there’s 3 plugs and 6 USB slots, which is more than enough room for both mine and Conor’s devices.
A travel adapter
With an extension cable, you’ll just need one travel adapter, but I always like to buy them before my trip so I’m not frantically searching for a shop when I arrive. Plus, it’s usually a lot cheaper. In Marrakech, they use the same adapters as Europe. If you don’t have one already, I’d really recommend getting a worldwide adapter – they’re universal and have plug points for anywhere in the world.
A portable charger
If you’re heading out into the desert you might go a long time without power, but you don’t want to miss all of the incredible photo opportunities, so make sure you’ve got a portable charger in your bag. This one from Anker is my favourite – it’s really slim so it doesn’t take up much room, and provides over 2 charges before it needs charging again.
An under the seat bag
I recently discovered this bag on TikTok and it changed the game for me. Ok it’s not the prettiest thing in the world, but it fits SO much inside. And best of all? It fits under the seat so you don’t need to pay for a cabin bag. Again, I’ve influenced all my friends to buy this. It’s under £20 and you’ll make that money back in one flight by not paying for baggage.
A rucksack
If you’re staying in a Riad in Marrakech, your taxi most likely won’t be able to drop you at the door, so you’ll need to take your bag down VERY narrow and busy roads. It’s basically like rush hour for people, you can barely move sometimes. I’m not really a rucksack kind of girl, I find them really annoying to carry, so I took a suitcase with me to Marrakech. Luckily it was completely fine because our Riad hosts helped us with our bags in both the accommodations we stayed in.
Moroccan people are extremely hospitable but just in case you don’t get the same service, you might want to bring a duffle bag or a rucksack you can carry more easily. Either way, I’d definitely recommend bringing a day bag. It’s handy to have in Marrakech, especially if you’re planning on buying souvenirs from the Souks. And if you’re planning a day trip to the Atlas Mountains, you’ll need to be able to store water and food.
I’d recommend this one – it’s got a 45L capacity, a breathable back, pockets, and it’s waterproof.
Earplugs
One of the most amazing things about Marrakech is the vibrancy of the city. Everywhere you turn there’s something new to look at, smell or hear. And the most memorable sound is the call to prayer, which takes place five times a day and signifies the start of worship. The first few times you hear it, it stops you in your tracks. It really is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
But the first call to prayer rings very early in the morning, and if you’re staying in a Riad in the centre of the city, it’s VERY loud. I’m a deep sleeper and there’s no way I could sleep through it. So I’d recommend bringing some earplugs so you can sleep soundly. These reusable ones are some of my favourites.
Things to do in Marrakech in March
1. Spend the night in the desert
When we booked our trip to Marrakech, I knew I wanted to spend a night in the desert. Whilst in Morocco, you can either stay in the Agafay Desert or the Sahara. Agafay is only about an hour’s drive from Marrakech, but it’ll take you 9 hours to get to the Sahara!
Not fancying an 18-hour round trip, we went with The Agafay Desert, and it was everything I imagined it’d be. A sky full of stars, incredible food, and the chance to experience something completely unique. We checked into Oxygen Lodge it was amazing! The tents were so spacious, there was a great choice of traditional and European food (the club sandwich was a brilliant treat) and there’s a huge swimming pool with desert views. Whilst you’re there, make sure you book one of the activities to really make the most of your experience. Choose from quad-biking, camel riding and walking tours.
2. Find a bargain in the souks
One of the first things that attracted me to Marrakech was the pictures of the colourful souks. And seeing them in real-life completely lived up to my expectations. Getting lost amongst the endless winding alleyways is one of the best things to do in Marrakech. Set out with no real agenda except exploring – don’t try and remember your route because it’s basically impossible. There’s lots of beautiful pieces to buy in the souks – I had a field day in the homeware stores and picked up some gorgeous plates. And I would have bought a lot more if I wasn’t restricted by my luggage allowance.
3. Rooftop drinks overlooking the medina
You might need to bring a jacket, but March is still a great time for drinks on the roof. My favourite place for rooftop drinks is El Fenn, so much so that we visited twice on our recent trip. Owned by Vanessa Branson and her business partner Howell James, it’s an absolutely beautiful hotel. There’s seven courtyard houses, a private swimming pool, and a stunning rooftop that’s open to the public. As well as having drinks, we also ate here one night and the food was stunning. You can either book into the restaurant for a more formal meal, or order from the rooftop bar menu.
4. Visit Le Jardin Majorelle
Le Jardin Majorelle is a botanical garden created by the French orientalist Jacques Majorelle. In 1922 he purchased an estate of palm trees in Marrakech and in 1931 he had an Art Deco-style chalet built on the grounds. On the first floor was his home, with a large artist’s workshop on the ground floor. He went on to create a botanical garden (Le Jardin Majorelle) around his chalet – made up of exotic plants and rare species from his world travels. in 1937, the artist created a blue colour – coined Majorelle blue, which he painted the walls of his chalet with. You’ll most likely recognise this iconic building even if you’ve never heard of Le Jardin Majorelle.
5. See Koutoubia Mosque
Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech and is just a 5-minute walk from the Jemaa el-Fnaa square. The mosque’s minaret (the tower) has stood over the old city since the 12th century and is one of Marrakech’s most famous landmarks. Five times a day, you’ll hear the muezzin call to prayer from the Koutoubia Mosque. It’s well worth being there when they do, it’s a completely unique experience.
Non-Muslim visitors can’t enter the mosque, but you can admire the mosque from the outside and wander through the gardens.
6. Visit a Hammam
If you get a day where the weather’s not as good, book yourself into a Hammam. The word Hammam means “bath house” and it’s an important part of life in Morocco. Think of it like visiting a spa – you’ll usually start with a scrub before moving getting a massage. I visited the Hammam in my Riad, which was the perfect introduction. You’ll find lots of Hammams scattered around Marrakech, so don’t worry if there isn’t one where you’re staying!
7. Explore Bahia Palace
The Bahia Palace was built at the end of the 19th century by Si Moussa, Grand Vizier of the Sultan, for his personal use. The plan was for it to be the largest palace of all time, taking over 10 years to complete and spanning 8000-sq-metres. It’s a stunning building with incredible details, colours and gardens, and it’s well worth spending a morning exploring the palace and its grounds.
You can buy your ticket on the door for 70 dirhams pp (around £5).
Read my guide to the best things to do in Marrakech for more things to do!
Where to stay in Marrakech in March
My biggest piece of advice when choosing where to stay is to skip the big hotels and book a Riad- a traditional Moroccan house with a garden in the centre. You might not get much use out of the pool in March, but it’s a small sacrifice to have a more authentic experience.
Here’s 3 of my favourites:
Riad Trésor
Riad Trésor Marrakech is just a 5-minute walk from the famous Djemaa-el-Fna Square. It has a large pool, which is a really benefit when lots of Riads only have small plunge pools that are difficult to actually swim in. Each room is beautifully finished and comes with a private terrace, and there’s a large rooftop as well as a restaurant serving traditional Moroccan cuisine.
Riad Dar-K
Riad Dar-K is a 5-bedroom Riad located in one of the oldest neighbourhoods Medina. There’s 2 bedrooms and 3 large suites that bring together traditional and minimal design, as well as a large plunge pool and rooftop terrace with a Berber tent to shelter you from the sun. The menu comprises Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner every day, using fresh ingredients from the local markets.
Riad Numa
Found in the heart of the ancient Medina, Riad Numa has 6 beautifully-designed bedrooms, a Hammam, spa and a rooftop overlooking the Koutoubia minaret. My favourite room has to be the Suite, it’s split-level so offers plenty of space. The design is simple but there are stunning details like the green tiles in the shower that pay homage to Marrakech.
In most Riads, you’ll find the swimming pool in the central courtyard on the ground floor, but at Riad Numa, it’s at the top of the building, much closer to the rooftop. I personally think this is a much more practical place for the pool, as there’s not as far to go if you’re sunbathing on the roof and need to cool down.
After reading this article, I hope you feel better prepared for the Marrakech weather in March. Let me know if you end up visiting in March and how warm it was for you!
I hope you found this guide helpful, March is one of the best times to visit Marrakech and discover the magic of this incredible city.
