May is warm, dry and green all at once — the Atlas trekking season opens, the desert is still doable, and the Dades valley fills with the smell of roses at harvest. It is the last comfortable month before the real heat, and one of the most rewarding: long days, everything in bloom, and just enough warmth to sit out late without a jacket.
May weather across Morocco
| Region | Day | Night | The feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 28–30°C | 15°C | Hot midday, lovely evenings |
| High Atlas | 18–22°C | 8°C | Trekking season opening |
| Sahara (Merzouga) | 33°C | 18°C | Getting hot — go early/late |
| Coast (Essaouira) | 22°C | 15°C | Perfect, breezy, sunny |
What is on
The Rose Festival at Kelaa M’Gouna, in the Dades valley, is the highlight — a few days in mid-May when the whole town celebrates the rose harvest with parades, music and mountains of petals. It is the good kind of festival: local, fragrant, and built around actual work rather than tourists. If you are anywhere near the valleys, detour for it.
Crowds and prices
Still high season but easing from the April peak. Prices are firm, popular places busy but not overwhelmed. Book the Rose Festival area ahead if you want to be close to Kelaa M’Gouna during the festival dates; elsewhere a week’s notice is plenty.
Who May suits
Trekkers (this is when the mountains open up), coast lovers, and anyone who wants spring warmth with fewer people than April. Desert travellers can still go, but plan dune time for early morning and evening — midday at Merzouga is starting to bite.
May is the pivot toward the mountains — and still fine for the dunes if you plan around the heat, as the Sahara guide explains. For the wider picture see best time to visit.
When is the Rose Festival in Morocco?
Mid-May, in Kelaa M’Gouna in the Dades valley, timed to the rose harvest. Exact dates shift each year, so check locally when planning a valleys route around it.
Is May too hot for the desert?
Not too hot, but heading there — around 33°C by day at Merzouga. It is still a good month if you keep dune activity to sunrise and sunset and rest in the shade at midday.
Can you trek the High Atlas in May?
Yes — May is the start of the proper trekking season as the snow retreats from the passes. Higher summits still hold snow early in the month; valley and mid-altitude routes are excellent.
Wrong month for your dates? Every other one is judged in Morocco month by month.