What's The Weather Like in Marrakesh in May?
May sees the tourist season really kick off in Marrakesh. The city gets busier and the weather becomes much warmer signalling high temperatures and long hours of sunshine.
How Hot Is Marrakesh In May?
The average temperature for Marrakesh in May is 20.5ºC, which is made up of highs of almost 30ºC and lows of 15ºC overnight.
Sunshine Hours In Marrakesh
Travellers can expect to enjoy around ten hours of sunshine on any given day. You're going to be spending the majority of the time outdoors during your visit, so bring enough sunscreen to get you through the day!
Does It Rain In Marrakesh In May?
The amount of rainfall throughout the month drops as Morocco begins to officially enter the summer season. Only 24 millimetres of rain falls over an average of five days in May.
Click here for a 14-day forecast.
Hotels for Marrakesh in May
Hotel Toulousain
Considered the best budget hotel in Marrakesh, the Hotel Toulousain is in high demand. The hotel has more than affordable rooms that are lovely, comfortable and reasonable. Because it is a budget hotel, it may not the most luxurious option in the area but you certainly won't be unhappy with your stay.
Each room is comfortably spacious and the basic amenities you expect from a modern hotel. The hotel is within a few blocks of numerous attractions including night clubs so it may be a bit louder than anticipated. If you don't mind being close to all the action, this is a great hotel choice.
Riad les Orangers d'Alilia Marrakech
Since it won a string of awards for service and hospitality, Riad les Orangers d'Alilia Marrakech is growing in popularity. More of a fusion of Moroccan and French styles rather than Moroccan alone, this small hotel caters to each guest individually. Pets and guests with mobility issues are welcomed and catered to warmly.
Riad 58 Blu
With unique rooms, the Riad 58 Blu is a different experience every time you stay. Run by Italian expatriates, this small hotel offers modern amenities like free high-speed internet, a small pool and free breakfast for all of its guests. Despite its small size, the hotel restaurant offers room service at almost any hour of the day.
Restaurants and Bars for Marrakesh in May
Moroccans are famous for their excellent cuisine and there are many places to eat across the city. Local food tends to be a mix between Arabic and French, and is often extremely spicy!
A wide variety of meat and fish accompany most meals, although being predominantly Muslim population pork generally is not on offer. You can get excellent food at souks (markets) at very competitive prices, and everything is there to be haggled for!
Le Chat Qui Rit
One popular French and Italian restaurant in the area is Le Chat Qui Rit. This eatery is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with hours open late into the night. A welcomed reprieve from the sea of Moroccan and French restaurants in the area, this restaurant has a wide ranging menu including some exotic options like elephant, if you're feeling brave. The excellent service at this restaurant is coupled with attentive service and ownership, making it a must-do while in Marrakesh.
Azar
On the other hand, if you are in the mood for traditional Moroccan food, Azar is a lovely option. With a slightly more expensive menu, this restaurant is open for lunch and dinner with late hours as well.
The menu includes Moroccan classics and other popular options from the Mediterranean and Middle East as well. Because of this restaurant's wonderful ambiance and décor, it has a reputation for being a great place for business dinners as well as romantic evenings.
Cafe 16
If you're looking for a light lunch or somewhere to put your feet up during an afternoon of sightseeing, then look no further than Cafe 16. This modern establishment is handily situated right in the new town of Marrakesh and serves everything from traditional teas, coffees, chilled drinks, sandwiches and cakes. The cafe also offers an unusual range of ice creams (bergamot orange tea flavour, anyone?) and desserts which are begging to be sampled.
Things to Do in Marrakesh in May
Marrakech Guided Tours
If you'd like someone else to do the worrying for you while on holiday, consider booking a trip with Marrakech Guided Tours. Each tour can be tailored to your interests but they generally help you explore the markets, hammams, museums and other points of interest around the city. Other areas that you can take tours to the Atlas Mountains, local villages and fishing downs on the Atlantic coast.
Marrakesh by Air
If you would like to soar above the skyline and busy streets of Marrakesh, you can book a trip with Marrakesh by Air. This company offers tours of Marrakesh and the surrounding countryside in a hot air balloon.
There are no physical or age restrictions so this is a great option if you're traveling with someone with special considerations. Each trip lasts around five hours of floating through the air in the morning followed by breakfast and transportation back to your hotel.
Assoufid Golf Club
Popular with golf aficionados, the Assoufid Golf Club is one of the finest in the area. The golf course management is friendly and caters to each individual's needs or questions. In many cases, the golf director meets guests and welcomes them to the course as well as arranges to have cold drinks available as requested. Golfing in Morocco is guaranteed to be a wonderful experience considering the spectacular views that almost every course gives guests.
Dates for the diary
As the weather gets warmer, there are numerous festivals in Morocco in May. One that is unique to Morocco is the Festival of the Roses which is celebrated in Kelaa-des-Mgouna. This desert town is home to the country's largest rose water distillery plant and celebrates the flowering roses in the middle of the month. Locals celebrate the festival with traditional song, dance and dishes.
Held in the end of May into June, the Mawazine Festival is a series of contemporary concerts. Celebrated in Rabat, this festival attracts international celebrities like Elton John to perform to adoring crowds. Local artists also perform on the Mawazine stages throughout the festival. If you attend, you can also enjoy local street performers and art exhibitions.
If you would rather enjoy Moroccan culture, the Desert Music Festival is also held in May. This festival offers a plethora of concerts of local musicians as well as international artists but this is less main-stream than the Mawazine Festival. Much smaller in scale as well, this festival is held in Errachidia and attracts many tourists as well as local fans.
