Morocco
Why March?
March is widely considered the finest month to visit Morocco. Marrakech averages 22°C — warm enough for comfortable sightseeing without the relentless heat of summer. In the High Atlas Mountains (an hour's drive from Marrakech), the peaks are still snow-capped but the lower passes and valleys are carpeted in wildflowers. The road over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Ouarzazate is usually fully open by March and offers some of the most dramatic scenery in North Africa. The medinas of Fez, Chefchaouen, and Marrakech are navigable without the overwhelming summer crowds.
Who it suits
Cultural travellers who want to experience a genuinely different world without extreme heat. Walkers who want to trek the Atlas foothills without the summer dust and heat. Food enthusiasts — Moroccan cuisine is one of the world's great food traditions and the souk spice markets are best experienced in spring. Photographers who want the famous late-afternoon light of the Jemaa el-Fna square without fighting through summer crowds.
Flies direct from
Honest warning: Check whether Ramadan falls in March for your travel year — the timing shifts by approximately eleven days each year. Travelling during Ramadan is a genuinely interesting cultural experience, but restaurants and cafés are closed until sunset, the pace of life changes, and some tourist attractions may have reduced hours. It is not a reason to avoid Morocco, but it requires different planning.
