Best Time to Visit Fes: Weather by Month and When to Go

Fes can be visited year-round, but April and August are very different experiences. Inland and at around 400 metres above sea level, the city has a more contrasted climate than the coast: very hot summers, cool and sometimes rainy winters, and delightful shoulder seasons. Here is how to choose the best time for you, depending on your plans and what you want to do around Fes. For accommodation, our guide on where to stay in Fes will then help you pick an area.

The short answer: spring and autumn

The best time to visit Fes is from mid-March to late May and from mid-September to mid-November. Days are mild, between 20 and 28 °C (68 to 82 °F), evenings are pleasant on the terrace and the light is superb. These are also the busiest periods: book your riad a few weeks ahead, especially around Easter and in October.

Fes weather month by month

Approximate average temperatures (daytime highs / night-time lows):

• January: 16 °C / 4 °C (61 °F / 39 °F), cool and fairly rainy, with plenty of sunny days.
• February: 17 °C / 5 °C (63 °F / 41 °F), still cool, almond trees in blossom.
• March: 20 °C / 7 °C (68 °F / 45 °F), spring arrives, very green countryside.
• April: 22 °C / 9 °C (72 °F / 48 °F), ideal, a few showers possible.
• May: 27 °C / 12 °C (81 °F / 54 °F), warm and bright, perfect for everything.
• June: 31 °C / 15 °C (88 °F / 59 °F), afternoons get hot.
• July: 35 °C / 18 °C (95 °F / 64 °F), very hot, peaks of 40 °C (104 °F) possible.
• August: 35 °C / 18 °C (95 °F / 64 °F), the same dry heat.
• September: 31 °C / 16 °C (88 °F / 61 °F), the heat eases by the end of the month.
• October: 26 °C / 12 °C (79 °F / 54 °F), one of the loveliest months.
• November: 20 °C / 8 °C (68 °F / 46 °F), mild, first rains.
• December: 17 °C / 5 °C (63 °F / 41 °F), cool with cold nights, often sunny.

Spring in Fes (March to May)

This is many travellers’ favourite season. The countryside around Fes is green, orange trees blossom in the courtyards, and you can walk the medina all day without suffering from the heat. It is also an excellent time for excursions into the Middle Atlas, to Volubilis or to Chefchaouen. The only downside: it is high season, with more visitors at the best-known sights.

Summer in Fes (June to August)

Summer is hot, very hot. In July and August it is often 35 °C (95 °F) in the afternoon and sometimes much more. The medina is still enjoyable if you adapt: sightsee early in the morning, take a long rest somewhere cool during the hottest hours, and head out again in the late afternoon as the lanes fill up again. The narrow, covered lanes stay cooler than the open squares. Choose a well air-conditioned riad, and note that prices are often lower than in spring. Our tips are in Fes in summer.

Autumn in Fes (September to November)

October may be the most beautiful month of the year in Fes: gentle warmth, clear skies and golden light on the rooftops. September is still hot at first; November brings the first rains but also some superb days. It is also a very good season for heading into the desert.

Winter in Fes (December to February)

Winter is the quietest season. Days are often sunny and pleasant, around 15 to 17 °C (59 to 63 °F), but nights are cold, close to freezing at times, and rain is possible. Snow sometimes falls on the nearby Middle Atlas. Old stone houses are chilly, so make absolutely sure your riad is heated. We have written a whole article on this underrated season: Fes in winter.

Festivals, Ramadan and holidays

• The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music takes place every year, usually between late May and June, with concerts in historic venues. The city is in high demand at that time. See our festival guide.
• Ramadan follows the lunar calendar and moves about eleven days earlier each year; in 2027 it is expected to begin in early February. The medina slows down by day and comes alive after the fast is broken at sunset. It is a fascinating time, as long as you accept different opening hours. Everything is explained in Ramadan in Fes.
• Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, means many shops close for a few days.

Crowds and budget

High season covers spring, Easter, October and the Christmas and New Year holidays. January, February, July and August are quieter and often cheaper. If you are on a tight budget, winter and midsummer offer the best value, provided you choose a well-equipped riad. Booking direct also helps, as we explain in book your riad direct.

The best time for your kind of trip

• Medina sightseeing and culture: March to May, October and November.
• The Merzouga desert: October to April, avoiding the summer heat; see Fes to Merzouga.
• The Middle Atlas and cedar forests: spring and autumn, or winter to see snow; see our day trips from Fes.
• Families: spring and autumn breaks; our advice is in Fes with kids.
• Couples: spring for the terraces, winter for a quiet, cosy stay.

Staying at La Petite Maison in any season

All our rooms have air conditioning for summer and heating for winter, and the rooftop terrace is open from sunrise to sunset. In spring and autumn we recommend booking early. Browse our rooms and check the availability calendar on our contact page. To plan your days, start with things to do in Fes and our Fes travel tips.