10 Things to Do in Marrakech in June

June is an ideal month to enjoy Marrakech: in the first fortnight the temperatures are not yet high and in the second fortnight you can't miss out on the seasonal plans.
10 Things to Do in Marrakech in June

More about: 10 Things to Do in Marrakech in June

In June, the thermometer in Marrakech begins to register higher temperatures, with an average throughout the day of between 25 and 35 ºC, which drops at night to between 15 and 20 ºC.

Even so, it is a very pleasant month to visit its various monuments and gardens, as it is not as hot as in July and August, and there are many hours of sunshine. Furthermore, it is not high season, so you will find more affordable prices.

1. Enjoy the Essaouira Gnaoua Music Festival

Essaouira Gnaoua Music Festival| ©Magharebia
Essaouira Gnaoua Music Festival| ©Magharebia

If you are going to Marrakech in June, you cannot miss the Essaouira Gnaoua Music Festival. In fact, whenever you go to Marrakech, it is always advisable to take a trip to Essaouira, as it is one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco. But if your trip coincides with the last week of June, you have two reasons to go, so book your trip to Essaouira in advance.

The festival has been held since 1998 with the aim of promoting Gnaoua music and certain values such as cultural unity and peace. In fact, the festival is an example of musical fusion and it is common to see the use of various instruments typical of Gnaoua music, such as drums (ganga), castanets (qraqeb), the three-stringed drum (guembri) and the lute.

This event has a significant international presence and every year brings together musicians from different styles such as reggae, jazz, pop and rock, attracting an audience of around 400,000 people. What's more, admission is free. An unmissable event!

More information

Book an excursion to Essaouira

2. Stroll through the Majorelle Garden

Majorelle Garden| ©Kamal Hammadi
Majorelle Garden| ©Kamal Hammadi

One of the best things to do in June is to visit the Majorelle Garden. It's a very special time of year because at the end of spring the garden is in full bloom and the pond softens the temperatures, making it a very pleasant place to walk around. It's an oasis in the heart of Marrakech. The garden is home to more than 300 plant species from all over the world. Highlights include palm trees, cacti, rose bushes, bougainvilleas, bamboos, and ponds with lotus flowers and water lilies.

The precursor of this garden was the French painter Jacque Majorelle, who bought a palm tree estate in 1922. He later created an Art Deco villa and a botanical garden that was home to a large number of species. As a true nature lover, Majorelle brought back specimens from all his travels.

The painter had an accident and in the following years the garden was badly neglected, but later, in the 1980s, the businessman and fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent acquired the estate and doubled the number of species. Today it is one of the most visited places in the city.

More information

  • It is located at Rue Yves St Laurent, (40090), Marrakech.
  • The Majorelle Garden, which costs from €12 to enter, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The Berber Art Museum is also located on the grounds.

Book a tour of the Majorelle Gardens

3. Take a trip to the Marrakech desert, an unforgettable experience

Visiting Merzouga| ©Jeff Jewiss
Visiting Merzouga| ©Jeff Jewiss

If you fancy a trip to the desert, there are several options available. You can book a trip to the Merzouga Desert, the Zagora Desert, or the Atlas Mountains and the Ourika Valley. Alternatively, if you don't have much time, you can opt for a trip to the Marrakech desert with dinner included. All are perfect options for the month of June before the scorching heat of July and August arrives.

Specifically, the Agafay Desert is about 40 kilometres away, the Zagora Desert is just over 350 kilometres away, and the Merzouga Desert is about 550 kilometres away, and all three are unforgettable visits.

More information

Book your excursion to the Marrakech desert

4. Escape the hustle and bustle with a stroll through the Palmeraie of Marrakech

Golf in the Palmeraie| ©Iain I
Golf in the Palmeraie| ©Iain I

Another ideal plan for June is to book a camel ride through the Palmeraie, an enclave that is home to around 100,000 palm trees planted during the Almoravid dynasty and located northeast of the city. It is considered a luxury area and is home to several luxury hotels and golf courses.

It is common to explore the Palmeral de Marrakech by camel or horse, or you can also enjoy a quad bike tour. It is a pleasant and ideal way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in the middle of June and enjoy an activity with the whole family. You can also take a break or two while enjoying a cup of green tea.

More information

Book a camel ride through the Palmeral

5. Take an evening stroll through Jemaa el-Fna Square

Yamaa el-Fna Square at night| ©Alexander J.E. Bradley
Yamaa el-Fna Square at night| ©Alexander J.E. Bradley

Regardless of the time of year you visit Marrakech, Yamaa el-Fna Square is a place you should not miss. It is located in the Medina of Marrakech, the historic area of Marrakech, and the best way to learn about the history of this enclave is to book a tour of the Medina of Marrakech

Specifically, from June onwards, I recommend that you visit at night, as the temperature makes for a much more pleasant stroll. In addition, the square is filled with food stalls where you can have dinner while enjoying an impromptu show.

More information

Book a tour of the Medina of Marrakech

6. Discover the Saadian Tombs without the crowds

Saadian Tombs| ©Montse PB
Saadian Tombs| ©Montse PB

One of the most visited monuments in Marrakech is the Saadian Tombs. They are small in size, so capacity is limited. June is therefore an ideal month to visit them, as there are not as many tourists as in other months of the year and you won't have to queue as long.

The Saadian dynasty reigned between 1524 and 1659, and the Saadian Tombs date from this period. They were discovered and opened to the public in the early 20th century. There is a main mausoleum where Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and his family are buried.

More information

  • It is located at... Rue de La Kasbah (40000). Marrakech.
  • Tickets can be purchased from €6.50 and opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. approximately.

Book a guided tour of Marrakech

7. Explore the Secret Garden

The Secret Garden| ©Mike Finn
The Secret Garden| ©Mike Finn

Le Jardin Secret is located in the heart of Marrakech and is also an ideal plan for the month of June, as you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city as well as the heat while enjoying a pleasant and exotic stroll. Like the city's other green spaces, the plants and flowers will be in full bloom at this time of year.

Le Jardin Secret opened its doors in 2016, although it dates back to the Saadian dynasty more than 400 years ago and is home to almost a hundred species. It is divided into two parts: an exotic garden on one side and an Islamic garden on the other.

More information

  • It is located at... Rue Mouassine 121 (40030). Medina of Marrakech.
  • Le Jardin Secret is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and admission starts at €7.

8. Laugh out loud with Marrakech Du Rire

At Marrakech Du Rire| ©Marrakech Due Rire
At Marrakech Du Rire| ©Marrakech Due Rire

If you are going to Marrakech in June, keep in mind that this is when the Marrakech Du Rire Festival takes place, an event that has been running for over a decade and is so popular that it is broadcast on television.

Parades, carnivals, galas and various shows are some of the attractions at this acclaimed event, where comedy and humour take centre stage and spectators are guaranteed a great time.

Every year, Marrakech Du Rire welcomes promising young artists and established performers from Morocco and abroad who have something in common besides their talent: they will make you laugh. Don't hesitate to come along! You won't regret it!

More information

  • It takes place at various locations throughout Marrakech.

9. Take a trip to Anima Garden

At Anima Garden| ©Anima Garden
At Anima Garden| ©Anima Garden

Another great option is to take a trip to Anima Garden or Andre Heller Garden. Its shaded paths and abundance of flowers and plants make it a magical place to visit in June. It also has various art installations.

This garden, covering almost two hectares, was created by André Heller, one of the most internationally renowned multimedia artists, and is an ideal way to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. You can also take advantage of your visit to enjoy a delicious cake with tea or a tasty menu of traditional dishes made with local produce.

Anima Garden is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission costs from €3. There is also a free shuttle service from Thursday to Sunday to make it easy to get to the site, which is located approximately 30 kilometres from the city centre.

More information

  • It is located in... Douar Sbiti Ourika, Route d'Ourika (40000). Marrakech.

10. Take a dip at the Plage Rouge complex

Plage Rouge swimming pool| ©lapiguerouge
Plage Rouge swimming pool| ©lapiguerouge

Another ideal plan for one of the hottest days of your visit to Marrakech in June is to take advantage of the opportunity to take a dip at the Playa Rouge resort, located just over 15 kilometres from the medina, which has a swimming pool of more than two thousand square kilometres with Balinese beds and sun loungers to enjoy a relaxing day.

During your visit, you can also enjoy a cocktail, listen to live music or savour a delicious dinner.

More information

  • It is located on Route de Casablanca (40000) in Marrakech.
  • This resort opens in April, although June, with the arrival of the heat, is the month when it begins to attract the largest crowds.
  • Admission prices start at €14.

The temperature in Marrakech in June

Visiting the Blue Gate of Fez| ©Bjørn Christian Tørrissen
Visiting the Blue Gate of Fez| ©Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

As summer approaches, temperatures in Marrakech in June begin to rise, but they are nothing like those in the middle of the summer, when it is almost impossible to walk around during the hottest hours of the day.

In June, you can generally enjoy everything there is to see and do in Marrakech, as the average temperature is between 20 and 35ºC and rainfall is unusual.

Book a guided tour of Marrakech

Tourist numbers in Marrakech in June

Strolling through the Medina of Marrakech| ©Juan Antonio Segal
Strolling through the Medina of Marrakech| ©Juan Antonio Segal

There are few tourists in Marrakech in June. This is in stark contrast to August, which sees a large number of visitors despite the heat, and April, May and October, which coincide with the high season. This makes it an ideal month to visit, as you won't have to wait in long queues at the various attractions and you'll be able to sightsee at a more leisurely pace.

It is very important that before your visit you have all the information about safety in Marrakech and how to get around Marrakech.

Book a guided tour of Marrakech

Festivities in June in Marrakech

View of the Atlas Mountains| ©Med EDDARAMI
View of the Atlas Mountains| ©Med EDDARAMI

The calendar of festivities in Marrakech in general and Morocco in particular is quite unique, as it is in all destinations. However, Marrakech does not have any specific festivities coinciding with the month of June. That said, this month sees the celebration of Marrakech Du Rire, a festival that is very well received and is even broadcast on television due to its popularity.

Book a guided tour of Marrakech

Prices in Marrakech in June

Moroccan currency| ©Doug Knuth
Moroccan currency| ©Doug Knuth

Morocco is an ideal destination to visit in June in terms of prices, as it does not coincide with the high season, so prices for travel, accommodation and food are cheaper than at other times of the year. Even so, in general, it is a cheap trip. The most expensive items may be the flight and accommodation, and this will depend greatly on the time of year you visit.

Also, be sure to check out the posts Marrakech in one day, Marrakech in two days, Marrakech in three days, Marrakech in four days, Marrakech in five days and Marrakech in seven days and create your own itinerary based on the length of your stay.

Book a guided tour of Marrakech

What to pack for a visit to Marrakech in June

Packing your luggage| ©Craig Adderley
Packing your luggage| ©Craig Adderley

If you are visiting Marrakech in June , bear in mind that temperatures will be high , so it is advisable to pack light clothing made of linen or cotton, which is ideal for hot weather. It is also a good idea to bring a hat or cap to cover your head and a scarf or shawl to cover your shoulders in case you visit a mosque or similar place of worship.

On the other hand, you should bear in mind that Morocco is a Muslim country and it is recommended that women do not wear excessively low-cut, strapless or short clothing in order to avoid uncomfortable stares. Even so, despite being an Islamic country, it is one of the most Westernised countries, so they are not as strict about clothing as in other places.

Book a guided tour of Marrakesh

When to visit Marrakech

Visiting the Todra Gorge| ©albertxebic
Visiting the Todra Gorge| ©albertxebic

If you are still unsure about the best time to visit Marrakech, be sure to read the post on when to travel to Marrakech.

On the other hand, if you are looking for information about other specific months, read the articles correspondingto January in Marrakech, February in Marrakech, March in Marrakech, April in Marrakech, May in Marrakech, July in Marrakech, August in Marrakech, September in Marrakech, October in Marrakech, November in Marrakech and December in Marrakech. If you are wondering whether it is better to go in one season or another, you can read the posts Marrakech in summer or Marrakech in winter.

Book a guided tour of Marrakech

Reviews from other travellers

4.6
· 4168 Reviews
  • A
    A.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    What a great day in the Ourika Valley! The landscapes of the Atlas Mountains are postcard-perfect, I was blown away.
  • O
    O.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Unforgettable experience exploring the Ourika Valley and the Atlas Mountains. Breathtaking nature, vibrant culture and excellent guides.
  • G
    G.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The trip was wonderful, the scenery of the Ourika Valley is breathtaking. I give it a 9 out of 10, highly recommended!
  • I
    I.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains are absolutely breathtaking, but the drive can be a little long for some.
  • Z
    Z.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Visiting the Ourika Valley with my family left us speechless, the Atlas Mountains are a sight to behold!