By season
Things to Do in Marrakech When It Rains
It rarely rains in Marrakech, but when it does, the city has plenty to keep you happily under cover. Rain is your cue to swap the open squares for painted palaces, steamy hammams and the sheltered lanes of the souk. Here's the wet-weather plan.
Palaces, museums and gardens under cover
Rain is the perfect excuse for the interiors you might otherwise rush. The Bahia Palace, the Dar Si Said museum of Moroccan arts and the tranquil Jardin Secret all reward a slow, dry visit, and the covered pavilions let you linger.
The cobalt-walled Jardin Majorelle and its museum are atmospheric in the rain and far less crowded than usual — a soft, grey light on the blue walls that most visitors never see.
Warm up and get hands-on
A rainy day is the ideal time for a hammam — there's nothing better than steam, a scrub and a massage while it's grey outside. Or get busy in a cooking class, learning to build a tagine in a warm kitchen and eating the result.
Both are entirely indoors, both are among the most-loved things to do in the city anyway, and both turn a washout into one of the better days of the trip.
Shelter in the souks
Much of the souk is roofed with reed and slat covers, so a souk shopping tour keeps you mostly dry while you browse carpets, lanterns and leather — and the light rain thins the crowds.
Browse the full attractions and city-tours pillars for more indoor ideas. Rain in Marrakech is usually brief; a covered lunch and a hammam are often all you need to wait it out.
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain much in Marrakech?
Not really — Marrakech is dry for most of the year, with the little rain it gets falling mainly in late autumn, winter and early spring, usually in brief showers rather than all-day downpours. A rainy day is the exception, and rarely lasts long.
What can I do indoors in Marrakech?
Plenty: visit the Bahia Palace, the Dar Si Said and Majorelle museums and the Jardin Secret, warm up in a traditional hammam, take a hands-on cooking class, or browse the mostly-covered souks. A rainy day is a good excuse to do the interiors properly.
Are the souks covered when it rains?
Much of the souk network is roofed with reed and wooden slat covers, so you can shop and wander largely under cover during a shower. The light rain also tends to thin the crowds, making it a surprisingly pleasant time to browse.
What's the best rainy-day activity?
A hammam or a cooking class — both are fully indoors, warming and among the most enjoyable things to do in the city regardless of weather. A steam and scrub while it's grey outside, or a warm kitchen and a tagine you get to eat, both turn a washout into a highlight.
Should I change my day-trip plans if it rains?
Mountain and desert days are best on clear weather, so if rain is forecast, swap an outdoor excursion for an indoor city day — palaces, museums, hammam, cooking, souks — and move the trip to a drier day. We can help reshuffle a flexible itinerary around the forecast.