10 things to do in Marrakech in August

August may not be the best month to visit Marrakech as it is very hot, but it is still the month of choice for many travellers as it coincides with the month when many Europeans take their holidays. For this reason, the tourist influx in this month is very high and, therefore, the prices are more expensive.

Even so, Marrakech is an impressive city and you will always find ideal plans for your visit. Here are a few specials for this time of year.

Located in the Medina, the historical area, the square of Yamaa el-Fna is the most characteristic and popular place in Marrakech, a focal point of the city for locals and visitors alike. This large square is an incredible place next to the Kutubia Mosque.

I recommend that on your trip in August you take advantage of the time when night falls to stroll around the square, soak up and experience the local culture. You can also have a snack at one of the stalls while you enjoy an improvised show: storytellers, snake charmers, acrobats, among others, come to the square as the night progresses.

If you want to take advantage of your visit to this central place to discover other options in the Medina, I leave you the post What to see and what to do in the Medina of Marrakech and I recommend you book a guided tour of the Medina to make the most of your visit.

One of the most interesting plans for August is a trip to the Ourika Valley, one of the most visited places in Morocco. Located just 60 kilometres from the city, you'll find this natural paradise whose main attraction in summer is the seven Ourika waterfalls where you can bathe and escape the heat for a while. In fact, visitors usually only get to the first of the waterfalls because the others are somewhat inaccessible.

On this tour you will also have the opportunity to visit the village of Setti Fatma and soak up the local culture and artistic heritage. And if after this excursion you get the bug and want to look for similar plans, don't hesitate to read the post the best tours from Marrakech and you'll know the main options.

One of the best times of the year for a trip to Essaouira is undoubtedly August. Declared a World Heritage Site in 2001, it is known as the blue pearl of the Atlantic for its considerable beauty. This port city is located on the Atlantic coast, some 180 kilometres from Marrakech, and in August you can enjoy a dip in its beaches, a stroll along its promenade or a delicious meal.

In the 1970s, Essaouira was a city chosen by artists and musicians to spend the occasional season. That is why it is considered a haven for the hippie movement. But this city hides many other secrets. It is a key place for the production of handmade argan oil, which is widely used for cosmetic products. And for those of you who are fans of TV series who visit the city, you are in luck, as it is one of the locations of "Game of Thrones". An unforgettable trip, don't hesitate to visit it.

Read the post Excursions to Essaouira from Marrakech and find out all the details. On the other hand, I also leave you the link how to go from Marrakech to Essaouira.

August is also a great month for a trip to the Ouzoud waterfalls as you can take advantage of your visit to take a dip and cool off. At 100 metres high, they are the highest waterfalls in North Africa. They are located approximately 150 kilometres from Marrakech and take about three hours to reach, but it is a real natural monument that you cannot miss on your trip to Marrakech.

You will also be able to see the wild monkeys that inhabit the area during your visit. They are wild, but don't worry, there have never been any incidents.

You can take advantage of some of the excursions available from Marrakech, which start at around €30. The duration is about 10 hours.

A trip to the desert of Marrakech is one of the best experiences you can plan for your trip. So, even if you travel in August when temperatures are more extreme, you should not miss the desert because it is an unforgettable place that everyone should go to at least once in their life. However, if you go in August, I would definitely recommend that you opt for an overnight trip to the desert. You'll have the opportunity to see the sunset and sunrise and spend the night in a tent.

You have the option to go to the Merzouga Desert, the Zagora Desert or the Agafay Desert. Feel free to read the post Night in the desert of Marrakech and find out all the details.

Another option I recommend for your trip in August is a gastronomic tour of Marrakech. This tour starts at sunset when the sun begins to set and you can stroll through the souks of the city while tasting some of its main local products such as dried fruits, olives or pastries. But there's much more to this tour. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a tasty and traditional Moroccan dinner in the popular Jemaa el Fna square.

Here are the Moroccan food posts and the best restaurants in Marrakech so you can get to know all the details of the local gastronomy.

If you decide to visit Marrakech in the month of August, it is very important that in the central hours of the day you take the opportunity to go to the hotel to rest or, much better, that you go to one of the main museums of the city in order to take refuge from the heat.

• Yves Saint Laurent Museum: The fashion designer Saint Laurent fell in love with Marrakech from the moment he set foot in it for the first time and it was one of his main sources of inspiration. So much so that a decade after his death, he opened this museum which houses a permanent collection of his main works, as well as some of his temporary exhibitions and a specialised bookshop. Visiting hours are from 11am to 5pm.
• Dar el Bacha Museum: Known as the Museum of Confluences, it was inaugurated in 2017 and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful buildings in Marrakech. It is a palace built at the beginning of the 20th century that was the official residence of Thami El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakech, the highest authority in southern Morocco for more than forty years. The museum highlights Moroccan culture and art, as well as Islam.
• House of Photography: This museum, promoted by Patrick Manac'h and Hamid Mergani, opened its doors to the public in the heart of the city in 2009 and houses a collection of more than 10,000 photographs, documents and old photographic plates from Morocco between the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century.
• Orientalist Museum: In this art gallery you will have the opportunity to see outstanding pieces by Dalí, Jacques Majorelle, Delacroix and Lord Weeks, who throughout their lives were captivated by the beauty of the landscapes, cities and life of Morocco and captured it on their canvases. From my point of view it is an essential visit. It is open from 10 am to 7 pm. Also, if you have the opportunity to visit it, don't hesitate to go up to the museum's terrace, from where you will have spectacular views of the medina, as well as of the Atlas Mountains.

In Morocco, as in all Islamic countries, Ashura Day is celebrated to commemorate the liberation of the people of Israel from the Egyptians by Moses. Depending on the country you are in, this date is celebrated in one way or another. Specifically, in Marrakech, tribute is paid to the youngest members of the household. They are given clothes, toys, sweets and candies.

Just the day before, the zamzam takes place, which consists of children playing a game of dunking each other and their family and friends with balloons and buckets of water. In addition, on both days, young and old go around their neighbourhood playing taarej (drums), singing and dancing. And in the evening, they build bonfires and gather around them with music also as a backdrop.

The Revolution of the King and the People is celebrated on 20 August to commemorate the return to the throne of King Mohammed V, who led Morocco's independence in 1956 against the French-imposed king. On this bank holidays, various activities, both cultural and sporting, are scheduled to celebrate the bond between the people and the monarch.

Also, one day later, on 21 August, coinciding with the date of Mohammed VI's birth, the popular Youth Festival is held.

Traveller's tip

If you're travelling to Marrakesh in August, I recommend that you start sightseeing early in the morning to take advantage of the cooler hours. You can also take advantage of the central hours to visit a museum, relax in your hotel or eat in one of the city's wonderful restaurants

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At the beginning of April, a long awaited event takes place, the opening of Plage Rouge, a resort located about 15 kilometres from the medina, ideal for escaping the heat and spending a day of sun, pool and relaxation tourism.

Plage Rouge has a two thousand square kilometre swimming pool and is an ideal place to relax after several days of intense activity and sightseeing in the city. You can relax on a Balinese bed and sun loungers, have a swim, sunbathe, enjoy live music, a delicious meal or a cocktail. What more could you ask for? What's more, all you have to do is pay an entrance fee of just €14. It's definitely worth it if you're in Marrakech for a few days.

The thermometer in August in Marrakesh registers very high temperatures, with an average maximum of between 35ºC and 40ºC and an average minimum of 21ºC. In fact, there have been some years when the temperature has been as high as 46ºC. Thus, and although it may seem incredible, the temperature contrast between the maximum and minimum can reach up to 20ºC.

Precisely for this reason, it is advisable to use the central hours to take a break in the hotel or go to enclosed, air-conditioned spaces such as museums, and the most important visits should be made first thing in the morning.

Due to the weather, as well as the high temperatures, August is one of the worst months to visit Marrakech, yet the number of tourists is considerably higher than other months of the year. Even so, the number of tourists is considerably higher than in other months of the year. You may wonder why? The answer is very simple: most Europeans take their holidays in this month of the year.

And that is precisely why it is advisable to book your flight and hotel in advance. On the other hand, when it comes to visiting the different monuments, it is advisable to opt for the early hours of the day when temperatures are not so extreme.

Be sure to read the posts safety in Marrakech and how to get around Marrakech. They are very practical.

In August Marrakech celebrates several key dates such as the Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People which takes place on 20 August, the Youth Festival on 21 August or the Feast of Loyalty on 14 August, a day commemorating the occupation of Rio de Oro. These are days when it is always very interesting to walk around the city and see the different celebrations that the citizens hold in the streets.

One of the disadvantages of going to Marrakesh in August is that prices are considerably more expensive than in other months of the year. August is the usual month for taking a holiday and therefore a large number of people choose this time of year for their trip. This influx of tourists is directly related to a rise in prices, both for flights and hotels.

August is the most common holiday month, so it's not unusual for your visit to Marrakech to take place at this time of year. If this is the case, choose carefully how to pack your suitcase as temperatures are very high and it is essential that you take light clothing. For this, I recommend linen or cotton clothing. Also, don't leave behind a hat or cap to avoid sunstroke, and don't forget your sunglasses.

Bear in mind that Morocco is a Muslim country and women are advised not to wear low-cut, short or strapless clothing. It is very practical to bring a scarf or foulard to cover your shoulders.

Also, don't hesitate to check 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 an itinerary to make the most of your trip.

In August, Marrakesh experiences very high temperatures and the heat is very dry. To combat this, it is very important to always carry a bottle of mineral water in order to stay well hydrated at all times. It is also essential to wear light clothing and to cover your body as much as possible to avoid getting sunburnt. For this reason it is also advisable to use sunscreen and lipstick.

Are you still wondering if August is the right month to visit Marrakech? In the articles when to travel to Marrakech, Marrakech in summer and Marrakech in winter you can get more information to find out. And if you are looking for more information about the city that is not specific to this month, don't hesitate to visit and read the article what to see and do in Marrakech.