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 date chosen by many travelers as it coincides with the month in which many Europeans take vacations. For this reason, the tourist influx in this month is very high and therefore prices are more expensive.

Even so, Marrakech is an impressive city and you will always find ideal plans for your visit. Here are some special ones for this time of the year.

Located in the Medina, the historic area, the Yamaa el-Fna square is the most characteristic and popular place in Marrakech, a focal point of the city for both locals and visitors. 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. In addition, you can have a snack at one of the stalls while enjoying an impromptu show: storytellers, snake charmers, acrobats, among others, are coming to the square as the night progresses.

If you want to take advantage of your visit to this central place to know 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 the visit.

One of the most interesting plans for the month of August is to make an excursion to the Ourika Valley, one of the most visited places in Morocco. Located just 60 kilometers from the city, is this natural paradise whose great attraction in summer are the seven waterfalls of Ourika in which you can bathe and escape the heat a little bit. In fact, visitors usually only reach the first of the waterfalls because the others are a bit inaccessible.

On this excursion 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 you want to look for similar plans, do not hesitate to read the post the best tours from Marrakech and you will know the main options.

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

In the seventies, Essaouira was a city chosen by artists and musicians to spend the occasional season. That is why it is considered a haven of the hippie movement. But this city hides many other secrets. It is a key place in the elaboration of artisanal argan oil, widely used for cosmetic products. Likewise, all movie buffs who visit the city are in luck, as it is one of the locations of "Game of Thrones", an unforgettable trip. An unforgettable trip, do not hesitate to come.

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

August is also an excellent month to make an excursion to the Ouzoud waterfalls because you can take advantage of your visit to take a dip to cool off. At 100 meters high, they are the highest waterfalls in North Africa. They are located approximately 150 kilometers from Marrakech and it takes about three hours to get there, but it is a real natural monument that you can not miss on your trip to Marrakech.

In addition, during your visit you will be able to see the wild monkeys that populate the area. They are wild, but don't worry, there has never been any incident.

To go you can take advantage of some of the excursions that are made from Marrakech and that can be hired from about 30 €. The duration is about 10 hours.

Making an excursion to the desert of Marrakech is one of the best experiences you can consider for your trip. Therefore, 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 at least once in life. Of course, without a doubt, if you go in August I recommend that you opt for an excursion where you spend the night in the desert. You will 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 know all the details.

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

Here are the food posts of Morocco and the best restaurants in Marrakech for you 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 first set foot in it and it was one of his main sources of inspiration. So much so, that a decade after his death, he opened this museum that houses a permanent collection of his main works, as well as some of his temporary exhibitions and a specialized bookstore. Visiting hours are from 11 am to 5 pm.
• Dar el Bacha Museum: Known under the name of the Museum of Confluences, it was inaugurated in 2017 and its headquarters is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in Marrakech. It is a palace built in the early twentieth 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 hides a collection of more than 10,000 photographs, documents and old photographic plates of Morocco between the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century.
• Orientalist Museum: In this art gallery you will have the opportunity to see outstanding pieces by Dali, 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, do not hesitate to go up to the terrace of the museum, from where you will have spectacular views of the medina and the Atlas Mountains.

In Morocco, as in all Islamic countries, the Day of Ashura is celebrated, which commemorates the liberation of the people of Israel from the Egyptians by Moses. A date that depending on the country where you are is celebrated in one way or another. Specifically, in Marrakech, homage is paid to the youngest members of the family. For this, 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, both days, young and old go around their neighborhood playing taarej (drums), singing and dancing. And at night, they make bonfires and gather around them with music also as a backdrop.

The Revolution of the King and the People is celebrated on August 20 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 national holiday, various activities, both cultural and sporting, are scheduled to celebrate the bond between the people and the monarch.

In addition, a day later, on August 21, coinciding with the date of the birth of Mohammed VI, the popular Youth Festival is celebrated.

Traveler's tip

If you travel to Marrakech in August I recommend you start sightseeing early in the morning in order to take advantage of the hours of less heat. In addition, you can take advantage of the central hours to visit a museum, relax in the hotel or eat in one of the wonderful restaurants in the city

At the beginning of April, a long awaited event takes place, the opening of Plage Rouge, a resort located about 15 kilometers from the medina, ideal to escape the heat and spend a day of sun, pool and relaxation tourism.

Plage Rouge has a pool of two thousand square kilometers and is an ideal place to relax after several days of intense activity and visits around the city. You can rest on a Balinese bed and sun loungers, take a swim, sunbathe, enjoy live music, enjoy a delicious meal or a cocktail. What more could you ask for? In addition, to access the enclosure you will only have to pay a ticket whose price is from 14 €. A plan that is undoubtedly worthwhile if you stay several days in Marrakech.

The thermometer in the month of August in Marrakech records very high temperatures, with an average maximum of between 35 and 40 ° C and an average minimum of 21 º C. In fact, there has been a year that has been close to 46ºC. Thus, and although it may seem incredible, the temperature contrast between the maximum and the minimum can reach up to 20ºC.

Precisely for this reason, it is advisable to use the central hours to take a break at the hotel or go to enclosed and air-conditioned spaces such as museums and the most important visits should be made early 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 influx of tourists is considerably higher than other months of the year. You may wonder why? The answer is very simple, most Europeans take their vacations in this month of the year.

And, precisely for this reason, it is advisable to book your flight and hotel in advance. On the other hand, when 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 are celebrated in Marrakech several key dates such as the Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People which takes place on August 20, the Youth Festival on August 21 or the Feast of Loyalty on August 14, a day that commemorates the occupation of Rio de Oro. Days in which it is always very curious to walk around the city and see the different celebrations that citizens perform in the streets.

One of the disadvantages of going to Marrakech in August are the prices, considerably more expensive than in other months of the year. And is that August is the usual month to take a vacation and therefore there are a large number of people who choose this date for your trip. This influx of tourists is directly related to a rise in prices, both flights and hotels.

August is the most common vacation month, so it is very normal that your visit to Marrakech will take place at this time of the year. If so, choose very well how to prepare your suitcase as temperatures are very high and it is essential that you take light clothing. For this, I recommend linen or cotton clothes. Also, do not leave behind a hat or cap to avoid sunstroke and do not forget sunglasses.

Keep in mind that Morocco is a Muslim country and it is recommended that women do not wear low-cut, short or strapless clothes. It is very practical to carry a scarf or foulard to cover the shoulders.

On the other hand, do not hesitate to consult 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, Marrakech has 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. In addition, it is essential to wear light clothing and cover the body as much as possible to avoid burns. Just 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, feel free to visit and read the article what to see and do in Marrakech.