10 things to do in Marrakech in May

If you are thinking of visiting Morocco during the month of May, you cannot miss the city of Marrakech and its neighbouring cities, which during this time become a must-see tourist destination.

In May, Marrakech and its surroundings host several traditional events and festivals such as Aïd El-Fitr, the end of fasting festival after Ramadan, or the well-known Rose Festival.

Following the religious tradition of Islam in Morocco, the month of May sees the celebration of 'Aïd al-Fitr', the Feast of the End of Fasting. This festival is one of the most important in the Muslim calendar, as it marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month according to the Islamic religion, during which Muslims fast while there is sunlight for 29 or 30 days.

Aid al-Fitr is not a one-day holiday, but extends over the first three days of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Muslim calendar. So if you are visiting Marrakech on this date, I recommend that you take the opportunity to try some of the dishes typical of this celebration:

• Lamb with plums
• Couscous
• Chicken bastilla
• Laasida
• Tagine
• Traditional Moroccan sweets

Useful information

I can assure you that there is nothing like the authentic gastronomy of Marrakech, but for an unrivalled experience you have to know where to go. That's why I recommend you take a look at this article on the best restaurants in Marrakech. That way you can choose the one that's perfect for your tastes.

And if you really want to get it right, you can put yourself in the hands of an expert guide by hiring a gastronomic tour of Marrakech.

Located in the province of Ouarzazate is the oasis of the Valley of Roses. There, during the second weekend in May, the Moussem de Kelaa M'Gouna or Rose Festival is held in honour of the rose of Damascus. This centuries-old festival lasts 3 days and includes numerous celebrations, including:

• Banquets
• Souks or markets with all kinds of products dedicated to roses.
• Traditional singing and dancing
• Processions of decorated floats crossing a road showered with rose petals
• A beauty contest where a woman is crowned Miss Roses.

I recommend that you plan ahead and also take advantage of your trip to Ouarzazate to make a stop in Ouarzazate, a beautiful fortified city that has been the setting for famous Hollywood films such as: Lawrence of Arabia, Babel and Gladiator, among many others.

If you're travelling to Marrakech in May, a day trip to Essaouira is a must. A beautiful city located on the coast of Morocco that stands out for its narrow streets full of charm and its incredible beaches.

Since you are travelling to Marrakech in May, in the middle of the high season for tourism in this area, my recommendation is that you hire a guided tour to visit Essaouira. This way, not only will you not have to worry about how to get from Marrakech to Essaouira, but you'll have an air-conditioned minivan to take you there and back.

Another great advantage is that you will have a local guide who will show you the secrets of this beautiful city and the most iconic places and, once the tour is over, you will have free time to enjoy Essaouira at your leisure.

If you're looking for a new experience on your trip to Marrakech in May, don't miss the Transahara Festival, an eclectic music festival held in the heart of the Sahara, in the Merzouga area, which usually takes place between the second and third week of May.

Its landscape, famous for its incredible Erg Chebi dunes of golden sand and the beautiful lake, is the perfect setting for introspection and reconnection with nature... and music, of course!

The Transahara Festival is a wonderful mix of different cultures and artistic expressions that vibrate with music to the rhythm of the desert, you can't miss it!

If you are going to visit Marrakech in May you should know that spring is the high season of this tourist destination, so its streets will be full of visitors from all over the world who want to discover its secrets.

Therefore, I invite you to explore every inch of the Medina of Marrakech without worrying about possible scams or tourist traps by hiring a private tour of the Medina.

Thanks to the expert guide who will accompany you and show you the most important and emblematic places of the Medina, you will discover authentic craftsmen and incredible artists who work in this area creating beautiful carpets, lamps, jewellery and clothes. You will also learn the basics of bargaining to get the best prices and exclusive discounts in your favourite shops.

If you visit Marrakech in May, you can't leave without taking a camel ride. At this time of year, the best way to do it is to hire a camel ride in the Palm Grove at sunset.

In May the weather is hot and dry, but at sunset the temperature is cool and very pleasant, so it is the best time of the day for this activity. Also, the sunset sky is amazing in May, as the sky is usually very clear, offering beautiful views. These visits usually include:

• Touareg dress and a cheich, which is a Touareg scarf to protect your face from the sun.
• Avisit to a Berber house, where you can enjoy a typical Moroccan snack accompanied by traditional mint tea.
• Air-conditioned minivan

Did you think Marrakech was only desert? Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that Marrakech lies at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, which run through Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco and separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts from the Sahara Desert.

It is an incomparable landscape, full of traditional Berber villages that are well worth a visit. Why do I recommend a trip to the Atlas Mountains in May? Because Marrakech in May is characterised by good weather and spring-like temperatures. In summer, on the other hand, the temperature can climb up to 40 degrees Celsius and in winter the chances of rain are very high.

Along the route you will marvel at the views of the waterfalls and the valleys you will come across. You can also have tea with a Berber family and learn more about their culture. And, of course, this trip cannot end without a camel ride.

Spring is the best time to visit Marrakech. During the day it is deliciously warm and summery and in the evening the temperature is deliciously refreshing. And there's no better way to end a long, hot day of sightseeing than with a refreshing, vitamin-packed drink before a delicious dinner on the same terrace.

Head to the Place des Spices and sit on the terrace of one of the best restaurants in the Medina of Marrakech, the Cafe Des Epices.

May is the perfect time to enjoy its beautiful terrace with breathtaking views of the city, its delicious orange juice and the wide variety of dishes on the menu.

The average temperature in Marrakesh in May is around 28°C and can even rise to 37°C. So if the day is too hot, I suggest you visit a real oasis in the bustle of the city, the Majorelle Garden.

Located in the Gueliz district, it was designed by the French painter Jacques Majorelle in 1924, who transformed it into a botanical garden with a great variety of trees and plants, as well as birds that found their home in this refuge. Majorelle also built a 2-storey villa, painted in his famous Majorelle Blue, to be his home and studio.

Most interestingly of all, in 1980, it was acquired by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé. Together, they restored the garden's splendour, which had been somewhat neglected since the painter's death, and it became YSL's favourite place to design its collections.

If you love to learn about the deep-rooted cultural traditions of the places you visit, you cannot miss the Malhoum and Patriotic Song Festival. This festival is dedicated to preserving Morocco's musical heritage, as well as promoting traditional patriotic song, through conferences and debates between experts, as well as musical evenings and incredible art exhibitions that you can enjoy.

Here are some of the venues where, in previous editions, the concerts of this traditional festival have been held:

• The Chamber of Crafts
• The Dar Bellarj Dar Bellarj Foundation
• The Royal Theatre
• The Theatre of the House of Culture in Daoudiate

One of the factors to consider when deciding on the best time to visit Marrakech is the weather. In May, we're talking about a semi-desert subtropical climate, so visiting this part of Morocco in spring is the best option.

Best of all, both in Marrakech and in much of Morocco, May is dry, so it hardly rains at all. So you'll be able to enjoy the sunshine throughout your trip, allowing you to make the most of outdoor activities without suffering from the heat.

Bear in mind that, due to its distance from the sea and its altitude, there is quite a lot of thermal oscillation, so it cools down at night.

As you can see, if you visit Marrakech in May you'll enjoy warm weather and it will get hotter and hotter as June approaches.

So, here are some tips for visiting Marrakech on what to wear to make the most of the experience:

• Comfortable, cool and light clothing (cotton or linen) for the heat.
• Cool, comfortable and breathable shoes.
• Hat or cap and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.
• Protective cream to avoid sunburn.
• A good repellent to apply every day.

The use of the feminine veil

It's important to bear in mind that Marrakesh has a very conservative Muslim culture. For this reason, and especially when it comes to women's fashion, my advice is to choose more demure outfits that cover your shoulders and legs. This will help you avoid unwanted attention and unpleasant situations.

You don't have to wear a veil in the street, but you may be asked to wear one to enter some mosques, so I advise you to carry a fresh scarf in your bag. This way, you won't miss anything during your excursions in Marrakech!