Agafay Desert weather

The Agafay Desert is a plateau of stone and ochre hills 35 km south-west of Marrakech, facing the Atlas. By day it is about as warm as the city, but nights are cooler and the wind more present. Its highlights: sunsets, starry nights and dawn hot-air balloon flights.

A stone-desert climate

Agafay has no sand dunes: it is a hamada, a rocky desert at 600-700 m. With no vegetation or humidity, the ground loses its heat quickly at night: expect 3-6 °C less than in Marrakech after sunset, and a wind that makes it feel colder from November to March. In summer afternoons pass 38 °C, so people only come in the late afternoon.

Sunsets and stars

Our “Agafay sunset” index looks at the clouds as the sun drops behind the hills: a veil of high cloud often gives a fiery sky, total overcast spoils it, and wind above 30 km/h lifts the dust. For stars you need a clear sky and a faint moon: our “Stargazing” index combines both.

Dawn balloon flights

Many flights take off before sunrise over Agafay and the Palmeraie. Calm surface wind (below roughly 15 km/h), no rain and no fog are required, and the operator always makes the final call. See our balloon weather guide.

Planning your visit

Most visitors arrive late in the afternoon for a camel or quad ride, the sunset and dinner under a tent. Always bring a warm layer, even in summer for the small hours, and closed shoes for the stones.

Average temperatures month by month

Estimate: Marrakech averages adjusted for altitude (620 m, about 1 °C cooler).