10 things to do in Marrakech in July

July is a month that not everyone recommends for a trip to Marrakech as temperatures are very high, averaging up to 40ºC. Even so, there are a number of festivities and events that make it a very special time for your trip, such as the Festival of Popular Arts, which fills the city with music and shows for more than ten days, or the Festival of the Throne, which is celebrated in style to commemorate the coronation of Mohammed VI.

During your visit to Marrakesh in July, don't miss a visit to the Jamaa el-Fna square at night. It's the best time of day to visit as the heat won't be so stifling and it's a place that comes alive as the day progresses. The street food st alls take over the square.

And if you're not sure whether to eat at one of the improvised stands, which, by the way, are very cheap, you can go to one of the restaurants and bars that line the square and watch the day-to-day life of the square. I'll leave you with the posts Moroccan food and the best restaurants in Marrakech so you won't have any doubts about where to eat.

And if you're not afraid of the heat, don't hesitate to visit the square during the day and you'll be able to witness how the atmosphere changes radically from morning to night. It is very interesting to witness this contrast. Also, on your visit to Jamaa el Fna, don't hesitate to go into the Medina.

• It is located at... Avenue Jamaa El Fna (40000). Marrakech

A must-try experience, no matter what time of year you visit Marrakesh, is to visit a hammam and relax with a massage. It's a great way to immerse yourself in Moroccan society.

That is, if you're up for going to a traditional hammam, because there are also more modern, not-so-native hammams where the experience is just as fantastic, but they're obviously more touristy. Regardless of which one you choose depending on your tastes and interests, it's a way to relax and take a break from the heat and you'll come out feeling like new.

If you go in July, I recommend that you take advantage of the central hours of the day to take a break from the heat during the times when the sun is at its hottest.

• It's located in... Various options in Marrakech

Another option if you're visiting Marrakesh in July is to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and immerse yourself in nature with a trip to the Ourika Valley, one of the most beautiful places in Morocco, which is just 60 kilometres from Marrakesh and takes less than an hour to reach. In fact, it is the closest place to Marrakech to escape the heat.

On this excursion you'll have the chance to take a dip in the Ourika waterfalls, an ideal plan at this time of year, although you won't be able to enjoy the tranquillity as much as in other months of the year because many people opt for this excursion to escape the high temperatures.

And if you want to know more about other excursions, don't hesitate to read the post the best tours from Marrakech.

• It is located in... Ourika, 60 kilometres from Marrakech.

Located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, Essaouira is a tourist, fortified and port city in Morocco. It is known as the blue pearl of the Atlantic and has been a World Heritage Site since 2001.

It is located approximately 180 kilometres from Marrakech and Essaouira is, in short, an essential visit from Marrakech if you go in the month of July, because enjoying a pleasant stroll along its beaches and, of course, tasting a tasty meal in one of its typical restaurants is a unique experience. Also, if you are a fan of "Game of Thrones" you should know that it is one of the locations of the acclaimed series, Astapor.

Moreover, the beauty of this city has not gone unnoticed by the great music artists, film performers and hippies of the time, who found in Essaouira a refuge in the seventies. There is also a women's cooperative in Essaouira that produces handmade argan oil, which is widely used in cosmetic products.

• You arein... Essaouira, 180 km from Marrakech.

The Majorelle Gardens and the Marrakesh Palm Grove are two very popular sites in the Moroccan capital and one of the essential proposals for your trip to Marrakesh in July. If you want to get to know them in comfort and not miss out on any detail, opt for a tour that includes both experiences, including transfer to and from the hotel.

A 4-hour excursion in which you will have the opportunity to discover the Majorelle Gardens and contemplate its blue buildings. You will also stroll through the Palm Grove, a place where peace will overwhelm you.

Best of all, you will be able to get on a camel and take a tour of the Palm Grove.

• It is located at... Rue Yves St Laurent and Rte de Fès.

If you want to stand out from your friends and family by bringing the best gifts for your holidays at a very affordable price, don't miss shopping in the souks of Marrakech, where you will find ethnic jewellery such as leather bags, ceramics, babouches or kaftans.

And to get to know it in depth, you can choose to book a tour of the souks of Marrakech, lasting approximately 3 hours, during which you will visit this lively place with a professional guide. A unique experience where you will see how the artisans work with local products.

• Locatedin... Marrakech city centre.

A must for your trip in July is a gastronomic tour of Marrakesh where you will explore the best flavours of Morocco in a visit of about 3 hours. In addition, you will taste the most typical products such as olives, Moroccan bread, dates, tea and spices.

In this experience you will be accompanied by an expert guide with whom you will learn about the history and local culture of Marrakech. You will visit the Djemaa el Fna market, its local food stalls and have the chance to taste a delicious kofta, a traditional Moroccan dish made with minced meat.

• It is located in... In the centre of Marrakech.

One of the ideal plans for your trip to Marrakech in July is to visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls, an ideal place if you want to contemplate dreamy landscapes with mountains and olive groves, green valleys, mills and orchards and spectacular panoramic views.

On this excursion, which lasts approximately 10 hours, you will not miss a single detail, as a professional guide will accompany you and explain everything about this wonderful place and its Berber origins. You will also be able to escape the heat with a dip in the water and even take a boat trip.

Transport to and from the site is also included, so you don't have to worry about anything.

• It is located... 150 kilometres from Marrakech.

If your trip coincides with the month of July, you're in luck because you'll have the chance to enjoy the Marrakesh Festival of Popular Arts, which has a full programme for more than 10 days with performances in the various palaces and the main squares and streets of the city. This festival, which has been held since the late 1950s, highlights the cultural and artistic heritage of the Alaouite Kingdom.

Dancers, snake charmers, fortune-tellers, musicians, entertainers, acrobats, sung poetry, etc., are just some of the attractions of the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival, which each year offers a large number of shows for all tastes and ages. A unique experience, for locals and tourists alike, not to be missed.

• You can find it in... Palaces, squares and streets of Marrakech.

The Ghiwani Music Festival is held in July with the aim of promoting and highlighting a very popular musical genre which has marked a turning point in the history of Moroccan music since the 1970s.

Ghiwani music has had a great influence on music groups not only in Morocco but in North Africa in general.

• It is located in... Marrakech.

Traveller's tip

Marrakech has a wide range of events on offer in July, such as the Festival of Popular Arts and the Throne Festival. Don't miss these events if you get the chance.

The Celebration of Sacrifice or Feast of the Lamb is a very important festival in the Muslim calendar and commemorates a passage from the Qur'an. It is celebrated 70 days after the end of Ramadan and lasts for three days. It is similar to Christmas in the Christian calendar.

This celebration consists of the head of the family sacrificing a lamb, cow or sheep, although in recent years this custom has been lost and a person is hired for the sacrifice, which is usually carried out in the courtyards of houses or in the street with a clean cut so that the animal suffers as little as possible.

It is a festival in which community ties are strengthened and the meat from the slaughter is shared with neighbours, friends, family and the poor.

• Located in... Marrakech.

Marrakech, like the rest of Morocco, celebrates the Festival of the Throne, which commemorates the coronation of King Mohammed VI. It is an event that highlights the bond between the king and his people.

This is a bank holidays and is celebrated in all Moroccan cities. Parades and fireworks displays are among the various festivities organised. If your trip coincides with this day, don't hesitate to take to the streets and join in the celebrations - it's a truly spectacular event!

• You are in... Marrakech.

And if after a few days of sightseeing in the sun you want to escape the heat, just over 15 kilometres from the medina, you will find the Plage Rouge tourist complex, which has a swimming pool of no less than two thousand square kilometres. An ideal place to take a dip and then relax on a Balinese bed and sun loungers while you sip a cocktail and enjoy live music.

The entrance fee starts at €14 and you can take advantage of your visit to enjoy a tasty dinner in one of the complex's restaurants.

• Located at... Route de Casablanca (40000). Marrakech

If you go to Marrakech in July, I recommend you visit Agadir Beach. It is located approximately 250 kilometres from Marrakech and is one of the most popular beaches on the Atlantic coast. It is 10 kilometres long and is equipped for tourism, with many sun loungers for sunbathing and spending a relaxing day. It is also an ideal place for water sports.

An excellent place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech for a day and, of course, to take refuge from the heat for a day.

• It is located in... Agadir, 250 kilometres from Marrakech.

Temperatures in Marrakesh in July are quite high, with an average maximum of between 35 and 38°C, which can reach 40°C, and an average minimum of between 20 and 22°C. The temperature contrast is therefore very high throughout the day. The temperature contrast is therefore very high throughout the day.

On the other hand, it is important to bear in mind that activities during the central hours of the day are more limited due to the excessive heat registered by the thermometer.

Despite the highest temperatures of the year, the number of tourists in Marrakech in July is very high, as a large number of Europeans go on holiday in this month. It is therefore advisable to book flights and accommodation in advance. It is also advisable to get up very early in order to take advantage of the early hours of the day when it is not so hot.

Before your trip, read the posts safety in Marrakech and how to get around Marrakech. They are very practical.

July in Marrakesh is one of the most important national holidays of the year, the Feast of the Throne, which commemorates the coronation of Mohammed VI, King of Morocco since 1999. There are also a number of other events such as the Festival of Popular Arts.

Prices in Marrakech in July are somewhat higher than at other times of the year. It's a month that coincides with most Europeans' holidays so many choose to visit the city at this time of year and flights and hotels, especially those with swimming pools, are more expensive than in other months.

If you are visiting Marrakech in July it is very important that you choose what to pack for your trip, as the climate at this time of year is characterised by high temperatures and very dry heat. It is therefore advisable to pack light clothing. The best fabrics for this time of year are linen and cotton. Also, don't leave behind a head covering such as a hat or cap and, of course, don't forget your sunglasses.

Morocco is also a Muslim country, so it is recommended that women do not wear excessively low-cut, strapless or short clothes. A possible option is to wear a scarf or foulard to cover the shoulders.

A recommendation, do not hesitate to visit the post 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 before starting your trip to make the most of the days.

If you are travelling to Marrakesh in July you should be aware that the heat is very sweltering. It is therefore advisable to stay well hydrated at all times. Always carry a bottle of mineral water. It is also advisable to wear light clothing, cover your body as much as possible to avoid sunburn and use sunscreen. It is also essential to use lip balm.

Also, I recommend that you don't hesitate to read the post what to see and do in Marrakech.