Essaouira in May

In May, Essaouira averages 23°C (73°F) during the day and 17°C (62°F) at night, with around 6 days of rain (12 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

May is a great month to visit Essaouira: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

23°C
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
6
Rain days
12 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Essaouira

6th
warmest month of the 12
6th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
13 h 45 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Essaouira (6th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (6th of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. May runs 2°C warmer than April (21°C) and warms a further 1°C into June (24°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Essaouira

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:43 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
8:28 PM
Day length
13 h 45 min

Times shown for Essaouira local time (Africa/Casablanca), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Essaouira — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Essaouira's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:43 AM – 6:23 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:23 AM – 7:23 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:48 PM – 8:48 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:48 PM – 9:28 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Essaouira in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (High season) and Essaouira's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
2-3 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-3 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.

May in Morocco — events that affect travel

Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.

🕌
Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr
Closures · high impact

Daylight fasting month. Many restaurants close until sunset, some attractions close midday, and Islamic countries change their pace dramatically. Eid (3 days after Ramadan ends) brings major travel surge.

Plan: Tourists can usually still find food, but dress modestly and avoid eating publicly during the day. Iftar (sunset meal) is a beautiful experience to plan for.

Crowds & pricing — May in Essaouira

High season

This is a busy month in Essaouira — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Essaouira

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.6
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Essaouira in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 19°C / 65°F 11°C / 51°F 39 mm 6
February 19°C / 66°F 11°C / 52°F 41 mm 6
March 20°C / 68°F 13°C / 55°F 34 mm 8
April 21°C / 70°F 14°C / 58°F 19 mm 7
May 23°C / 73°F 17°C / 62°F 12 mm 6
June 24°C / 75°F 18°C / 64°F 2 mm 2
July 26°C / 78°F 19°C / 67°F 0 mm 0
August 26°C / 80°F 20°C / 68°F 1 mm 0
September 25°C / 77°F 19°C / 66°F 3 mm 2
October 25°C / 76°F 18°C / 64°F 22 mm 5
November 22°C / 71°F 14°C / 57°F 52 mm 7
December 20°C / 68°F 12°C / 53°F 29 mm 4

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Essaouira in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Essaouira in May?

In May, Essaouira averages a high of 23°C (73°F) and a low of 17°C (62°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Essaouira in May?

May sees occasional rain in Essaouira, with about 6 rainy days on average.

Is May a good time to visit Essaouira?

May is mild and pleasant. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Essaouira in May?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full May packing list for Essaouira for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Essaouira on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.