What's the weather like in Chefchaouen / the Rif?

Chefchaouen — the famous blue city — has a noticeably different climate from the rest of the Morocco people picture, and it comes down to its setting: it's tucked into the Rif Mountains in the north at around 600m, with peaks rising above it. That altitude and northern position make it greener, cooler and wetter than the southern plains and the desert.

Summers (June–August) are warm but rarely punishing — daytime temperatures around 25–32°C, comfortably cooler than Marrakech or Fes, with the surrounding mountains keeping the air fresher and the evenings pleasant. It's a lovely place to escape the worst of the lowland heat while still getting reliable sun.

Winters (December–February) are where the Rif shows its true character: this is the wettest corner of Morocco. Days run a cool 8–15°C, nights are properly chilly and can approach freezing, and rain is frequent — the lush green hillsides around Chefchaouen exist precisely because of all that winter moisture. The higher Rif peaks can even see snow. If you visit in winter, pack warm layers and a good waterproof; the blue lanes are atmospheric in the rain but you'll want to stay dry, and the stone guesthouses can feel cold, so look for heating.

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the sweet spot — mild 18–25°C days, the countryside at its greenest in spring, clear light that makes the blue walls glow for photos, and a low chance of the heavy rain that comes later. Whatever the season, I tell people heading to Chefchaouen to pack one layer warmer and one degree more waterproof than they would for the rest of Morocco.