Best time for a balloon flight
The balloons go up on almost any calm morning of the year. The season decides how early you get up and how much of the Atlas you see.
There is no closed season for ballooning in Marrakech. The flights run all year, always at dawn, because the air over the plain is calmest in the first hours of the day and flying later is not permitted. What changes from month to month is the hour of the pickup, the clarity of the air and how cold the first part of the morning feels.
| Season | Pickup | Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring, March to May | Getting earlier | Mild mornings |
| Summer, June to August | Earliest, around four | Haze, hot by ten |
| Autumn, September to November | Getting later | Mild mornings |
| Winter, December to February | Latest, around six | Cold, snow on the Atlas |
Spring and autumn
Travel guides recommend March to May and September to November for a balloon flight. The mornings are cool rather than cold, the pickup falls at a time most people can manage, and the heat of the day is still hours away when you land.
Winter
A Moroccan industry representative quoted in the press named November and December as the best months. Winter brings the clearest view of the Atlas, often with snow on the peaks, and the latest pickups of the year. The price is the cold: before sunrise the launch field and the first minutes in the air can be properly cold, even though the burner above you gives off heat.
Summer
The balloons fly in summer too, with pickups around four in the morning. The air is often hazy, so the mountains may stay faint, and by the time you are back at the hotel the day is already hot. In return, the morning is the most comfortable part of a summer day in Marrakech.
Holidays and Ramadan 2027
Around Christmas, New Year and Valentine’s Day more people want the same mornings, and some listings cost more on those dates. Book earlier and keep a second morning free in case the weather intervenes.
Ramadan 2027 is expected from February to early March 2027; the exact start depends on the sighting of the new moon. Balloon flights continue during Ramadan, and the breakfast after landing may be adapted. Check the pickup message the evening before as usual.
The afternoon after the flight
Whatever the month, you are back in town by the middle of the morning, which leaves the afternoon for a half-day trip into the Atlas foothills or the Agafay desert. Those trips are compared on Marrakech Escapes.
FAQ
What is the best month for a hot air balloon in Marrakech?
Spring and autumn are the usual recommendation for mild mornings. November and December give the clearest view of the snow on the Atlas, at the price of a cold start.
Do hot air balloons fly in Marrakech in summer?
Yes. The pickup is earliest in summer, often around four in the morning, and the air can be hazy.
Do balloons fly during Ramadan 2027?
Yes. Ramadan 2027 is expected from February to early March 2027, depending on the moon sighting. Flights continue, and breakfast may be adapted.
Is it cold in the balloon in winter?
Before sunrise, yes. Dress in layers you can take off once the sun is up.
Check your date
Every balloon flight over Marrakech with its flight option and breakfast.
See the comparison