Rabat has a Mediterranean climate tempered by Atlantic breezes, which keeps summers cooler than inland Morocco. The best months to visit are April to June and September to October — warm, dry, and not crowded. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, when Moroccan families head to the beaches south of the city. Winters (December to February) are mild by European standards — daytime temperatures around 16–18°C — but wet; pack a rain layer.
Ramadan falls on a different part of the calendar each year. During Ramadan most restaurants in the medina are closed during the day and the city has a different, introspective rhythm. Worth experiencing deliberately, but plan eating around iftar (sunset).
The Mawazine world music festival, usually held in late May or early June, fills the city with free outdoor concerts and is one of the largest music events in Africa.