Discovery
What if winter were the best time of year to visit Morocco?
While in France the days are getting shorter and the cold sets in, in Marrakech, in December, you can enjoy a mint tea out on the terrace.
If you are looking for some winter sun, embark with La Méridionale. Our company takes you to Morocco all year round from Marseille.
Marrakech, a destination in December
With its museums, souk and palaces, Marrakech is a not-to-be-missed stopover when discovering Morocco.
All year round, holidaymakers stroll around Jemaa el-Fna square and enjoy tajines and couscous in the Medina's restaurants. Winter and December are no exception. At this time of year, the mild temperatures and blue skies invite cultural visits and nature excursions.
The majority of people who travel to Marrakech in December do so during the school vacations. To get the feeling of having the city all to yourself, go between December 1st and 20th. What's more, the low crowds drive down the price of accommodation. A night in a riad or hotel costs up to half as much during the first fortnight of December as between Christmas and New Year's Day.
What is the weather like in Marrakech in December?
Are you still hesitating about choosing the end of the year for your trip to Morocco? Once we've answered the question what's the weather like in Marrakech in December, you'll have no more doubts! The Red City lies at the gateway to the desert. In summer, the heat makes certain activities difficult. But in winter, the climate is ideal for exploring the city and its surroundings.
The temperature in Marrakech in December varies between 8 and 20 degrees Celsius. If the mornings and nights are cool, the mercury climbs as the day progresses. In the afternoon, you can stroll through the gardens of the Palais de la Bahia in a T-shirt. In the evening, you'll need to put your jacket back on to go for an ice cream at the Hivernage. But forget the hat and scarf. The thermometer rarely dips below 10 degrees.
The sun shines all year round on the Gateway to the South. In December, there are just seven days of rain. During the day, rainfalls may occur, but they never last long. On average, you'll enjoy 10 hours of sunshine a day.
What is there to do in Marrakech in December?
When you go to Marrakech in winter, you have access to all the tourist sites that make the city the Moroccan tourism capital. What's more, it's an opportunity to enjoy new experiences in the desert without being bothered by the heat.
Go to Marrakech for Christmas
Morocco is a Muslim country. Christmas does not inspire the same fervor and excitement as it does in France. In the kingdom, the holiday has no religious significance and December 25th is not a public holiday. However, many families have adopted the custom of the Christmas tree and exchange gifts.
If you feel like getting into the Christmas spirit, head to the Palmeraie or Gueliz. Every year, amid palm and date trees, a luxury hotel sets up an ice rink and organizes a Christmas market. In the Gueliz district, the streets are decked out in lights. Shopkeepers decorate their windows for the occasion with Santa, sleighs and reindeer. Some restaurants even offer a New Year's Eve-style menu, with turkey and Yule log. Then you can get together with friends and family around a delicious meal. No need to shop for food or spend hours in the kitchen.
Visit Marrakech in the winter
You won't get bored if you go to Marrakech in winter. Between cultural outings, desert escapades and downhill skiing, the imperial city has plenty of surprises in store for you.
Discover the great outdoors
A four-hour drive from Marrakech is Zagora. Located in the heart of the Drâa Valley, the city is your gateway to the Sahara Desert. Its dunes can be explored on foot, on camelback or in a 4*4. Take advantage of the mild temperatures to embark on the climb to Djebel Zagora. From the top, the view of the town and the cliffs will leave you speechless.
At night, the Sahara turns into a planetarium. Under the desert sky, constellations and stars seem brighter and closer. To observe comets and shooting stars, you can choose between a night in bivouac in a tent and dinner in the company of a confirmed astronomer.
Take in some culture
Desert lovers aren't the only ones who visit Marrakech in winter. Every year, the city welcomes cinephiles and international stars for its film festival. Robert de Niro, Martin Scorsese, Marion Cotillard and Jessica Chastain took part in jury deliberations and masterclasses. For the public, the event is a chance to see the Gateway to the South in a new light. The Jemaa el-Fna square becomes an open-air cinema. Marrakchis and festival-goers gather under the stars to preview the films in competition.
Some screenings take place at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Even outside the festival, the site remains a must-see. The permanent collection exhibits the designer's creations, portraits by Warhol and Dubuffet and photographs by Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton.
Don't leave before seeing the Majorelle Garden, right next to the museum. Designed by the French painter of the same name, the grounds were left abandoned until Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent took them over. Today, the villa's blue-and-yellow facade has been restored to its former glory, and the vegetation is abundant. In winter, it's a pleasure to stroll among the palms, cacti and aloes. The blue fountain and pink paths, usually very busy, find a little peace and quiet in December. It's a great time to stroll and take photos without being disturbed!
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Winter skiing in Morocco
The weather in Marrakech in December may be mild, but it's possible to try your hand at winter sports without going to far from your hotel.
80 kilometers south of the city, Oukaïmeden welcomes skiers from December to April. At an altitude of 2,600 meters, the High Atlas resort is the highest in Africa. The facilities aren't as modern as in the Alps, but the area nevertheless boasts ten kilometers of slopes. And who cares if you've never earned your first star! The sled runs, cheerful street vendors and the Djebel Toubkal in the background will make for an unforgettable day.
Enjoy a shopping spree
Leather goods, ceramics, textiles, basketwork... Moroccans have no shortage of know-how. If you're looking for original Christmas gifts for your loved ones, head to the souks and the Medina. With a little haggling, you'll be able to buy carpets, tajine dishes and babouches at the best prices. But that's not all. Some shops specialize in argan oil cosmetics, others in spices and black soap.
Craftsmen also showcase their creations in the boutiques and concept stores of the Gueliz district. Here, the younger generation keeps traditions alive and revisits classics. When you return home, zellige-patterned crockery, embroidered shirts and leather pouches will replace the traditional books, pairs of socks and boxes of chocolates under the tree.
Invitations to travel
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Moroccan desert and southern valleys
- Locations
Marrakech in december
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