Morocco in December
There's something magical about Morocco in December. The Sahara skies, the mild weather and the snow crowning the Atlas mountains give you the feeling of escaping the passage of time. If you want to enjoy this unique experience, join La Méridionale for an unforgettable crossing to Tangier.
Destination Morocco in December
Whether you want to escape the dreary season in France, dream of exploring imperial cities or want to discover a new culture, head to Morocco in December. In winter, the Cherifian Empire attracts nature lovers and art enthusiasts alike. In July, the heat is stifling, but the sunny days at the end of the year make for pleasant city breaks and desert hikes.
While the destination remains popular, the crowds are not as high as in spring and summer. Especially in early December. Outside the school holidays, there are fewer tourists, and their absence affects prices. Between the 1st and the 20th, accommodation can cost up to half as much as between Christmas and New Year's Day. Boat tickets to Morocco are also cheaper.
What's the weather like in Morocco in December?
With its Mediterranean, desert and mountain climates, Morocco is a country that can be visited all year round. The four seasons are marked, and winter is characterised by an increase in rainfall, particularly on the coast, and a drop in temperatures. But December here has little to do with the end of the year in France. During the day, the mercury fluctuates between 9° and 20° and the sun shines almost every day.
Want to go to Morocco in December to avoid the winter? Head for Agadir. The thermometer hovers around 20°C and there are only four days of rain in the month. With the water at 18°, the more adventurous go swimming and try their hand at surfing, paddle-boarding and windsurfing.
In Marrakech, December also feels like spring. The mornings and evenings are cool (around 8°C), but in the afternoon the mercury easily reaches 20°C. It rains on average seven days a month. However, the showers never last long, and you can explore the Pearl of the South in the sunshine.
Another imperial city to visit in Morocco in December is Fez. There is less sunshine (five hours a day) and more rain (eight days a month). But the normal seasonal temperature is around 17°C. The temperature is ideal for exploring the Jardin Jnan Sbil without suffering from the heat. And with 3,000 species listed, you're sure to come across a few in flower.
Packing for Tangier? Don't forget your umbrella. The Atlantic coast is the wettest region in Morocco in December. But don't worry, it only rains ten days a month and temperatures range from 7° to 17°. You can enjoy the white facades of the medina and the grottes d'Hercule (Hercules caves) under a mild sky.
What to do in Morocco in December
Apart from the weather, spending a holiday in Morocco in December is not very different from staying in the kingdom during the summer. The tourist sites for which the country is famous are all accessible. But Morocco at Christmas also has a few surprises in store.
Christmas in Morocco
The end-of-year festivities are often synonymous with reunions and traditions. But they can also be an opportunity to meet new people and make new discoveries, especially if you're planning to visit Morocco at Christmas.
Spending the festive season with the family
As a Muslim country, Morocco does not celebrate the birth of Jesus with the same fervour and enthusiasm as France. December 24 and 25 are days almost like any others. Moroccans work and you can plan an outing to a museum or dinner in a restaurant without the risk of finding the door closed.
However, the Cherifian Empire is gradually allowing itself to be won over by the Christmas spirit. Flower markets sell Christmas trees that families decorate, and Father Christmas is gradually replacing Baba Aïchour as the gift-giver. Nowadays, in Morocco, the streets are lit up in December and shop windows are decked out in red and green. Ryads and hotels even organise Christmas Eve parties with turkey and yule logs on the menu.
New Year's Eve or New Year's Day in the Moroccan desert
Like Christmas, New Year's Eve is not a Moroccan tradition. In the big cities, you can celebrate in a restaurant or bar, but the desert provides a sumptuous setting for an extraordinary New Year's Eve.
In December, the Sahara Desert is at its best. The night offers a spectacle seen nowhere else. The stars shine with a rare intensity. They seem so close that you think you can touch them. To admire the stars and constellations, you can choose between dinner with a concert of traditional music or a night's bivouac in a tent.
During the day, temperatures of between 7 and 10° make it possible to hike and discover the great outdoors. Start the year by exploring the Dades Valley and its film sets, or the Valley of the Roses, with its gorges and canyons. If you're not afraid of heights, why not try climbing Djebel Saghro or Djebel Zagora?
Skiing at Michlifen ski resort
If the end-of-year holidays are synonymous with snowy slopes, you can book your cabin on a boat to Morocco without fear. Crossed by the Atlas and Rif mountains, the kingdom of the distant sunset is a land of mountains. It even has a few ski resorts.
Perched at an altitude of 2,000 metres in the High Atlas, Michlifen has all the charm of the family resorts of yesteryear. Nestling in the middle of an immense cedar grove, it is the perfect place for tobogganing and snowshoeing. Five slopes and two ski lifts will delight beginners and experienced skiers alike.
Visits and cultural encounters
Going to Morocco in December means you can enjoy activities in the great outdoors. It's also a great time for cultural visits.
The Marrakech International Film Festival
Every winter, international stars and film buffs gather in Marrakech for the International Film Festival. Francis Ford Coppola, Jeanne Moreau, James Gray and Milos Forman walk the red carpet in the ochre city for the occasion.
While the jury debates which feature film will win the gold star, audiences flock to the gala screenings and meetings. As evening falls, the street vendors and storytellers in Jemaa el-Fna Square give way to a giant screen. Marrakchis and festival-goers gather under a cloudless sky to preview the films in competition.
The Marrakech Art Festival
The seventh art is not the only one to be honoured in Marrakech. Festiv'Art is held throughout December. The Théâtre Royal hosts concerts, fashion shows, ballets and DJ sets for four weeks. The festivities continue out into the streets. Entertainment is planned everywhere to share the event with all the Marrakchis.
The Majorelle Gardens
Morocco in general and Marrakech in particular have always been a source of inspiration for Europeans. While Matisse and Delacroix preferred Tangier, Marrakech captured the hearts of the painter Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent.
The first bought a palm grove in the 1920s. He had an Art Deco villa built there and laid out a luxuriant garden. Left derelict after the artist's death, the property was given a new lease of life by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. They renovated the gardens, turned the house into a museum of Berber arts and reopened the site to the public.
In summer, the yucca, palm and bamboo trees transform the Majorelle garden into a cool oasis. In winter, its shades of blue and yellow, cacti and bougainvillea transform it into a haven of peace. As you wander among the aloes, keep your ears open. You might hear a passerine or a titmouse singing.
Are you ready for an unusual end to the year under the Moroccan sun? Come aboard our ferry to Morocco. During your crossing, you'll enjoy our chef's Mediterranean-style cuisine and stay in a cabin with a private bathroom.
