
Marrakech in December
What if winter were the best time of year to visit Morocco?
While in France, the days are getting shorter and the weather's turning cold, in Marrakech, in December, you can sip a mint tea out on the terrace.
If you are looking for some winter sun, step aboard a La Méridionale ferry. Our company can take you to Morocco from Marseille and Barcelona all year round.
Marrakech, a destination for December
With its museums, souk and palaces, Marrakech is an unmissable stopover for anyone exploring Morocco. All year round, holidaymakers stroll around Jemaa el-Fna square and enjoy tajines and couscous in the Medina's restaurants. Winter and the month of December are no exception. At this time of year, the mild temperatures and blue sky are ideal for visiting cultural attractions and outdoor excursions.
Most people who travel to Marrakech in December do so during the school holidays. To feel like you have the city to yourself, travel between 1 and 20 December. What's more, the lower visitor numbers mean accommodation is cheaper. A night in a riad or a hotel in the first fortnight in December can cost as little as half the price of a stay between Christmas and New Year's Day.


What is the weather like in Marrakech in December?
Are you still hesitating about whether to choose the end of the year for your trip to Morocco? Once we've answered the question about what the weather's like in Marrakech in December, your mind will be made up! The Red City is located at the edge of the desert. In summer, the heat makes some activities difficult. But in winter, the climate is ideal for exploring the city and the surrounding area.
The temperature in Marrakech in December varies between 8 and 20 degrees Celsius. Although the mornings and nights are chilly, the mercury rises as the day goes on. In the afternoon, you can walk around in a t-shirt in the Bahia Palace gardens. When evening falls, you'll need to put your jacket back on to go for an ice cream in the Hivernage. But don't bother with a woolly hat or scarf. The thermometer rarely falls below 10 degrees.
The sun shines all year round on the Gateway to the South. December only has seven days of rain. There can be showers in the daytime but they never last long. On average, you can 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 attractions 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 fervour and enthusiasm as it does in France. In the kingdom, the day has no religious significance and the 25th of December 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 the palm and date trees, a luxury hotel opens an ice rink and organises a Christmas market. In the Gueliz quarter, the streets are adorned with illuminations. The shopkeepers decorate their windows for the occasion, with an abundance of Santas, sleighs and reindeer. Restaurants even offer a Christmas dinner 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
There's no risk of getting bored if you go to Marrakech in winter. With cultural outings, desert adventures and downhill skiing, the imperial city has plenty of surprises in store for yo
Discover the great outdoors
Zagora is four hours' drive from Marrakech. Located at the heart of the Drâa Valley, the city is your gateway to the Sahara desert. You can explore its dunes on foot, on a camel or in a 4*4. Make the most of the mild temperatures to climb up the Djebel Zagora. From the top, the view of the city and the cliff will leave you speechless.
By night, the Sahara transforms into a planetarium. Beneath the desert sky, the constellations and stars seem brighter and closer. To watch the comets and shooting stars, you have the choice between a night in a bivouac beneath a tent or dinner in the company of an experienced astronomer.
Take in some culture
Desert-lovers are not the only ones who visit Marrakech in winter. Every year, the city welcomes film buffs and international stars for its film festival. Robert de Niro, Martin Scorsese, Marion Cotillard and Jessica Chastain have previously taken part in the 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 outdoor cinema. Marrakchis and festival-goers come together under the stars for exclusive premières of the films in the competition.
A few screenings take place at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Even outside of festival times, this is a must-see attraction. The permanent collection features the fashion designer's creations, portraits by Warhol and Dubuffet, and photographs by Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton.
Don't go without seeing the Majorelle Garden, right next to the museum. Designed by the French painter of the same name, the grounds had been abandoned until Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent took them over. Today, the villa's blue and yellow façade has been restored to its former splendour and the vegetation is abundant. In winter, it's a pleasure to wander among the palm trees, cacti and aloes. The blue fountain and pink paths, which are usually very busy, are quieter in the month of December. It's an ideal time to enjoy a leisurely stroll and take photos without being disturbed!


Winter skiing in Morocco
Although the winter in Marrakech in Decembeb is mild, you can still try your hand at winter sports without going too far from your hotel.
80 kilometres to the south of the city, Oukaïmeden welcomes skiers from December to April. At an altitude of 2,600 metres, the High Atlas resort is the highest in Africa. The facilities are not as modern as in the Alps but the ski area nonetheless has ten kilometres of slopes. And what does it matter if you never earned your first star at skiing? The sled runs, cheerful street vendors and the Djebel Toubkal in the background will make this an unforgettable day out.
Enjoy a shopping spree
Leather goods, ceramics, textile, basketwork… The Moroccans are not lacking in know-how. If you are looking for original Christmas gifts for your loved ones, head to the souks and the Medina. If you haggle a bit, you can buy rugs, tajine dishes and babouches at bargain prices. But that's not all. Some shops specialise in argan oil cosmetics, others in spices and black soap.
Craftspeople also show off their creations in the shops and concept stores of the Gueliz quarter. Here, the younger generation keeps the traditions alive and revisits the classics. When you get home, zellige pattern crockery, embroidered shirts and leather pouches will make a change from the traditional books, socks and chocolate boxes under the Christmas tree.

