Seasonal guide, December to February

Morocco Winter Travel Guide 2026

Mild days in Marrakech and Agadir, snow on the Atlas, quiet medinas and the Sahara in its best season. Where to go, what the weather does, what to pack and when rates are lowest.

Imlil, below the snow on the Toubkal massif. Photograph: Erokhin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Marrakech, January: About 18 °C by day
Sahara nights: 0-5 °C
Ski season: Late December to March
Yennayer: January 14

Why Morocco in winter

Marrakech averages about 18 °C by day in January and Agadir stays above 20. Go south for warmth, to the Sahara for its best season, or up to the Atlas for snow; expect rain in the north.

The northern cities get more rain, but daytime temperatures there still sit in the mid-teens. After October the crowds thin in Jemaa el-Fna and the Fes medina, and by January you share the blue streets of Chefchaouen with far fewer visitors than in July. Riads lower their rates and guides have more time.

Some things happen only in winter: skiing in the High Atlas, Yennayer on January 14, the almond blossom in the Anti-Atlas from late January, and Sahara nights cold and clear enough for serious stargazing.

Winter weather by region

Coast, mountains and desert each get a different winter. Plan the route around the weather you want.

Region	Day	Night	What to expect	Good for
Marrakech and the central plains	18-20 °C	5-8 °C	Warm days and cool evenings. Morning fog is common in December and January, and rain comes in brief spells. Sightseeing is comfortable by mid-morning.	The medina, Ourika Valley day trips, cooking classes, hammams.
Fes, Meknes and the northern interior	13-16 °C	3-6 °C	The coldest and wettest of the main cities. Mornings are damp and chilly, and traditional riads can feel cold inside, since central heating is uncommon.	Tanneries, museums, ceramic workshops; Volubilis on a clear day.
Tangier and the northwest coast	14-17 °C	8-10 °C	The most rain in the country, and strong wind on the coast. The hills turn green. The Kasbah Museum and the cafes around the Petit Socco stay dry.	Cafes, galleries, the Kasbah Museum.
Agadir and the southern coast	20-23 °C	8-12 °C	The warmest winter weather in Morocco. Beach days are possible in January, though the Atlantic is cool. Resorts cut rates outside the holiday window.	The beach, Souss-Massa National Park, surfing at Taghazout, a Tiznit day trip.
Atlas Mountains, above 1,500 m	5-10 °C	-5 to 0 °C	Snow above 2,000 m from November through April. The Tizi n'Tichka pass can close for a while after heavy snowfall. Below the snowline, dry days suit hiking.	Skiing at Oukaimeden, winter trekking, mountain lodges.
Sahara (Merzouga, Zagora)	18-22 °C	0-5 °C	Almost no rain, low humidity and days you can spend outdoors. Nights drop to near freezing under clear skies; camps provide heavy blankets.	Camel treks, a night in camp, stargazing, sunrise on the dunes.

Typical December to February daytime highs and night-time lows, in °C. Figures are approximate and vary year to year.

Month by month

December: Mild weather, then the holiday rushThe first two weeks combine mild weather and low prices: Marrakech sits around 18-20 °C by day and the Sahara is ideal for camping. Snow begins on the High Atlas, opening the season at Oukaimeden, and the Marrakech International Film Festival usually runs in late November or early December. Rates climb sharply after December 20, so book the holiday period early.
January: The best rates and the fewest visitorsAfter the first week, Morocco is at its quietest. This is the coldest month, and Fes and the north can dip to near freezing at night. The Amazigh New Year (Yennayer) on January 14 is celebrated in Atlas and Rif communities, and almond trees begin to flower in the Anti-Atlas toward the end of the month.
February: Almond blossom and warmer daysTemperatures rise, with Marrakech near 20-22 °C by the end of the month. Almond blossom peaks in the Anti-Atlas around Tafraoute. The north stays rainy, but the days grow longer, and February is often the best month at Oukaimeden, on snow built up over the winter. Rates are a little higher than in January, still below spring levels.

Skiing in Morocco

Snow is reliable above 2,000 m in a normal winter, and two resorts rent equipment and run lifts for beginners and intermediates.

Oukaimeden: High Atlas, about 75 km from MarrakechOften described as the highest ski resort in Africa, with a chairlift rising from about 2,600 m to 3,258 m. Gentle runs suit beginners, families and intermediates. The season runs from late December to March when snow allows. The road from Marrakech is winding but paved, and a day trip is the practical approach. Rental gear is basic; bring your own if you are particular.
Michlifen: Middle Atlas, near IfraneLower than Oukaimeden, with gentler slopes, more basic infrastructure and a shorter, less reliable season, usually January to February. Combine it with Ifrane and the cedar forest near Azrou, home to Barbary macaques. The drive from Fes takes about 1.5 hours.

A Barbary macaque sitting on a snow-covered branch between cedar trunks — A Barbary macaque in a snow-covered cedar forest in the Middle Atlas. Photograph: Faical boutlib, CC BY-SA 4.0

Lifts, rentals, snowshoeing and backcountry touring are covered in the guide to skiing in Morocco.

The Sahara in winter: peak season for the desert

Summer in the Sahara regularly passes 45 °C. Winter days of 18-22 °C allow full days of camel trekking, dune walks and 4x4 driving, which is why December to February is the desert's high season even while the rest of Morocco is quiet.

Nights need preparation. In the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, temperatures can fall to near freezing after sunset. Good camps make up for it with heavy blankets, heated communal tents and a hot dinner by the fire.

Black Berber tents inside a reed fence at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes — A Berber camp at the foot of Erg Chebbi, Merzouga. Photograph: gailhampshire, CC BY 2.0

Merzouga and Erg Chebbi: The tallest, most visited dunesThe dunes of Erg Chebbi reach about 150 m. Most visitors come on a two- or three-day trip from Marrakech or Fes, with a camel ride and a night in camp; camps range from simple tents to glamping with private bathrooms.
Zagora and Erg Chigaga: Remote and quietErg Chigaga is reached by a long 4x4 track across the desert. The reward is near-solitude among big dunes, for travellers who accept the extra distance.
Winter light: Long shadows, a long golden hourThe low winter sun throws long shadows that define the dune ridges and ripples. Sunrise over Erg Chebbi is the photograph most people come for.
Stargazing: Clear, dry, dark skiesWinter air carries less dust than summer air, and there is almost no light pollution. The Geminid meteor shower peaks in mid-December.

Winter festivals and events

Film, the Amazigh New Year and the almond blossom fill the winter calendar.

Late November or early December: Marrakech International Film FestivalInternational and Moroccan films across the city, with public screenings and industry panels.
January 14: Yennayer, the Amazigh New YearCelebrated with feasts, music and dancing in Amazigh communities, especially in the Atlas and the Rif. Families prepare couscous with seven vegetables. Morocco made it an official public holiday in 2023, observed for the first time on January 14, 2024.
Late January to February: Almond Blossom Festival, TafraouteWhen the almond trees flower in the Anti-Atlas valleys, Tafraoute celebrates with Amazigh music, folk dancing and local food.
December 31: New Year's EveNot a traditional Moroccan holiday, but hotels and restaurants in the big cities hold gala dinners, and Jemaa el-Fna fills up.

Christmas and New Year in Morocco

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country and Christmas is not a public holiday. Don't expect decorations in the medinas, but the hotel trade caters to holiday visitors.

International hotels in Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Tangier serve Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, with decorated dining rooms and menus that mix Moroccan and Western dishes. Some riads organise a celebration for their guests.

New Year's Eve is more widely celebrated. Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech fills with locals and visitors as midnight approaches, and hotels across the country hold gala dinners with live music. From December 20 to January 5, prices are at their highest.

Winter food

When it gets cold, Moroccan kitchens turn to soups, slow-cooked stews and hot bread.

Harira
Tomato soup with lentils, chickpeas and lamb, Morocco's cold-weather dish. It breaks the fast in Ramadan and appears at street stalls and on menus all winter.
Rfissa
Shredded msemen flatbread under a lentil sauce with slow-cooked chicken, fenugreek and ras el hanout. Traditionally made for new mothers; look for it in traditional restaurants, especially in Fes and Meknes.
Tanjia
Marrakech's slow-cooked stew: beef or lamb, preserved lemon, garlic, saffron and smen sealed in a clay urn and left in the embers of a hammam furnace for hours. Traditionally a weekend dish prepared by men.
Bessara
A thick soup of dried fava beans with olive oil, cumin and paprika, eaten with bread for breakfast in the cold months. Bessara shops open at dawn in every city.
Msemen and baghrir with honey
Msemen is layered and buttery; baghrir is spongy and full of tiny holes. Both are served warm with honey and butter, at breakfast or with afternoon tea, and street vendors cook them to order.
Mint tea
Served scalding hot and sweet everywhere. In the mountains, some families add wormwood (chiba) or other herbs in winter.

What to pack for Morocco in winter

Layers. Mornings and evenings are cold; midday in Marrakech or Agadir can feel like spring.

Clothing

A warm fleece or wool sweater for evenings and the mountains.
A light waterproof jacket with a hood for rain in the northern cities.
A thermal base layer for a night in the Sahara or the Atlas.
Walking shoes with good grip for wet medina streets.
A warm hat, scarf and gloves for mountain trips and desert nights.
Light layers for warm afternoons in Marrakech and Agadir.

Weather

Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher): UV stays strong in winter.
Sunglasses with UV protection.
A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket.
Moisturiser and lip balm for dry mountain and desert air.

Desert and mountains

A headlamp or small torch for desert camps.
A camera that can take long exposures, for the night sky.
Warm socks to sleep in at camp.
A daypack for hikes and day trips.

The rainy season

The rainy season runs from November through March, and December and January are the wettest months in the north. Tangier, Chefchaouen and Fes get the most rain; Marrakech is much drier, and the south coast and the Sahara see very little.

Rain tends to come in short, heavy bursts rather than a long drizzle, and a wet morning can turn into a sunny afternoon. Some medina passages hold puddles for hours afterwards.

For a rainy day

A cooking class in Marrakech, Fes or Essaouira.
A hammam, public or private.
Museums: MACMA in Marrakech, Dar Batha in Fes, the Kasbah Museum in Tangier.
The covered sections of the souks.
A ceramics or mosaic workshop in Fes.
Tea and a book in a riad salon.

Precautions

Waterproof shoes with grip: medina paving gets slippery.
A compact umbrella or rain jacket in your daypack.
A waterproof phone case or dry bag for electronics.
Keep out of wadis and dry riverbeds after heavy rain: flash floods happen.
Check the mountain passes before driving over the Atlas.
Keep the itinerary flexible, with indoor plans in reserve.

Winter rates and booking

Outside the December 20 to January 5 holiday window, winter is good value. Hotels that charge their top rates in April or October lower them to fill rooms in the quiet months, and the drop is usually biggest at mid-range and luxury places.

Book the December 20 to January 5 window at least three months ahead.
For January and February, two to four weeks ahead gives a good choice.
Contact riads directly; they may beat the booking platforms.
Ask about a discount for stays of three nights or more.
Confirm the heating before you book: not every riad has it.

Winter travel tips

Book a riad with heating
Many traditional riads lack central heating. Ask before booking, and look for fireplaces, underfloor heating or portable heaters. Better-run places often have electric blankets.
Drive the mountains with care
The Tizi n'Tichka and Tizi n'Test passes can get snow and ice. Carry chains in a rental car, check the road before you leave, and expect high passes to close for a while after heavy snowfall.
Plan for short days
The sun sets early in winter. Do outdoor sightseeing and photography in the morning and early afternoon; the medina is still lively after dark.
Prepare for desert nights
The Sahara drops from around 20 °C to near freezing after sundown. Bring thermal layers and ask your operator about heated tents and extra blankets.
Negotiate winter rates
Outside December 20 to January 5, hotels, riads and tour operators are often willing to negotiate, and longer stays often get a discount.

Questions

Morocco in winter: questions

Is Morocco a good destination in winter?

Yes. Coastal cities like Agadir see daytime highs of 20-22 degrees Celsius even in January, and the Sahara is at its most comfortable for camping. Crowds thin out after New Year and hotel rates fall. The main downside is rain in the northern cities.

How cold does Morocco get in winter?

It varies by region. Marrakech averages around 18 degrees Celsius by day and 6 degrees at night in January. Fes and the north are cooler, around 14 degrees by day and near freezing at night. The Atlas Mountains get snow above 2,000 meters, and summit temperatures can drop below minus 10 degrees. The Sahara reaches 18-20 degrees by day but falls to 0-5 degrees at night. Agadir and the southern coast stay mild at 20-22 degrees by day.

Can you ski in Morocco?

Yes. Oukaimeden, about 75 kilometers from Marrakech at 2,600 meters, has ski lifts, rental shops and runs for beginners and intermediates. The season runs from late December through March when snow allows. Michlifen near Ifrane in the Middle Atlas also has skiing. Conditions are unpredictable, so check snow reports before heading up.

Does it rain a lot in Morocco during winter?

Northern cities like Tangier, Chefchaouen and Fes get the most rain from November through February. Marrakech is much drier, and the Sahara and Agadir are the driest areas. Rain usually comes in short bursts rather than all-day downpours. Pack a waterproof jacket and keep indoor plans, such as museums and cooking classes, as a backup.

What should I pack for Morocco in winter?

Pack layers: a warm fleece or sweater for mornings and evenings, a waterproof jacket for rain, comfortable walking shoes with good grip, and a warm hat and scarf for the Atlas Mountains or desert nights. Daytime in Marrakech and Agadir often requires just a light jacket. Bring sunscreen because UV is strong even in winter. If visiting the Sahara, pack thermal base layers for overnight camping.

Are there Christmas and New Year celebrations in Morocco?

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, so Christmas is not a public holiday. International hotels in Marrakech, Casablanca and Agadir host Christmas dinners and special menus. New Year's Eve is more widely celebrated, with events at restaurants and hotels, and Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech is busy on the night. Expect higher hotel prices from about December 20 to early January.

Is the Sahara desert worth visiting in winter?

Winter is arguably the best season for the Sahara. Daytime temperatures of 18-22 degrees are comfortable for camel treks and dune walks, compared to the 45-degree heat of summer. Nights are cold (0-5 degrees), but desert camps provide thick blankets and some have heated tents. Skies are clear for stargazing.

Are there hotel deals in Morocco during winter?

Yes. Outside the holiday window of roughly December 20 to January 5, winter is shoulder or low season and rates fall from their spring and autumn levels. January and February offer the best deals, especially midweek.