Destination guides
Marrakech in December: Weather, Packing and What to Do
What to expect in Marrakech in December
Marrakech in December surprises many visitors: they pack for Africa and find bright blue skies, crisp mornings and evenings cold enough for a jacket. It is one of the most pleasant months to explore the medina on foot, because the summer heat is long gone and the light is soft all day. The High Atlas, visible from the city on clear days, is often white with snow.
The flip side is the cold after sunset, especially indoors, as many riads are not heated, and in the desert, where nights can drop close to freezing. Plan your days around the sun, pack the right layers, and December becomes a very comfortable time for a city break, a balloon flight or a night in the dunes.
December weather: days, nights and the desert
| Marrakech in December | |
|---|---|
| Average afternoon high | About 20 °C |
| Average night-time low | About 7 °C |
| Rain | About 23–30 mm, on around 6 days |
| Sunshine | About 7 hours a day |
| Desert nights (Zagora, Merzouga) | Can drop close to freezing |
Source: 1991–2020 climate normals for the Marrakech-Menara weather station (NOAA data, via climate-zone.com and climatsetvoyages.com). Averages hide real days: some afternoons are warmer, and a cold, grey day with rain is possible.
In practice, mornings start cool and the afternoon is the warm part of the day, often warm enough for a café terrace in the sun. As soon as the sun goes down, the temperature drops quickly. In the desert the contrast is stronger still: winter is sunny and mild by day, but nights at the camp can drop close to freezing, so ask for a camp with good blankets.
What to pack for Marrakech in December
- Layers: a T-shirt for the afternoon sun, a sweater and a warm jacket for the evening.
- Warm night clothes or a light down layer: many riads are not heated.
- Comfortable shoes with grip for the uneven lanes of the medina.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: the December sun is still strong.
- A scarf, useful for the sun by day, the cold at night and the wind in the desert.
- For a desert night: a hat, gloves and the warmest layer you have.
Clothing in the medina is relaxed but modest; covering shoulders and knees is appreciated, and in December it happens naturally with the layers you need anyway.
Christmas and New Year in Marrakech
If your trip falls over the Christmas and New Year holidays, book your riad, your excursions and any New Year's Eve dinner as early as you can, so you get the dates and places you want. A private trip is planned around your own dates, which makes it easy to fit a desert night or a balloon flight between two celebrations.
On our side, prices depend on group size and season, and the final price is always confirmed in writing before you travel. Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we tell you what is possible, from a half-day in the medina to a few days in the desert.
What to do in Marrakech in December
The mild days make December ideal for walking. Our private Marrakech city tour with a local guide takes you from the Koutoubia to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Majorelle Garden and the souks, ending at Jemaa el-Fna as it comes alive at dusk, which comes early in December. Majorelle Garden tickets are often sold online in advance, and we help you book.
A sunrise hot air balloon flight over Marrakech is one of the great December experiences: about an hour of silent flight above Berber villages, with the snowy High Atlas on the horizon, followed by breakfast in a Berber tent. Pick-up is early, before dawn, so dress warmly. Flights depend on the weather and may be moved for safety.
For the desert, choose according to your time. The 2-day Zagora desert trip from Marrakech gives you a camel ride at sunset and a night in a Berber camp in a weekend. For the tall dunes of Erg Chebbi, the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga desert tour is the classic format, with a night in the Dades Valley on the way. In both cases, December days are bright and pleasant on the road, and nights at the camp are the coldest part of the trip.
Practical tips for December
- Plan outdoor visits for the late morning and afternoon, when it is warmest.
- Ask your riad whether rooms are heated, or whether a heater or extra blankets are available.
- Keep one rain layer handy: a few wet days are normal in December.
- Book the Christmas and New Year week, and any desert trip on those dates, as early as you can.
- Desert trips cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka pass and include long driving days: keep a warm layer in the car.
December rewards travellers who come prepared: warm evenings by a fire, quiet mornings in the souks and clear skies over the desert are worth the extra sweater.
