It’s a script that plays out again and again, and by now I almost expect it: when you get in touch to start planning a trip to Morocco, winter is hardly ever the season you pick. And yet, having visited Morocco in every month of the year, I can tell you with certainty that winter deserves far more attention.
Discovering Morocco in winter is a gift you should give yourself, especially if you’ve already been there once. You’ll fall in love with a land that changes its face from one region to the next. An example for readers in a hurry? While it can snow in the Atlas Mountains and you can even go skiing in Ifrane, in Marrakech you can stroll around in pleasant daytime temperatures, and along the Atlantic coast the best surfing waves roll in. In the desert, meanwhile, you’ll enjoy bright, mild days, but don’t forget a warm sweater for the night.
Besides all this beauty, which I’ll explore in the lines below, you’ll also have your budget on your side. With the exception of the Christmas and New Year period, winter in Morocco is low season, which means fewer tourists around and much better prices.
Winter weather varies from region to region
If this short introduction has already convinced you to travel to Morocco in winter, the next step is figuring out what to pack. Morocco’s winter climate varies a great deal depending on the region. The Atlantic coast has a relatively mild winter, while inland areas are more continental and it can get properly cold in the mountains. In the desert, as I’ve told you many times, the temperature swing between day and night is very pronounced.
In Marrakech, winter days are mild and sunny, but the nights are rather cold. Daytime highs average around 19–20°C (66–68°F) in December, while in January nighttime temperatures can drop as low as 6°C (43°F). By February, though, the weather is already warming up and highs can reach around 21°C (70°F).
It’s the classic situation where you head out in the morning wearing a jacket, stroll around in lighter clothes during the day, and need something warm again in the evening.
If it rains, don’t worry: rain is common in Marrakech during the winter months, but it usually comes in short showers that alternate with sunny days.
Once you reach Ifrane, you won’t believe your eyes. At over 1,700 meters above sea level, Ifrane in winter hardly seems to belong to Morocco. Surrounded by the Atlas Mountains, cedar forests, lakes and trails, in winter Ifrane sees temperatures drop below freezing, snow falls and the town even becomes a ski destination, home to the well-known Michlifen ski resort. I absolutely love this contrast, which lets us start the day thinking about the desert and find ourselves, a few hours later, looking out over a snowy landscape.
And what about the Sahara? I know you’ve been waiting for this moment, since the desert has always been synonymous with sweltering heat. Winter is actually one of the most interesting seasons to visit the desert areas, but at night temperatures can get close to freezing. During the day, on the other hand, the sun makes the weather far more pleasant.
That’s why, for a winter trip to Morocco, layering is the way to go! Dress in layers and you’ll be ready to visit any region.
Low season in Morocco: you save money and avoid the crowds
At this point, it’s time to talk about a less poetic but very important topic if you’re thinking of planning a trip to Morocco. In winter you can travel for less, especially after the holidays.
Apart from the Christmas period, winter is the cheapest season to visit Marrakech. You already know the advantages of the climate; add to that the fact that between January and February you’ll be able to enjoy the city more calmly thanks to the drop in bookings, and you’re all set.
If you’re traveling on a tight budget, choosing the low season is the perfect way to experience busy cities like Marrakech. For me, this is the real advantage of choosing winter to visit Morocco: spending less, yes, but above all having more time and finding less chaos in the streets and in the lines at the main sights.
Keep in mind, though, that Christmas and New Year’s are the exception: this period is in high demand and is considered high season.
Morocco’s winter: surfing and Yennayer
If you love the sea and water sports, Morocco’s winter has an extra surprise in store for you. Along the Atlantic coast, from October to April, bigger and more tempting waves roll in for anyone who wants to surf, especially around Taghazout, Tamraght, Imsouane, Essaouira, Sidi Ifni and Dakhla.
During the holidays, you can also experience Morocco in a very special way. On New Year’s Eve you won’t find the imperial cities decked out with the Christmas decorations we love so much, yet even in the main tourist destinations, hotels, restaurants and bars organize special evenings for December 31.
I also find the idea of spending New Year’s Eve in the desert truly magical. A night in a tent, the starry sky, the silence of the dunes and the dawn of January 1st, far from the city lights. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed by this way of starting the year.
But in January, Morocco also celebrates Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, which is the celebration I most want to recommend to you, because it’s closer to Moroccan culture. It’s a festival deeply tied to Amazigh culture and identity, and it was officially recognized as a national holiday in Morocco only in 2023. It marks the first day of the traditional Amazigh agricultural calendar and is celebrated mainly on January 12 and 13, with communal dinners of traditional dishes, music and, in some areas, even horse parades.
Ramadan in winter: how it changes your trip
After this quick introduction to traveling in Morocco during the winter months, there’s one very important detail I need to add. If you’re leaving between January and March 2027, be aware that Ramadan will fall in that period. The holy month will begin on February 8 or 9, 2027 and end on March 8 or 9. This means that during that month your trip will need to follow a different rhythm. Morocco will still welcome tourists, but it asks you to adapt to local schedules and customs and to respect their faith.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, so the daytime opening hours of restaurants, cafés, shops, transportation and various tourist services may change. After sunset, though, life picks up again, and iftar will be a joyful experience for you too.
Don’t think of Ramadan as an obstacle to your vacation, but rather as an even greater opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.
To wrap up my story, I’m not saying that winter is the best time of all to visit Morocco, but I can say that this season is far too often underestimated.
Just be careful not to try to replicate your summer trip in a winter version, because low-season Morocco already has a program in store that will truly surprise you.
Lisa
