Morocco in December: Weather, What to Expect and Where to Go

Typical December values. Real days can be a few degrees warmer or colder, and mountain weather changes quickly.

Marrakech is the easiest place to enjoy December. Most days are bright and pleasant for exploring the souks, gardens and palaces, and you can often see snow on the High Atlas from the city’s rooftops. The temperature drops quickly after sunset, so take a jacket when you go out for dinner on Jemaa el-Fna.

The weak point is often your room. Many riads are built around open courtyards and stay cool inside. Before you book, check that rooms have real heating and extra blankets.

December is when the High Atlas turns white. Imlil, about 90 minutes from Marrakech, is the base for walks in the Toubkal National Park. Easy walks between the villages are still possible, but higher trails can be icy, and climbing Toubkal in winter is a mountaineering trip that needs crampons, an ice axe and a qualified guide.

Oukaïmeden, about 75 km from Marrakech, has one of Africa’s few ski areas. Whether it opens in December depends on the snow, which varies a lot from year to year, so check close to your dates. Even without skiing, a day in the snow is a fun contrast with the desert.

Fes is colder and wetter than Marrakech in December, with grey days alternating with bright ones. The medina is still wonderful, and the tanneries and madrasas are calmer than in high season. Bring a waterproof jacket and shoes with good grip: the stone lanes are slippery after rain.

Chefchaouen is the rainiest stop on a typical route. It is still worth the trip, but give it a flexible day. On the road from Fes to the Sahara, the Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou often has snow in winter, with cedar forests and Barbary macaques along the way.

For the warmest days, head to the Atlantic. Agadir is usually the mildest city in December, with sunny afternoons around 22 °C. The sea is around 18 °C, refreshing rather than warm, so it suits walks, surfing and sunbathing more than long swims.

Essaouira is an easy day trip from Marrakech and looks beautiful in winter light, though sea breezes make the evenings cool. Nearby Taghazout is a classic winter surf spot, when the Atlantic swells are at their best.

December is one of the best months for the desert, as long as you are ready for the cold after sunset. Days in Merzouga are usually sunny and around 18 °C, perfect for camel rides, 4x4 tours and climbing the dunes. The air is dry and clear, and on moonless nights the stars are extraordinary.

After dark, the temperature can fall to around 4 °C, sometimes lower. This is where your camp matters. A tent with real heating, thick bedding and a private bathroom makes a winter night comfortable instead of something to endure.

Below are hand-picked activities in Merzouga: camel rides, 4x4 tours, sandboarding and horse riding. In winter, they are most pleasant from late morning to sunset.

Morocco is a Muslim country and Christmas is not a public holiday, so shops, souks and sites stay open as usual. Many riads and hotels in Marrakech still put up decorations and offer a special Christmas or New Year dinner, and the big cities have Catholic churches for anyone who wants to attend a service.

New Year’s Eve is the busiest night of the season. Marrakech has parties in hotels, restaurants and clubs, while many travellers prefer a quiet night in the desert, around a fire and under the stars. 1 January is a public holiday, but most tourist services run normally.

This loop keeps you in the sunniest places, gives you two nights in the desert and finishes in Fes. Reverse it if you fly into Fes.

If you prefer not to drive mountain roads in winter, a guided desert tour is the easiest option. We picked four tours that reach Merzouga: two 3-day tours and a 4-day tour from Marrakech, and a 2-day tour from Fes.

In December, check that the camp has heated tents and private bathrooms, and ask what happens if the Tizi n’Tichka is closed by snow on the day you leave.

These four day trips work well in December: the Atlas villages and the Ourika Valley for snow-capped views, Essaouira for sea air, and Aït Ben Haddou across the mountains. Check the forecast the day before a mountain trip.

Early December is one of the better-value times of the year. Prices change sharply in the last ten days of the month.

Merzouga Glamping is a camp at the edge of Erg Chebbi with private ensuite tents. Heating in winter and air conditioning in summer run day and night. Dinner is served in our indoor restaurant, and a sunset camel ride and sandboarding are included.

Stays start from €70 per person per night, and a single tent is €85. Our camp can be reached by normal car, and we can help arrange a driver. For Christmas and New Year, write to us early.

Temperatures and rainy days are approximate climate averages, with our own observations for Merzouga; they are not a forecast. Tour listings were checked on GetYourGuide on 13 November 2026; prices and inclusions can change.