In short: Marrakech in December gives you mild, sunny days and genuinely cold nights. Afternoons usually sit around 18 to 20C with clear skies, while after dark it can drop to 5 to 8C, colder still out in the desert. It is one of the best months for walking the city without breaking a sweat, and the Atlas peaks on the horizon often carry fresh snow. December is comfortable for sightseeing, busier around the holidays, and still fine for a desert trip as long as you pack for the chill. Here is how to plan it.
December weather in Marrakech
Days are pleasant. Highs typically run 17 to 20C, and in full sun it feels warmer, so a light jacket over a t-shirt is often enough at midday. The catch is the temperature swing. Once the sun drops, it gets cold fast, and nights fall to single digits. Bring real warm layers for the evening; a summer wardrobe will not cut it.
December sees a little more chance of rain than the summer, but it is still a mostly dry, sunny month, with the odd cloudy or wet day rather than long spells of it. The upside of winter is the light and the clear views: on a crisp day the snow-capped Atlas stands out sharply behind the city.
Crowds over the holidays
Early December is fairly quiet and a good time to visit. That changes around Christmas and New Year, when Marrakech becomes a popular winter-sun escape and the riads, restaurants and desert camps fill up. If you are coming for the holidays, book your rooms and any desert night well ahead, and expect higher prices over that stretch. Come in the first two or three weeks of the month and you get the good weather with thinner crowds.
What to do in December
This is the month to walk everywhere. The mild days make the medina, the souks and the outdoor sights a pleasure without the summer heat draining you. Do the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Ben Youssef Medersa and the Majorelle garden at whatever pace you like, since the temperature is on your side all day.
Rooftop terraces are lovely in the December sun for a long lunch. Evenings turn cold, so this is prime time for a warming tagine, a harira soup and a mint tea somewhere with heaters or a fire. A hammam feels especially good in winter. And the clear air makes December one of the best months for a day out to the Atlas or the desert, where the views go for miles.
The desert in December: dress for the cold
Winter is a fine time for the desert, with one rule: it gets cold at night, more so than the city. The Agafay desert is about 40 minutes from Marrakech, and a December afternoon out there is beautiful, with soft low light on the stone hills and the snowy Atlas behind. You ride a camel or take a quad in the golden hour, then eat dinner in a camp. The camps are set up for winter with blankets, rugs and fires, but you should bring a warm coat, a hat and layers for after dark. Clear winter skies also make for excellent stargazing. It runs year-round, and December daytime conditions are among the most comfortable for the ride itself. The Agafay desert tours handle the timing and the warm setup, and for longer winter trips our Morocco desert guide covers the Sahara routes, which get very cold at night this time of year.
December versus other seasons
| December | Summer (Jul-Aug) | Spring (Apr-May) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 17-20C | 38C+ | 26-32C |
| Night low | 5-8C, cold | Warm | Mild |
| Sightseeing comfort | Great all day | Mornings only | Great all day |
| Watch for | Cold nights, holiday crowds | Heat | Higher prices |
December trades warm evenings for cool, easy days. If you would rather walk all day than sit out the midday heat, winter is a strong choice; you just carry a coat for the nights.
Where December really shines
The thing winter does better than any other season is the light. The low sun gives the medina walls a warm color in the afternoon, and the clear, dry air pulls the snow-capped Atlas into sharp focus behind the city. Photographers love December for exactly this. It is also the season for slow indoor pleasures: long lunches on a sun-warmed terrace, then retreating to a fire-lit room for dinner as the cold sets in.
If you want to combine snow and desert in one trip, December can do it. The peaks around Oukaimeden sometimes carry enough snow to ski, an hour or two from the city, while the Agafay hills stay dry and clear for a sunset ride. Few places let you stand in a stone desert with a white mountain range on the skyline, and winter is when that view is at its best.
What to pack
- Layers: t-shirts for midday, a warm sweater and a proper jacket for evening
- A hat, scarf and closed shoes for cold nights and the desert
- A light rain layer just in case of a wet day
- Sunglasses and sunscreen; the winter sun is still bright
- An extra warm layer specifically for the desert camp after dark
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Marrakech?
Yes, especially for sightseeing. Days are mild and sunny at 17 to 20C, ideal for walking. Just pack warm clothes for the cold nights.
How cold does it get at night?
City nights drop to around 5 to 8C, and the desert is colder still. A warm coat and layers are essential after dark.
Can you visit the desert in December?
Yes. The Agafay desert runs all year. December afternoons are lovely and clear; the camps provide blankets and fires, so just dress warmly for the evening.
Is Marrakech busy at Christmas?
Around Christmas and New Year, yes. The city is a popular winter-sun spot, so book rooms and desert nights early for that period. Early December is quieter.
Planning a winter trip? Message us on WhatsApp and we will set up an Agafay afternoon with the warm camp gear sorted, so you get the sunset and the stars without the cold catching you out.