By season
Things to Do in Marrakech in Winter
Winter is one of the best-kept secrets of Marrakech. The days are warm and sunny, the medina is uncrowded, the Atlas peaks are capped with snow and the desert nights are crisp and clear. Here's how to make the most of the city's quiet, golden season.
Warm days in the city
Winter days in Marrakech are typically mild and sunny — perfect for exactly the things summer heat makes hard. This is the season to walk the medina at midday, linger in the palace courtyards and gardens, and do the guided city sights without wilting.
Mornings and evenings are cool, so it's also prime time for a warming hammam — steam and a scrub feel especially good when there's a chill in the air. Pack layers: shorts by day, a jacket after dark.
Snow in the mountains
The great winter draw is snow within reach of a warm city. Oukaïmeden, North Africa's highest ski resort, is a day trip away and holds snow through the season, and the High Atlas day puts you among snow-dusted peaks and Berber villages.
Even if you don't ski, the sight of white summits above the ochre city is unforgettable — and the mountain air is bracing after the medina.
Clear desert nights
Winter nights in the desert are cold but wonderfully clear — the stars are at their sharpest. Wrap up for a desert camp in Agafay or push on to Merzouga, where the Sahara's chilly nights come with roaring campfires and dazzling skies. A dawn balloon flight is glorious in the crisp, still winter air.
See the full day-trips and desert-tours pillars, and pack warm layers for the camps — winter days are mild, but the nights bite.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Marrakech in winter?
Days are typically mild and sunny (often in the high teens to low twenties Celsius), while mornings, evenings and nights are cold. It rarely rains much. Pack layers: you'll want short sleeves in the midday sun and a warm jacket after dark, especially for the desert and mountains.
Can you see snow near Marrakech in winter?
Yes. The High Atlas peaks are snow-capped and often visible from the city, and Oukaïmeden — North Africa's highest ski resort — is a day trip away with snow through the season. You can be in warm sun in the morning and among snow by early afternoon.
Is winter a good time to visit Marrakech?
It's one of the best. The city is warm and sunny by day, far less crowded than spring or autumn, prices are often lower, and you get the rare combination of comfortable sightseeing weather, snowy mountains and crystal-clear desert nights.
Is the desert too cold in winter?
The nights are genuinely cold, but the camps are set up for it with thick blankets, heaters and campfires, and the daytime desert is pleasantly warm. The trade-off is the clearest, most star-filled skies of the year — well worth packing warm layers for.
What should I pack for a winter trip?
Layers are essential: light clothing for warm days, plus a warm jacket, jumper and scarf for cold mornings, evenings and desert nights. Add comfortable walking shoes and, if you're heading to Oukaïmeden or the high mountains, proper warm gear.