Is It A Good Idea To Visit Morocco In Winter? Top Reasons To Visit & More
Read on for top tips for visiting Morocco in Winter!
Choosing to visit Morocco in the winter time may not be the most obvious option for some, but it is, in my opinion, one of the top destinations to visit during the winter period.
Having spent my last Christmas holiday in Morocco with my family, I’m the perfect blogger to give you an honest review on what to expect.
So I’ve written this blog post giving you all the information you need on why visiting Morocco in winter is a good choice.
I also list the top destinations in Morocco that you may wish to visit, plus hotel recommendations for each place to ensure a great holiday for you and your family this winter.
⌚ In a rush? My Hotel Recommendations for Morocco in Winter:
Agadir Beach Club Hotel
Riad Malfa (Marrakesh)
Dar Zambra (Chefchaouen)
Is It A Good Idea To Visit Morocco In Winter?
The answer to this question is a definitive YES! Visiting Morocco in the winter period is a fantastic idea. I enjoyed last Christmas with my family in Morocco and can recommend it as a top destination.
In fact, my family enjoyed our winter vacation in Morocco so much that we plan on going back this Christmas!
We absolutely loved relaxing on the beach in sunny Agadir on Christmas Day – such a contrast to the miserable weather back in the UK!
Top Reasons To Visit Morocco In Winter
So without further ado, let’s take an in-depth look at the top reasons why you should visit Morocco during the winter season:
Better Weather
The most obvious reason why you should visit Morocco during the winter season is the weather.
During summertime, parts of Morocco experience temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius, with popular cities such as Marrakesh regularly reaching temperatures in the mid-30s.
I actually visited Marrakesh during July back in 2015, and can speak from first-hand experience that the high temperatures made for a tiring, sweaty, and exhausting trip.
The winter season is a much milder affair, however. During our family vacation to Agadir last Christmas, we experienced temperatures in the mid to late 20s, with Christmas Day reaching a warm 28 degrees Celsius.
This makes for a much more pleasant experience overall, making Morocco the perfect getaway destination during the cold and dark months of winter that most European countries experience.
Fewer Tourists
Another top reason to visit Morocco during winter is that there are many fewer tourists during this period.
In my opinion, nothing is worse during a holiday than visiting a famous landmark or city, only to discover there are flocks of tourists already there.
Overcrowded destinations due to tourists is a serious issue for holidaymakers and locals alike, which is why I much prefer travelling during the winter season rather than the summer.
In Morocco during winter, you can expect a lot fewer crowds at the country’s top destinations, making for a much more pleasant and enjoyable experience.
Cheaper Flights
Everyone loves a bargain, which is another reason why it’s better to visit Morocco during winter – cheap flights!
Wherever in the world you may be flying from, you can expect to find cheaper flights to Morocco during the winter months, with January usually the cheapest month of the year to travel.
✅ Pro Tip: Plan to book your flights as far in advance as possible in order to find lower prices, ideally 3-6 months in advance. It’s possible to find flights from the UK to Morocco as low as just £30, and I recommend using Kiwi for the best deals.
Cheaper Accommodation
As well as cheap flights, you can also expect to find cheap accommodation in Morocco during the winter season.
It’s typical to find good 3-4 star hotels with reasonable prices during this period, but again, book in advance to find the best cheap deals. I recommend using booking.com for its ease of use and convenience.
Top Destinations To Visit In Morocco In Winter
The truth about Morocco is that there are so many amazing destinations to visit. From Agadir’s golden beach to the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh’s souk markets, the country has something for everyone.
Now that we’ve determined that yes, Morocco in winter is a great choice, let’s take a look at the top destinations to visit:
Agadir
If you want to chill out on the beach and enjoy a spot of sunbathing during your winter vacation, then Agadir must be your number one choice.
As previously mentioned, my family and I spent Christmas week in Agadir and loved our time there. From Agadir’s golden beach to staying in a four-star hotel, it really is a perfect getaway destination for families.
👉My Hotel Recommendation for Agadir: Agadir Beach Club Hotel
👉 If you want to know why I recommend Agadir Beach Club Hotel, have a read of my review here:
My Honest Review Of A 4 Star Hotel In Agadir, Morocco
And check out my other blog posts about Agadir and why I rate it so highly:
Is Agadir Worth Visiting? What I Loved (& Hated!) During My Trip
Is Agadir Safe For Families? An Honest Review Of Morocco’s Beach Town
Marrakesh
Undoubtedly, the number one tourist destination in all of Morocco is magical Marrakesh.
The reason Marrakesh is so popular with tourists is that there is so much to do there. With several lively souk markets, nightly food stalls, museums, mosques, and more, I highly recommend visiting for a minimum of 2 days.
✅ Pro Tip: Marrakesh is ideally placed for day trips as well, with several options to consider when visiting. You can take a day trip to the stunning Atlas Mountains, or enjoy a beach trip to Agadir instead. If you have time, you may wish to consider a 2 or 3-day trip to the Sahara Desert, which is simply unforgettable.
👉 My Hotel Recommendation for Marrakesh: Riad Malfa
Essaouira
Another fantastic day trip you can take from Marrakesh is to the serene Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira.
Based just a few hours away from Marrakesh, Essaouira is an oasis of calm in comparison. Essaouira is literally a breath of fresh air and one of my favourite cities I’ve visited in Morocco.
It’s full of charm and is a fascinating place, with a historical medieval fort and a fishermen’s port worth exploring. While a day trip from Marrakesh is a good idea, I recommend visiting for at least 2 days to fully appreciate this lovely place.
👉 My Hotel Recommendation for Essaouira: Riad MALAÏKA
Chefchaouen
When it comes to my absolutely favourite place to visit in Morocco, then that prize would have to go to Chefchaouen.
Based in the mountain foothills between Tétouan and Ouazzane, Chefchaouen is honestly unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been to.
Almost every single building in Chefchaouen is coloured a shade of light blue, which is why it is often referred to as Morocco’s ‘blue pearl’.
Wandering around this magically colourful place is one of my favourite memories of visiting Morocco, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a special winter vacation.
👉 My Hotel Recommendation for Chefchaouen: Dar Zambra
✅ Want to learn more about Chefchaouen? Have a read of my blog post about how to spend one day there:
How To Spend One Day in Chefchaouen: The Perfect Itinerary
Fes
Fes is considered Morocco’s most ancient city as well as the country’s spiritual and cultural home, and is full of historical landmarks. Here are my top three things to do when visiting Fes:
- Fes El Bali Medina – the old walled town of Fes is one of the most ancient and lively in all of Morocco. It’s an overwhelming but unmissable place to explore, with countless stalls, shops, ancient mosques and more.
- Choura Tannery – this is the largest and one of the oldest tanneries in Fes, based in the old medina. Seeing the huge clay pots of dye where leather goods are produced is an iconic sight, one that has been in operation for over 800 years.
- Bab Bou Jeloud – Known as the Blue Gate in English, this is the main entrance to the ancient medina and a stunning piece of architecture to admire.
From the city’s old medina that dates back to the 9th century, to the unmissable Choura Tannery where leather goods are still produced today, Fes is full of amazing places to visit, making you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time.
👉 My Hotel Recommendation for Fes: Riad Dar Mansoura
Tangier
Near Spain on the Mediterranean coast is Tangier, a port city in the northwest of the country that is well worth a visit. It is another fascinating city, having been home to several civilizations throughout history.
Tangier’s old medina is such a vibrant place to explore, and it’s also possible to visit the city from Spain via ferry, which I have done a couple of times before.
Expect cooler weather here compared to other cities mentioned in this list during winter, with temperatures typically around the low 20 degrees Celsius throughout the season.
👉 My Hotel Recommendation for Tangier: Riad Sultana
Map of Morocco
Check out this interactive map of Morocco, featuring pins of all the top destinations mentioned in this blog post:
Morocco In Winter FAQs
Still undecided about visiting Morocco during the winter months? Let me answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this topic:
How cold is Morocco in winter?
Morocco enjoys mild, sunny weather throughout the winter months. Depending on where you visit, you can expect to enjoy temperatures in the mid-20s (Celsius), with areas in the south of the country experiencing higher temperatures.
During my winter vacation to Agadir last winter, my family and I enjoyed mostly blue sky days, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 28 degrees Celsius.
Does Morocco celebrate Christmas?
As Morocco is a Muslim country, the answer is no, it doesn’t celebrate Christmas. However, most hotels in the cities listed in this blog do have Christmas decorations and have special Christmas meals to cater to their Western customers.
During my trip to Agadir, the hotel where I stayed had a beautiful Christmas tree in the reception lobby and had a special Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.
Does Morocco have Christmas markets?
No, Morocco doesn’t have Christmas-themed markets like you can find in typical European cities celebrating the Christmas period.
However, most souk markets in the major cities remain open throughout Christmas.
I visited Morocco’s biggest souk market (Souk El Had in Agadir) on Christmas Day, and even filmed a YouTube video of my experience, which you can watch here:
Conclusion: Morocco In Winter
So that’s all you need to know about visiting Morocco in winter. Morocco is such an amazing country with several amazing cities that are steeped in ancient history and have a vibrant culture.
Whether you fancy relaxing on the beach during Christmas week, or you want to explore the Atlas Mountains or even the Sahara Desert, the winter months are the perfect time to discover all that this beautiful country has to offer.
I hope that you’ve found this blog post useful and are now ready to visit Morocco in winter – trust me, you won’t regret it!
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
