When to go · Morocco
Morocco in December
Good month. Cold nights but busy over Christmas and New Year in Marrakech and the desert camps.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- High
- Morocco
- Prices
- High
- Morocco
Verdict
Cold nights but busy over Christmas and New Year in Marrakech and the desert camps.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated good. These months rate higher:
- AprilGreatPeak spring and Easter crowds in Marrakech and Fes; book riads early.
- MayGreatWarm, green in the Atlas, rose harvest in the Dades valley; Eid al-Adha about 16 May 2027 fills transport (check).
- SeptemberGreatHeat eases late in the month; good for the coast and the Atlas.
- OctoberGreatBest all-round month: warm days, desert season open, date harvest.
Weather in December
- Imperial cities and the plains · Marrakech, Fes, Meknescool
Spring and autumn are the window; Marrakech passes 40 °C (104 °F) in July–August; winter days are bright but nights drop near 0 °C (32 °F) and riads are cold.Spring and autumn are the window; Marrakech passes 104 °F (40 °C) in July–August; winter days are bright but nights drop near 32 °F (0 °C) and riads are cold.
- Atlantic coast · Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Agadirfine
Mild all year; Essaouira is windy in summer; winter brings rain in the north.
- Rif and the north · Chefchaouen, Tetouanrainy
The wettest part of the country in winter; green and cool in spring.
- High Atlas · Imlil, Toubkal, Tizi n'Tichkacool
Snow above about 2,000 m in winter; Toubkal treks are best May–Oct; passes close after storms.
- Sahara and southern valleys · Merzouga, Zagora, Dades, Ouarzazatecool
Warm days and near-freezing nights Dec–Feb; spring can bring sandstorms; June–August is dangerous heat in the dunes.
- Anti Atlas: Anti Atlas mountains (Tafraoute, Taroudannt) · Inland, 600–1,400 mcool
Best March–May and October–November. July–August afternoons commonly pass 35 °C (95 °F); winter nights near Tafraoute can drop close to freezing.Best March–May and October–November. July–August afternoons commonly pass 95 °F (35 °C); winter nights near Tafraoute can drop close to freezing.
- Anti Atlas: Atlantic coast (Mirleft, Sidi Ifni, Guelmim) · Coast south of Agadirfine
Milder year-round and often windy; sea fog and low cloud are common in early summer mornings.
- High Atlas: Foothills (Marrakech, Ourika, Asni) · 600–1,200 mfine
Pleasant spring and autumn; July–August is hot and dry.
- High Atlas: High valleys (Imlil, Tacheddirt) · 1,700–2,500 mcold
Snow above about 2,500 m roughly December to March; trails clear from April.
- High Atlas: Summits (Toubkal, Oukaimeden) · above 3,000 mcold
Ice axe and crampons are needed in winter and early spring; afternoon storms are common in summer.
- Mediterranean Morocco: Tangier and the Atlantic-facing coast · Tangier, Asilah, Larachecool
Mild year-round; rain Nov–Mar, wind almost always. Sea is swimmable Jun–Sep.
- Mediterranean Morocco: Rif mountains · Chefchaouen, Tétouan hinterlandcool
Cooler than the coast; snow possible Dec–Feb above 1,000 m.
- Mediterranean Morocco: Eastern Mediterranean coast · Al Hoceima, Nador, Saidiacool
Hottest in Jul–Aug (30 °C (86 °F)+); beaches peak then.Hottest in Jul–Aug (86 °F (30 °C)+); beaches peak then.
- Middle Atlas: Middle Atlas · Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt and the cedar beltcold
Higher and wetter than the imperial cities; Ifrane gets snow Dec–Feb and can sit near 0 °C (32 °F). Summer days are mild, nights still cool.Higher and wetter than the imperial cities; Ifrane gets snow Dec–Feb and can sit near 32 °F (0 °C). Summer days are mild, nights still cool.
- North Atlantic Coast: Rabat / Casablanca · central Atlantic coastfine
Mild all year; July–August are warm and busy, and the coast stays cooler than Marrakech.
- North Atlantic Coast: Asilah / Larache · northern Atlantic coastfine
More rain in winter; summer is warm with sea breeze.
- Saharan Morocco: Pre-Saharan belt (Ouarzazate, Zagora, Erfoud, Merzouga) · south of the High Atlascool
Best Oct–Apr. June–August is punishing; spring can bring sand-laden wind.
- South Atlantic Coast: Essaouira and the north coast · Atlantic shore, Essaouira to Safifine
Mild all year; wind is the constant. Summer is cool and breezy rather than hot.
- South Atlantic Coast: Agadir and the south coast · Agadir to Sidi Ifnibest weather
Warm and dry most of the year; July–August inland heat pushes people to the beach.
- Marrakech18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
- Agadir21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 12 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 12 rain days
- Aglou19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 5 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 5 rain days
- Aït-Benhaddou20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 4 rain days
- Akka19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 3 rain days
- Al Hoceima18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 7 rain days
- Alnif19 °C (66 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 2 rain days
- Amizmiz20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 6 rain days
- Asilah18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 5 rain days
- Asni19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
- Azrou13 °C (55 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain days
- Berkane18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 6 rain days
- Casablanca19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
- Chefchaouen17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 10 rain days
- El Jadida19 °C (66 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 7 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 7 rain days
- Erfoud18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 3 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 3 rain days
- Errachidia18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 2 rain days
- Essaouira19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 8 rain days
- Fez17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Guelmim22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 2 rain days
- Ifrane10 °C (50 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Ikkiss10 °C (50 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
- Imlil10 °C (50 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
- Imouzzer Ida Ou Tanane20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 5 rain days
- Imsouane19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 7 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 7 rain days
- Itzer11 °C (52 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
- Jerada13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain days
- Khamlia19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 2 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 2 rain days
- Khoukhate13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain days
- Khouribga20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
- Larache17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
- Legzira19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 5 rain days
- Marigha15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain days
- Meknes17 °C (63 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 9 rain days
- Merzouga19 °C (66 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 2 rain days
- M'Hamid20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 3 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 3 rain days
- Midelt13 °C (55 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 6 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 6 rain days
- Mirleft21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
- Moulay Bousselham18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 9 rain days
- Moulay Idriss17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 7 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 7 rain days
- M'Rirt13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain days
- Nador17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 7 rain days
- Nkob20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
- Oued Laou18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 9 rain days
- Oujda18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Oukaimeden13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 5 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 5 rain days
- Ourika Valley20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 6 rain days
- Ouzoud Falls16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 6 rain days
- Rabat19 °C (66 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
- Rissani17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 5 rain days
- Safi20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 6 rain days
- Saïdia18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 8 rain days
- Setti Fatma15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Skoura18 °C (64 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 3 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 3 rain days
- Tabant12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 6 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 6 rain days
- Tacheddirt13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 6 rain days
- Tafraoute19 °C (66 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 6 rain days
- Taghazout20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
- Tamsahelte22 °C (72 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 2 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 2 rain days
- Tan-Tan23 °C (73 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 4 rain days
- Tangier17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 10 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 10 rain days
- Tarfaya22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 4 rain days
- Taroudannt20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 6 rain days
- Taza16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
- Tétouan17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 10 rain days
- Tinejdad17 °C (63 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 3 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 3 rain days
- Tinerhir18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 5 rain days
- Tiznit22 °C (72 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 3 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 3 rain days
- Zagora22 °C (72 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 2 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 2 rain days
- Zaouiat Ahansal13 °C (55 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 4 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 4 rain days
- Zaouiate Oued Ifrane13 °C (55 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 8 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 8 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Morocco
- High
- Prices · Morocco
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Morocco, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
Apr: Great (better)
Crowds
Dec: High
Apr: High
Prices
Dec: High
Apr: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 2
Apr: 1
December: Cold nights but busy over Christmas and New Year in Marrakech and the desert camps.
April: Peak spring and Easter crowds in Marrakech and Fes; book riads early.
Morocco: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in December
Rated best or good this month
Cool; peak-season rates around New Year.
Best months: Oct–May (mild temps, good surf)
Best months: Oct–Apr
Best months: Oct–Apr
Best months: Oct–Apr
Best months: Oct–Apr
Best months: Oct–Apr
Best months: Sep–Apr (surf season)
Best months: Oct–Apr
Best months: Oct–Apr
Best months: Oct–Apr
Best months: Oct–Apr