Morocco in January

Cold nights in riads and the desert; snow on the High Atlas can close the Tichka pass. Clear, quiet cities.

January is rated mixed. 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.

• 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) / 6 °C (43 °F), 4 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 4 rain days
• Agadir21 °C (70 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain days
• Aglou18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 5 rain days
• Aït-Benhaddou18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 5 rain days
• Akka18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 3 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 3 rain days
• Al Hoceima17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Alnif18 °C (64 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 2 rain days
• Amizmiz19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 6 rain days
• Asilah17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
• Asni18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 5 rain days
• Azrou12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
• Berkane16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 6 rain days
• Casablanca18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Chefchaouen16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 9 rain days
• El Jadida18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
• Erfoud17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 3 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 3 rain days
• Errachidia18 °C (64 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 2 rain days
• Essaouira18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 8 rain days
• Fez16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 8 rain days
• Guelmim22 °C (72 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 2 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 2 rain days
• Ifrane8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 12 rain days
• Ikkiss8 °C (46 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Imlil9 °C (48 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 6 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 6 rain days
• Imouzzer Ida Ou Tanane20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 5 rain days
• Imsouane18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 6 rain days
• Itzer10 °C (50 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
• Jerada12 °C (54 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain days
• Khamlia18 °C (64 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 2 rain days
• Khoukhate12 °C (54 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain days
• Khouribga18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 5 rain days
• Larache16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 6 rain days
• Legzira18 °C (64 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 4 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 52 °F (11 °C), 4 rain days
• Marigha14 °C (57 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 6 rain days
• Meknes16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 9 rain days
• Merzouga18 °C (64 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 2 rain days
• M'Hamid18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 3 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 3 rain days
• Midelt12 °C (54 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
• Mirleft20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 6 rain days
• Moulay Bousselham17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
• Moulay Idriss16 °C (61 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain days
• M'Rirt12 °C (54 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain days
• Nador16 °C (61 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 6 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 6 rain days
• Nkob18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 5 rain days
• Oued Laou17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 8 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 8 rain days
• Oujda18 °C (64 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 7 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 7 rain days
• Oukaimeden12 °C (54 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 5 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 5 rain days
• Ourika Valley18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 6 rain days
• Ouzoud Falls15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 6 rain days
• Rabat17 °C (63 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 8 rain days
• Rissani15 °C (59 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 5 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 5 rain days
• Safi18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
• Saïdia17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 8 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 8 rain days
• Setti Fatma14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 8 rain days
• Skoura17 °C (63 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 3 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 3 rain days
• Tabant12 °C (54 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
• Tacheddirt12 °C (54 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 5 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 5 rain days
• Tafraoute18 °C (64 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 43 °F (6 °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
• Tamsahelte20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 2 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 2 rain days
• Tan-Tan22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 4 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 4 rain days
• Tangier16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 10 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 10 rain days
• Tarfaya20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 5 rain days
• Taroudannt20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
• Taza15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 9 rain days
• Tétouan16 °C (61 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 9 rain days
• Tinejdad17 °C (63 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 3 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 39 °F (4 °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) / 10 °C (50 °F), 3 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 3 rain days
• Zagora20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 2 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 2 rain days
• Zaouiat Ahansal12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 4 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 4 rain days
• Zaouiate Oued Ifrane12 °C (54 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain days

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.

• New Year's Day

  1 Jan

  Public holiday.

• Independence Manifesto Day

  11 Jan

  Offices closed.

• Yennayer (Amazigh New Year)

  13–14 Jan

  Public holiday since 2024; celebrations in Amazigh areas.

• Amazigh New Year (Yennayer)

  13 January · Marrakech

  Public holiday since 2023: family meals and cultural events.

• Snow on the High Atlas

  December to March · Marrakech

  The peaks are white; a clear morning gives the best view.

• Christmas and New Year

  Dec 24–Jan 2 · Marrakech

  Peak rates; book riads and Agafay camps ahead.

Crowds · Morocco

Low

Prices · Morocco

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Morocco, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Marrakech

  Cool days, cold nights; snow on the Atlas.

• Agadir

  Best months: Oct–May (mild temps, good surf)

• Aït-Benhaddou

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Alnif

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Erfoud

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Errachidia

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Guelmim

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Imsouane

  Best months: Sep–Apr (surf season)

• Khamlia

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Merzouga

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• M'Hamid

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Ouarzazate

  Best months: Oct–Apr