What is Marrakech like in December?

December returns Marrakech to its winter character: cool, clear and bright, with daytime highs of 18 to 20°C that are comfortable in the sun and a real pleasure for sightseeing without any heat. The snow on the High Atlas is at its most striking, framing the city from every rooftop, and the low winter light is some of the most beautiful of the year. It is a contemplative, atmospheric month — Marrakech without the crowds or the swelter, wrapped in crisp clear air.

As in January, the nights are the thing to plan for. After dark the temperature drops to 6 to 8°C, occasionally lower, and the old riads hold the chill, so a warm coat, scarf and proper layers are essential, and I always check that a December riad has reliable heating and ideally a fireplace. The rooftop pools are far too cold for swimming, so do not book on the strength of one. Days for exploring, evenings for a heated salon with a glass of something warm — that is the December pattern.

December has a festive flavour that the other winter months lack. The Marrakech International Film Festival usually takes place early in the month, bringing a glamorous buzz, public screenings on Jemaa el-Fnaa and a sprinkling of stars to the city. And while Morocco is a Muslim country, the riads and upscale restaurants that cater to international guests embrace the Christmas and New Year season with decorations, special menus and celebrations. There is a genuine warmth to spending the holidays here.

On price and crowds, December is a tale of two halves. For most of the month it is quiet, low-season Marrakech with excellent value and thin crowds — much like January. But the week around Christmas and especially New Year is the single sharpest spike of the winter: the best riads sell out, minimum-stay rules appear, and rates jump steeply, so if you want to be here for the holidays, book months ahead. Travel in early or mid-December and you get the calm, the festive sparkle and the bargains all at once. Pack for warm days and genuinely cold nights, and December is a quietly magical time to visit.