The monumental Bab Mansour gate in Meknes, Morocco, its tilework and arches glowing in warm light
Seasonal Guide · Meknes

Meknes in December

Meknes in December: cold, calm imperial city, low prices

  • A good month to visit
  • Higharound 17°C
  • Lowaround 6°C
December in MeknesView Meknes Tours

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Meknes, month by month
Meknes in December at a Glance
Key weather and planning facts for Meknes in December
VerdictGood
Daytime higharound 17°C
Night-time lowaround 6°C
RainfallAround 8 rainy days — one of the wettest months, cold and grey at times.
Good forLow prices, crowd-free monuments · Sheltered souks & mausoleums · A calm Fes-and-Meknes circuit · Bright days for Volubilis

What Meknes is like in December

December settles the inland imperial city into winter. Daytime highs of around 17°C suit walking the medina, the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum between showers, but evenings turn genuinely cold and a warm layer is essential. It is among the wettest months, with cold, grey spells, but bright, sharp afternoons frequently break through, and Meknes — Morocco's most overlooked imperial city — is deeply calm and good value.

This is a month for the sheltered and the cultural. The vast Heri es-Souani granaries, the mausoleum interiors and the covered souks reward an unhurried visit, and the lighter crowds make it easy to take your time. The exposed Roman ruins of Volubilis are best saved for a bright, dry day, when the mosaics and the Triumphal Arch stand out against the green winter grass; plan flexibly and keep a waterproof to hand.

Outside any festive-season demand, December is a peaceful, low-cost time to enjoy Morocco's grandest imperial monuments, provided you pack for genuine cold. It pairs naturally with Fes for a two-city circuit and with Volubilis and Moulay Idriss on a clear day. For an authentic, crowd-free imperial city at the lowest prices of the year, December rewards travellers prepared for the continental winter chill.

Around this month

Events & seasons in December

  • Christmas and New Year (~24 Dec–2 Jan) bring modest demand to city hotels — book ahead if travelling over the holidays
  • Ramadan may fall partly in December in some years — dates shift ~11 days earlier annually, so confirm for your travel year

Festival and religious dates shift year to year — please confirm the exact dates for your travel year.

Best for

Who December suits

  • Low prices, crowd-free monuments
  • Sheltered souks & mausoleums
  • A calm Fes-and-Meknes circuit
  • Bright days for Volubilis
Come prepared

What to pack for Meknes in December

  • Warm jacket for cold evenings
  • Layers for cool days, cold nights
  • Waterproof jacket & a compact umbrella
  • Comfortable waterproof walking shoes
  • A scarf for grey, blustery days
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December elsewhere in Morocco

Comparing December across Morocco

Good to know

Meknes in December: your questions

Is December a good time to visit Meknes?
Yes, if you value calm and low prices over warmth. December is cold and damp but quiet and good value, with cool days around 17°C and crowd-free imperial monuments. Bright afternoons break through the wet spells. Save the exposed Volubilis ruins for a clear day, and pack for genuine cold.
How hot is Meknes in December?
Meknes in December has daytime highs of around 17°C and night-time lows near 6°C. The inland, continental climate means cool days suited to walking in a jacket and genuinely cold evenings. It is colder than coastal Morocco and similar to neighbouring Fes.
Is it rainy in Meknes in December?
December is one of Meknes's wettest months, with around 8 rainy days and cold, grey spells, though bright afternoons frequently break through. Plan indoor options for wet mornings, and save the exposed Volubilis ruins for a clear day. Carry a waterproof jacket and an umbrella.
What should I pack for Meknes in December?
Pack a warm jacket for cold evenings, layers for cool days and cold nights, a waterproof jacket and a compact umbrella, comfortable waterproof walking shoes and a scarf for grey, blustery days. The continental winter is genuinely cold, so warmth matters.