Morocco Weather in December 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

December is a mild time of year to visit Morocco, making it the perfect time to visit the desert or go for a hike on the Rif Mountains or in the Atlas Mountains.

Information below includes weather details for different cities with temperatures, rainfall, humidity, as well as other travel advice, which places to go to, travel tips, festivals, and what to wear.

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1. Morocco Weather in December : Overview

Camping in Merzouga, Morocco

Averages:

• Temperature range: 7–18°C (45–64°F)
• Rainfall: 5 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy days: 9
• Sunshine hours/day: 6.5
• Ocean temperature: 13°C (56°F)
• Humidity: 59–84% (comfortable in the desert to very humid on the coast)

December is winter in Morocco, with temperatures being rather mild throughout the country, but not as cold as you might expect in other countries where it is winter. Temperatures can still reach highs of around 16–20°C (61–68°F) in the daytime, making the entire country great to visit in December.

During a visit in December, you're likely to see a few rainy days, for example in Casablanca and Fez, which experience an average of 11–12 rainy days throughout December. However, days are mostly still bright with around 6.5 hours of sunshine a day daily, throughout the country.

December Climate Comparison (Averages) for Morocco's Top Tourism Areas

2. The Best Places to Visit in Morocco in December

December is a great time of year to visit Morocco for more active activities, as lower temperatures make it much more pleasant to head into the mountains for a hike or a longer trek. Even though there is a small chance of rain, this is much more likely to be along the coast than in the mountains.

At the same time, visiting one of Morocco's desert destinations is also much more pleasant in December, when temperatures don't soar too high in the daytime.

To learn a bit more about which places we recommend for you to visit in Morocco in December, read on.

1) Go Trekking in the Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains, Morocco

With December being much less hot than June or July, it is a great time to go for a more active hike in the Atlas Mountains. Certain parts of the mountains don't see snow at any point in the year, meaning that you'll be able to go for treks year-round, learn more about the local Berber culture, and enjoy the incredible sights.

One such peak that is great to visit is the Anti-Atlas, also known as the Little Atlas, which is a part of the Atlas Mountains, but never sees snow. Days are generally sunny, but the evenings are chillier.

If you're looking to ski in Morocco, you'll have to look at visiting in either January or February when there is more snow to do so.

2) Ride a Desert Quad Bike near Merzouga

Riding quad bikes in Merzouga, Morocco

December is chilly in the desert in the evenings, but the days are perfect to head out on a trip through the dunes to learn more about desert culture and desert life.

Whether you are looking for a camel ride, or a more adventurous experience sand boarding or driving a quad bike, the Sahara desert areas near Merzouga can offer it all.

If you're looking for more places to visit the desert in Morocco, and to find out more about how to go about planning your trip, check out How to Plan a Desert Trip in Morocco.

3-Day Zagora and Wild Chegaga Dunes

3) Experience the Bustling Souks of Marrakesh

Markets in Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh is a must-see on any trip to Morocco, and even though December temperatures might be slightly lower, it is still mild and pleasant enough to do lots of sightseeing throughout this historical gem.

We recommend taking a walk through the markets (known as the souks), and visiting the historical sights in the old city center (the medina). To find out more about the sights to see in Marrakesh, read the Top 11 Things to Do in Marrakesh.

If you want to see more than just Marrakesh in December in Morocco, we can recommend a visit to Rabat, Fez, and Meknes. You can read more about these other historical destinations here:

• Top 10 Things to See in Rabat
• Top 9 Things to See in Fez (Fes)
• Top 11 Things to See in Meknes

4) Stroll Through Chefchaouen's Blue Streets

Chefchaouen, Morocco

For a great combination of city life and nature, we would recommend adding Chefchaouen to your itinerary. Not only will you be able to see the beautiful Blue City, as it is also known, as you stroll through the alleys lined with blue-washed buildings, but there are also a lot of hikes to do in the nearby Rif Mountains.

Chefchaouen is a great place to pick up some souvenirs for friends and family at home, too. To learn more about the top things to do here, see Top 7 Things to See and Do in Chefchaouen.

Chefchaouen is great to visit with Tangier and Fez in the north of the country, for example on this tour:

5-Day North Morocco Discovery

3. Low Season: Less Crowdy and Less Costly (except Christmas)

Night in the Sahara Desert, Morocco

While most of Morocco does not celebrate Christmas, as the country is predominantly Muslim, there will be a slight increase in tourists heading to Morocco for their Christmas holidays. You'll find that crowds are larger at this time, and that prices for accommodation and transportation increase.

If you're planning on visiting during Christmas or around New Year's Eve, we recommend you book well in advance, as there are a wide variety of special ways to celebrate New Year's in Morocco, at a desert camp, glamping under the stars, for example!

Or you can contact us for a hassle-free private tour with our professional support.

4. What to Wear in December

Sitting on the dunes in the Sahara Desert, Morocco

December is winter in Morocco, with mild temperatures throughout the country. We recommend bringing additional layers to keep warm, particularly if you're going to be out and about in the evenings, or heading into the mountains or the desert at dusk and beyond.

While you might be okay wearing just a t-shirt or a cardigan in the daytime throughout Morocco, you will want to have a sweater on hand for when the temperatures drop. Those planning on sleeping in traditional guesthouses, known as riads, will also want to bring warm pajamas, as riads don't always have central heating.

For visitors coming for an outdoor adventure, bringing supportive shoes is important, and it is worth bringing sunscreen too as there is still a decent amount of sun even in Morocco's winter, especially up in the mountains.

Monthly Weather in Morocco

Recommended Tours for Morocco in December

If it is your first time visiting Morocco, December is a great time of the year to do this, as the entire country sees comfortable weather. To help you with planning this, we have laid out a few of our suggested tours in Morocco for December, covering lots of different destinations.

• Zagora and Wild Chegaga Dunes — 3-Day Private Tour to the Erg Chegaga Sahara Wilds from Marrakesh
• Casablanca to Fez Highlights Tour — 5-Day Casablanca–Rabat–Meknes–Volubilis–Fez–Casablanca Private Tour
• Red City Marrakesh to Windy City Essaouira — 5-Day Marrakesh and Essaouira Private Tour
• Morocco and Spain Highlights Tour — 12-Day Private Tour: Madrid–Córdoba–Granada–Seville–Tarifa–Tangier–Chefchaouen–Fez–Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakesh
• Morocco and Tunisia Discovery Tour — 11-Day Private Tour: Casablanca–Meknes–Fez–Rabat–Marrakesh–Casablanca–Tunis–Kairouan–Hammamet – Sidi Bou Said – Tunis
• More Morocco Tours

If you are not finding exactly what you are looking for in these tours listed, Global Highlights can also help you put together your own bespoke tour of Morocco. Let us know where you'd like to go, what your needs and requirements are, and when you are hoping to visit Morocco, and let us take you there without the stress of planning. Contact us to begin a tour inquiry.