Why You Should Definitely Travel to Morocco in January

Morocco in January – is it something worth experiencing? Yes, it most certainly is – in fact travelling to Morocco in winter is definitely something to consider. Read on to find out why.

The view of Marrakech from our riad balcony.

Morocco. Country of sunshine and chaos. Surely a place you’d reserve for the summer months, when it is at its best and brightest. Right?

Maybe not so much. By the time you reach the middle of winter in places like the USA, CAN and Europe, you might suddenly feel a desperate need to escape somewhere, anywhere with any semblance of warmth.

Luckily, living in Europe is like winning the country jackpot. You can fly to almost anywhere you fancy and often not for a too upsetting price. So, why wouldn’t you go? Particularly in winter.

When a fellow Australian expat asked if I wanted to join her in a quick trip to Morocco, I accepted her invitation eagerly. We discovered shortly after that we’d have cloudless skies and mid-twenties (seventies) weather for our trip, meaning we’d absolutely made the right decision. Morocco in winter couldn’t have been anything but a really good idea.

So, here are some reasons why you should definitely travel to Morocco in January (and particularly Marrakech), or during the cooler season in general. Winter in Morocco is truly lovely.

Looking for somewhere to stay? We booked into the very beautiful Riad Catalina in Marrakech. I would certainly always stay here and highly recommend it to any traveller to the city. Click here for current availability.
You may want to organise a private airport transfer to your hotel from the airport. We had issues with our taxi driver raising the price after we’d got in the car, so I wish it were something I’d considered in advance.

How comfy do these beds in the Riad Catalina look?

If you live in Europe, you travel a short distance for a completely different climate

It boggles my mind that the country of Morocco on the continent of AFRICA is only a three hour flight from London. Yet, this is the reality of the situation.

In those short three hours, you can travel to a country where the winter temperatures are often hotter than an English summer.

Why wouldn’t you do it?

I also like the fact that after that short distance, you’re in a country that has a completely different cultural experience to the one you’ve just left. So, why wouldn’t you travel to Morocco in January?!

I’m writing this from the perspective of being Australian. Three hours travel gets me either 2/3 of the way across my country, or to New Zealand. Both are destinations I thoroughly adore, but obviously a lot more similar in cultural attitudes!

It’s an inexpensive-ish destination

Morocco isn’t the cheapest of cheap destinations, but compared to other countries (we are talking the USA, Canada, UK, those in Western Europe, Australia and NZ here, to clarify) it seems pretty reasonable.

Most meals out cost less than $15 AUD and the food was good and plentiful. Plus, did I mention I’d pay just about anything to escape a UK winter? I definitely felt like I was getting a good deal.

The only time I felt we were getting properly ripped off was when we caught a taxi from the airport to our riad.

I’d been told by a friend who frequented the place what to expect to pay and had quoted that price to the taxi driver, who agreed on it.

When we reached our destination, he raised the price and wouldn’t let us out of the car until we agreed to pay it.

As I was travelling with another female friend, we decided the safest course of action was to pay it and curse him as he drove away.

Yes, I know that we were viewed as rich westerners who could afford to pay the extra, but it’s the principle of the matter. Plus it’s always fun to be taken advantage of, particularly when you’re a defenceless woman.

Not usually one for selfies, but the bathroom was gorgeous.

The weather is perfect in Morocco in Winter

Marrakech in particular seems to have splendid weather all year round, with an average temperature of 29°C (84°F) in the hotter months and 13°C (55°F) in the wintertime.

I will admit I got incredibly lucky when I visited Morocco in January, with the temperature ranging in the early twenties (that’s mid-seventies for you Americans out there). The cloudless blue skies certainly helped add to this picture of perfection.

You might be able to ski… in AFRICA

What do you picture when you think of Africa? Searing heat? Beautiful beaches? An expanse of desert? ME TOO.

Except, Morocco truly is a country of many diverse climates. Including one that features of all things… SNOW.

Yep! The Atlas mountains, which you can visit within a day trip from Marrakech, regularly see snowfall in the winter months.

So, if you’re lucky, you might be able to have a bit of a snow break during your time in Morocco.

You can go home and brag to your friends that you managed to ski in Africa. They may not believe you… but you’ll know the truth in your heart.

This way to comfort.

Sweet mint tea tastes so much sweeter when it isn’t searingly hot outside

Personally, any country that is passionate about tea is a country I can get behind.

Moroccans happen to be mad about their mint tea – drinking it morning, noon and night.

Even as a half-British passionate tea drinker, I will concede that drinking the stuff when it’s hopelessly hot outside is a labour of love or perhaps just an addiction.

It’s so much easier to enjoy tea when there’s a slight chill in the air and you realise you’re drinking it for the comfort value, rather than because you have an outright dependency on the stuff.

So, it is glorious in the early hours of the morning during your stay in Morocco, to come downstairs and start sipping on that first cup of tea of probably twenty, because the mint sure does taste good.

You’ll still be able to do everything you want to do in Morocco in winter

Places like Marrakech are touristy, but for good reason – they have plenty on offer.

We organised every activity we wanted to do when we arrived in the city and weren’t left wanting on anything.

Every tour had spots left, we were able to walk straight into a spa and get a service. We didn’t have to wait for seating at restaurants.

Plus I think any excess heat would have diminished certain experiences, like walking up the Atlas mountains to see what was admittedly a fairly disappointing waterfall. We would have languished in the summer sun, which would have been wholly unpleasant for all involved.

Your brains won’t be addled by the heat whilst you try to haggle in the souk

The Middle East is hands down my favourite place to shop, because haggling is the best.

It’s a sport that I am personally good at, which is rare (I somehow managed to knock myself out by running into a brick wall during P.E. when I was 13 and have avoided all organised sports since then).

It’s not only a sport, it’s a psychological game, between you and the shop owner.

And what I like about it, is that everyone comes away feeling satisfied… you feel like you’ve got a good deal. They’ve made a sale. Smiles all round.

I particularly like my souvenirs from Marrakech because I feel like I worked for them.

And I did this successfully as I wasn’t melting in the heat like the Wicked Witch of the West at the time.

So, visit Morocco in January, if you fancy a spot of shopping!

What to do in Morocco in the winter

Visit the Jardin Majorelle: Visit these stunning gardens, created by French artist Jacques Majorelle and once home to fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

Take a tour of the medina: If only to get your bearings, take a tour of the Jemaa el Fnaa medina by night. You’ll learn about its history and maybe get a few tips on haggling from your guide.

Take a day trip to Essaouira: Head to the coast, to visit the city of Essaouira.

Visit the Atlas Mountains: The Atlas Mountains are gorgeous and home to Berber settlements. Thoroughly worth checking out on a day trip from Marrakech.

Have a hammam: It’s cool enough in the winter to enjoy a hammam, traditional Turkish bath. Check out prices here.

Head to the desert: With temperatures being cooler, this is the perfect time to explore the desert. You can have dinner under the stars or take a quad bike trip, for a more ethical option than riding a camel.

Have you been to Marrakech, or somewhere else in Morocco in January? What were your impressions of it?

Hey, cat.

We stayed at the very beautiful Riad Catalina in Marrakech. Click here for current availability.
Here’s what’s like to make a day trip to the Atlas Mountains.
The Jardin Majorelle is a must-see for any fashion-lover, plant enthusiast, or just general human being.
I’m not sure I’d recommend a visit to the hammam (Moroccan spa) we went to, but it made for a great story.
Check out this guide for how to dress in Qatar, which can be applied to packing for Morocco.

Want to read more content like this? Follow along on Facebook or sign up to the monthly newsletter!