Things to Do in Morocco in January
Great month for the Sahara, Marrakech and winter surf – pack warm layers for the nights. Updated October 2026 · by our local team
There are more things to do in Morocco in January than most people expect. It is one of the sunniest, quietest months of the year: blue skies over Marrakech, clear desert days at Merzouga and fewer visitors in the medinas. The trade-off is the cold at night – in the Sahara and the High Atlas, temperatures drop close to freezing after sunset, so warm layers are a must.
Our guides love January for the light and the calm. The desert camps are quiet, the stars are bright, and the Atlas peaks are often white with snow above the red villages. On the Atlantic coast, Agadir stays mild while Taghazout gets its best waves of the year. Below are the eight things we recommend most this month.
The best things to do in Morocco in January are a camel trek and a night in a desert camp at Merzouga, the medina of Marrakech in the winter sun, skiing at Oukaïmeden when there is snow, and surfing the big Atlantic swells at Taghazout. Days are mostly sunny and mild; nights are cold in the desert and the mountains.
Morocco weather in January
| Where | Temperatures | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | about 18°C by day, 6°C at night | mostly sunny, cool evenings, an occasional rainy day |
| Sahara (Merzouga) | about 18°C by day, near 0–3°C at night | dry and clear, cold nights in the camp |
| High Atlas | about 8–12°C in the valleys by day, below freezing at night | snow on the peaks and sometimes in the villages |
| Atlantic coast (Essaouira, Agadir) | about 18–20°C by day, 8–10°C at night | mild and sunny in Agadir, windier in Essaouira |
Typical values – the weather changes from year to year.
Best things to do in Morocco in January
Click any idea to see the details.
Ride camels into the Erg Chebbi dunesMild days and soft winter light on the biggest dunes of the Moroccan Sahara.Details +- Sleep in a desert camp under winter starsLong, dark nights make January one of the best months for the Milky Way.Details +
- Explore Marrakech in the winter sunSouks, palaces and gardens without the summer heat or the spring crowds.Details +
Ski or play in the snow at OukaïmedenIn a snowy winter, ski in the High Atlas and be back in Marrakech for dinner.Details +
Surf the big winter swells at TaghazoutWinter is the season of the long right-hand point breaks north of Agadir.Details +
Fly over Marrakech in a hot air balloonCrisp, clear winter mornings with snowy Atlas peaks on the horizon.Details +- Warm up in a hammamA steam bath and scrub is the perfect end to a cool winter day.Details +
- Walk the medina of FesThe oldest medina in Morocco is quiet and authentic in winter.Details +
Where to go in Morocco in January
Marrakech
Sunny days and a quieter medina make it the best city base in January, with the desert and the Atlas close by.
Merzouga
Mild days and clear, starry nights in the Erg Chebbi dunes – the Sahara is in season, just bring warm clothes for the camp.
Agadir & Taghazout
The mildest weather in Morocco this month, and the best waves of the year for experienced surfers.
High Atlas
Snowy peaks above the Berber villages; walks in the lower valleys and skiing at Oukaïmeden when there is snow.
Festivals & events in Morocco in January
Yennayer – Amazigh New Year
usually mid-January
The Amazigh (Berber) New Year is celebrated with family meals and traditional dishes, especially in the mountain and southern villages.
Marrakech Marathon
usually in January
Runners from many countries take part in the city’s yearly marathon and half-marathon. Dates change every year – check before you travel.
Morocco itineraries for January
Private trips that are at their best this month.
What to pack for Morocco in January
- A warm jacket for the desert and mountain nights
- A fleece or thermal layer
- A warm hat and light gloves
- Sunglasses and sunscreen – the winter sun is strong
- A scarf for wind and dust in the desert
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A light rain jacket for Fes and the north
- Warm socks for cold riad floors
Plan your trip in January
Tell us your dates and what you love – our local team plans the route, the stays and the activities for this time of year.
Morocco in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Morocco?
Yes, for many trips. January is sunny and quiet, with mild days in Marrakech, the desert and on the coast. The only real downside is the cold at night in the Sahara and the High Atlas, so warm clothes are essential.
What is the weather like in Morocco in January?
Expect about 18°C by day and 6°C at night in Marrakech, mild days and near-freezing nights in the Sahara, and snow on the Atlas peaks. Agadir is the warmest place, with around 20°C on sunny days.
What are the best things to do in Morocco in January?
A camel trek and a night in a desert camp at Merzouga, the medina of Marrakech, a sunrise balloon flight, skiing at Oukaïmeden when there is snow and surfing at Taghazout. A hammam is the best way to warm up after a cold day.
Where to go in Morocco in January?
Marrakech, the Sahara at Merzouga and Agadir are the best choices. Fes and the north are cooler and can be rainy, and the high mountains are for winter walkers or skiers only.
What to wear in Morocco in January?
Layers: light clothes for sunny days and a warm jacket, fleece, hat and gloves for the evenings, especially in the desert and the mountains. Cover shoulders and knees in the medinas and villages out of respect.
What to do in Marrakech in January?
Explore the souks and palaces in the sun, take a cooking class, fly in a hot air balloon at sunrise and relax in a hammam. Day trips to the Atlas villages and the Agafay desert are easy from the city.
Travel to Morocco in January
Private trips on your dates, planned by a local team who knows what each month brings.
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