If you’ve been wondering whether December is a good time to visit Marrakech, the short answer is yes, and it might actually be one of the best kept secrets in family travel. While most people associate Morocco with blazing summer heat, December offers something completely different: mild days, cool evenings, smaller crowds, and a city that feels a little more like itself without the peak season rush.
We visited Marrakech in August on our first trip and in February on our second. December sits right in that sweet spot between the two, and based on what we experienced in the cooler months, it is genuinely one of the best times to go, especially with kids.
Here is everything you need to know about visiting Marrakech in December with your family.
What Is the Weather Like in Marrakech in December?
December in Marrakech brings mild, pleasant daytime temperatures that typically sit around 63-65°F (17-18°C). It is warm enough to explore comfortably during the day but cool enough that you will want a layer by evening, with nighttime temperatures dropping to around 45-48°F (7-9°C).
Rainfall is possible in December, though Marrakech remains relatively dry compared to European winters. You might get a few overcast days but it is unlikely to derail your plans significantly.
For families this is actually ideal. You can explore the Medina, visit gardens and palaces, and do full-day excursions without the brutal midday heat that makes summer visits with kids genuinely exhausting. No meltdowns from overheating. No hiding indoors from noon to three. Just comfortable sightseeing from morning to evening.
What to expect month by month:
- December: Mild days around 65°F (18°C), cool nights around 45°F (7°C), occasional light rain, smaller crowds
- January and February: Similar temperatures, the coldest months of the year but still manageable with the right layers
- March onward: Temperatures begin to climb again toward the ideal spring sweet spot
Is December a Good Time to Visit Marrakech with Kids?
Absolutely. Here is why December works so well for families specifically:
Comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. The Medina involves a lot of walking through narrow, winding streets. In summer that is genuinely hard with kids. In December you can spend full days exploring without anyone melting down from the heat.
Fewer crowds. Peak tourist season in Marrakech runs spring and autumn. December sees fewer visitors, which means shorter waits at popular sites, more relaxed interactions at the souks, and a generally calmer energy in the city.
Better desert conditions. If you’re planning a Sahara Desert excursion or an Agafay Desert day trip, December is one of the best times to do it. The extreme daytime heat is gone, the nights in camp are cool and magical, and the stargazing is exceptional with clear winter skies.
Holiday atmosphere. While Morocco doesn’t celebrate Christmas in the traditional Western sense, Marrakech has a quietly festive energy in December with some hotels and riads leaning into seasonal decor. It makes for a wonderfully different kind of holiday trip.
What to Do in Marrakech in December
The cooler temperatures in December actually open up more of the city to you. Here is what we would prioritize:
Explore the Medina Without the Heat
The Medina is best experienced at a slow pace, wandering the souks, getting lost in the alleys, stopping at a Berber pharmacy, bargaining for lamps and scarves, and finding hidden courtyards. In summer that kind of unhurried exploration is hard because the heat forces you to rush between shaded spots. In December you can take your time and actually enjoy it.
Give each of your kids a small amount of Moroccan Dirham and let them negotiate for their own souvenir. Our 8-year-old talked a vendor down 50% on a purse she loved and was prouder of that than almost anything else on the trip.
Book a Private Medina Shopping Tour here
Visit Ben Youssef Madrasa and Dar El Bacha Palace
These were our kids’ favorite historical sites in all of Marrakech. Ben Youssef Madrasa is a stunning 14th-century Islamic school with intricate tilework, soaring ceilings, and hidden stairwells that kids love to explore. Dar El Bacha Palace, now home to the Museum of Confluences, has beautifully preserved mosaics and serene courtyards, and is home to Bacha Coffee, one of the most unique café experiences in the city.
December crowds are lighter at both, which means you can actually linger and take it all in rather than jostling for space.
Book a Historical Private Tour here
Do a Desert Excursion
December is one of the best months for desert excursions from Marrakech. The Agafay Desert, just 40 minutes from the city, is spectacular in winter. The harsh midday heat is replaced by comfortable warmth, and evenings at camp are cool, starry, and peaceful.
If you have the time, the Sahara Desert is even more magical in the cooler months. Camel rides at sunset, campfire music under a blanket of stars, and waking to a crisp Sahara sunrise are experiences that hit differently when the temperature is on your side.
Book a Camel Ride in the Agafay Desert here
Book an Agafay Desert Camp Overnight here
Book a Hot Air Balloon Ride from Marrakech here
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
December mornings are crisp and clear, which makes them ideal for a hot air balloon ride over the desert and Atlas Mountains. Our kids were nervous before takeoff but completely captivated once we were in the air. It is peaceful, breathtaking, and one of those experiences that every member of the family talks about long after the trip is over. A traditional Berber breakfast is included after landing.
Get Henna Tattoos
A fun, culturally immersive activity that works beautifully on a slower December day. Skip the vendors in the main square and head to the Henna Art Cafe in the Medina instead. Their work is beautiful, the artists are professional, and kids absolutely love picking their designs.
Book a Henna Tattoo Workshop here
Take a Moroccan Cooking Class
With more time to breathe in December, a cooking class is a wonderful way to spend a morning. Kids can learn to roll dough, mix spices, and cook a traditional Moroccan meal. It is hands-on, educational, and genuinely delicious.
Book a Family Cooking Class here
Enjoy the Souks and Spice Markets
The spice markets are a sensory experience at any time of year but in December the cooler air makes wandering them far more enjoyable. Stop at a Berber pharmacy for one of the most fascinating and educational experiences in the Medina. Our kids were gifted a small clay pot of magic lipstick that produced a bright pink dye when wet, and it became one of their most treasured souvenirs from the trip.
Where to Stay in Marrakech in December
December is a great time to stay in a riad in the Medina. The cooler temperatures make the courtyard evenings pleasant rather than sweltering, and the proximity to everything means you can walk back easily without the summer exhaustion.
If you prefer an all-inclusive resort base, the Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie is an excellent family choice. We stayed there on our second visit and found the resort model, with a kids’ club, pool, and organized activities, gave us the perfect balance between downtime and excursion days.
Browse family-friendly riads in Marrakech here
Book Iberostar Waves Club Palmeraie here
What to Pack for Marrakech in December
December packing is a little different from the summer list. You still need breathable layers for daytime, but evenings genuinely call for a warm layer, especially if you’re heading to the desert.
Key additions for a December visit:
- A light jacket or warm layer for evenings and early mornings
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip, some Medina streets can be slippery when damp
- Lightweight scarves that can double as warmth and modesty cover-ups
- Layers for the kids, mornings and evenings are noticeably cool
For the full packing breakdown, check out our complete Morocco packing guide here.
Practical Tips for Visiting Marrakech in December
- Book accommodations early even in low season. Marrakech has fewer options than you might expect for larger families, and the best riads fill up even in December.
- Carry cash in Moroccan Dirham. ATMs are available but many souks, cafes, and smaller restaurants are cash only. Small bills make everything easier.
- Prearrange your airport transfer. Booking through your riad or hotel means a fixed price, a representative to meet you, and help navigating to the Medina where cars are not permitted.
- Respect the culture. December is winter in Morocco and the modest dressing guidelines still apply. Women should cover shoulders and legs above the knee. Lightweight scarves do the job easily.
- Check entry requirements. Visas are not required for most nationalities for stays under 90 days, but always confirm before travel. Visit Marrakech has the most current information.
Getting to Marrakech
Flights arrive at Menara Airport (RAK). We use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals and always recommend searching flexible dates around December to find the best fares.
For travel insurance that covers the whole family, SafetyWing’s Essential Plan includes kids under 10 at no extra cost and covers travel and medical emergencies anywhere in the world.
