January may be the coldest month of the year in Morocco, but it’s a great time to visit if you’re interested in trekking in the desert and crowd-free sightseeing. Find out what to do and where to go in this monthly guide.

Visiting Morocco in January offers a unique and peaceful experience away from the busy tourist seasons. Morocco’s winter is mild compared to many places, making it an ideal time to explore cities like Marrakech, Fes, and Chefchaouen without the summer crowds. The cooler temperatures are perfect for sightseeing, hiking in the Atlas Mountains, and enjoying cozy evenings with traditional Moroccan cuisine. While some areas may be chilly, especially in the mountains, January allows travelers to experience authentic Moroccan culture and landscapes in a calm, comfortable winter setting.

Weather 

Morocco’s winter is mild. But January is the coldest month of the year—and also the wettest. Generally speaking, temperatures peak in the high 60s, with lows in the 40s, though it can get much colder in the Atlas Mountains and much warmer in the desert. Though it gets chilly after dark, January days are often warm and sunny in Morocco. On average, January sees seven to eight days of rainfall.

Crowds & Costs

From a sightseeing perspective, January is an excellent time to visit Morocco, as crowds are fewer at major tourist attractions and many hotels offer low-season rates. If you have your heart set on a particular boutique hotel or riad, you’ll have better luck booking a stay in January—particularly in the second half of the month, when fewer travelers are competing for rooms.

Where to Go

Temperatures are relatively mild throughout the country in January, but major cities like Marrakech and Tangier tend to see more precipitation than usual. Bring an umbrella—or skip the rain entirely and head for the desert or the mountains. Destinations like Ouarzazate, offering easy access to the Sahara and the High Atlas range, are particularly pleasant (and dry) in January. 
Another great option is the Atlantic coast, including the seaside city of Essaouira, where conditions are warmer than elsewhere in the country. Keep in mind when travel planning that southern Morocco is milder than northern Morocco in January, so the further south you go, the less you’ll need to bundle up in warm clothing.

What to Do

Thanks to the relatively cool weather, January is a good time to explore the Sahara Desert or hike in the High Atlas Mountains—though be aware that rain can make river levels rise in the mountains, rendering some trails unpassable. Trekking in the desert is a safer bet.
January is a calm time for sightseeing in cities like Fes and Marrakech, which tend to get overly busy with tourists during the high season. It’s also the perfect time to break out your camera: conditions for photography are optimal during winter in Morocco, when the air is clear and free of dust.

January Events

Yennayer. Morocco celebrates Yennayer, also known as the Amazigh New Year, on January 12-13. The festival marks the start of the crop year in traditional Berber communities across the country; celebrations are particularly lively in the Berber villages of the Middle Atlas Mountains, where the locals sing, dance, and prepare traditional foods. If you’d like to experience Yennayer, head for a town like Agadir or Tiznit.
Anniversary of the Independence Manifesto / Proclamation of Independence. Morocco’s official independence day is in March, but the country also celebrates its first attempt at independence from French colonial rule on January 11th. The Proclamation of Independence is a national holiday in Morocco, marked by street parades and festivals all over the country.