December in Morocco means winter sun: bright afternoons, properly cold nights and big crowds over Christmas and New Year. Well prepared, it is a great month to escape grey skies. Here is the real weather, city by city, and what changes compared with autumn.
December weather, city by city
| City | Average high | Average low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 21 °C | 7 °C | 4 |
| Agadir | 22 °C | 12 °C | 2 |
| Essaouira | 20 °C | 12 °C | 3 |
| Fes | 18 °C | 7 °C | 6 |
| Chefchaouen | 16 °C | 7 °C | 8 |
| Merzouga | 18 °C | 5 °C | 1 |
- A big gap between day and night. In Marrakech, about 21 °C in the afternoon and 7 °C at night. Many riads have little heating and cool down fast in the evening.
- The desert is dry but cold at night. Around Merzouga, afternoons sit near 18 °C and nights near 5 °C on average; in the dunes under a clear sky it is colder still.
- Agadir stays the mildest, with about 22 °C by day and 12 °C at night, and only 2 rainy days on average.
- The north is the wettest: Chefchaouen has nearly 8 rainy days, Fes about 6.
Where to go in December
- Agadir and the southern coast for sun and warmth.
- Marrakech for the year-end holidays; book early, the city is in high demand between Christmas and New Year. See Christmas and New Year in Marrakech.
- The desert for starry skies, with winter gear for the night.
- The Atlas for snow: the peaks are often white in December, and a high-altitude hike then needs winter equipment and a guide.
What to pack
- A warm jumper and a down jacket for the evening, even in Marrakech.
- Warm clothes for a night in the desert: hat, gloves, a thermal layer.
- A waterproof jacket for the north.
- A power bank: cold drains batteries faster, and night falls early.
Staying connected over the holidays
During the holidays, riad and hotel Wi-Fi is heavily loaded in the evening. An eSIM gives you your own connection for video calls with family and photos of the night. Our plans: 7 days at €24, 10 days at €32, 15 days at €45, with 1 GB a day at full speed then 512 Kbps and hotspot included.
See the Morocco eSIM plans, check your phone's compatibility, and read Morocco in November and Marrakech in winter.