January is Morocco's coolest month, and also one of its sunniest in the south. The holiday crowds leave after New Year, afternoons stay mild in Marrakech and Agadir, and the Atlas peaks are white. Here is what ten years of weather data say, city by city, and what to know before you go.
January weather, city by city
| City | Average high | Average low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 20 °C | 5 °C | 4 |
| Agadir | 21 °C | 11 °C | 2 |
| Essaouira | 19 °C | 11 °C | 3 |
| Fes | 17 °C | 5 °C | 8 |
| Chefchaouen | 14 °C | 5 °C | 9 |
| Merzouga | 18 °C | 4 °C | 1 |
- Mild days, cold nights. Marrakech averages about 20 °C in the afternoon and 5 °C at night, with only 4 rainy days. Many riads are lightly heated, so evenings are for jumpers.
- Agadir is the mildest, with 21 °C by day, 11 °C at night and barely 2 rainy days.
- The desert is dry but freezing at night. Around Merzouga, about 18 °C in the afternoon and 4 °C at night on average; in the dunes, under a clear sky, it gets colder still.
- The north is the wettest: Chefchaouen sees about 9 rainy days and Fes 8.
Public holidays and events in January 2027
- Friday 1 January: New Year's Day.
- Monday 11 January: anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence.
- Thursday 14 January: Amazigh New Year (Yennayer), a public holiday in Morocco since 2024.
- Sunday 31 January: the 37th Marrakech International Marathon; see our marathon guide. Marrakech hotels are in high demand that weekend.
On public holidays, government offices and banks are closed, so plan any paperwork around them. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February, after a January trip; see Ramadan 2027 in Morocco.
Where to go in January
- Agadir and the southern coast for mild weather and sunshine.
- Marrakech for walking in the afternoon and views of the snowy Atlas on clear days.
- The desert for starry skies, with real winter gear for the night in camp.
- The Atlas for snow: a high-altitude hike then needs winter equipment and a guide.
Short days
In January in Marrakech, the sun rises around 8:30 and sets between 18:40 early in the month and 19:00 at the end: about ten hours of daylight. On a road trip, start early and keep the long mountain drives for daylight.
What to pack
- A warm jumper and a down jacket for the evening, even in Marrakech.
- A hat, gloves and a thermal layer for the desert and the Atlas.
- A waterproof jacket if you are heading north.
- A power bank: cold drains batteries faster.
Staying connected in January
Signal is good in the cities and along the main roads; it gets patchy in the Atlas valleys and deep in the dunes. Download offline maps before you leave and pick a plan that matches the trip: 7 days for €24, 10 days for €32, 15 days for €45, with 1 GB a day at full speed then 512 Kbps, hotspot included.
See our Morocco eSIM plans and check that your phone is compatible. Also read Morocco in December and the best time to visit Morocco.