The weather in Morocco in January is sunny and mild in the afternoon, cold at night. Expect around 19 °C (66 °F) by day and 6 °C (43 °F) at night in Marrakech, 21 °C (70 °F) in Agadir, 25 mm (1.0 in) of rain in Marrakech, and nights close to 2 °C (36 °F) in the desert. Verdict: ✅ a good month for cities and winter sun, with one caveat: pack warm clothes for evenings, the desert and the Atlas.
After the year-end holidays, January is one of the quietest and cheapest months, apart from the first few days. In 2027, Ramadan is expected to begin in early February (the UK FCDO says it next starts in February 2027, GOV.UK, updated 19 August 2026), so January is not affected. This page covers the month in detail; for the whole year, see our page on the best time to visit Morocco.
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Morocco in January: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ winter sun, cold nights
- Marrakech: 19.1 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon, 5.9 °C (43 °F) at night, 25 mm (1.0 in) of rain
- Agadir: 21.2 °C (70 °F) by day, the mildest destination
- Desert: about 16 to 17 °C (61 to 63 °F) by day, 2 °C (36 °F) at night (Errachidia, Ouarzazate)
- Atlas: snow on the peaks, passes sometimes closed
- Prices: low to medium after New Year
Weather in Morocco in January by city
Morocco is one of the countries where the winter climate changes most from one region to another. The Atlantic coast stays mild day and night thanks to the ocean, while the interior and the pre-Saharan south see big swings between day and night.
| City | Max | Min | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 19.1 °C (66 °F) | 5.9 °C (43 °F) | 25 mm (1.0 in) of rain, plenty of sun |
| Agadir | 21.2 °C (70 °F) | 8.4 °C (47 °F) | Mildest by day |
| Essaouira | 18.4 °C (65 °F) | 11.1 °C (52 °F) | Mildest nights, wind |
| Fez | 16.0 °C (61 °F) | 3.7 °C (39 °F) | Cooler and wetter |
| Ouarzazate | 17.3 °C (63 °F) | 1.8 °C (35 °F) | Gateway to the desert, cold nights |
| Errachidia (towards Merzouga) | 15.9 °C (61 °F) | 2.0 °C (36 °F) | Desert camp: warm clothes |
In Marrakech, the gap between afternoon and night reaches 13 °C (23 °F): you can have lunch on a terrace in the sun, but evenings call for a coat, and riads are not always well heated. In Ifrane, in the Middle Atlas, the average minimum in January is -1 °C (30 °F). Fez and the north receive more rain than the south.
And the ocean?
Agadir is the best option for winter sun by the sea, but the Atlantic stays cool all year: in January, swimming is for the bravest. Taghazout and Essaouira, on the other hand, are good surf spots in autumn and winter.
Things to do in Morocco in January
- Marrakech: medina, souks, Majorelle Garden and palaces, in clear light and with fewer people than in spring.
- The desert: Merzouga or Zagora in a desert camp, if you accept cold nights; days are pleasant.
- The snowy Atlas: Ourika Valley, Imlil, and skiing at Oukaimeden when snow cover allows.
- The Atlantic coast: Agadir for the sun, Taghazout and Essaouira for surfing.
- Hammams: especially welcome in winter.
What to avoid in January
- Toubkal without equipment: in winter, the climb requires crampons, an ice axe and an experienced guide.
- Underestimating nights in a desert camp: ask for extra blankets and bring warm clothes.
- Mountain pass routes with no margin: snow can close or slow the Tizi n’Tichka.
Events in Morocco in January
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year: heavy crowds and high prices in the first days | Mainly Marrakech |
| Mid-January | Amazigh New Year (Yennayer), public holiday in Morocco | Nationwide |
| February-March 2027 (approximately) | Ramadan, after January this year | Nationwide |
Crowds and prices in January
The first days of January are still in high demand, then numbers drop sharply: it is one of the cheapest periods of the year, along with June and September. A few weeks’ notice is generally enough outside the holidays, but small, well-located riads in Marrakech and Fez have few rooms: do not wait for weekends.
Entry requirements and practical info
- Documents: see our page on entry requirements for Morocco for passport validity and other conditions for US and UK citizens.
- Currency: the Moroccan dirham.
What to pack for Morocco in January
- Layers: T-shirts, a sweater, a fleece
- A warm coat and a hat for the evening, the desert and the Atlas
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: the sun is still strong
- Closed shoes for the medinas and tracks
- Covering clothes for visits, out of respect for local customs
Itinerary idea: one week in January
- Days 1-3: Marrakech (medina, gardens, palaces).
- Days 4-6: crossing the Atlas to Ouarzazate, Dades Valley and a night in a well-equipped desert camp at Merzouga or Zagora.
- Day 7: back to Marrakech, or finish in Agadir for the sun.
Our advice for a trip in January
- Choose a riad with heating or a fireplace: nights are cold in Marrakech and Fez.
- Plan visits between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun warms the medina, and keep evenings for restaurants and the hammam.
- For the desert, choose a tour of 3 days or more: Atlas roads are slow and snow can slow the passes.
- Avoid the first week of January if your budget is tight: holiday rates still apply.
If January does not suit you
February is a little milder, but in 2027 it overlaps largely with Ramadan: see Morocco in February. For spring, Morocco in April is excellent, and Morocco in October offers the other great window of the year. For the red city alone, see the best time to visit Marrakech.
Other winter sun in January: the Canary Islands, Egypt or Cape Verde. More ideas on the page where to go in January. To plan your trip, read our Morocco travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Morocco in January?
Sunny and mild in the afternoon (19 °C (66 °F) in Marrakech, 21 °C (70 °F) in Agadir), but cold at night: 6 °C (43 °F) in Marrakech and about 2 °C (36 °F) in the desert, according to the 1991-2020 normals.
Where is it warmest in Morocco in January?
On the southern Atlantic coast: Agadir has an average maximum of 21 °C (70 °F) and milder nights than the interior.
Can you do the desert in January?
Yes, days are pleasant, but nights drop to around 2 °C (36 °F): pack warm clothes for the desert camp.
Does it snow in Morocco in January?
Yes, on the High and Middle Atlas. Snow can occasionally close the passes and sometimes allows skiing at Oukaimeden.
Does Ramadan fall in January 2027?
No: in 2027 it is expected to cover roughly February and early March. The exact date depends on the sighting of the moon.
Our sources
- Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology, via the World Meteorological Organization 1991-2020 normals (NOAA archive)
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Morocco (GOV.UK, updated 19 August 2026; Ramadan dates), read 26 October 2026
- Data taken from our page on the best time to visit Morocco
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.