What is the weather like in Marrakech in January?
January is the coolest month in Marrakech, but it is still sunny most days. Mornings are fresh, the early afternoon is pleasant in the sun, and the temperature falls quickly after sunset.
| Month | Day | Night | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 20°C | 7°C | 4 |
| January | 19°C | 6°C | 3 |
| February | 21°C | 8°C | 4 |
These are the average highs and lows for Marrakech from the NOAA climate normals for 1991 to 2020. January gets about 25 mm of rain in the whole month, usually in short showers, and around 7 hours of sunshine a day. Some nights are colder than the average and get close to freezing.
On clear days you can see snow on the High Atlas from the city, one of the best sights of a winter trip.
Is Morocco warm in January?
It depends where. In January the Atlantic coast is mild, the mountains are cold and often snowy, and the Sahara has warm days and very cold nights. Marrakech is in between: sunny afternoons warm enough for a T-shirt in the sun, and cold evenings that need a jacket.
It is not beach weather. If you want heat, Marrakech in January is too cool; if you want sunshine, walks and quiet streets, it is a very good time.
Sunrise and sunset in January
The sun rises at about 07:30 all month. It sets at about 17:40 at the start of January and 18:05 at the end (Morocco time). Morocco went back to GMT on 20 September 2026, so Marrakech has the same time as London in winter and is one hour behind Paris and Madrid. More in time in Morocco.
The best light for photos is the hour before sunset. Plan gardens, rooftops and a desert trip for the middle of the day and the late afternoon.
What to wear in Marrakech in January
- Layers. A T-shirt or light top, a jumper or fleece, and a warm jacket for the evening.
- Closed, comfortable shoes. The lanes of the medina are long and uneven.
- Sunglasses and sun cream. The winter sun is still strong at midday.
- A scarf and a hat for cold evenings, and a scarf for the dust if you ride a quad.
- Something warm to sleep in. Riads are built to stay cool in summer and can be cold at night. Ask if your room has heating.
Covering your shoulders and knees in the medina is polite and draws less attention.
What to do in Marrakech in January
Walk the medina in the sun
The cool weather is perfect for long walks through the souks. Go in the morning when the lanes are calm, and come back to Jemaa el-Fna at dusk when the food stalls light up.
Visit the gardens and palaces with fewer people
January is low season, so the Majorelle Garden, the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs are calmer than in spring. Majorelle tickets are sold online only. Our guide to things to do in Marrakech has 15 ideas.
See the snow on the Atlas
The High Atlas starts about an hour from the city, and its peaks are often white in January. Imlil and the Ourika valley make easy day trips: see day trips from Marrakech.
Warm up in a hammam
A steam bath and a scrub with black soap is the best way to warm up after a cold evening.
Spend an evening in the Agafay desert
The Agafay desert is about 45 minutes away. January evenings there are clear and still, with the snowy Atlas on the horizon and a huge sunset. Our evenings pick you up in the early afternoon: you ride a quad or a camel before sunset, then have dinner and watch the fire show under the stars, and you're back in Marrakech at about 20:00. From 250 DH (about €23) per person, with transport.
Is the desert cold in January?
Yes, after sunset. Agafay is a stone desert, and on a clear January night it can drop to about 5°C or lower. The afternoon is pleasant, so the cold surprises many visitors. Bring a warm jacket, a hat and closed shoes; the camp's fires and a hot mint tea help too.
The reward: winter skies are the clearest of the year, so the stars after dinner are at their best. More in our Agafay desert guide.
Holidays and events in January
- 1 January, New Year's Day, is a public holiday. The days around it are among the busiest of the winter.
- 14 January is Yennayer, the Amazigh (Berber) New Year, a public holiday in Morocco since 2024 (TelQuel, in French). Some offices close; sights and restaurants are usually open.
Is January a good time to visit Marrakech?
Yes, if you like sunshine and quiet streets more than heat. After the New Year rush, January is one of the calmest months: easier to find a riad, shorter queues at the sights, and pleasant afternoons for walking. The downsides are cold evenings and the shortest days of the year, so plan your outdoor visits before sunset.
You can sunbathe by a pool at midday on warm, windless days, but unheated pools are too cold for a swim. Ask your hotel if its pool is heated.
Marrakech in January: your questions
How warm is Marrakech in January?
About 19°C in the afternoon on average, warm in the sun, and about 6°C at night. It is the coolest month of the year.
Does it rain in Marrakech in January?
Not much. There are about 3 rainy days in January, with around 25 mm of rain in the whole month, usually in short showers.
What time is sunset in Marrakech in January?
About 17:40 at the start of the month and 18:05 at the end, Morocco time (GMT). The sun rises at about 07:30.
What should I wear in Marrakech in January?
Layers: a light top, a jumper and a warm jacket for the evening, closed shoes, sunglasses and a scarf. Bring something warm to sleep in.
Can you swim in Marrakech in January?
Only in heated pools. You can sunbathe at midday on warm days, but unheated outdoor pools are cold.
Is the Agafay desert cold in January?
At night, yes: it can drop to about 5°C or lower after sunset. Days are mild and sunny. Bring a warm jacket for a desert evening.
Is January a good time to visit Marrakech?
Yes for sunshine, walks and quiet streets after the New Year rush. Not for heat: evenings are cold and the days are short.
