Morocco temperature January is a little weird for travelers. Having tours around imperial cities, trekking in the Atlas Mountains, and traveling onto the Sahara Desert, it manages to provide a perfect balance between mild days and cool nights.
Here you will see what to expect concerning the weather, what to pack, and how to plan your trip in Morocco during January. Further below, some of the great tours are waiting for you: Desert Adventure Tours, Camel Trekking, and Morocco’s Famous Imperial Cities Tours.
Average Temperature in Morocco in January, Morocco is in winter; however, the temperature might vary according to the regions. This is an approximate idea of the temperature range in Morocco during this time and what one can expect from each geographical division.
Morocco Temperature January in Coastal Areas (Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir)
In the coastal cities of Morocco, Casablanca included and Agadir, the weather can be considered mild during this month.
Daytime Temperature: It is between 16°C to 20°C (61°F to 68°F).
Night Temperature: Usually falls to 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F).
Rainfall: It is one of the wettest months along the coast, so do expect occasional rainfalls.
Morocco Temperature January in Marrakech and the Interior
Marrakech is inland hence cooler than the coast but still mild if coming from really cold parts of the world.
Daytime Temperature: Around 15°C to 18°C (59°F to 64°F).
This will be sometimes as low as 4°C to 7°C – 39°F to 45°F, which should feel reasonably cold at night.
Atlas Mountains
During January, it is well cold in the Atlas Mountains, and it is where the snow would be found.
Daytime temperature: About 5° to 10° C – 41°F-50°F; most definitely colder at higher altitudes
Nighttime temperature: May be well below freezing and sometimes reach -5° to 0° C – 23°F-32°F.
Moroccan Sahara Desert Weather
January is quite an interesting time to travel to Sahara, though actually one of the colder months. In fact, it is perfect weather for travel in general since it simply isn’t very hot during the day, or terribly cold at night.
- Daytime Temperature: Generally pleasant, around 18°C to 22°C (64°F to 72°F)
- Night-time Temperature: Sometimes can get very cold; temperature range from 0°C to -5°C (32°F to 23°F).
Packing List for Morocco in January
A trip to Morocco in January will require such unpredictable temperature conditions, and it is very important to pack accordingly. The following are things one can carry:
- Layered Clothing
Since the temperature fluctuates during the day and at night, it will be best to pack in layers. Bring the following with you:
1: For daytime, light sweaters or long-sleeve shirts.
2: During cooler evenings, a warm jacket or coat.
3: Additional warmth with scarves or shawls-if needed.
- Comfortable Shoes
Whether walking in the streets of Marrakech, trekking in the Atlas Mountains, or even just taking a walk on the beach in Agadir, comfortable shoes are going to be highly sought after.
- Rain jacket
Rain Gear If you happen to go to the coastal cities or to the north of Morocco, it would also be a good idea to take an rain jacket too, since January can have some showers.
- Sun Protection
The Moroccan winter sun is not to be underrated particularly in desert and coastal regions. Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat/cap must definitely be forgotten.
Best Places to Visit in Morocco in January Even though it is a bit cold, however it is a great time to travel in Morocco.
The best places that you can visit:
- Marrakech
Probably the best place to visit at any time of the year, with its vibrant culture, historic sites, and beautiful gardens, Marrakech should be best experienced in January because at this time, the temperatures are comfortable enough to wander around in the city’s souks, palaces, or even its famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square
- Fez
Other interesting places that can be visited during January include Fes, which has an old medina and is very interesting in terms of history. The weather in Fes will be cooler but bearable; hence, excellent for sightseeing without the extremely hot summer heat.
- Atlas Mountains
The summits of the Atlas will be perfectly seen, especially on the snowy month of January; hence, perfect for people who enjoy trekking or seeing Morocco in winter.
- Sahara Desert
The Sahara Desert is for the few who are truly adventurous, well worth it. The difference in days of warmth and nights of cold makes this a worthwhile visiting spot. Most Marrakech desert tours happen in January simply because it allows them to see and enjoy the dunes in their most docile behavior.
- Agadir and the Coastal Cities
For holidays involving casual activities, consider Agadir or other coastal cities like Essaouira. This is the time when the softened temperatures make them suitable to spend the winter times at the beach.
How to Plan Your Trip in Morocco in January
- Weather Considerations
Since it can get extremely variable outside, the weather condition in Morocco is best if you prepare for the extreme warmth and cold. For the most part, you will be layering. During the day, you will most likely need light clothes while at night a warm jacket or coat is a must especially if you are bound to reach the mountains or desert areas.
Best Time to Visit Morocco 2025
Traveling around Morocco is one of the best times during January if one does not want to catch some extreme heat within the summer months. It is generally an excellent month for outdoor sightseeing activities such as camel trekking, hiking, and touring old historical cities.
- Imperial Cities:
Very good time for making tours in the cities of Marrakech, Fes, and Rabat; cool and no crowds during summer.
Although the desert at night is cold, daytime Morocco temperature January is cool and pleasant apt for camel trekking and desert tours.
Atlas Mountains: January is ideal if the tourists are going to engage in skiing or snowboarding at Oukaïmeden a ski resort close to Marrakech.
Morocco Temperature January and What to Pack
- Layerings:
Light clothes for the day and warm jackets for the evening.
- Comfort shoes:
Comfort shoes that are good for walking and trekking around cities, or even on the actual treks.
- Rain gear:
raincoats or umbrellas, more so in the coastal cities.
- Sun protection:
these can be in the form of sunglasses, sunscreen, or even hats to protect people from the sun.
Popular Tours in Morocco in January
These are Morocco desert tours that must not be missed in a visit to Morocco. Quite a great time to venture into the Sahara in January. There are vast dunes-the quiet beauty of the desert with contrasting warmth of daytime to cold nights. It usually consists of camel trekking, camping overnight under the stars inside a Berber-styled camp.
Morocco Sahara Tours: Conquer the Desert
This is amongst one of the most iconic things to do in Morocco, and January just provides perfect conditions for the Sahara Desert tour. One will take a golden dune camel ride, camp under starry nights, and feel the quietness of the desert-all this will surely be an unforgettable experience. During the daytime, temperature is mild, while during night the desert gets really cold, striking a perfect contrast.
Recommended Marrakech Desert Tours
3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga: Marvel at the amazing view of the Atlas Mountains while passing by the ancient town of Ouarzazate, boasting its beautiful Kasbahs or fortresses onward to the drive toward Merzouga to see the changing dunes, ride camels into the desert, and sleep under the stars in a Berber-style camp.
4-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Fes: This will take you through the longer tour and give you views into the desert and two of the most famous cities in Morocco. This involves a camel ride and sleeping in the dunes.
Morocco Camel Ride in Sahara Desert
In fact, for most of the Morocco desert tours, camel trekking is a highlight and probably the most genuine way to see the vastness of Sahara. Taking into consideration the fact that during summer it may get really hot, the conditions in January are ideal to take on this adventure.
Morocco temperature january enables great rides on camels that might get very displeasing during summer.
Camel Trek Erg Chebbi
This is a camel trek on the dunes of Erg Chebbi, later sleeping in an up-scale camp where you shall enjoy a Moroccan dinner and get to star gaze.
Morocco Temperature January and Imperial Cities Tours
One of the best times to visit Morocco’s imperial cities, which are Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, and Meknes, is during January. The Morocco temperature January are quite mild and, hence, provide for relaxed visits to the places of interest, souks, and medinas.
Popular Imperial City Tours:
- A day tour in Marrakech: Famous places to look out for in Marrakech include Jemaa el-Fnaa, the Majorelle Garden, and the Koutoubia Mosque.
- Fes City Tour: The old medina city of Fes is one of the most intact medieval cities in the world. Covers Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and tanneries tour also.
Hiking and Skiing in the Atlas Mountains
If you are a nature-lover, then it is the season for trekking or skiing in the Atlas Mountains. January is a good month in Oukaïmeden because it is the high altitude where the temperature should be cold enough.
- Trekking Imlil Day: Leave Marrakech to start your tour to Imlil, a high altitude of the most beautiful village of High Atlas. You will enjoy guided trek along valleys with breathtaking outstanding views of the snow-capped peaks.
- Oukaïmeden Skiing: Oukaïmeden is the highest ski resort in Africa for all those winter sports lovers. It is about 70km from Marrakech. This January month is considered an apt time when you can visit this place for skiing and snowboarding.
Morocco Temperarure January and Conclusion
Morocco Temperature January can be considered temperate at coastal areas and freezing nights in the desert with the snows on the mountain peaks.
Whether it is a tour to the imperial cities, participation in events of a desert tour Morocco, or participation in a trek in the Atlas Mountains, this month is just perfect for taking some excellent sightseeing as the temperature has started cooling down.
Store safely, plan tours effectively, and enjoy the unforgettable experiences that Morocco has in store for you in this beautiful season.
