Marrakesh Weather January Averages, Morocco
Marrakesh in Morocco is steeped in rich history and culture and flush with natural, historic and architectural wonders due to their position as a crossroads for African and European cultures. An extremely popular holiday destination, Marrakesh benefits from wonderful weather for much of the year.
What's the Weather Like in Marrakesh in January?
Is It Good To Visit Marrakesh In January?
Marrakesh has a semi-arid climate means the winter months are still fairly mild. If you wish to avoid the busy crowds and sweltering heat of the summer then January would be a good time to visit. It's an excellent time to explore the medina or the desert.
How Hot Is Marraksh In January?
The average temperature in January hovers around 13°C. This average includes lows of 7°C and a high of 18 °C. There will be a light breeze or wind from the Atlantic Ocean which is roughly 168 km away.
Sunshine Hours In January
Travellers to Marrakesh can expect to enjoy 11 hours of sunshine at this time of year - the sun never stops shining in Morocco!
Does It Rain In Marrakesh In January?
While Marrakesh is located in the desert, it still sees around 30mm of rainfall over the course of five days in January.
Click here for a 14-day forecast.
Hotels for Marrakesh in January
La Maison Arabe
If you don't mind spending extra on your hotel while on holiday, La Maison Arabe is an excellent choice. This hotel is considered one of the most luxurious and elegant in Marrakesh and that will come with a higher than average price.
Marrakesh can be a bustling and potentially overwhelming city and La Maison Arabe provides a perfect oasis from its frenetic nature. A pool, room service and splendid accommodations are available to every guest that stays in this hotel.
Riad Nori d'Ivoire
Another hotel that is considered one of the best in Marrakesh is the Riad Noir d'Ivoire. Centrally located within the city, this hotel is quiet, due in part to being located in a residential area.
The staff will cater to your needs in helping you navigate the city and unwind while staying in the hotel. These beautiful accommodations include traditional Moroccan styling. In addition, you can take advantage of the stellar cuisine served from the hotel chefs.
Riad La Porte Rouge
Riad La Porte Rouge is considered one of the finest hotels in the city of Marrakesh. Most popular with couples, this resort is known for its red carpet service. The staff carefully attends to guest needs without a second thought. Enough cannot be said about the hospitality of this lovely riad.
Riyad El Cadi
Riyad El Cadi is another popular hotel in Marrakesh but it has a wider appeal. This hotel often has deals running on Trip Advisor so it is a great option if you are minding your budget. This structure is eight houses joined together so each room has an added sense of privacy.
Riad Les Trois Mages
The Riad Les Trois Mages has a reputation of excellent and friendly service. This hotel is popular with young couples for its fantastic location and energetic spirit. The Riad Les Trois Mages is frequented by travellers from the United Kingdom so the staff is proficient in English.
Restaurants and Bars for Marrakesh in January
Gastro MK
One of the finest restaurants in Marrakesh is the Gastro MK. This fusion restaurant blends traditional French cooking and flavour combinations with Moroccan ingredients and heritage. It's a great way to explore Moroccan cuisine if you are a little pickier or hesitant about exploring new foods.
Gastro MK serves gourmet food and drinks so you can expect to pay a little bit more for a meal here. If you are interested in dining here, you will need to make reservations in advance. Gastro MK has only ten seats so getting a spot reserved is mandatory.
Pepenero
Another exquisite restaurant to dine in while in Marrakesh is Pepenero. This boutique restaurant offers Italian and Moroccan cuisine for meals that you'll never forget. The chef has created menus that allow you explore either cuisine at dinner.
So whether you'd like an authentic, local meal or traditional Italian cuisine, there is something for everyone at this restaurant. Many travellers recommend bringing small gifts for local children if you sign up for a tour. Regardless of what you order, you'll dine in vibrant Moroccan architecture. If you would like to book your reservation, you can visit their website to do so.
Le Salama
Le Salama is a celebrated restaurant which combines fine dining with contemporary interiors and classic North African design. Located within the walls of the medina next to the Jemaa El Fna Square, the restaurant recreates the setting of the timeless movie Casablanca and commands brilliant views over the bustling city and its thoroughfares.
If you're looking to wind down after an action-packed day of sightseeing, try out Le Bar Churchill. This elegant cocktail bar is a unique blend of Moroccan styles and western influences, serving an impressive selection of drinks and a tasty accompaniment of bar snacks.
Things to Do in Marrakesh in January
Ait Benhaddou
One extremely popular and highly recommended attraction in Morocco is Ait Benhaddou, an ancient fortified city located just outside Marrakesh. This ksar (Arabic for 'castle'), is a wonder for anyone who is interested in history or architecture.
This series of buildings affords visitors a glimpse into centuries old life and also wonderful views of the surrounding hills and mountains. This hillside attraction has been deemed an UNESCO World Heritage site you won't want to miss it!
4X4 Camel
Another way to explore the Moroccan countryside is to hire a driver or camel ride through the 4X4 Camel company. This popular attraction company offers a variety of tours to experience Morocco and will customise them to your interests.
Common attractions to see on one of their tours are the Atlas Mountains, farmers markets, camel rides, a female-operated Argan oil co-operative and dining with a local family. If you're looking for a way to really learn about Moroccan culture with the safety of a guide, this company is a fantastic option.
Museum of Photography
If you would like to spend an afternoon indoors rather than outdoors in the desert, the Museum of Photography in Marrakesh is a wonderful option. This modern museum has a revolving of selection of exhibits of photography from Morocco, some originating in the 1870's.
If you would like to go beyond the standard exhibitions, you can contact the museum for conferences, films and a library available to visitors. And after completing a trip through the museum, the rooftop terrace has views of the city and lunch and drinks on its menu.
Dates for the diary
January sees one of the few secular public holidays in Morocco the Proclamation of Independence on January 11th. This date marked a turning point when the Moroccan people and its national royal family starting standing up against the French monarchy in 1944. Because it is a national holiday, you should anticipate some businesses will be closed in observance.
On January 24th, Muslims in Morocco observe the Prophet Mohammad's birthday also known as Aid al-Mawlid. As to be expected, this is a sombre and respectful holiday for Moroccans. When traveling to the country during the month of January, expect that many businesses may be closed on this day. And a majority of the population will be observing this holiday with prayer and retrospection.
