10 things to do in Marrakech in February

I have no doubt that you have almost completed the list of things to see and do on your trip to Marrakech, but if you travel in February you have to know that there are activities and events that this month are enjoyed more than ever, such as a cultural festival or even a trip to the snow to discover a landscape that perhaps you did not think possible in Africa.

In addition, February is a very quiet month in Marrakech, as it is low season and the crowds that usually have the city the rest of the year will not be a problem during your trip. So, you can enjoy the activities that I propose and without being too hot, since the winter weather in Morocco is like a spring.

It is clear that the desert of Marrakech is there all year round and there are many activities that await you in the desert of Marrakech, but February is a great month to enjoy it at a mild temperature and with less chance of a sandstorm, much more common during Marrakech in summer.

If you have never been to a desert, you will be surprised how high the dunes can get (up to 200 meters) and how complicated it can be to walk between them. My advice is to book a quad tour. I can assure you that it is an incredible experience to get to know every last corner of the desert and live an adventure that raises your adrenaline as you climb the mountains of sand.

Being a single day trip to the desert, you won't experience the cold at night. Because yes, although I also thought that it was very hot in the desert, this is partially true, since at night, at any time of the year, the temperature in the desert drops so much that sleeping can be complicated. In February, the cold is even colder, so I recommend enjoying the desert during the day.

Do not think that everything in Marrakech is desert, sand and sun, because as soon as you see the Atlas Mountains you will be surprised. The reality is that the imperial city extends at the foot of this mountain range that acts as a division between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara. February is the best month to see the mountain range with a blanket of snow.

The Atlas, in its Moroccan part, is divided into Middle Atlas (maximum height of 3,356 meters), High Atlas (with the Toubkal peak and its 4,167 meters) and the Little Atlas or Anti-Atlas, whose highest peak, with 2,712 meters, is the Amalun Mansur. Usually, in February the High and Middle Atlas are snowy, leaving a beautiful landscape to enjoy for sure.

If you are an experienced hiker, maybe you dare to start a route to the top of Mount Toubkal, the great peak of the mountain range. However, no matter how much knowledge of mountaineering you have, it is better to go with a guide and well equipped. It is a somewhat complicated route due to the altitude (over 4,000 meters). If what you want is to see how the snow covers the mountains but without going inside, nothing like doing it aboard a hot air balloon.

Although the temperatures in February are warm, you may find that one day in February the cold weather takes its toll. In that case, I suggest you visit the Majorelle Garden, which houses plant species from five continents and, what interests you most, a microclimate where you will not be cold or hot. The entrance fee is approximately 9 €, but it is well worth it. I'll tell you why.

Designed by the painter Jacques Majorelle, this garden is like a painting in which different shades combine to create a calm, quiet and beautiful space on the edge of the Palm Grove of Marrakech. However, if you are going to visit it will be thanks to Yves Saint Laurent, as the famous designer rediscovered and saved the Garden from demolition after Majorelle's death.

Like you, many birds find in this garden a perfect place to rest and protect themselves in the February days when the temperature drops in Marrakech.

In general, the average temperature in February in Marrakech is around 15°C, although you can always check the weather forecast. Despite the mild temperatures, it is possible that one day it may get chilly. If that day comes and you want to escape the February chill, why not relax in a hammam? In these Arab baths you will warm up and leave like a cloud.

The hammams are public baths that are part of the culture and tradition of Marrakech, so you can not leave the city without visiting one. Between its pools of hot and cold water and steam baths, you can relax and recover your energy. My advice is to close your eyes, listen to the music playing in the background and spend a long time worrying only about your well-being.

If you allow me one last tip, go to a traditional hammam and take the opportunity to have an aperitif in the form of teas and pastries, something very common, as these baths also act as a social and meeting center.

If there is one thing you must try during your stay in Marrakech in February, it is orange juice, when this fruit is at its ripest. You won't have much trouble finding it, for example, in the medina of Marrakech, either among its intricate streets or in Jemaa el Fna Square.

But the flavor of a well-ripened orange is not the only secret that explains the rich sweetness of the juices. Do you want me to tell you about it or would you rather try to discover it when you taste it? Well, in Marrakech they make such a rich juice because they mix orange juice with tangerine juice, which is much sweeter.

Once you are in Jemaa el Fna Square, I recommend strolling through the medina, discovering its souks and perhaps shopping at one of the stalls or tasting the spices they sell there. I know they can be overwhelming, with so much movement and bargaining, so I recommend you to go on an organized tour of Marrakech, so that your guide is the one who shows you the best stalls of fabrics, spices or aljaferia, while you know the city in depth.

If you've ever seen a landscape of almond blossoms, you know how magical it is. If you have not yet witnessed this phenomenon of nature, Marrakech is a more than suitable place to do so, especially in February, when the almond trees bloom.

Although there are almond trees in many of the gardens scattered around the city, I recommend that if you go to Marrakech in February you go to the Gardens of the Koutoubia Mosque. There you can sit in the evening to observe the beautiful colors that bloom on the almond trees and also to get intoxicated by the sweet smell they give off.

Of course, this haven of peace is the perfect finishing touch to your visit to the Koutoubia Mosque, which is free of charge. You will be amazed by its minaret, which stands out above the surrounding buildings, imposing and beautiful for the pinkish hue given by the sandstone, the material with which it was built. The perfect combination for the almond trees in bloom! And if you are left wanting to visit more gardens, do not hesitate to visit the Palm Grove of Marrakech.

If there is one thing that makes Marrakech stand out, it is its interculturality. Its history, characterized by the French presence during the time of the protectorate, and its tourist attraction have made it a place where cultures come together. Undoubtedly, an exciting spectacle that, although it is experienced every day in the streets, deserved a festival: the Marrakech Biennial.

Focused on the avant-garde of different arts (cinema, literature, architecture, performance...), this trilingual festival (in Arabic, French and English) is held in late February and serves as a nexus of union and presentation for different artists and cultures.

If you like art and enjoy admiring the coexistence and respect between cultures, you have to go. The conversations that are established between artists, the exhibitions and the events that are held (such as performances or readings) are enriching. In addition, there are several facilities and museums that host this festival, so it will also serve as an excuse to know spaces like the Comptoir des Mines gallery, the contemporary art center par excellence of Marrakech.

Marrakech is a tourist destination for many reasons, but one of them is that, crossing the High Atlas Mountains, you arrive at Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified city declared a World Heritage Site and has been the setting for many Hollywood movies, as well as the Game of Thrones series.

There are many tourists who come to see it, being one of the excursions that can be done from Marrakech, so February is a perfect month to do it: much less crowds and more tranquility to visit it at your own pace.

Like all cities with history, Ait Ben Haddou is more enjoyable if you go with a specialized guide. Taking advantage that it is February and there is less demand, it will be like having a private tour of this Kasbah, the name given to these urban fortifications so typical of Berber settlements.

Although the final list of what to pack depends on the activities you are going to do in Marrakech, my recommendation is that, despite the mild temperatures that will be in the city during the day, do not forget some warm clothes for the evenings, when it usually cools down. My advice? A light, lightweight jacket or fleece.

Marrakech's climate is generally arid and temperatures in February range from 8°C to 20°C with a 14% chance of rain, so you don't need to pack an umbrella or raincoat.

If you are going to include a visit to a hammam, the most traditional and typical public baths in Marrakech, remember to bring bathing clothes and a towel.

As in Marrakech in January, the number of tourists visiting Marrakech in February is lower than usual. This means that prices are also a bit cheaper, perfect if you want to stay in a Riad (the traditional Moroccan villas), get cheap flights and enjoy Marrakech without long queues and crowds. In short, a real luxury. I leave you a post with all the things you have to see and do on your trip to Marrakech.

Be careful, less people does not mean you have to pay less attention to your safety in Marrakech; so stay alert to possible tourist scams or unreliable tours.