10 things to do in Marrakech in January

January is one of the best times to travel to Marrakech for several reasons. On the one hand, the weather allows you to escape the cold winter of Europe to enjoy mild temperatures and visit the city without the heat of summer. On the other hand, being low season, you can visit without so many crowds and also at a lower price.

Although in Marrakech, as in the rest of Morocco, do not follow the Western calendar, so they do not celebrate holidays like New Year, it is a cosmopolitan city with a great cultural offer and in January, also very sporty. Want to know why? Read on!

Do you want to visit the desert of Marrakech but the heat is holding you back? Take advantage of visiting the city in January, when temperatures are not sweltering at all. In addition, it is a time of less tourist influx, so you can enjoy the desert more calmly. From Marrakech, you will be impressed when you pass through Ouarzazate, the "gateway to the desert" that leads to the Sahara, where you will cross a landscape of dunes almost 200 meters high.

Although it is true that temperatures are lower in January, do not think that because it is colder it will rain, which would certainly spoil your trip to the desert of Morocco, since in the interior areas the climate is much drier and there is almost no rain in January. Remember that in the desert at night temperatures drop sharply, so be sure to bring enough clothes if you decide to sleep in the desert of Morocco or you are going on a tour of more than one day.

Marrakech lies at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, an imposing mountain range that cuts through northwest Africa. Wherever you are, you are sure to notice or can see its presence in the distance, but if there is one place in Marrakech where the Atlas takes center stage it is from the Menara Gardens.

The advantage of making this visit in January and not in any other month is that the chances of the Atlas being covered by a curtain of snow are very high. The most incredible thing is that the pure white of the Marrakech winter is camouflaged by the clear blue sky and clouds, creating a perfect canvas. I promise you that the romanticism and majesty of this landscape is unbelievable, you won't want to stop taking pictures of it!

January is also a good month for surfers traveling to Marrakech, and the mild temperatures (between 8 ° C and 20 ° C) and the quality of its beaches make this imperial city an idyllic destination for surfing.

Of course, however good the weather and the spectacular waves you can surf, do not forget that you are in Atlantic waters, which are known for how cold they are, so do not forget to pack in your suitcase one of your best wetsuits.

What beaches do I recommend? Undoubtedly, any of the city of Essaouira, known as the Pearl of the Atlantic for its beauty. And to regain strength after a day of surfing, go to one of the restaurants in the area and ask for a good fish dish. Essaouira is a city with a fishing port so the quality of fish is superb. Although you can go on your own, I recommend you to go with an organized tour from Marrakech to discover the whole city, beyond its beaches.

January 11 marks a very important day in the history of Morocco: the signing of its Independence Manifesto. Although the events on this day are rather political and there are no parades or big public celebrations, I think it is a good time for you to visit the Museum of Marrakech.

Walking through the rooms of the museum you can witness the history and culture of Morocco and understand the importance of this day. Carpets, weapons, decorative elements... There are many objects that you will find in your visit, which is also free, but above all you will leave understanding better the history of thousands of years on which a city like Marrakech and a country like Morocco is built.

A good way to learn more about the history of the city and the country is by taking a guided tour of Marrakech. The guides will not only take you from one place to another, but they will also tell you curiosities and customs to make your trip as authentic as possible.

Did you know that Muslim countries follow a different calendar than ours? Yes, they do. In fact, their beginning of the year does not coincide with the Western one, which follows the Gregorian calendar. The good news is that if you go to Marrakech in January you can celebrate the Yennayer, that is, the Amazigh New Year (Arabic and traditional term for Berber culture), which takes place in mid-January.

The exact date varies from year to year, as the Amazigh calendar is governed by lunar cycles. Still, I recommend that you take a good look at the date you are going to Marrakech and try to be in the imperial city during the day when they welcome their new year which, by the way, does not coincide in number with ours either (the Amazigh started counting their years in our 950 B.C.).

What celebrations can you expect? Lots of dancing, music and also poetry. What is also not lacking is traditional food, which I encourage you to try in the souk, where you will find many food stalls, or in a typical Marrakech restaurant that I recommend. No doubt, on this special occasion you can not miss the couscous, you will start the Yennayer with a stomach full of the best typical Moroccan food!

The beauty of this garden cannot be described, and if you don't believe me wait until you see it with your own eyes. At the foot of the Atlas Mountains, the Menara Garden acts as a haven of peace to break away from the hustle and bustle of moving around Marrakech. If there is something that will catch your attention, I can assure you that it will be its artificial pond, over 150 square meters.

Not only will it catch your attention because of how beautiful it is, but also because of the system that, after nine centuries since it was implemented, still uses the melt water from the Atlas to irrigate the olive trees that grow around it. In January you will be able to see the fruit of this system, and never better said, because this month ends the harvesting of green, pink and black olives. The most magical thing about the Menara Garden is how it changes from month to month, from season to season, and to witness it.

And if on your trip to Marrakech, you want to visit other gardens, I recommend you to take a tour of the Majorelle gardens.

Don't know what a Riad is? As soon as you know you will want to sleep at least one night in one. Riads are former palaces or villas that are now used as tourist accommodation and whose prices drop at the beginning of the year, during the winter in Marrakech.

Arranged around a central courtyard with a fountain, each Riad room is a treasure. Filled with tiles, plants, arches... You will spend long moments contemplating every detail of the decoration.

Maybe you had thought of staying in a hotel, but the Riad experience is much more authentic. Your hosts will be much closer to you, offering you everything you need to be at ease, including the best typical Moroccan dishes, so you can make the most of your stay in Marrakech. In addition, at this time prices are lower, which will make your stay in a Riad more affordable.

Although in Marrakech, as in the rest of Morocco, they change the year according to the lunar calendar, the arrival of Western tourists has made the city also celebrate the New Year of the Gregorian calendar (the one that governs our calendar). What better than to change the year in this imperial city?

Do not expect big festivities or decorations, but January 1 is a great day to celebrate the new year with a typical meal in Marrakech. What will be the menu? It depends on where you go, but I recommend going to a traditional restaurant where they cook in a tajine, ceramic pots with a conical lid in which they cook vegetable stews, chicken and also the famous harirah soup, made with cereals, legumes, vegetables, meat and a perfect combination of spices.

To start the year and January on the right foot, nothing like celebrating in El Fna Square, where every night, and especially this one, there is a fabulous show with acrobats, illusionists, lights and dances. Are you going to miss such a magical end of the year? I recommend you to take a guided tour beforehand to get to know the surroundings and the El Fna Square and get all the details of this day.

Did you know that Marrakech has some of the best ski slopes in the world? Well, yes, it does, and you're certainly looking forward to discovering it now. Although there aren't too many yet, about an hour and a half from Marrakech is Oukaimeden, a ski resort in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. Its snow-capped peaks are a favorite destination for skiers, who spend long days there when the resort opens in January.

The only downside is that, although it has chairlifts, equipment rental points and slopes at different levels, it is not a western resort like the ones you may be used to. My advice is not to go with expectations of finding any luxury, although you will enjoy it just the same.

Be aware that there is hardly any accommodation in the area, but as it is close to Marrakech, you can take advantage of a day trip from Marrakech and come back when the slopes close. It will be worth it if you are going to be a minimum of three days in Marrakech.

If you are a great runner and you want nothing more than to know the cities you visit in a good race, you have to sign up for the Marrakech Marathon through the official website. Held every year at the end of January, it brings together runners from all over the world who, like you, take advantage of their trip to the Moroccan city to put on their running shoes and, perhaps, improve their personal best.

In addition, the course is quite fast and flat. Not only will you get to know the city, but you will also take part in one of the most prestigious marathons in the world. Sounds good, doesn't it? Imagine coming back from your trip to Marrakech with one more race under your belt and the thrill of having run through the most beautiful places in the city while doing so.

The course passes through olive groves and palm trees, but also through the most cosmopolitan area of Marrakech. You will certainly want to stop to take pictures and admire the scenery, but for the moment just focus on crossing the finish line, there will be time to discover the city more calmly on a hike!

January is one of the best times to travel to Marrakech precisely because of its climate. During the summer it is a hot and somewhat stifling city, so January allows you to enjoy it with a light breeze, clear skies and about 10 hours of daylight a day.

In addition, Marrakech is a city in the interior of Morocco, so rainfall is very low. In fact, statistics show that it only rains 3 days during this month, approximately.

In short, January is a great month to visit Marrakech. During the day you can even go in short sleeves, as the average temperature is around 12ºC, reaching a maximum of approximately 20ºC. At night, however, don't forget to bring some warm clothes, as the temperature changes are somewhat sudden and, although you won't freeze, they can reach 6ºC.

The drop in the number of tourists traveling to Marrakech in January and the fact that it is not high season, make this month the prices are lower. I recommend that you consider sleeping in Riads, old palaces converted into traditional style accommodations. At other times of the year, Riads have a higher price, but in January prices are comparable to those of any hotel.

Beyond the prices of accommodation or transportation, January is one of the months with less tourism in Marrakech, which means less crowds in the most visited places. If you want to explore the city, get lost in its Medina or visit its many museums without so many people around you, January is the time to do it.

In addition, if you book a guided tour you will not only be able to contemplate the city in peace, but you will also have an explanation of everything you see, something essential to know first hand the culture of Marrakech. Be sure to read the post what things you can not miss if you are going to Marrakech in January and plan your trip.