Marrakech in winter

If you have booked a flight in December, January or February, you have made a good decision. At these dates, the city is much quieter as tourists usually visit in spring or autumn. Winter in Marrakech is generally warmer compared to the mainland and, if not, you can always warm up in a traditional hammam.

If you thought Morocco was only the land of sun and deserts, you will be surprised to discover that it is also famous for its ski resorts. In this country, it is possible to practice this sport in two areas:

• In Mishliffen, in the province of Fez.
• In the resort of Oukaïmeden, the most important of Morocco and of the entire African continent. This locality is located in the Toubkal, a massif of the High Atlas at 4,164 m of altitude.

Although Oukaïmeden's facilities are not of the same quality as those in Europe, a good part of its charm derives from the exoticism of the place: it is not uncommon to see donkeys and peddlers near the slopes, as well as improvised skiers and people who pull themselves down the slopes with homemade sledges.

And if it doesn't snow, you can still visit the mountains by taking an excursion to the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech. You will certainly not be left indifferent.

In the neighborhood of Gueliz extends a green area very popular with tourists and locals. We are talking about the Majorelle Gardens, a botanical garden that houses palm trees, coconut trees, cactus and other species that make up a true Eden.

Visiting it in winter is ideal because you will not find the hustle and bustle and crowds that can be at other times of the year.

In addition, if you book a tour of the Majorelle gardens the experience will be complete because you can take a camel ride and drink a delicious tea in a traditional dwelling.

When temperatures drop, there's nothing better than a steam bath. You can find them everywhere, from the souk to the most modern neighborhoods, but the ritual usually follows precise steps:

• First, you'll enter a room where you'll find two buckets, one with cold water and the other with hot water. It is the prelude to the hammam and serves to get used to the heat of the place.
• After a superficial cleansing, you will pass to the second room: the steam room, whose purpose is to expel impurities from the skin.
• When you can no longer stand the heat, you must return to the first room where the real ritual begins. Once the pores are open, it's time to scrub with beldi soap, a dark detergent made with black olive oil, caustic soda and olive paste.
• After cleansing and purifying the skin, you can conclude the experience with an argan oil massage and an invigorating shower.

If you book a hammam experience in Marrakech you will get multiple benefits:

• Stimulates the nervous system.
• Eliminates toxins and impurities.
• It has a beneficial expectorant effect.
• It is very useful to counteract the cold and fight sinusitis.
• It is exceptional for the skin.
• Contributes to relaxation.

Marrakech may not be the first place that jumps to mind as a winter vacation destination. However, the Red City is perfect for a different kind of holiday. Being a country of Muslim faith, you won't find many decorations in its streets and squares but the matter changes when talking about hotels.

If you travel just before Christmas, you can buy your last gifts in the souk. This way you will return home with some original gifts. Among the most coveted items, we can mention leather goods, textiles, spices and Moroccan ceramics. If you have enough space in your suitcase, you can buy a colorful Arabian lamp.

Before purchasing any item of clothing or object, remember to always negotiate the price. To explore the area, consider the tips on what to see and do in the Medina of Marrakech.

Matteo's advice

During your first visit to the souks, it is recommended that you go through the stores without buying anything. In this first "foray", just ask for prices so that you can get an idea of the market value of the products you are interested in.

Marrakech is a dynamic and captivating city. Its streets and squares teem with life, yet it can be a bit chaotic at times. If you don't feel like greeting the New Year in the city's hotels, you can opt for a different and relaxing activity: an excursion to the desert of Marrakech

Its high golden dunes form a moving landscape and are the ideal setting for activities such as a dromedary ride or a quad bike race. At nightfall, you will enjoy a typical dinner and shows of jugglers, fire eaters and belly dancers.

However, the main attraction is the sky sprinkled with thousands of stars. It is not for nothing that Morocco is one of the main destinations for those who love constellations.

The Marrakech International Marathon is a sporting event organized by the Association Le Grand Atlas (AGA). The first edition was held in 1987 and, year after year, it has become an important event in the Red City. The race usually starts and finishes on Avenue de la Menara (near the Hotel La Mamounia) and has a total length of 44 km.

Every 5 km, you will find refreshment stands with waters and orange slices. The Marrakech International Marathon is held in January and is a must for those who want to prepare for other sporting events such as the Tokyo Marathon. You can pick up your race bibs at Place du 16 novembre (Gueliz district). Remember to bring your passport with you.

Winter is the best time to travel to the desert. If you fancy the idea, you can opt for a two-day trip to the desert of Marrakech where you will spend the night camping in a Berber settlement.

The tents (tents or tents of Arab origin) have all kinds of luxuries: private bathrooms, hot water, heating, towels and refined decorative elements. In addition, the camps usually include a chill out area where you can relax with a cup of tea or gaze at the stars.

Often the proposals are completed with activities such as sandboarding (descent of dunes with boards) or a more traditional camel ride.

The Menara Gardens cover a large expanse of land in the southwest of Marrakech. Inside, cypresses, olive trees, palm trees and orange trees thrive and are fed by water from the Atlas Mountains. Thanks to a system of subway tunnels, the precious liquid runs about 30 km to reach the pond in the middle of this green area.

The place is certainly captivating and worth a stroll to enjoy the contrast between the fruit trees and the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas.

The Menara gardens are open daily from 8:00 to 17:00.

Marrakech has a semi-desert subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot summers.

The cold season starts in December and ends at the end of February; in these three months, minimum temperatures are around 5º while maximum temperatures reach 20º.

As you can guess, there is a big difference between day and night, even more so if you go on a desert excursion.

Although rare, rains do occur in the form of downpours. February is one of the most affected months but, even so, you should not worry too much. According to statistics, this month records an average of 40 mm of rainfall.

If the day promises to be stormy, the best thing to do is to take shelter in a museum or an indoor attraction. For example, you can visit:

• The Saadid Tombs, the tombs of the dynasty of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur.
• The Dar Si Said Museum, the museum of Moroccan art.
• The Madrasa of Ben Youssef, a Koranic school near the homonymous mosque.
• The Yves Saint Laurent Museum.