10 things to do in Marrakech in December

In December, the temperature is between 6°C and 20°C, ideal for visiting Marrakech without being too hot! During the day you can walk around the Medina in your shirtsleeves, while at night a sweatshirt or light jacket will suffice.

And if you fancy exploring the desert, you've picked the right time of year, as you can explore the Sahara while avoiding the scorching summer temperatures. Read on for 10 things to do in Marrakech in the last month of the year.

If you're looking for a different kind of tour, why not choose a trip to the desert of Marrakech? About seven hours' drive from Marrakech is the Zagora desert, one of the most sought-after destinations for stargazing. Here you can take a camel ride, enjoy the sunset, stay in a camp under the stars and enjoy a typical dinner and music show.

The Sahara Desert is the ideal place for stargazing. The almost non-existent light pollution and the almost always clear night skies make it an essential stop for any stargazing enthusiast. According to experts, the town of M'Hamid is not only the gateway to the desert but also a privileged place to see the Milky Way.

The tour of the Majorelle Gardens is a must on your trip to Marrakech. In 1919, Jacques Majorelle arrived in Marrakech and fell madly in love with the city. Gradually, the French painter acquired adjoining plots of land until he reached an area of four hectares and created gardens with 60 varieties of cacti, palms, coconut palms, weeping willows, jasmine bushes, bougainvillea and hundreds of other species.

Over the years, the upkeep of this oasis was driving Majorelle to such ruin that he was forced to open his garden to the public for an entrance fee. In the 1960s, Yves Saint Laurent and his friend Pierre Bergé discovered the Majorelle Gardens and decided to create an association to rescue them.

Thanks to the stylist's intervention, the Majorelle Gardens have earned their well-deserved fame and today attract thousands of tourists. December is a good month to visit this green lung, as you will avoid the summer heat. The gardens are open every day of the week from 11am to 5pm (last entrance at 4.30pm).

It is no secret that sunsets are at their most beautiful in winter. At this time of year, the earth rotates closer to the sun and its angle at sunset makes the colours of the sunset last a little longer. And if you are lucky enough to have clouds, the effect is even more magical! In December, the Red City's sky is tinged with saffron, cyclamen and purple: a glitter of colours that will take your breath away.

If you want to go home with a nice souvenir, you can take some photos from Jemaa el Fna Square. As night falls, the silhouette of the Koutubia Mosque is a romantic sight. Another place that takes on a magical touch is the Marrakech Palm Grove, a green area just a short distance from the centre. To visit it, I recommend that you opt for a tour of the Marrakesh Palm Grove. The same scene is repeated in the Menara Gardens, but be careful, the park closes at 17:00 and at this time of year it gets dark a little later.

About 355 kilometres from Marrakech lies the rocky, arid Zagora Desert, named after the town of the same name. Due to the distance, it's best to book a two-day, one-night trip to the Zagora desert to allow time to visit the area. One of the most popular activities is the Jebel Zagora hill climb.

The city is known as the 'gateway to the desert' and while its fortunes were once based on trade, today tourism is the driving force of the region. Zagora is the starting point for various desert excursions by camel, quad or 4x4. Nearby is also the Ksar of Tissergate, a medieval fortification, and the Draa Valley, a green area dotted with palm trees, pomegranates and apricot trees. In December you'll enjoy all this without melting in the heat.

If, on the other hand, you are a Christmas enthusiast and want to experience a different kind of shopping, the souk stalls are an unmissable stop. Among the streets and squares of the Medina you can buy spices, ceramics, Berber jewellery, leather bags, wickerwork and all kinds of goods of different qualities and price ranges. The ideal place to return home with Christmas gifts with an exotic touch. If you want your experience to be as comfortable as possible, don't hesitate to book a tour of the souk in Marrakech

Be careful: in Morocco, shopping is synonymous with haggling- never settle for the first price! If you don't feel like bargaining, you will find dozens of European-style shops and boutiques in the Gueliz district. To encourage shopping, many shopkeepers have started to introduce Christmas sales. If you want to know how to get from the souk to the Gueliz neighbourhood, read the post How to get around Marrakech.

When the temperatures drop, you can find some warmth at La Maison de la Photographie, Marrakech's only cultural institution dedicated to photography. In my opinion, it is the most interesting museum in the city, as its snapshots capture the essence of the country and allow you to discover life in Morocco in the 20th and 19th centuries.

This extensive private collection was created in 2009 by the Parisian Hamid Mergani and the Marrakech-born Patrick Manac'h. The permanent exhibition "Photographic Treasures of Morocco" (a selection of prints bringing together scenes and portraits of Moroccan life from 1860 to 1960) is flanked by some very interesting temporary exhibitions.

La Maison de la Photographie is open every day from 9.30am to 7pm, and children under 15 can enter free of charge. Another plus is its cosy rooftop café where you can enjoy traditional delicacies and splendid views over the Atlas Mountains. If you feel like exploring the area, I advise you to read the post what to see and do in the Medina of Marrakech or even book a tour of the Medina of Marrakech.

Built by the Grand Vizier Si Moussa in the 19th century, the Bahia Palace was later enlarged and embellished by his son and successor Abu 'Bou' Ahmed. This grand building is located about a fifteen-minute walk from Jemaa el Fnaa Square and has 150 rooms and a harem. After Bou Ahmed's death, the palace was ransacked and all the valuables were taken.

With the arrival of the French, the people who had settled inside were forced to leave the site to allow the Resident General to move in. When Morocco gained independence from France, the palace became the residence of King Hassan II, who entrusted its management to the Moroccan Ministry of Culture. Today, the Bahia Palace is a cultural icon and a popular tourist attraction. Luckily, in December you'll find fewer people queuing to get in.

Christmas is a magical time but the shopping can be a bit overwhelming. If you want to take a break, Marrakech is your ideal destination. As a country of Muslim faith, trees, Three Kings and nativity scenes are relegated to a few places, for example at the Royal Mansour and La Mamounia hotels, the best hotel in the world.

If you want to find something typical for Christmas, head to the Marjane hypermarkets, where you can find European and British food. Don't expect the variety that Spanish supermarkets offer, but you'll probably be able to go home with a nougat or a French Christmas dessert. You can buy a bottle of red wine or other spirits in the same shop. And if you're looking for more tips, don't hesitate to take a guided tour of Marrakesh

Between the end of November and the beginning of December, Marrakech is at its best. Since 2000, the International Film Festival has been livening up the city's evenings with a wide range of premieres and guests such as Robert De Niro, Japanese director Shinya Tsukamoto and Spanish filmmaker Alex de la Iglesia. In addition, the Jemaa el Fna Square becomes a large open-air cinema where you can enjoy a number of films free of charge.

The Maghreb country has been the setting for numerous films, most of which were shot in the town of Ouarzazate. Here you'll find the Atlas Studios, a huge complex of Egyptian pyramids, Buddhist temples, alleys of ancient Rome and dozens of other sets. "Star Wars", "Gladiator" and "The Mummy" are just a few of the feature films that have been shot between this village, the nearby valleys and the fortified city of Ait Ben Haddou.

Yes, there is snow in Morocco, and the season starts at the beginning of December. If you fancy a taste of Moroccan snow, you can opt for a trip to Oukaïmeden, Africa's highest winter resort. It's about 80km from Marrakech and there are several excursions that leave in the morning and take you back in the afternoon.

Forget luxury and modernity, the facilities at Oukaïmeden are a bit old-fashioned but the experience is worth it. When the peaks are dyed white, thousands of locals flock to the mountains to ski, toboggan down the slopes or just take advantage of the wintry atmosphere.

The place is certainly fascinating: the Oukaïmeden resort is located in a massif at an altitude of 2,600 metres, while the Jebel Attar peak rises to 3,258 metres. From there you can choose between 3 green, 4 blue, 8 red and 3 black pistes. If you decide to arrive at the resort on your own, you don't need to worry about equipment as you can hire skis and boots once you're there.

In the last month of the year, the weather is quite pleasant. Temperatures normally range between 6º and 20º while in the nearby deserts, the temperature range can be more noticeable. In Zagora, for example, nights can be chilly (in some cases, temperatures can be negative), while daytime temperatures can reach 23 degrees Celsius.

December is one of Morocco's wettest months for rainfall. However, it doesn't last long and, after a light rainstorm, the skies are clear again. In short, if you're looking for a sun and sand destination, this is not the month for you. However, if you want to visit the city without the crowds, hike in the desert or explore the Atlas Mountains, December is the ideal time.

In terms of tourist numbers, December can be divided into two parts: in the first fortnight, you won't find crowds of travellers, while from the days before Christmas until 31 December, the situation changes. During the festive period, many tourists flock to the city to greet the New Year by admiring the stars in the desert or partying in Marrakech's hotels and restaurants.

In Morocco and in particular in Marrakech, the high season coincides with spring. Generally, you will find cheaper prices at the beginning of the month. To coincide with the holiday season, rates go up. Are you up for a visit to the Red City in December? In the article 11 tips for visiting Marrakech you'll find some useful suggestions.

If you've decided to visit the Red City in December, you'll need to pack a variety of clothes. The temperature range is quite wide and it is therefore advisable to dress in layers. If you're limiting yourself to a few days in Marrakech, you can make do with trousers, jeans, jumpers, hoodies and an autumn jacket for the evenings.

If you plan to explore the mountains, be sure to pack a waterproof jacket, thermal clothing and hiking boots. As it's a month marked by precipitation, it's always best to pack a rain jacket.

Keep in mind that heating is not very common. If you're staying in a private home or budget hotel, you might get a little chilly at night. To avoid this, you can take a sleeping bag or blanket with you. If you don't feel like carrying extra weight, there are dozens of stalls in the souk in Marrakesh where you can buy quilts and other textiles.