10 things to do in Marrakech in February

I have no doubt that your list of things to see and do on your trip to Marrakech is almost complete, but if you're travelling in February you should know that there are activities and events that are more enjoyable than ever this month, such as a cultural festival or even a trip to the snow to discover a landscape that you might not have thought possible in Africa.

February is also a very quiet month in Marrakech, as it's low season and the crowds that the city usually has the rest of the year won't be a problem during your trip. You'll be able to enjoy the activities I suggest without being too hot, as the winter weather in Morocco is like spring.

It's clear that the Marrakech desert is there all year round and there are many activities awaiting 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've never been to a desert before, you'll be surprised at how high the dunes can get (up to 200m) and how difficult it can be to walk between them. My advice is to book a quad bike tour. I can assure you that it is an incredible experience to get to know every last corner of the desert and live an adrenaline-pumping adventure as you climb the mountains of sand.

As it's a one-day trip to the desert, you won't experience the cold at night. Yes, although I thought it was hot in the desert too, that's partly true, because at night, at any time of the year, the temperature in the desert drops so low that sleeping can be difficult. In February, the cold is even colder, so I recommend enjoying the desert during the day.

Don't think that Marrakech is all desert, sand and sun, because once you see the Atlas Mountains you're in for a surprise. The reality is that the imperial city sprawls at the foot of this mountain range, which acts as a divide between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara. February is the best month to see the mountain range with a blanket of snow.

The Moroccan part of the Atlas is divided into the Middle Atlas (maximum altitude 3,356 metres), the High Atlas (with the Toubkal peak at 4,167 metres) and the Little Atlas or Anti-Atlas, whose highest peak, at 2,712 metres, is Amalun Mansur. In February, the High and Middle Atlas Mountains are usually snow-capped, leaving a beautiful landscape to be enjoyed in safety.

If you are an experienced hiker, you might dare to set out on a route to the top of Mount Toubkal, the great peak of the mountain range. However, no matter how much knowledge you have of mountaineering, it is best to go with a guide and be well equipped. It is a somewhat complicated route due to the altitude (over 4,000 metres). If you want to see how the snow covers the mountains but without going deep into the mountains, there's nothing better than a hot-air balloon ride.

Although the temperatures in February are warm, there may be a day in February when the cold weather sets in. In that case, I suggest you visit the Majorelle Garden, which houses plant species from the five continents and, what interests you most, a microclimate where you won't feel either hot or cold. The entrance fee is approximately €9, but it's well worth it. I'll tell you why.

Designed by the painter Jacques Majorelle, this garden is like a painting in which different tones combine to create a calm, quiet and beautiful space on the edge of the Marrakech Palm Grove. However, if you visit it, 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 this garden a perfect place to rest and shelter in the February days when the temperature drops in Marrakech.

The average temperature in February in Marrakesh is usually 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? These Arab baths will warm you up and leave you feeling like a cloud.

Hammams are public baths that form part of the culture and tradition of Marrakesh, so you can't leave the city without visiting one. Between its pools of hot and cold water and its steam baths, you will be able to 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 wellbeing.

If you'll allow me one last piece of advice, 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 centre.

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

But the flavour 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 try it? Well, in Marrakech they make such a rich juice because they mix orange juice with mandarin juice, which is much sweeter.

Once you're in Jemaa el Fna Square, I recommend strolling around the medina, discovering its souks and perhaps shopping at one of the stalls or trying the spices they sell there. I know they can be overwhelming, with so much movement and haggling, so I recommend you go on an organised tour of Marrakech, so that your guide can show you the best stalls selling textiles, spices or spices, while you get to know the city in depth.

If you have ever seen a landscape of almond blossom, you know how magical it is. If you haven't yet witnessed this natural phenomenon, Marrakesh is a great place to do so, especially in February, when the almond trees are in bloom.

Although there are almond trees in many of the gardens around the city, I recommend that if you go to Marrakesh in February you go to the Koutoubia Mosque Gardens. There you can sit in the evening and watch the beautiful colours of the almond blossoms and smell the sweet scent 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'll be amazed by its minaret, which stands out above the surrounding buildings, imposing and beautiful because of the pinkish hue given to it by the sandstone, the material from which it was built - the perfect combination for the almond trees in blossom! And if you feel like visiting more gardens, don't hesitate to visit the Marrakesh Palm Grove.

If there is one thing that makes Marrakech stand out, it is its interculturality. Its history, marked 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 at the end of 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 take place between artists, the exhibitions and the events that are held (such as performances or readings) are enriching. In addition, there are several installations and museums that host this festival, so it will also serve as an excuse to get to know spaces such as the Comptoir des Mines gallery, the contemporary art centre par excellence in 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 which has been the setting for many Hollywood films, as well as the Game of Thrones series.

Many tourists come to see it, and it is one of the excursions that can be made from Marrakech, so February is the perfect month to do it: much less crowds and more peace and quiet to visit it at your own pace.

Like all cities with history, Ait Ben Haddou is best enjoyed if you go with a specialised guide. Taking advantage of the fact 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 that are so typical of Berber settlements.

Although the final list of what to pack depends on the activities you'll be doing in Marrakech, my recommendation is that, despite the mild temperatures in the city during the day, don't forget some warm clothes for the evenings when it tends to get cooler. My advice? A light, lightweight jacket or fleece.

Marrakech's climate is generally arid and temperatures in February range from 8ºC to 20ºC with a 14% chance of rain, so there's no need to pack an umbrella or mackintosh.

If you're going to include a visit to a hammam, Marrakech's most traditional and typical public baths, 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 little cheaper, perfect if you want to stay in a Riad (the traditional Moroccan villas), get cheap flights and enjoy Marrakech without the long queues and crowds. In short, a real luxury. Here is a post with all the things you have to see and do on your trip to Marrakech.

Just because there are fewer people doesn't mean you have to pay less attention to your safety in Marrakech, so keep an eye out for tourist scams and dodgy tours.