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 European winter to enjoy mild temperatures and visit the city without the heat of summer. On the other hand, as it is low season, you can visit the city without the crowds and also at a lower price.

Although Marrakech, like the rest of Morocco, does not follow the Western calendar, so they do not celebrate festivities such as New Year, it is a cosmopolitan city with a great cultural offer and in January it is also very sporty. Do you want to know why? Keep reading!

Do you want to visit the desert of Marrakech but the heat is holding you back? Take advantage of the fact that you'll be visiting the city in January, when the temperatures aren't sweltering. It's also a less touristy time of year, so you'll be able to enjoy the desert at a more leisurely pace. From Marrakech, you'll be impressed when you pass through Ouarzazate, the "gateway to the desert" that leads to the Sahara, where you'll pass through a landscape of dunes almost 200 metres high.

Although it's true that temperatures are lower in January, don't think that because it's colder it will rain, which would certainly spoil your trip to the Moroccan desert, as the climate in the interior areas is much drier and there's hardly any rain in January. Remember, though, that temperatures drop sharply in the desert at night, so be sure to pack plenty of clothes if you decide to sleep in the Moroccan desert or are going on a trip of more than a day.

Marrakech lies at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, an imposing mountain range that cuts across north-west Africa. Wherever you are, you're bound to notice or be able to see it in the distance, but if there's one place in Marrakech where the Atlas is most prominent, it's from the Menara Gardens.

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

January is also a good month for surfers travelling to Marrakech. The mild temperatures (between 8ºC and 20ºC) 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, don't forget that you're in Atlantic waters, which are known for their coldness, so don't forget to pack your best wetsuits.

Which beaches do I recommend? Without a doubt, any of the beaches in the city of Essaouira, known as the Pearl of the Atlantic for its beauty. And to recharge your batteries after a day's surfing, go to one of the restaurants in the area and order a good fish dish. Essaouira is a city with a fishing port, so the quality of the fish is superb. Although you can go on your own, I recommend going on an organised excursion from Marrakech to discover the whole city, beyond the beaches.

11 January marks a very important day in Morocco's history: 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's a good time to visit the Marrakesh Museum.

Walking through the rooms of the museum you can witness Moroccan history and culture and understand the importance of this day. Carpets, weapons, decorative elements... You'll find many objects on your visit, which is also free, but above all you'll come away with a better understanding of the thousands of years of history on which a city like Marrakesh and a country like Morocco are built.

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

Did you know that Muslim countries follow a different calendar to ours? Yes, they do. In fact, the beginning of the year does not coincide with the Western calendar, which follows the Gregorian calendar. The good news is that if you go to Marrakesh in January you can celebrate the Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year (traditional Arabic 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. Even so, I recommend you check the date you are going to Marrakech and try to be in the imperial city on the day 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 BC).

What celebrations can you expect? Lots of dancing, music and 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, which I recommend. You can't miss the couscous on this special occasion, and you'll start the Yennayer with your 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 getting around Marrakech. If there is one thing that will catch your eye, I can assure you that it will be its artificial pond, measuring more than 150 square metres.

It will not only catch your eye because it is so beautiful, but also because of the system that, nine centuries after it was established, still uses the water from the Atlas snowmelt to irrigate the olive trees that grow around it. In January in particular you will be able to see the fruits of this system, and never better said, because this is the month when the green, pink and black olives are harvested. 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 take a tour of the Majorelle Gardens.

Don't know what a riad is? As soon as you do, you'll want to spend at least one night in a riad. 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 room in the Riad is a treasure. Filled with tiles, plants, arches... You will spend long periods of time contemplating every detail of the decoration.

Maybe you were thinking of staying in a hotel, but the Riad experience is much more authentic. Your hosts will be much more approachable, offering you everything you need to make you feel at home, including the best Moroccan dishes, so you can make the most of your stay in Marrakech. Also, prices are lower at this time of year, making your stay in a Riad more affordable.

Although Marrakesh, like the rest of Morocco, changes the year according to the lunar calendar, the influx of Western tourists has meant that the city also celebrates the Gregorian New Year. What better way to change the year in this imperial city?

Don't expect any big festivities or decorations, but 1 January is a great day to celebrate the new year with a typical meal in Marrakesh. What's on 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, pulses, 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, a fabulous show is put on with acrobats, illusionists, lights and dances. Are you going to let such a magical end to the year pass you by? I recommend that you 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? Yes, it does, and I'm sure you're keen to find out. 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 favourite 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's not a western resort like the ones you might be used to. My advice is not to go with expectations of finding any luxury, although you're sure to enjoy it just the same.

Be aware that there's hardly any accommodation in the area, but as it's close to Marrakech, you can take a day trip from Marrakech and come back when the slopes close. It's worth it if you're going to be in Marrakech for at least three days.

If you're a keen runner and want nothing more than to see the cities you visit in a good race, sign up for the Marrakech Marathon on 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.

What's more, the course is fairly 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 behind you and the thrill of having run through the most beautiful places in the city while doing so.

The route passes through olive groves and palm trees, but also through the most cosmopolitan area of Marrakech. You'll probably want to stop to take photos and admire the scenery, but for the moment, just focus on crossing the finish line - there will be time to discover the city at a later date on an excursion!

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

Marrakech is an inland city in Morocco, so rainfall is very low. In fact, statistics show that it only rains for about 3 days during this month.

All in all, January is a great month to visit Marrakech. During the day you can even wear short sleeves, as the average temperature is around 12ºC, reaching a maximum of around 20ºC. At night, though, don't forget to bring some warm clothes, as the temperature changes are somewhat sudden and, although you won't freeze, it can get as low as 6ºC.

The drop in the number of tourists travelling to Marrakesh in January and the fact that it's not high season means that prices are lower this month. I recommend you consider staying in Riads, old palaces that have been converted into traditional-style accommodation. At other times of the year, Riads are more expensive, but in January the prices are comparable to those of any hotel.

Apart from the prices of accommodation and transport, 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, lose yourself in the Medina or visit its many museums without so many people around you, January is the time to do it.

What's more, if you book a guided tour, not only will you be able to see the city in peace and quiet, but you'll also get an explanation of everything you see, which is essential for getting to know the culture of Marrakesh first hand. Be sure to read the post What not to miss if you're going to Marrakech in January and plan your trip.