Forget What You Think You Know About Winter in Africa

The Weather Reality Check: The Onion Strategy

Here is the golden rule for January: dress like an onion 🧅. You need layers.

Morocco is big, and the weather changes fast depending on where you are. In the north, places like Tangier and Chefchaouen can be wet and green. It feels a bit like Southern Spain or Ireland, but with much better food (not saying it as a comparison). Down south, it is dry and sunny.

Daytime temperatures usually hover around 18°C to 20°C (65°F-68°F). It feels amazing. The sun is intense. You will see tourists walking around in shorts and locals wearing heavy puffer jackets looking at them like they are crazy.

But here is the catch. The second the sun drops behind the horizon, the temperature plummets. I'm talking 5°C (40°F).

This brings me to the most important advice I can give you: Mind the Riad Trap.

Traditional Riads are beautiful. They have open courtyards and mosaic tiles. They are designed to keep heat out during the scorching summer. In January, that design works against you. The cold air sinks into the courtyard and stays there. I have stayed in Riads where the sheets felt damp just from the cold humidity. It’s not fun.

When I book a place for friends in January, I strictly use Booking.com and I filter specifically for "Heating" or "Fireplace". Do not skip this step. You want a heater that works, not just extra blankets.

Marrakech and the Cities: No Crowds, No Stress

January is when the Red City takes a deep breath. In August, the heat radiates off the walls like an oven. In January, the air smells different. In the evenings, medina (or m'dina) fills with the smell of woodsmoke and charcoal as street vendors fire up their grills and locals heat their homes. It’s a nostalgic, cozy scent that you only get in winter.

You can actually walk through Jemaa el-Fnaa without bumping into a thousand people. The queues for the Majorelle Garden? Manageable. I love grabbing a coffee at Cafe des Épices inside the souk. You can sit on the rooftop, feel the winter sun on your face, and watch the carpet sellers below without sweating through your clothes.

This is also the absolute best time to visit Fez. The medina there is intense. In the summer, the famous Chouara Tannery smells... let's just say it smells strong. The heat makes the animal hides and dyes pungent. In January? It is crisp and manageable. The smell is much lighter. You can stand on the viewing terraces and actually enjoy the process without holding your breath.

The leather shops are active, but the pressure is lower. You can wander the narrow alleyways of the Mellah without needing a hydration break every ten minutes. If you want to dive deep into the history without getting lost (which you will), I recommend booking a local guide via GetYourGuide. It keeps the hustlers away and gets you to the quiet courtyards you’d never find on your own.

Sahara: Beautiful but Freezing

I have to be honest with you. The desert in January is not for the weak. I love Merzouga, but you need to know what you are signing up for.

At night, the temperature drops below freezing. I have woken up in a tent to find my water bottle frozen solid. The silence in the Sahara during winter is different, too. It’s deafening. There are no insects, no wind, just absolute quiet and a sky full of stars that look like shattered glass.

The days, however, are spectacular. The visibility is endless because there is no heat haze. The sand is cool under your feet, so you can climb the big dunes without burning your toes.

If you go, do not book a budget camp (anyways, it's up to you and the budget). You will be miserable. You need a place like Kam Kam Dunes or Ali & Sara’s Desert Palace. You want a tent with a real heater and heavy wool blankets.

The drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to get to Ouarzazate might have snow. Yes, snow in Africa. It is a stunning drive, but the roads can get icy. If you don't want to drive yourself on those winding mountain roads, hire a driver through Indrive or a private transfer. Let a pro handle the hairpin turns while you take photos.

Surf and Snow: The January Special

Here is the coolest part about January. You can ski and surf in the same trip. It sounds like a lie, but it’s real.

The Surf: January is prime time for waves. The winter swells hit the Atlantic coast hard, making it a paradise for surfers. Agadir and Taghazout are the places to be. The water is chilly—you absolutely need a 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit, but the vibes at places like Amouage or World of Waves are top-tier. It is sunny, 22°C, and full of surfers from around the world chasing the perfect break.

The Snow: About 75km from Marrakech is Oukaimeden. It is Africa’s highest ski resort. Now, manage your expectations. Is it the Swiss Alps? No. The equipment rental shops look like a museum of 1990s ski gear. You literally ride a donkey from the parking lot to the ski lift.

But that’s why it’s fun. It is wild and chaotic. The snow is usually decent in late January. After a morning on the slopes, you go for lunch at Chez Juju. It’s this charming spot right there in the mountains where you can eat boar stew or a fondue next to a crackling fire. It feels like France, but then you look out the window and see a monkey. Only in Morocco.

What We Are Eating to Stay Warm

Forget salads. January is for comfort food.

You need to try B'ssara. It’s a fava bean soup, thick like a dip, topped with a generous pour of olive oil and a sprinkle of cumin. It costs about 5 Dirhams and it fuels the whole country. You eat it with fresh Khobz (local bread) for breakfast. It sits heavy in your stomach and keeps you warm for hours.

Also, look for Loubia. It’s a white bean stew cooked in a rich tomato sauce with spices. It is heavy, hot, and perfect after a cold walk in the medina.

And of course, the mint tea. But in winter, we switch it up. We add Chiba (wormwood) instead of just mint. It has a slightly bitter, medicinal taste that pairs perfectly with the sugar. It’s believed to keep the cold away.

If you are landing in Casablanca and need to get to your hotel or the train station quickly to start your food tour, I suggest booking a Welcome Pickups transfer. It saves you from negotiating taxi prices in the rain while holding your luggage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers for your January trip planning.