Best places to travelin January
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A narrow Marrakech medina alley with rugs and lanterns

Marrakech · Morocco

Marrakech in January

Sunny winter afternoons, cold nights and a real need for room heating.

Marrakech's January days can be pleasant for walking, but nights are cold and riads may not heat rooms like a large hotel. The New Year week can affect reservations and opening hours.

Daytime high
20°ERA5 grid average high
Nighttime
6°ERA5 grid average low
Wet days
4≥1 mm / day
Relative budget
Lower cost
January timing
Cool winter days, cold nightsCheck room heating and the opening hours of independent restaurants.

Weather: Open-Meteo archive · ERA5 · ERA5 grid near 31.629, -7.982 · 2015–2024 daily averages. Not a forecast. See the annual view

January in context

The weather & the season

See where January sits, then plan for your exact week.

ERA5 climate grid

Monthly averages describe a broad pattern, not the day you will travel.

20°January high
Daytime highNighttime low°C
Marrakech: monthly average highs and lowsJanuary average high 19.6 degrees Celsius and low 5.9 degrees Celsius. Full monthly figures are available below the charts.0°10°20°30°40°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Open-Meteo archive · ERA5 · ERA5 grid near 31.629, -7.982 · 2015–2024 daily averages.

Travel seasons

January in the year

Cool winter

Seasonal travel guidance, not measured visitor counts.

JanCool winter
FebCool winter
MarSpring
AprSpring
MayWarm season
JunHot season
JulHot season
AugHot season
SepWarm season
OctAutumn
NovCool season
DecCool season

Moroccan National Tourist Office · Marrakech

A qualitative calendar based on Marrakech's seasonal temperature pattern and the official tourism office's winter city guidance. It is not a visitor-count series; market and hotel demand varies by event and date.

Check room heating before paying

Ask the hotel whether heating is available in the room itself and how it is controlled. Cool evenings can make this more important than a daytime forecast.

Choose the base around daily transport

The Moroccan tourist office's Marrakech guide describes the medina and newer city areas; check exact taxi access and drop-off with your property.

Moroccan National Tourist Office · Marrakech
Monthly figures & what they measure
Weather: ERA5 grid near 31.629, -7.982, 2015–2024 daily averages.
MonthHigh °CLow °CWet days
Jan20°6°3.6
Feb21°8°5.6
Mar23°10°7.3
Apr26°13°5
May30°16°3.9
Jun32°18°1.4
Jul37°21°2.3
Aug37°21°2.7
Sep32°19°2.4
Oct29°16°3.2
Nov24°11°3.9
Dec21°7°3.7

Daily maximum and minimum air temperatures are averaged by calendar month across 2015–2024. Wet days count daily precipitation totals of at least 1 mm, then average the monthly count across the ten years. Open-Meteo serves ERA5 on a roughly 0.25° grid; its returned grid point can differ slightly from the requested coordinates. These are model reanalysis averages, not a local station normal or forecast. A qualitative calendar based on Marrakech's seasonal temperature pattern and the official tourism office's winter city guidance. It is not a visitor-count series; market and hotel demand varies by event and date.

Towns, neighbourhoods & resort areas

Marrakech area guide

Choose an area first, then compare its hotels.

The medina puts you in the old city, Gueliz has wider streets and modern services, while Palmeraie is a resort district beyond the centre. Check door-to-door access, not just map distance.

Marrakech at a glanceChoose a numbered place
3 places to stay in MarrakechThe medina puts you in the old city, Gueliz has wider streets and modern services, while Palmeraie is a resort district beyond the centre. Check door-to-door access, not just map distance. Numbered labels connect to the area guide.MarrakechAtlantic OceanN1Medina2Gueliz3Palmeraie

Representative area centres, not hotel entrances. Coastlines are generalized and do not show streets or routes.

Natural Earth · public-domain coastline
See hotels
Shopping square in the medina of Marrakech

A stay focused on historic streets, markets and courtyard architecture.

Souks, squares and courtyard riads sit inside the old walls.
Beach & water
No beach; the medina is an inland city district.
Day to day
Walk narrow lanes; use a taxi to the outer gates and confirm meeting points.
January trade-off
Best for walking to the historic core; narrow lanes complicate taxi drop-off and luggage.
See hotels
Gueliz Marrakech

A city stay with modern services and easier car access.

Avenues, shops, cafes and contemporary restaurants make daily logistics easier.
Beach & water
No beach; use this as an urban base.
Day to day
Taxis and walking; medina gates are a short ride away.
January trade-off
Modern streets and cafés with easier car access, though the medina is a separate walk or ride.
See hotels
La_Palmeraie_de_Marrakech_709.JPG MAROC

A hotel-led stay with more space and on-site facilities.

Large resort properties and gardens sit outside the medina.
Beach & water
No beach; pools and grounds are property amenities.
Day to day
A car or hotel shuttle is needed for frequent trips to the medina.
January trade-off
Resort grounds and more space outside the centre; plan rides for every medina visit.

Stay options for the season

Hotels for a January stay

Compare the pools, setting and seasonal details that matter.

La Mamounia outdoor pool.jpgMedina-side gardens & spa
1 Medina · Historic old city

La Mamounia

Full-service hotel beside the medina with gardens, dining and spa facilities.

  • Heating not confirmed
  • A full-service luxury stay near the old city.

The luxury price position and scale differ from a small riad.

January details & sources

Ask which pool is open and heated in January; reserve meals directly for holiday dates.

The checked official site does not confirm a January pool temperature.

La Mamounia
Hotel budgetHigher cost
Check availability

Choose dates for prices · Booking.com

Gueliz MarrakechArea view · GuelizSmall Guéliz hotel
2 Gueliz · Modern city district

Riad Sultana Hotel & Spa

Small hotel base in Guéliz with an outdoor pool listed as open year-round.

  • Outdoor pool; heating not confirmed
  • Travellers who prefer modern-city cafés and shops to the medina lanes, while keeping a smaller hotel scale.

Guéliz is outside the old city; allow a taxi or a walk to reach the medina sights.

January details & sources

The official listing does not state pool heating; confirm room heating and winter swimming conditions.

Ask about pool temperature and the specific room's heating.

Riad Sultana · official
Hotel budgetModerate
Check availability

Choose dates for prices · Booking.com

Palais Namaskar in MarrakechPalmeraie garden resort
3 Palmeraie · Palm grove resort district

Palais Namaskar

A resort-style stay in the Palmeraie with garden and private-pool room categories.

  • Heating not confirmed
  • A hotel-led stay with space outside the medina.

The distance from the old city means more time in taxis or hotel transfers.

January details & sources

Confirm room heating, transfer costs and whether your selected pool is heated.

No January pool temperature was found in the checked official source.

Palais Namaskar
Hotel budgetHigher cost
Check availability

Choose dates for prices · Booking.com

The three examples range from a luxury medina landmark and boutique riad to a mid-range Guéliz hotel. Broad bands describe positioning, not live rates; compare room heating, pool conditions, breakfast and transport for your dates. Facilities checked 2026-10-30. Research from official hotel pages, not personal reviews.

Before you travel

A few checks before Marrakech

Entry permission, health advice and disruption cover depend on your passport, route and activities. Check the authorities for your own circumstances before paying.

Passport & visa

Rules depend on nationality

Visa requirements depend on nationality and length of stay. Morocco's consular service provides visa information; confirm passport validity and entry conditions for your trip.

Vaccinations & health

Check your itinerary and activities

Review routine vaccines, food and water precautions, and any personal health advice with a clinician. If you are taking regular medicine, check that it may be carried into Morocco.

Travel advice & insurance

Check the latest advice for your route

Read your government's current advice and insurance terms for medical care, road travel, excursions and cancellation. Use licensed guides and confirm transport arrangements for day trips.

Check passport validity, visa rules and transit requirements for your passport.

Entry rules vary by nationality and can change. Confirm whether your transit airports, onward ticket, accommodation and any health declarations affect your journey.

Morocco · official entry information Morocco · government travel advice

Checked 29 October 2026. Recheck the linked authorities before departure. Health guidance is general; individual advice comes from a qualified health professional.

Before you book

A few January questions

Room heating and the route back after dinner matter in winter.

Is Marrakech warm in January?

Sunny afternoons can feel mild, but mornings and nights are cold. Bring warm layers and confirm room heating rather than relying on a pool or courtyard description.

Should I stay in the medina or Guéliz in January?

The medina puts you near historic sights but can complicate car access. Guéliz has wider streets and modern cafés; the Palmeraie is farther from central visits.

Are Marrakech hotel pools heated in January?

The checked sources do not confirm January pool temperatures at La Mamounia or Palais Namaskar. Riad Sultana lists a pool open year-round but does not state heating. Confirm directly.

Do Marrakech restaurants close after New Year?

Hours vary by venue and date. Confirm restaurant reservations, hotel meal service and attraction hours for the first days of January.

Sources & checks
YOUR SHORTLIST

A closer comparison.