Christmas in Marrakech is one of the holiday wonders you don’t want to miss. Although the Red City may not be the first place that jumps to mind as a destination for the holidays, it dazzles more than ever at the end of the year. The city boasts blissful weather and some of Morocco’s magical holiday decorations.
Dreaming of a Christmas in Marrakech but don’t know what to expect? Read on to learn more about this wonderful city during the festive season.
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Is December a Good Time to Go to Marrakech?
No matter why you want to visit, Marrakech is quite nice in December. The weather is usually warm, hence attracting visitors from different parts of the world who come to celebrate the winter holidays.
Many people travel to Marrakech in December. Photo/ Musement.
The average temperatures in Marrakech in December are between 7 and 20 degrees during the day and are a bit cooler at night. During your stay, expect at least six hours of sunshine each day, which is perfect for you to enjoy all the outdoor activities and visit your chosen destinations. However, there’s always a chance that you will run into rain at some point before you leave.
Some of the things to do in Marrakech in December include paying a visit to the Bahia Palace, exploring the magical Jardins Majorelle, Saadin Tombs and shopping in the souks of the city. Souk Semmarine is a true feast for the senses and the experience here is not to be missed. If you’re coming in early December, you’ll discover that it’s one of the cheapest times to travel to Marrakech.
Does Marrakech Have Christmas Markets?
There are no large Christmas markets in Marrakech. However, one of the things you’ll notice during Christmas in Marrakech is that the city will be in full swing. Shops, souks, galleries, malls and even banks are open for business as people go about their daily routine.
If you want to feel the mood of Christmas in Marrakech you can find Christmas services at the protestant and catholic churches in Gueliz. Gueliz is a modern French district in Marrakech where most foreigners choose to live. The people here treat Christmas as a special day hence there are plenty of decorations in shopping malls and boutiques.
Do not expect to come across large Christmas markets in Marrakech. Photo/ Los Angeles Times.
How Is Christmas Celebrated in Morocco?
Wait, does Morocco celebrate Christmas? Well, the answer to this question is no and yes. Morocco is a Muslim country and Christmas is not a Muslim holiday, which means Christmas is not considered a holiday in Morocco. You won’t find much mention of Christmas at all outside of the areas with heavy tourist traffic. In fact, children go to school as usual and majority of the people don’t even know what the rest of the world is celebrating.
However, there is a large foreign population in Morocco’s big cities such as Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech hence you’ll certainly find glimpses of the holiday. Christmas in Marrakech and other tourist cities in the country is mostly celebrated with a meal on Christmas Eve.
Hotels and restaurants in those cities typically offer meals made special with festive decorations and a warm cosy fire in the hearth. You may find small events hosted by churches or different expat groups. If you want to see Christmas decorations, you’ll need to head to the shopping malls where you will find Christmas window dressings, Christmas trees, holiday nights and even Santa.
Is It Cheap in Marrakesh?
Marrakech at night. Photo/ Hellotickets.
Marrakech is known for being one of the cheapest tourist destinations in Africa. The Red City is accessible to all types of travellers, from backpackers to luxury lovers, hence you can enjoy your stay here without necessarily breaking the bank as people think.
Most of your budget will be destined to the flights and accommodation since food, drinks, museums and other attractions here are relatively cheap. A week in Marrakech will cost around £150 per person and around £300 per couple. You have the option of spending as little as you can in this city. However, if you’re expecting luxury during holidays such as Christmas in Marrakech, you can spend up to £1,500.
