What to do in Marrakech in January: weather, marathon and outings

Weather in Marrakech in January: mild days, cool nights

The 1991-2020 normals for the Marrakech-Menara station, published by NOAA, give an average January high of 19.1 °C and an average low of 5.9 °C. An average of 25 mm of rain falls over 3 days, so most days are dry. The sun shines roughly 7 to 9 hours a day from January to May according to weather2travel. Averages hide variations: after sunset the temperature drops quickly and clear nights can come close to 0 °C.

Crowds, prices and school holidays

The start of the month extends the festive period: in France, classes resume on Monday 4 January 2027, and prices fall noticeably afterwards. The rest of the month is one of the most affordable times to stay in the medina, apart from marathon weekend. In Morocco, the mid-year school break runs from 24 to 31 January 2027: Moroccan families travel, which brings the city to life and can fill trains and coaches to Marrakech. To compare with other months, read our guide to the best time to visit Marrakech.

January 2027 public holidays and events

Public holidays: 1, 11 and 14 January

Three days are public holidays in Morocco in January: Friday 1 January (New Year), Monday 11 January (Independence Manifesto) and Thursday 14 January (Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year). Government offices and banks close; monuments, souks and restaurants generally stay open. For early-month evenings, see our guide to Christmas and New Year in Marrakech.

Marrakech International Marathon: Sunday 31 January

The 37th Marrakech International Marathon takes place on Sunday 31 January 2027, with the marathon starting at 7:45 am and the half marathon at 9:15 am on Avenue de la Menara, according to the organisers. A 5 km race is planned the day before. Bib collection is on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 January. The streets on the route are closed in the morning: plan your airport transfers accordingly, and book early, as the city is in high demand that weekend.

What to pack for January

• A warm sweater or fleece for evenings, which drop to around 6 °C. Our guide on how to dress in Marrakech details outfits by season.
• A windproof jacket for terraces and carriage rides.
• Light layers for afternoons at 19 °C.
• Closed shoes that grip on damp cobblestones.
• A hat and gloves if you go up into the Atlas or spend a night in the desert.
• Check that your room is heated: riads, built around an open patio, are cool in winter.

What to do in Marrakech in January

• Visit the major sites early in the morning, in cool weather and under clear skies: the Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum open at 8 am, before the groups.
• Go to a hammam, the most pleasant winter treat: our hammam guide compares traditional baths and spas.
• Have lunch on a terrace in the sun, then end the day on Jemaa el-Fna square, where soup and grill stalls warm the evening.
• Pick a museum or an indoor visit for rainy days: our guide what to do in Marrakech when it rains suggests indoor visits.

Day trips from Marrakech in January

• Oukaimeden: January and February are generally the snowiest months, but snow cover varies from year to year. The Oukaimeden resort is about 75 km away. The lifts are not running: skiers walk up. Leave early, as the road is busy on weekends after snowfall.
• Ourika Valley and Imlil: clear views of the white peaks, but trails can be slippery. Our guide to the High Atlas from Marrakech compares the valleys; snow can cut mountain roads.
• Essaouira: cool and windy in winter, it can be visited in a day. See the comparison of day trips from Marrakech.
• Agafay Desert: afternoons are pleasant, but nights are very cold.

January 2027 at a glance

Dates noted in October 2026.

Going further

The next month brings the start of Ramadan: read what to do in Marrakech in February. To spot all the year's events, see our Marrakech events calendar.