If you love reading Oriental fairy tales as a child, you should go to Morocco. This country is reminiscent, from the moment you step into it, of the illustrations of old Berber-Arabian books. With oriental beauties, minarets pointing skyward, the scent of exotic spices wafting through the maze of old city streets. And the cunning eyes of boys who burn with childlike curiosity at every corner in the Medina. The saffron and couscous, the juicy ripeness of lemons and donkeys lugging their luggage along the stone pavements. Not to mention the skyscrapers of Casablanca and the brilliant blue of the fishing boats in the port of Essaouira. All this cannot be described in words. How about a trip to Morocco to celebrate the New Year and Christmas?
It’s an idea that strikes with originality and economic rationality. As there are not too many tourists in northern Africa at this time and, as a result, prices will be more forgiving for visitors suffering from the exoticism of the East.
Let’s take a look at the map
Morocco is situated in the far north-western corner of the African continent. It is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
- Throughout its length, Morocco finds itself in several climate zones. It has a Mediterranean climate in the north, a desert climate in the southeast. And a continental climate in the center of the country.
- Temperatures on the Mediterranean coast rarely fall below +15°C in winter, although rainfall is possible at this time. Sunny days are plentiful, but cloudy New Year’s Eve weather is not uncommon in northern Morocco.
- The beaches of the resort of Agadir enjoy pleasantly warm weather during the winter holidays. With temperatures around +20°C during the day and +15°C at night. The ocean water only gets as warm as +14°C, but you can freshen up if you like. The cold winds off the Atlantic can stop you from sunbathing, but if you can find a secluded spot to get a tan, you can get a bronzer skin tone in just a couple of days.
- Cosmopolitan Casablanca enjoys a chilly winter. The mercury gauges top out at +16°C during the day and drop to +8°C at night. The water in the ocean is cold, only +15°C, and the beaches in Casablanca are not the best place in Morocco for bathing. New Year’s Eve is best spent at nightclubs, restaurants or in a disco.
- One of the most exotic cities in the kingdom, Marrakech offers a rich cultural program at any time of the year. On New Year’s Eve, the thermometers usually stop at +17ºC and +6ºC during the day and night respectively. So a warm jacket to wear on New Year’s Eve will not be out of place.
Celebrating the New Year and Christmas in Morocco
The vast majority of the inhabitants of Morocco are Muslim. So Christmas decorations at the end of December are more of a tribute to foreign tourists. Most Christmas decorations are found in hotels and shopping centers, European restaurants, and nightclubs.
When planning to celebrate the New Year in restaurants in Morocco, check the menu so you know what to order for the festive table. The most delicious and popular Moroccan dishes are cooked in a Tajine. A special ceramic pan with a lid in the shape of a cone. Try the chicken baked with vegetables and lemon, harîrah soup, grilled vegetable stew. Moroccan desserts can honestly be described as festive New Year’s Eve dishes. The most popular and delicious are puff pastries and ginger biscuits. It is best to order a cup of mint tea (if you are not afraid of the combination of sweet and even sweeter) or strong coffee with cardamom. Morocco’s festive alcoholic beverages are the local wines – red Taleb and white Valpierre.
The best place to continue the festivities is at a nightclub, especially if you have flown to Casablanca. The main nightlife is concentrated here on the Corniche promenade. There are plenty of nightclubs in Casablanca. However, if you want a table, it is better to book well in advance on New Year’s Eve.
Ancient Marrakech is famous for its El Fna Square, where every evening there is a magnificent show. There are snake charmers and fire-eaters, illusionists and acrobats, dancers, and the occasional pickpocket. Watch out for your wallets on New Year’s Eve as the carnival in the center of Marrakech kicks off and the crowds multiply.
Why Morocco?
A variety of holidays at any time of year is the kingdom of Morocco. If you are still thinking about where to go on holiday during the New Year and Christmas holidays, opting for this particular tourist destination will not disappoint.
Morocco offers unforgettable holidays on the azure beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Interesting and exciting excursions to local cultural and natural attractions. Not to mention, skiing in the Atlas Mountains, camping in the Sahara desert, and much more.
How Christmas and New Year is celebrated in Morocco?
Most holidays in Morocco are calculated according to the lunar calendar, so many dates change every year. It is worth noting that religious holidays are celebrated more solemnly than civil ones.
Islam is the state religion. So, we can say that Christians in Morocco celebrate Christmas in secret, strictly at home. sometimes in the presence of their pastor, who is forced to conceal his faith. Moroccan Christians are divided into two groups. Those who celebrate in Arabic and those who call out to God in French.
If you have booked a trip to Morocco to celebrate the New Year, the holiday is traditionally celebrated on February 9. Public offices and shops do not work on this day. The New Year is a family holiday, according to tradition, on this day the Prophet Mohammed began the Islamic calendar.
Due to the large influx of tourists in the high tourist season. The locals in Morocco like to celebrate the New Year on the night from 31 December to 1 January. Therefore, prices during this period are traditionally higher. Mainly depending on the chosen holiday destination and the particularities of the entertainment program.
Tours to Morocco for New Year and Christmas
Tours to Morocco are usually chosen by those who enjoy sightseeing and beach holidays. As well as extreme activities in the water and on land. Winter in Morocco is the best time to go surfing. Because at this time the height of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean reaches its highest point.
The most popular resorts in Morocco are Casablanca, Essaouira, Fes, Rabat, Agadir, and the city of Marrakech. Budget tours to Marrakech are also available to Ouarzazate, Errachidia, El Jadida.
The cost of trips to Morocco for New Year and Christmas
Morocco is an amazing country that combines all the possibilities for an upscale holiday with fairly democratic prices. The cost of a holiday will depend primarily on the popularity of the resort. Also, it depends on how many days you book and the kind of the trip.
Some stunning places in Morocco where to spend Christmas and the new year eve
Marrakech
Marrakech and its gentle way of life is an ideal destination to spend a lively New Year’s Eve in Morocco. Immerse yourself in the heart of a lively, bustling city and discover all the riches of the Red City. A perfect blend of wilderness and culture, take advantage of your stay to discover all the treasures hidden in Marrakech.
The Palmeraie is the ideal place to start your day of discoveries before celebrating the new year in Marrakech. Such a peaceful and restful place. You can stroll through its alleys and enjoy the calm of the place, a real journey for the senses.
The Majorelle garden is not to be missed in Marrakech. It is equal to a visit to the souks and the medina, to soak up Moroccan culture. The Majorelle Garden is one of the most visited places in Marrakech. This botanical garden located in the Guéliz district in the northwest of the city is a must-see! You will find a bamboo grove, a cactus garden, and many other succulent plants and flowers of all kinds. It is the ideal place to relax, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
In the evening, gather around a festive Moroccan-style meal of local cuisine and oriental dance. Then end the evening in one of the city’s clubs to celebrate the New Year.
New Year’s Eve in Marrakech promises you great discoveries, in a warm and festive atmosphere!
Essaouira
What if you spent your New Year’s Eve in Morocco, by the ocean this year? Essaouira will seduce you with its gentle way of life and the beauty of its landscapes. At the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, discover all the richness of the city. From the medina to the ramparts and the port. You won’t have time to get bored in Essaouira.
The city’s souks are also not to be missed. The best place to meet the locals and immerse yourself in the local Moroccan culture.
At the end of the day, take time to drink a delicious Moroccan tea before enjoying a colourful meal in one of the many restaurants in town.
Take advantage of your stay in Essaouira to try the country’s specialities. Leg of lamb with prunes, chicken tagine or meatballs are among the most popular festive dishes in Morocco!
Prolong the evening in a bar or take advantage of the mild evening to stroll on the beach and start the new year in Essaouira.
The desert
Spending New Year’s Eve in the heart of the Moroccan desert is a unique and unforgettable experience. What’s on the agenda? Walk in the dunes and ride a camel before reaching your camp for the night. After a superb day of discovery, gather around a campfire and enjoy a convivial moment in the desert, under the Moroccan stars.
Your New Year’s Eve menu will be very original. Bread baked in the sand, tajine with prunes, and then tea and Moroccan pastries, for a guaranteed change of scenery!
You will then enjoy your New Year’s Eve party in the middle of the silent dunes of the desert. A New Year’s Eve in the Moroccan desert that promises to be unforgettable, to start the new year in Morocco!
Finally, for a New Year’s Eve far from the dullness of winter, choose Morocco to celebrate the passage to the new year in a gentle way. Festive meals with local colors, cultural visits, and lively evenings await you for your New Year’s Eve in Morocco.
Interested in Christmas or New year’s eve tour to Morocco?
Are you willing to visit Morocco in late December to spend Christmas and new year’s eve? You have come to the right place! Touring In Morocco is a specialist in organizing Morocco tours for all kinds of travelers, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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