Christmas in the Desert: Spending 24 December in the Merzouga Dunes
Christmas under the Saharan stars, far from it all, is possible and fairly simple, as long as you time your departure well and take the cold seriously.
Christmas in Merzouga means 18-22 °C by day and 2-6 °C at night, close to 0 °C in the dunes. To sleep in camp on 24 December on a 3-day tour, leave Marrakech on 23 December. Choose a heated tent or check the blankets.
Plan your stay
The guides and experiences our readers book most for this destination.
Planning Christmas in the dunes
Merzouga is 8-9 hours by road from Marrakech: the 3-day tour is the simplest option, with the night in the dunes on the second evening. Ask whether the camp plans a special dinner on the 24th. See the desert in winter and Christmas in Morocco.
The most booked experiences
| Experience | Rating | Reviews | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Marrakech: 3-Day Merzouga and Sahara Desert Tour | 4.9 | 22,297 | €118 |
| From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food | 4.7 | 14,481 | €104 |
| Desert Overnight in Heated Tent & Camel Ride (from Merzouga) | 4.8 | 267 | €62 |
| Agafay desert: quad, camel ride and dinner show | 4.8 | 36,771 | €20 |
| Agafay desert: sunset camel ride and dinner show | 4.6 | 37,612 | €14 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they may change.
See activities in Merzouga for Christmas· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Compare activities on ViatorYou will be redirected to our partner Viator.Where to stay
A heated tent, proper bedding and private facilities make all the difference at this time of year. See our desert camp guide.
See places to stay in Merzouga for Christmas· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Compare flights and hotels on Trip.com· Trip.com
Book your arrival transferYou will be redirected to our partner GetTransfer.See also New Year in the desert and the 3-day tour from Marrakech.
FAQ — Christmas in the desert
Is 25 December a holiday in Morocco?
What is the weather like at Christmas?
Should you book early?
When should you leave Marrakech to be in camp on the 24th?
In short
- 18-22 °C by day.
- 25 December is not a holiday.
- Book early for the holidays.
