Things to Do in Rabat in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Rabat
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Comfortable walking weather with daytime highs around 18°C (65°F) - perfect for exploring the medina and coastal promenades without the summer heat that can push past 30°C (86°F). You'll actually enjoy those uphill walks through Kasbah of the Udayas.
- Fewer European tourists compared to spring peak season, meaning shorter lines at Hassan Tower and the Royal Palace gates. Hotels in the medina typically drop prices 20-30% compared to March-April rates, and you'll find better availability at riads.
- December brings Morocco's green season - the countryside around Rabat turns lush after autumn rains, making day trips to the Bouregreg Valley and nearby forests particularly scenic. The Atlantic coast looks dramatic with winter swells.
- Cultural calendar heats up with locals actually in town (not on summer holiday). You'll catch authentic Rabat life - families gathering at patisseries on weekends, the fish market at its liveliest, and evening café culture in full swing without the tourist crowds.
Considerations
- Rain happens about 10 days in December, and when it comes, it tends to shut things down more than you'd expect. The medina's narrow streets flood easily, taxis become impossible to find, and some outdoor restaurant seating closes. Unlike summer drizzle elsewhere, these are proper downpours.
- Evenings get genuinely cold at 8°C (47°F), and here's the thing - most riads and older hotels don't have central heating. You'll find portable heaters and extra blankets, but if you're used to cranking up a thermostat, the adjustment takes a day or two.
- The Atlantic is too cold for swimming at around 17°C (63°F), which disappoints some first-timers expecting Mediterranean warmth. The beaches are beautiful for walking, but pack away those swimsuit plans unless you're particularly hardy.
Best Activities in December
Rabat Medina and Kasbah Walking Tours
December weather is actually ideal for exploring Rabat's UNESCO-listed medina on foot - the 18°C (65°F) days mean you can comfortably spend 3-4 hours wandering without overheating. The Andalusian Gardens in the Kasbah are particularly beautiful now with winter blooms, and the Atlantic views from the fortress walls are dramatic with winter light. Morning tours (9-11am) offer the best light for photography and catch the medina before afternoon prayer closures. The narrow streets provide natural shelter if you hit one of those December showers.
Moroccan Cooking Classes and Food Market Tours
December brings seasonal produce to Rabat's markets that you won't see in summer - fresh citrus from the Gharb plain, winter vegetables, and the year's new olive oil. Indoor cooking classes are perfect for those rainy December afternoons, typically running 3-4 hours in traditional riads with heated kitchens. You'll learn tagines and couscous preparation using ingredients you just bought at the central market. The humidity actually helps with bread-making, interestingly enough.
Chellah Archaeological Site Visits
The ancient Roman and medieval ruins of Chellah are magnificent in December when the gardens are green and the resident stork colony is most active with nesting season. The site sits in a valley that's sheltered from Atlantic winds, and the cooler weather makes the 20-minute walk through the ruins comfortable. December's lower tourist numbers mean you might have entire sections to yourself - something impossible in spring. The eel pool and gardens are particularly atmospheric in winter light.
Day Trips to Casablanca and Hassan II Mosque
December is actually perfect for the 90 km (56 mile) trip to Casablanca - the train runs frequently (every 30-45 minutes), and you'll avoid the summer crowds at Hassan II Mosque, one of the world's largest. The mosque's ocean-side location is dramatic in winter with Atlantic swells crashing against the platform. Tours inside run throughout the day, and December means you're not competing with cruise ship groups. The corniche is beautiful for walking in the crisp air.
Bouregreg Marina and Coastal Promenade
The modern marina development between Rabat and Salé is perfect for December afternoons when the weather's clear. The 2 km (1.2 mile) waterfront promenade offers cafés, the National Theatre, and views of both cities across the river. December's crisp air makes for excellent walking, and the area has covered arcades if rain threatens. The sunset views around 5:30pm are spectacular with winter light. This is where young Rabatis gather on weekends, giving you a window into contemporary Moroccan life beyond the tourist medina.
Traditional Hammam and Spa Experiences
December's cool evenings make traditional hammams particularly appealing - there's something perfect about the steamy heat when it's 8°C (47°F) outside. Authentic public hammams cost 20-40 MAD and offer a genuine local experience, while tourist-oriented spa hammams run 300-600 MAD with more privacy and English-speaking staff. The ritual takes 90 minutes to 2 hours and is ideal for a rainy afternoon or after a long day of walking the medina. December is actually when many Rabatis increase their hammam visits.
December Events & Festivals
Mawlid al-Nabi Celebrations
If the Islamic calendar aligns (Mawlid moves through the Gregorian calendar), you might catch celebrations of the Prophet's birthday with special prayers, processions, and charitable giving. Rabat, as Morocco's capital, hosts official ceremonies. Streets near mosques fill with vendors selling traditional sweets, and you'll hear special chanting and prayers. It's a family-oriented religious holiday rather than a tourist spectacle, but respectful observers are welcome to watch street festivities.