Things to Do in Rabat in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Rabat
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
65°F (18°C)
High Temp
47°F (8°C)
Low Temp
3.6 inches (91 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December hands you light until 5:30 PM, the exact window when the Kasbah des Oudaias drops its harsh shadows and hands photographers the soft, even glow they chase all year.
- + Atlantic winter swells muscle into Rabat and turn its beaches into serious surf territory. At Plage des Nations, steady 1.5 m (5 ft) waves roll in minus the summer circus that clogs Taghazout.
- + Hotel rates fall 30-40% from peak. In the medina, riads with rooftop terraces now cost the same as the basic boxes you settled for in October.
- + Late November and early December mean olive harvest. Souks flood with green-gold oil so fresh locals splash it over mssemn and grilled sardines without thinking twice.
Considerations
- − Atlantic winds sharpen their teeth. Crossing Hassan II Bridge after 3 PM feels like stepping into a wind tunnel that wants to push you straight back to the river.
- − Daylight taps out at 5:30 PM. Beach plans shrink, and if you want to wander the Chellah ruins after closing, pack a flashlight or stay outside the gate.
- − December humidity turns 18°C (64°F) into a chill that crawls under your skin. In a poorly heated medina guesthouse, the damp settles in your bones.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Kasbah des Oudaias Photography Walks
December's muted winter light makes the blue-and-white walls of Kasbah des Oudaias shine like porcelain. Photographers show up at 2 PM when the sun slices across the Andalusian gardens at the ideal angle. A breeze off the Bouregreg River keeps the walk pleasant, and without the summer crush you can plant a tripod in the narrow lanes without starting a traffic jam.
Booking Tip: Reserve 48 hours ahead through licensed guides who know the precise minutes when palace doors crack open for interior shots. The booking widget below lists current photography tours.
Atlantic Coast Surf Sessions
Winter swells flip Rabat's coastline into Morocco's most overlooked surf zone. December delivers dependable 1-2 m (3-6 ft) sets at Plage des Nations, water at 18°C (64°F), cold enough for a 3/2 wetsuit, warm enough for three-hour sessions. Local fishermen still sling lines from the rocks, giving you those classic Morocco surf magazine frames.
Booking Tip: Choose operators who stock winter suits, December water demands 3/2 mm or 4/3 mm. Surf schools with current gear are listed in the booking section below.
Medina Food Market Tours
December markets reek of cinnamon and preserved lemons, the signal that locals are gearing up for winter tagines. The central market near Rue des Consuls spills over with Taliouine saffron and argan oil thick from the cold. Women roll couscous between their palms while men grill merguez over charcoal braziers that double as hand warmers.
Booking Tip: Join morning tours at 9 AM to catch vendors laying out their stalls, bargaining works best before the crowds swarm. Food tour options are in the booking widget below.
Chellah Necropolis Historical Walks
The Roman ruins and Merenid tombs at Chellah shift mood under December's gold afternoon light. Without summer's hammering heat, you can linger two full hours among stork nests topping broken columns and the prayer niche that still throws back a sharp clap. The 800-year-old olive trees hang heavy with fruit right now.
Booking Tip: Plan to arrive at 2 PM when the sun strikes the minaret just right for photos. Licensed guides usually need 24-48 hours notice, check the booking options below.
Bouregreg River Kayak Tours
December river levels suit kayaking between Rabat and Salé, calm for first-timers yet lively enough to keep it fun. The 6 km (3.7 mile) glide passes fishing boats unloading dawn sardines and gives you eye-level views of Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum you cannot capture any other way. Water sits at 17°C (63°F), so proper gear is non-negotiable.
Booking Tip: Morning tours push off at 8 AM when the river is glass, afternoon winds kick up hard after noon. Winter kit is normally bundled by operators in the booking section.
Where to Stay in Rabat in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Rabat Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Skip the tourist cafés for mint tea. At Café Maure in the Kasbah they pick mint from the garden and serve it in glasses thick enough to scorch your fingertips.
December mornings belong to bessara (fava bean soup). Track it down at stalls near Bab el Had around 7 AM where construction crews line up before clocking in.
Taxi drivers will swear December is high season and demand tourist fares, insist on the meter or walk 100 m (328 ft) from big hotels to find an honest cab.
Watch the Royal Palace flags, when they fly at full mast in December, locals know whether it is worth hanging around for a glimpse of arriving royalty.
Avoid These Mistakes
Do not assume December equals cold, the numbers feel warmer than they read. But humidity makes 18°C (64°F) brutal without the right layers.
Never book a room without checking for heat, thick riad walls stay cool in summer and turn into refrigerators come December.
Forget pairing Rabat with desert runs, December daylight is too short for the 8-hour round trip to Merzouga. Stick to the coast.
Forget to factor in the early sunset and your beach plans will unravel fast, by 4 PM the shadows have already swallowed Plage des Nations and the wind kicks up hard enough to chase everyone off the sand.
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