Things to Do in Tangier in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Tangier
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Mild temperatures perfect for exploring the medina on foot - you can wander the souks for 3-4 hours without overheating, unlike summer when it's genuinely uncomfortable by 11am. The 16°C (62°F) highs mean you're layering a light jacket rather than sweating through your shirt.
- Dramatically fewer tourists than summer months - major sites like the Kasbah Museum and American Legation typically have 60-70% fewer visitors in December. You'll actually get time to examine the exhibits without being swept along by tour groups, and cafe terraces in Petit Socco have available seating even at peak hours.
- Winter produce season brings incredible citrus and root vegetables to markets - December is when you'll find the sweetest Moroccan clementines, fresh dates from the south, and vendors roasting chestnuts on street corners. The food is genuinely more interesting than summer's limited selection.
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to peak season - a riad that costs 1,200 MAD in October might be 700-800 MAD in December. You can afford better accommodation or extend your stay, and you'll have leverage to negotiate multi-night deals directly with smaller properties.
Considerations
- Rain happens unpredictably and can disrupt outdoor plans - those 10 rainy days don't follow a pattern, and when it rains in Tangier, the medina's steep alleys become slippery and some turn into actual streams. You might lose half a day to weather, and the city doesn't have great indoor museums to fill the gap.
- Coastal wind can be genuinely unpleasant - the Atlantic breeze that feels refreshing in summer turns biting in December, especially at Cap Spartel or along the Corniche. Temperatures might read 16°C (62°F) but feel closer to 10°C (50°F) with wind chill, and outdoor cafe sitting isn't always enjoyable.
- Shorter daylight hours limit your daily itinerary - sunset around 5:30pm means you're racing against darkness if you want to visit sites outside the city center. The blue hour photography everyone posts happens earlier than you'd expect, and some attractions effectively close by 4pm when natural light fades.
Best Activities in December
Medina Walking and Historic Quarter Exploration
December's cool temperatures make this the ideal time for extended medina walks that would be exhausting in summer heat. The narrow alleys of the old city stay comfortable even midday, and you can actually spend 4-5 hours exploring without needing constant water breaks. The occasional rain clears dust from the air, making the white-and-blue architecture particularly photogenic. Fewer tourists mean shopkeepers are more willing to chat without pressure, and you'll see more actual neighborhood life - locals doing their shopping, kids coming home from school, bread deliveries to riads. The Kasbah district, Petit Socco, and the route from Bab Fahs to the port all work beautifully in December weather.
Cap Spartel and Hercules Caves Coastal Excursions
The dramatic coastline where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic is spectacular in winter light, with bigger waves and clearer visibility than summer's haze. December weather makes the 14 km (8.7 miles) drive west of the city center particularly rewarding - you'll see the lighthouse at Cap Spartel without the summer crowds, and the Caves of Hercules have that moody atmosphere that gets lost when packed with tour buses. The wind can be strong, so this works better on calmer days (check morning forecasts). The coastal road itself is beautiful in December when green vegetation returns after summer drought. Budget 3-4 hours for the round trip including stops.
Traditional Hammam and Spa Experiences
December's damp, cool weather makes hammam visits particularly appealing - that contrast between chilly streets and steamy warmth hits differently than in summer. This is what locals actually do in winter months, treating the hammam as both hygiene and social ritual. The traditional scrub-down and massage feels restorative after days of walking medina hills, and the heat helps if you've gotten caught in rain. Public hammams cost 20-40 MAD and offer authentic experience (though you'll need to know the routine), while tourist-oriented spa hammams charge 250-600 MAD but include guidance and often argan oil treatments. December is ideal because you're not overheated to begin with.
Chefchaouen Day Trips
The famous blue city is genuinely magical in December - fewer tourists, dramatic cloud formations over the Rif Mountains, and that soft winter light that makes the blue walls almost glow. The 2.5 hour drive south (110 km / 68 miles) takes you through landscape that's actually green in winter, unlike the brown summer hills. December weather means comfortable walking temperatures in Chefchaouen's steep medina, though bring layers as it's higher elevation (600 m / 1,968 ft) and noticeably cooler than coastal Tangier. Rain is possible but the town is beautiful even in drizzle. You'll need a full day - leave Tangier by 8am, return by 7pm.
Tangier Food Market Tours and Cooking Experiences
December brings the best produce to Tangier's markets - citrus season means piles of clementines and oranges, winter vegetables like turnips and carrots for tagines, and fresh seafood that's particularly good in cooler months. Market tours work beautifully in December weather since you're moving between covered stalls and outdoor sections without overheating. The Grand Socco market and the fish market near the port are most active 8am-12pm. Cooking class experiences typically include market shopping then preparation of tagine or couscous in a riad kitchen, giving you 3-4 hours of hands-on cultural immersion. You'll learn techniques you can actually replicate at home.
Kasbah Museum and American Legation Museum Visits
December's variable weather makes having solid indoor cultural options essential, and Tangier's two main museums deliver genuine historical depth. The Kasbah Museum occupies the former sultan's palace with beautiful tilework and artifacts spanning Tangier's complex history, while the American Legation (the only U.S. National Historic Landmark on foreign soil) offers fascinating exhibits on Moroccan-American relations and Paul Bowles. Both are small enough to visit in 60-90 minutes each, making them perfect rainy-day alternatives or morning activities before weather clears. The Kasbah Museum's courtyard garden is lovely even in winter, and both buildings themselves are architectural highlights.
December Events & Festivals
Tangier International Film Festival
This relatively new festival has been gaining momentum and typically runs in early December, showcasing North African and international cinema across several venues in the city. It's not huge yet, but offers a chance to see Moroccan films with subtitles and attend screenings in beautiful historic theaters. The festival attracts filmmakers and critics from across the region, creating a cultural atmosphere you won't find other months. Even if you're not a serious cinephile, catching one screening gives you insight into contemporary Moroccan culture.