10 things to do in Marrakech in November

Travelling to Marrakech in November is always a good idea. Between the desert and the Atlas Mountains, temperatures are still pleasant and it's the ideal time for a trip to the desert.

Festivals such as Independence Day and the International Film Festival round off the agenda with dozens of celebrations. Read on to find out what to do in Marrakech in November.

On 18 November 1955 Morocco gained independence from Spain and France, which had maintained a protectorate over the territory since 1912. The holiday is celebrated every year with festivals, parades and parties all over the country. Although the main celebrations are held in Rabat, the capital of the kingdom, all the major cities commemorate the declaration of Mohammed V, the king who initiated Morocco's modern history.

In and around Jemaa el Fnaa Square you'll find celebrations with traditional music and food, while all over the city, Moroccan flags fly in the streets. You can join a tour in Marrakech to see the highlights of the city with a local guide who will tell you the historical details. However, I encourage you to discover 10 of the best tours in Marrakech to choose the one that best suits your tastes.

A balloon ride over Marrakech is a great way to admire the Red City from a different perspective. Balloon flights usually depart from a location near Marrakesh, fly over Jemaa el-Fna Square and the old town and then land near the Marrakesh Palm Grove.

Departing very early (usually between 5:00 and 5:30), almost all excursions include a pick-up service from your hotel or riad, a traditional breakfast and a 'flight certificate' (a small souvenir of the experience). All in all, the activity takes about 5 hours while the balloon ride lasts about an hour.

The winter months are the best months for this activity. In addition, the warm air from the burner acts as a radiator and you will not get cold. Therefore, travelling in November is ideal. When you leave early, you should take a jacket, fleece and sunglasses for when the sun comes out.

The wind blows 365 days a year in Essaouira and winter is the best season for surfing. From November to March, this stretch of ocean has blizzards from the west which guarantee constant waves. Well protected from the strongest currents, Essaouira beach is perfect for those who want to learn how to surf.

On the other hand, more experienced sportsmen and women can go to the nearby town of Sidi Kaouki, a real paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Its long, uncontaminated beach is ideal for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

After a day of surfing, you can explore the Medina of Essaouira, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 2001. Its well-preserved ramparts hide a labyrinth of narrow streets, traditional houses, the Sidi Youssef mosque and the old Jewish quarter (Mellah). And also the Skala de la Kasbah fort, by the sea, where the episode of Game of Thrones was filmed in which Khaleesi conquers Astapor and frees the slaves.

• If you want to visit this coastal city I advise you to read the post Excursions to Essaouira from Marrakech.

Although we can taste traditional mint tea at any time of the year, when the temperatures are not so high the experience is undoubtedly better.

The Red City is also known for its tea shops and one of the most famous is Café Des Épices. The two-storey café is known for its panoramic window overlooking the Rahba Lakdima, the Spice Square. After an afternoon of shopping in the souk, you can treat yourself to a well-deserved break with a steaming cup in your hands. Here, mint tea is still prepared according to the traditional recipe and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

• If you want to know more about the gastronomy of the Red City, I advise you to read the post Moroccan food: the dishes you can't miss.

Morocco is a paradise for outdoor sports and if you like mountain biking, there are several routes through the Atlas Mountains, the mountain range that separates the Mediterranean and the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert. Its high peaks are a challenge for any cyclist and an hour and a half's drive from Marrakech is enough to get there.

There are dozens of tours that organise transport there and back and provide participants with everything they need: bikes, helmets and an expert guide. There are many options available, with a choice of day trips or tours that can last a whole week.

Either way, you will see Berber villages, waterfalls, palm trees, green valleys and the arid landscapes of Moroccan geography. These routes touch on Ouarzazate, the walled city known as the "Gateway to the Desert", Erg Chegaga and its great dunes, the Draa Valley and the Tichka Pass at 2,600 metres above sea level. November is a good month for cycling in Morocco. In the warmer months, cycling these same routes is undoubtedly more difficult.

Unlike the Bahia Palace, El Badi is largely in ruins and yet if you close your eyes you can imagine its splendour in centuries past. The building was erected by the Sa'adi Sultan Ahmad el Mansour at the end of the 16th century and its name could be translated as 'the incomparable palace'. Indeed, the residence had 350 rooms, a swimming pool and a few courtyards with their luxuriant nature.

El Badi Palace was built with no expense spar ed and the interior was made of gold from Sudan while the marble came directly from Italy. When the Saadi dynasty fell to the Alawites, their successors plundered its treasures.

If you feel like visiting, I recommend climbing the ramparts. From here, the view over Marrakech is simply breathtaking but be careful, storks often build their nests on these walls.

Close your eyes and imagine a desert. If you have thought of high sand dunes, erase this image from your mind. The Agafay is a rocky desert where the stone hills stretch down to the foot of the Atlas Mountains.

At the weekend, well-off Moroccans leave Marrakech and drive here to go horse riding, hiking or canoeing in the Lalla Takerkoust reservoir. Here, wild nature is the undisputed star and there are dozens of activities to keep travellers entertained, from Arabic calligraphy lessons to quad biking and camel trekking.

November is the ideal month for a desert excursion because the temperatures are just right for a visit to the desert. As for accommodation, there are several options:

• Lodges: traditional houses.
• Jaimas: the tent-like dwellings of the nomads, made of camel, goat, esparto or palm hair.
• Glamping: a combination of the terms "glamorous" and "cambing". It is a global phenomenon that combines the experience of camping in the open air with the comforts of the best hotels. If you want to stay in this place about 40 km from the Red City, I advise you to read the post Excursions to the Agafay desert from Marrakech.

Winter is a good time to visit Marrakesh as there are fewer tourists, accommodation is cheaper, the temperatures are still pleasant and the sights are less crowded.

One of these is the Bahia Palace, a mansion and garden complex built by the vizier Ahmed ben Moussa at the end of the 19th century. After the vizier's death in 1900, the sultan ordered the palace to be ransacked, but not even looting could tarnish the beauty of this place. The Italian marble and the floors of zellijes - an ornamental mosaic composed of tiles - testify to its past glory.

Today only a third of the Bahia Palace can be visited, the other parts being occupied by the Moroccan Ministry of Culture. The former residence of the vizier can be visited every day of the year, from 8.30am to 12 noon and from 2.30pm to 6pm.

During the summer months, entering the Merzouga desert is an activity for the brave. Between June and September it can reach 45 degrees, which is why it 's best to explore it during the winter. There are only two options for getting there:

• Hire a private vehicle.
• Choose one of the excursions to the Merzouga desert in Morocco.

Unlike the Agafay desert, the Merzouga desert is a sandy desert known for the high dunes of Erg Chebbi, a fascinating place that attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is also the starting point for many excursions by jeep, camel, buggy and quad bike, and in the surrounding area you will find other points of interest such as:

• Khamlia: a village of 400 inhabitants founded by the Gnawa, the descendants of slaves from sub-Saharan Africa.
• Orion City: a Land Art monument designed by the German artist Hannsjörg Voth.

The Marrakech International Film Festival was created in 2001 by King Mohammed VI to promote the arts and the film industry in the country. Despite its short history, the kermesse is an unmissable event for many Hollywood stars. Martin Scorsese, Guillermo del Toro, Keanu Reeves and Robert De Niro are just a few of the regulars at this great event. The event usually starts in the last week of November and ends in the first days of December.

The International Film Festival takes place in three venues: the Palais des Congrès, the Cinéma Le Colisée and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. If you can't get into these venues, don't worry. Every night, up to 12,000 spectators gather in the central Jemaa el Fna square to enjoy the free, open-air screenings.

November is a transitional month between autumn and winter. If in the morning it is cold and temperatures often drop below 15°C, during the day and in the evenings the weather is more pleasant. The distance from the sea causes significant temperature variations between night and day. In short, weather conditions in November are identical to those in March.

November is the rainiest month in Marrakech, but don't worry. After a quick shower, the sun shines again in the sky.

• For more information, I recommend you read the recommended winter activities in Marrakech.

In Marrakech, the low season starts in November and ends in February (excluding the Christmas holidays). So if you're thinking of visiting the Red City at this time of year, don't hesitate for a second. The main attractions are usually less crowded and you can visit places like the Bahia Palace or Jemaa el Fnaa without the crowds.

• If you are coming for a few days, I recommend you to read the post Marrakech in two days: what you need to know so you don't miss anything.

November is the beginning of the low season and therefore prices are good. In this month you can find interesting offers and maybe you can opt for a superior accommodation. In any case, I advise you to book a room in a hotel or riad in advance. Once you've booked, get a head start on your homework and check out the best transfers between the airport and the city of Marrakech.

In autumn the heat is bearable, the rains are more frequent and temperatures start to drop, especially at night. If you're landing in Marrakech in November, all you need to do is pack three types of clothing:

• Something light to wear during the day to keep out of the heat.
• Sweatshirts, jumpers and coats if you plan to go out at night, when temperatures drop significantly.
• And a rain jacket for thunderstorms, which are strong and intense but usually short-lived.

Note that in Morocco, it's best to avoid wearing clothes that are too flashy and fancy, and to avoid displaying valuables. For women, it's best not to wear clothes that are too tight or provocative.