We won't lie to you: Marrakech in December wasn't really in the plan!!
And yet, it's probably one of the best decisions we've ever made.
Spoiler: we came back with our heads full of memories, our suitcases full of spices…
And a t-shirt design we're super proud to show you.
Why Marrakech in December?
December in Marrakech is the perfect timing that no one tells you about. The summer tourists are gone, the temperatures are mild (between 15°C and 22°C during the day — a blessing if you're used to French winters), and the city returns to its natural rhythm. We wanted to mark the end of the year differently than with a raclette and a Christmas tree. Bingo.
And honestly? Celebrating New Year's Eve there is an experience that resets everything in a way you never would have imagined.
What took our breath away?
🏜️ The desert, a silence that speaks.
We went as far as the gates of the Sahara. And there, nothing. No notifications, no background noise. Just dunes changing color with the light, golden at noon, ocher at dawn, almost purple at sunset. The kind of landscape that makes you understand why people travel the world to see it.
This contrast, the calm vastness of the desert against the wild energy of Marrakech, planted the first seed of the design.
🌿The biodiversity of plants, an unsuspected richness.
We thought "desert = arid = nothing." We were wrong. Between the wind-twisted argan trees, the giant cacti growing at the edge of the track, and the medicinal plants found at every souk corner, nature here is incredibly resilient and beautiful.
🐪The Tuareg and their camels, the human encounter.
This is probably what struck us the most. Meeting Tuareg with their camels, in this environment that seems unchanged for centuries, puts a lot of things into perspective. Their relationship with nature, time, space, is exactly the opposite of the world we live in every day.
And that's exactly what we wanted to capture in the design.
The HVA CO. x Marrakech design, where does it come from?
When we came back, we had hundreds of photos. But the images that came back to our minds most often were these: the silhouette of a camel against the dunes, a plant breaking through the aridity, the natural geometry of the desert.
The t-shirt we created is our way of bringing a piece of this journey with you. Not as a "holiday souvenir" – but as a piece with a story and a soul. The design is clean, modern, designed to last. Like this trip.
Our tips for Marrakech without breaking the bank 💸
Because we're friends, here's what we learned (sometimes the hard way):
Sleep: Riads in the Mouassine district are cheaper than those near Jemaa el-Fna square, and often more charming. Book on Booking with the refundable option, then contact the riad directly to negotiate a better direct rate. It works 7 out of 10 times.
Eat: Avoid restaurants with "tourist menus" displayed in 5 languages on the terrace. Instead: dive into the alleys behind the souks. A tagine in a small local eatery: between 35 and 60 dirhams (3–5€). The same thing on a terrace in the square: 150–200 dirhams. You get the idea.
Getting around: Small red taxis are officially regulated — insist that they use the meter, and you'll pay a fair price. Between the airport and the medina, it's around 70–100 dirhams if you negotiate before getting in.
The souks: The golden rule: the advertised price is about 3 to 4 times the real price. Start at 25–30% of what you're asked for, and meet somewhere in the middle. And if you hesitate, leave. That's often when the true price appears.
Desert excursion: Avoid agencies in Jemaa el-Fna square. Look for local operators recommended on Google Maps or TripAdvisor with recent reviews. For a day trip to the Agafay dunes (45 min from Marrakech), expect 300–500 dirhams per person. The real Sahara (Merzouga) requires 2–3 days — but that's another story.
Good timing in the souks: In December, merchants are less "speedy" than in summer. It's easier to chat, to take your time. Take advantage of it!
What we take away from this trip
Marrakech in December is not just a beautiful destination. It's a way to reconnect with something bigger: nature, slowness, essentials. And these are exactly the values we want to put into HVA CO.: meaningful pieces, carefully crafted, that tell a story.
The Marrakech t-shirt is a bit of all that condensed into one design. If you wear it, you wear a true story.
Want to see the design? It's available in our shop. And if you also have a place that left its mark on you, write to us at our contact email address and maybe it too will end up on a t-shirt
HVA CO. 🌍
Clothes that travel with you.