Heated Pools in Marrakech: Where to Swim in Winter
Winter in Marrakech means blue skies and 18 to 20°C at midday. Warm enough for lunch on a terrace, not warm enough for an unheated pool to be pleasant: the water has had a week of cool nights to lose its heat. Many travelers find this out on the spot, in their swimsuit, next to a beautiful pool nobody is swimming in.
Of the nine places we book, only two heat their pool in winter. Same prices, same hours as in summer, and water at 27 to 29°C. Here they are, and how to choose.
The two heated pools at a glance
| Eden Lodge & Spa | Le Bedouin | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Palmeraie, 20 min from the center | Agafay desert, 50 min |
| Water temperature | 29°C, jacuzzi at 32°C | 27 to 28°C |
| Heated | All year round | From November 1st |
| Pool + lunch | €49 (11am-7pm) | €45 (10am-6pm) |
| Pool + dinner | €59 (4pm-11pm) | €55 (3pm-11pm) |
| Children | Free under 2, 50% off ages 2 to 9 | Free under 5, 50% off ages 5 to 11 |
| Private transport | From €30 | About €70 round trip by van |
Eden Lodge & Spa: the warm pool in town
Eden Lodge & Spa is the safest bet in winter. Its pool is heated to 29°C all year round, and the jacuzzi reaches 32°C: even on a January morning, you get in without thinking twice. The tropical garden of the Palmeraie blocks the wind, which matters as much as the water temperature when the air stays under 20°C.
Lunch at €49 includes pool access from 11am to 7pm, with a starter and main or a main and dessert. Dinner at €59 opens the pool from 4pm. Towel and sunbed are included. Just 20 minutes from the center, Eden Lodge fits easily into a sightseeing day: a taxi is enough, or a private transfer from €30.
Le Bedouin: the desert, and you can still swim
Le Bedouin is the only Agafay address where you can really swim in winter. Of its three pools, one is heated from November 1st, to 27 to 28°C. The others stay cold: that's the one to aim for.
The appeal is the setting. Winter is when the Atlas Mountains are covered in snow, right across from the camp. Swimming in 28°C water while looking at white peaks is a view you won't find anywhere in town. Lunch at €45 gives access to the camp from 10am to 6pm, dinner at €55 from 3pm to 11pm. Towel and sunbed are included. It's also the most affordable choice for families: free under 5, €22.50 for ages 5 to 11.
Which one should you choose?
To spend as long as possible in the water, Eden Lodge. One degree warmer, a jacuzzi, and a sheltered garden: it's the pool you don't want to get out of.
To see the desert, Le Bedouin. You get the landscape, the snowy Atlas and the camp atmosphere, in exchange for 50 minutes of driving each way.
On a tight budget, count the transport. For two adults with lunch, private transport included: about €128 at Eden Lodge (49 + 49 + 30) versus €160 at Le Bedouin (45 + 45 + 70). For four people the gap narrows, since the Agafay van costs the same for up to seven passengers.
With children, check their ages. For two adults and two children aged 6 and 8, lunch comes to €135 at Le Bedouin and €147 at Eden Lodge, before transport. With a 3- or 4-year-old, Le Bedouin is free for them, while Eden Lodge charges half price. All the details are in our article on family-friendly pools in Marrakech.
Our tips for a winter pool day
- Aim for the middle of the day. Between noon and 3pm, the air is at its mildest. Morning and evening, even in warm water, getting out is chilly.
- The sun sets early, around 5:45pm in December. A lunch package gives you more hours of swimming in the sun than a dinner package.
- Bring a proper jacket, especially for dinner in the desert. Agafay nights often drop below 10°C.
- Pack a spare swimsuit. Sitting in a wet swimsuit at 18°C is the quickest way to cut your day short.
What about the other pools?
None of the other places in our selection heat their water. From November to March, a day at Palais Farah, Be Agafay or La Bohème is still lovely for lunch, the sun and the setting, but not for swimming. If swimming is the point of your day, book Eden Lodge or Le Bedouin.
To compare every address, desert or town, see our guide Agafay or Marrakech: which day pass to choose and our price comparison.
Book your heated pool day. You pay the deposit securely online, we check availability with the establishment, and we get back to you to confirm your spot.