Marrakech with children works very well, on one condition: get out of the medina at least every other day. The lanes, the souks and Jemaa el-Fna square fascinate children for about two hours, then the crowds, the noise and the scooters wear them out. What they enjoy most, according to the families we drive every week: camels, swimming pools, animals, water and wide open spaces. Here are the activities that really work by age, the ones we suggest avoiding, and a sample week.
What children enjoy most, by age
Under 5
- A short camel ride in Agafay or the Palmeraie, with an adult walking alongside. Twenty minutes is plenty.
- The Majorelle Garden early in the morning: the pools, the fish, the colours. The paths are fine for a pushchair.
- The riad or hotel pool, still the number one activity at this age. Choose accommodation with a pool, or spend an afternoon at an Agafay camp.
- The Menara Gardens, with a large pool of water and space to run around, without the medina crowds.
Ages 6 to 12
- Quad biking in Agafay, as a passenger behind a parent from age 6; our Agafay quad biking guide explains how it works.
- A day in the Atlas, for example the Ourika Valley, with the short walk to the first Setti Fatma waterfalls. Children love crossing the footbridges and having lunch almost in the river.
- The Ouzoud waterfalls, with Barbary macaques roaming free and the boat ride at the foot of the falls. It is a long day, about three hours’ drive each way: better from age 7 or 8.
- A cooking or pottery workshop, offered by many riads and workshops; children go home with what they made.
Teenagers
- Sunset and dinner in the Agafay desert: camels, campfire, music and a starry sky.
- Driving a quad, from age 16.
- Surfing in Essaouira or Taghazout, if the trip continues to the coast.
- The souks, as long as you give them a small budget to haggle with themselves. It is often their favourite memory of the trip.
What works less well
Let us be frank, some things disappoint with children:
- Long palace visits in the middle of the day: it is hot, it is crowded, and the history goes over their heads. A short early-morning visit, yes; a whole morning, no.
- Jemaa el-Fna in the late afternoon with little ones: dense crowds, scooters, and animal handlers who put a monkey on your child’s shoulder and then ask for money. We advise against paying for photos with chained monkeys or snakes; the welfare of these animals raises real concerns.
- The 3-day Merzouga tour before age 7 or 8: around twenty hours of driving in total. Agafay offers a desert experience 40 minutes from the city.
- A pushchair in the medina: cobbles, steps, crowds and handcarts. A baby carrier is far more practical.
A sample family week
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival and check-in | Pool |
| 2 | Medina with a guide, two to three hours | Pool and nap |
| 3 | Ourika Valley | Back in the late afternoon |
| 4 | Majorelle Garden at opening time | Agafay: camel ride, sunset, dinner |
| 5 | Free morning | Menara Gardens or a cooking class |
| 6 | Transfer to Essaouira | Beach and harbour |
| 7 | Horse or camel ride on the beach | Return or flight home |
The principle: never two big days in a row, and always some quiet time in the afternoon.
Practical questions
- Heat: from June to September, go out before 11 am and after 5 pm. Spring and autumn are much more pleasant with children; our article on when to visit Marrakech covers the weather month by month.
- Food: children easily find something they like among msemen pancakes, bread, omelettes, kebabs and mild tagines. Drink bottled water only, and be careful with raw salads at small street stalls.
- Car seats: taxis do not have them. For booked transfers, ask in advance and we fit them on request.
- Getting around: petits taxis take three passengers at most; with five people and luggage you need two taxis or a booked vehicle.
- Welcome: Moroccans love children. Expect smiles, pats on the head and little cakes offered by shopkeepers.
- Health: pack something for a minor stomach upset and a good sun cream. Pharmacies are everywhere and pharmacists often speak French, sometimes English.
Where to stay with children
A medina riad is a lovely experience, but check three things before booking: whether there is a pool (or a heated plunge pool), how safe the stairs and roof terraces are, and how far the riad is from where a car can stop. For families with young children, a hotel with a garden in the Palmeraie or Hivernage is often more restful, perhaps with one or two nights in a riad for the atmosphere.
For organising transport as a family (vehicle size, child seats, luggage), our article on family travel in Morocco goes into detail, and the Marrakech airport transfer can be booked with the seats you need.
In short
- One day in the medina, one day out: that is the rhythm that works.
- Camels, pools, Ourika and Agafay please almost every age.
- Avoid paid photos with animals and pushchairs in the souks.
- Choose spring or autumn over the height of summer.
