Morocco with kids – Are you planning your trip with children to Morocco and you would like to live an experience that goes beyond the classic western pool of “sun and beach tourism”?
Then Morocco is the ideal destination for you, especially if you are not planning to travel far away from home, just far enough for a change of scenery and to discover new environments. Morocco is very easy to reach from anywhere in Spain. The farthest point (Barcelona) is less than 2 hours away by plane. From the south of the Peninsula, the flight will take you less than an hour.
However, as soon as you land and set foot on Moroccan soil, you will discover that Morocco is a country whose beauty shines with its own light.
Want to know more about all that Morocco has to offer children? Then keep reading this article… And you will discover why Morocco will make you fall in love with both the older and the younger members of the household.
The best activities for kids in Morocco
Camel ride in the Sahara Desert
There is no activity more representative of the Moroccan essence than riding over the dunes of the Sahara on the back of a camel.
To culminate this memorable experience, we recommend that you stop to let the camels rest, have a delicious mint tea at sunset and dine under the stars. The Sahara is one of the few places in the world where you can stargaze with almost no light pollution, making it a treat that the little ones in the house will remember for a lifetime.
And this is a side note for the bravest: if you manage to wake up at dawn to see the morning sun peeking over the top of a dune, you will live together an experience that your senses will thank you forever.
If you are in Marrakech and you want to visit the Sahara desert we invite you to try our famous 3-day trip to Merzouga desert from Marrakech or 4 days Atlas and Sahara desert from Marrakech or the Dakar route of 5 days starting from Marrakech.
Trekking in the Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains offer low altitude routes suitable for everyone. Even the little ones will enjoy this experience, either on foot or on muleback. Strolling through the lush valleys, filled with olive and walnut groves, or wandering through the picturesque villages of the area to observe the breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains are two must-do activities on your family vacation to Morocco.
The itineraries are flexible, so in case your feet ask for a well-deserved rest, your Berber guide will adapt the pace of the excursion to your needs. If you prefer, you can also stop at a local waterfall to drink under its refreshing waters. Stopping at an establishment that offers you a delicious tajine accompanied by freshly baked pita bread will ensure that you face the day with your batteries well recharged.
Let the kids be your guide at the Ksar of Ait Ben Hadou
This “fortified city” or ksar, built on the side of a hill with mud houses, is part of the ‘Route of the 1000 Kasbahs’. This is a spectacular road where arid desert landscapes give way to lush oases.
Ait Ben Hadu is a World Heritage Site and several famous films and series have been made here, such as Gladiator, The Jewel of the Nile or Game of Thrones.
Tour of the city of Fez with kids
The city of Fez is a real labyrinth in whose corners you will love to get lost. If you let yourself be advised by a tour guide, you will be sure not to forget to visit its most emblematic points, as well as the less crowded parts of the famous Arab market.
It will be in the souk of Fez where the little ones will start to take center stage: let them bring out the businessmen in them to haggle with the local merchants for the souvenir they like the most. It will be as much fun for you as it will be for them!
Luxury camping in the Agafay Desert
If you’re looking for a night of camping (do you know any child whose face doesn’t light up when they hear these words?), just head to the endless desert of Agafay, just 40 minutes from Marrakech.
It will undoubtedly be one of the most emblematic experiences of your family stay in Morocco. You can spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or exploring the desert (by bike or camel) and end the day with a sumptuous Moroccan feast. The icing on the cake will be sitting around a campfire in the middle of the night gazing at a beautiful clear sky, before lying down to rest in a perfectly equipped tent with all kinds of luxuries.
Relax in a Riad in Marrakech
A vacation in Morocco with kids is not a complete vacation without spending a night in a Riad (a traditional boutique hotel). Hidden behind ostentatious and ornate doors, they are a corner of peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the streets and flea markets.
Most Riads in Marrakech offer rooftop terraces and pools and have quiet central courtyards.
Let yourself be surprised by the exquisite mosaic decoration of the room where you stay. And, above all, don’t forget to have dinner or breakfast with your family on the rooftop terrace to gaze together at the beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding ancient pink roofs, so typical of Morocco.
Explore Essaouira with your kids
Essaouira, an ancient Portuguese city on the Atlantic coast, is not to be missed. Be delighted by its windswept beaches and sand dunes (almost) identical to those of the Sahara, as well as the hippie vibe of its busy streets.
Let your children try kitesurfing, watch the fishing boats together and enjoy the most westernized cuisine of Morocco (especially if you are tired of eating so many tajines) in one of the restaurants in the area.
Book our Essaouira day trip from Marrakech to discover the fishing town.
Jump in the pool! (literally and figuratively) 😉
Let’s be honest: a trip with kids is not a complete trip if the pool is not included in the package. You can find all kinds of pools on the coast of Essaouira, hotels with pools in the High Atlas, pools by the Sahara in Merzouga, rooftop pools in the heart of Marrakech and Fez… and even in the arid desert of Agafay.
Do you prefer natural environments? Then you can’t miss bathing in the shallow waters of the Todra and Dades Gorges!
If you were hesitating about traveling to Morocco in case you couldn’t find a pool (or better yet, natural waters) where you could let the kids splash around freely, you no longer have an excuse to pack your bags and catch the first plane to Morocco.
