A Family City Guide to Marrakech
Morocco with kids? Start your adventure in Marrakech, a city where ancient traditions meet modern attractions, creating a vibrant and unforgettable experience for the whole family. From the melodic call to prayer echoing off the honeycomb-colored medina walls to the lively street entertainment and colorful markets, Marrakech offers a sensory overload that will captivate both adults and children alike.
What to Do in Marrakech with Kids
Toddlers:
Marrakech’s medina is a wonderland for little ones. The sights, sounds, and smells — from glistening platters of honey-soaked pastries to the vibrant displays of babouche slippers — provide endless entertainment. The best time to explore the souk is at dusk, when the sun's heat wanes and local families come out to shop and stroll. Gardens such as those around the Koutoubia Mosque and Cyber Park offer shady spots for picnics, and adventurous parents might try a public hammam, often filled with local mothers and children during women’s bathing sessions.
Children Under 10:
History comes alive at the Badi Palace, where kids can scramble around medieval ruins and watch storks nesting on the ramparts. The partially restored Bahia Palace offers a glimpse into the opulent lives of former sultans. As the Jemaa el-Fnaa square transforms into a bustling street-food market after 2 pm, families can enjoy magic tricks, drumming, and pungi flute performances. Day trips from Marrakech include donkey treks in the High Atlas Mountains and cooking classes at Atelier Chef Tarik, where kids can knead dough and mix couscous.
Tweens and Teenagers:
For active teens, quad biking in the Agafay desert or bicycle tours through the medina with Pikala are thrilling options. Art lovers can visit Jardin Majorelle and the adjacent Musée Yves Saint Laurent, or explore the Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum. The medina’s souks are perfect for shopping enthusiasts, offering everything from organic beauty products at Naturom to trendy clothing at Max & Jan.
Where to Stay in Marrakech with Kids
Toddlers:
For families with toddlers, spacious and private accommodations like Jnane Tamsna in the Palmeraie area are ideal. This family-friendly hotel features two heated pools, palm-shaded walkways, and a TV and games room. Alternatively, consider a contemporary pool-framed hotel in the quiet, upscale suburb of Hivernage.
Children Under 10:
The Beldi Country Club, a short taxi ride from Jemaa el-Fnaa, offers rose gardens, several pools, pottery and cooking classes, an outdoor cinema, and horse-riding. For a more central option, Riad Nesma in the medina provides four-person rooms, a rooftop dip pool, and a convenient location.
Tweens and Teenagers:
Older kids will enjoy staying at Riad L’Orangerie, located amidst shops and cafes in the medina. Riad Noos Noos in the Mellah (ancient Jewish quarter) offers family suites, a pool table room, and a suntrap roof terrace with views of nesting storks.
Where to Eat in Marrakech with Kids
Toddlers:
The Jemaa el-Fnaa is perfect for casual dining with small children, offering fried fish, kebabs, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Kasbah Café Marrakech serves giant pizzas on its rooftop terrace, a great spot near the Saadian Tombs and Badi Palace.
Children Under 10:
Zeitoun Café’s waterfall terrace overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa offers a kid’s menu and crowd-pleasing dishes. Café Clock in the Kasbah area features art-filled rooms and hosts cultural events, including gnaua music nights and storytelling, with camel burgers and date milkshakes for adventurous eaters.
Tweens and Teenagers:
The Marrakech Henna Art Cafe provides plant-based henna designs and a menu of juices, vegan wraps, and salads. Nomad, with its cool ambiance, fairy lights, and woollen Moroccan capes for chilly nights, serves an inventive Moroccan menu featuring dishes like fried Agadir calamari and spiced beef-and-lamb burgers.
Did You Know?
Morocco has two official languages: Arabic and Amazigh. French is also widely spoken in Marrakech due to the country’s history as a French protectorate.
When to Go
The best times to visit Marrakech are in spring (April-May) and autumn (October), avoiding the intense summer heat. Temperatures are milder, making it ideal for exploring the city and its surroundings.