Best Regions for Kids
Marrakesh
With so much culture and
shopping, there’s always
something to amuse children in
Marrakesh. The Djemaa el-Fna is
Morocco’s carnival capital, and all
generations can retire to pool,
park, horse-drawn calèche or
camel back.
Coast
Beaches are an obvious hit – the
Atlantic Coast offers plenty of
water and wind sports. Agadir’s
long, sandy beach is popular; mix
it with somewhere more colourful
like Essaouira.
Drâa Valley
Tour Ouarzazate’s film studios
and kasbah, then head down the
valley for dunes and dromedary
rides.
Rabat
With its souqs, ruins and gardens,
this is a relatively mellow,
manageable slice of urban
Morocco. Attractions include a
zoo, amusement park and pony
rides.
Middle Atlas
For mountain scenery, waterfalls,
forest walks and less hair-raising
passes than the High Atlas. Easily
visited from spots like Azrou and
There’s plenty to capture children’s imaginations in
Morocco. In cities such as Fez and Marrakesh, the
sensory explosion and chaos of the medinas and
souqs are endlessly fascinating, and supply many
exciting (and possibly exasperating) moments.
Marrakesh has the most to offer families in urban
Morocco. A night around a campfire or a camel ride
on the beach will be memorable, but be sure to factor
in some time by the hotel pool at the end of a hot day.
Morocco for Kids
Morocco is ideal for parents who once travelled to
intrepid destinations, and don’t necessarily fancy a
Western poolside now they have knee-high travelling
companions. Compared with Asia, it’s easily
accessible from Europe and North America;
Marrakesh is less than four hours from London. And
when you touch down, you’ll find that children open
numerous doors, getting you closer to the heart of this
family-orientated country.
Meeting the Locals
Moroccans love children so much that you may even
want to bring a backpack to carry smaller kids, in
case they grow tired of the kissing, hugging, gifts and
general adulation. Locals have grown up in large
families and children break the ice and encourage
contact with Moroccans, who are generally very
friendly, helpful and protective towards families.
As you travel the countryside, women may pick up
their own child and wave from their doorway. Such
moments emphasise your children’s great benefit:
having yet to acquire any stereotypes about Africa
and the Middle East, their enduring impression of
Morocco is likely to be its people’s warmth and
friendliness.
Of course, this certainly doesn’t mean parents
receive special treatment from the salesmen in the
country’s souqs. However, even the grizzliest
shopkeeper generally welcomes Western women and
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