Family travel in Morocco is filled with fun and adventure! Morocco is an excellent destination for families to explore, offering rich history, vibrant culture, world famous cuisine, and plenty of adventure for kids and parents alike, whether you’re traveling with toddlers, school age children, or teenagers.
After spending 3.5 years living in the Fes medina with his own family, Mosaic North Africa’s tours director, Kevin Dyck, shares some of the top sites to visit while touring Morocco with your family, along with tips on what tends to work best for different ages.
Sahara Desert
The wild Sahara dunes provide the world’s largest sandbox, and kids of nearly any age will love running endlessly through the sand.
Younger children often enjoy simply digging and playing near a kasbah hotel at the edge of the dunes, while older kids and teens tend to get the most out of an overnight camel excursion into the desert and a night in a Berber tent under the stars.
For teenagers looking for an extra adrenaline boost, a 4×4 ride over the dunes is a great way to add some excitement to your family’s Morocco tour.
Quick Tip: Desert temperatures swing widely between day and night, so pack layers, sun protection, and plenty of water no matter the season or your children’s ages.
Marrakech
No family trip to Morocco is complete without a stop in Marrakech, and it’s a destination that genuinely works for every age.
Younger children are captivated by the sights and sounds of Jemaa el Fna square in the evening, the musicians, storytellers, and food stalls make for an easy, low effort outing.
School age kids tend to love the colors and calm of the Majorelle Garden, while teens often enjoy the souks, where a little supervised bargaining can turn shopping into a fun cultural lesson.
Ancient Medina
Wander through the maze-like ancient cities of Morocco. We recommend taking a guided tour so you don’t get lost in the narrow, alley-like streets. A good guide is especially helpful with young children in tow, both for navigation and for keeping the visit engaging.
Kids of all ages tend to love the animals you’ll encounter along the way, and older children often enjoy learning the history behind the architecture and trades still practiced in the souks.
Be sure to stop at local restaurants to taste authentic Moroccan cuisine as you explore.
Coastal Cities
Agadir, Essaouira, Tangier, Rabat, and many others are great places to enjoy local culture and customs before retreating to the coast to swim in the ocean or enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Coastal stops are especially well suited for younger children, who benefit from unstructured beach time and a slower pace between more activity packed days inland.
Teens, meanwhile, often enjoy the surf culture in towns like Essaouira and Taghazout.
Best Time for Family Travel to Morocco
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are generally the most comfortable seasons for traveling with kids of any age, offering mild weather in the cities and manageable heat in the desert. Summer can bring intense heat, particularly inland and in the Sahara, so if you’re traveling during warmer months, especially with toddlers or young children, plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon and build in downtime during the hottest part of the day.
A Few Practical Tips By Age
- Traveling with toddlers or young children: Favour shorter travel days, familiar snacks, and destinations with easy downtime, like coastal stops or kasbah hotels.
- Traveling with school age kids: Balance sightseeing with hands on experiences, camel rides, animal encounters in the medinas, and garden visits tend to hold their attention well.
- Traveling with teens: Look for opportunities for a bit of independence and adventure, such as souk bargaining, 4×4 desert excursions, or surf towns along the coast.
- For all ages: Stay hydrated, use a knowledgeable guide in the medinas, and pack layers for the temperature swings between desert, mountains, and coast.
Family Travel Tips
Be sure to read our other travel tips for families:
Family Travel to Algeria
Family Travel to Tunisia
Family Travel to North Africa
Plan a Family Tour to Morocco
If you’re starting to picture your own family’s Morocco adventure, our Explore Morocco Tour covers many of the highlights above, while the Ancient Cities and Sahara Sand Tour is a great fit for families wanting to combine medina exploration with a Sahara overnight.
Our Travel Experts are happy to help tailor an itinerary around your children’s ages, interests, and pace, feel free to reach out with any questions.
