What to Do in Marrakech With Family: 12 Ideas Kids and Parents Will Love
Marrakech with children? Absolutely. The city is full of colours, sounds and stories that fascinate kids, and Moroccans are famously warm with families. Here are our favourite ideas for what to do in Marrakech with family, plus practical tips and how to add a desert adventure the whole family will remember.
Family Activities in Marrakech at a Glance
| Activity | Best for | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jemaa el-Fna at dusk | All ages | 1 to 2 hours |
| Majorelle Garden | All ages | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Le Jardin Secret | All ages | 1 hour |
| Bahia Palace | Older kids | 1 hour |
| Souk treasure hunt | Kids 6+ | 1 to 2 hours |
| Cooking class | Kids 8+ and teens | Half day |
| Pool day | All ages | Half day |
| Menara Gardens picnic | All ages | 1 to 2 hours |
| Calèche ride | All ages | About 1 hour |
| Atlas Mountains day trip | All ages | Full day |
| Agafay sunset | All ages | Half day |
| Sahara adventure | Kids 5+ | 3 days or more |
In the City
1. Watch Jemaa el-Fna Come Alive
Musicians, acrobats, storytellers and food stalls: kids love the spectacle. Watch from a rooftop café at sunset for a calmer view, and hold small children’s hands in the crowds.
2. Explore the Majorelle Garden
Bright blue walls, giant cacti and fish ponds make this a hit with children. Go early and book tickets online.
3. Escape to Le Jardin Secret
A peaceful garden in the middle of the medina, perfect for a break from the noise. Older kids enjoy climbing the tower for views.
4. Play “Palace Explorers” at Bahia Palace
Courtyards, painted ceilings and hidden rooms feel like a real-life storybook. Turn it into a game: who can find the most colourful ceiling?
5. Go on a Souk Treasure Hunt
Give each child a small budget and a list (a lantern, babouches, a spice, a souvenir) and let them practise bargaining with your help. It turns shopping into an adventure.
6. Take a Family Cooking Class
Many riads and cooking schools offer classes where you shop at the market and cook a tagine together. Older kids and teens love it.
7. Have a Pool Day
Marrakech gets hot. Plan a lazy afternoon at your hotel pool or a day pass at a resort in the Palmeraie, especially in summer.
8. Picnic at the Menara Gardens
Olive groves and a big pool with the Atlas in the background: a calm place to let kids run around.
9. Ride a Calèche
A horse-drawn carriage ride around the city walls is a gentle way to see Marrakech. Agree the price and route before you start, and choose a driver whose horses look well cared for.
Day Trips and Adventures
10. Atlas Mountains Day Trip
Fresh air, rivers, waterfalls and Berber villages in the Ourika Valley or Imlil, about 1 to 1.5 hours from the city.
11. Sunset in Agafay
An easy desert taste an hour from Marrakech, with camel rides and dinner. Note that it is a stony desert without sand dunes. See how to get to Agafay.
12. A Real Sahara Adventure
For many families, the highlight of Morocco is the Sahara: riding camels over golden dunes, sandboarding down them, sleeping in a tent and seeing more stars than ever before. Merzouga is too far for a day trip, so plan at least 3 days from Marrakech, or fly to Errachidia. Read the best desert tour from Marrakesh.
Family favourites with us in Merzouga: a camel ride and night in a desert camp, a 4×4 jeep tour with a visit to a nomad family, and a fossil hunting tour for curious kids. Teens love our buggy adventures.
Tips for Families in Marrakech
- Stay in a riad or hotel with a pool, or near the edge of the medina for easy taxi access.
- A baby carrier is easier than a stroller in the narrow medina streets.
- Plan sightseeing for the morning and rest in the hot afternoon.
- Bring sun hats, sunscreen and refillable water bottles.
- Keep small change for juices, snacks and tips; see our money guide.
- Agree on a meeting point in case anyone gets separated in the souks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marrakech good for families?
Yes. It is colourful and exciting, and Moroccans are very welcoming to children. Plan quieter breaks between busy visits.
Can children go to the Sahara?
Yes, and they usually love it. Choose a slower itinerary with fewer hours driving per day and a camp that is easy to reach. Read our Merzouga safety guide.
Family Adventures in the Sahara
We are a local Berber family in Merzouga, and we love welcoming other families. Tell us the ages of your children and we will suggest the right activities. Contact us on WhatsApp.