Morocco 10 Days Itinerary With Kids: A Day-by-Day Family Plan
Ten days is a comfortable length for Morocco with children: enough time for Marrakech, the Atlas, a night in the Sahara and the old city of Fes, without driving all day, every day. This Morocco 10 days itinerary with kids uses the classic loop from Marrakech to the desert and north to Fes, with short driving days, a rest day, a pool stop and plenty of time for play. Each day lists the driving time, the main activity and a tip for families. The route is easy to adjust for babies, school-age children and teenagers.
Driving times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and stops. For a shorter or more general version, read our main guide to a Morocco itinerary with kids.
Morocco 10 Days Itinerary With Kids at a Glance
| Day | Where | Highlight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marrakech | Arrival, easy evening | Airport transfer |
| 2 | Marrakech | Gardens, souk, carriage ride, pool | None |
| 3 | Ouarzazate | Atlas pass, Ait Ben Haddou | About 4 to 5 hours |
| 4 | Dades valley | Kasbahs, gorge walk | About 3 hours |
| 5 | Merzouga | Todra gorge, arrive in the dunes | About 4 to 5 hours |
| 6 | Desert camp | Camel ride, sandboarding, camp night | Short |
| 7 | Merzouga to Midelt or Ifrane | Sunrise, drive north | About 5 to 6 hours |
| 8 | Fes | Cedar forest, monkeys, arrive in Fes | About 2 to 3 hours |
| 9 | Fes | Medina, craft workshops, pool | None |
| 10 | Departure | Flight from Fes or transfer to Casablanca | Depends on flight |
Day-by-Day Plan
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to a family-friendly riad or hotel, ideally with a pool or garden. Keep the first evening light: a short walk, an early dinner and sleep. Family tip: ask your host to arrange a pick-up with child seats if you need them.
Day 2: Marrakech at a child’s pace
Visit a garden in the morning, when it is cool, then walk through part of the souk, where children love the colours, lanterns and spices. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride if your children like animals, then return for lunch and a rest at the pool. In the evening, go to the main square, Jemaa el-Fna, for music and food stalls, and leave before it becomes too crowded for small children. Family tip: use a carrier instead of a stroller in the old lanes.
Day 3: Over the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou
Leave after breakfast and cross the High Atlas on a winding mountain road with big views. Stop for lunch and a short walk, then visit Ait Ben Haddou, a mud-brick village that looks like a film set. Sleep in Ouarzazate or near the village. Family tip: bring snacks, water and motion-sickness remedies for the bends.
Day 4: Dades valley
A short drive through palm groves and kasbahs brings you to the Dades valley. Spend the afternoon on an easy walk among the rock formations and relax at the hotel. This is a shorter day on purpose, so everyone recovers before the desert. Family tip: choose a hotel with a view and a garden, where children can play.
Day 5: Todra gorge and arrival in Merzouga
Stop at Todra gorge for a short walk beside huge cliffs, have lunch, then continue to Merzouga. Settle into your hotel, rest and get ready for the dunes. Family tip: keep a bag with warm clothes, hats and sunscreen ready for tomorrow.
Day 6: Camel ride and desert camp night
This is the day the children will remember. In the late afternoon you ride camels across the Erg Chebbi dunes to your camp, climb a dune for sunset and try sandboarding. Dinner, drumming and stargazing follow, and your family sleeps in a tent. Ask for a private tent with proper beds and a bathroom. Our guide to the desert camp and camel ride in Merzouga explains the evening step by step. Family tip: desert nights are cold, so pack hats, socks and blankets.
Day 7: Sunrise and the road north
Watch the sunrise over the dunes, have breakfast and ride back to Merzouga. Take a shower, then start the long drive north through the Ziz valley to Midelt or Ifrane. Split the drive with lunch and a play stop. Family tip: this is the longest driving day, so start early and keep a tablet, books and snacks ready.
Day 8: Cedar forest and Fes
Stop in the Middle Atlas cedar forest near Azrou, where wild monkeys come close to the road. Keep a distance and do not feed them. Continue to Fes, check in and swim or rest. Family tip: keep food out of sight when you meet the monkeys.
Day 9: Fes medina
Explore the old city with a licensed local guide in the morning, when it is cooler. Highlights for children include the leather tanneries viewed from a terrace, the metalworkers and pottery workshops. Return for lunch and a quiet afternoon. Family tip: the medina is a maze of narrow lanes, so keep children close and agree a meeting point.
Day 10: Departure
Fly out from Fes, or transfer to Casablanca or another airport for your flight. Ask your company about transfer times and leave a safe margin before the flight.
Tips for Different Ages
| Age | What works well | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Babies and toddlers | Short drives, a carrier, pool time, a warm tent | Heat, cold nights, long days in the car |
| Ages 4 to 8 | Camels, sandboarding, monkeys, castles and kasbahs | Tiredness in the medinas |
| Ages 9 to 12 | Gorge walks, craft workshops, photography | Boredom on long drives. Bring games |
| Teenagers | Quad rides if age allows, souks, food, sunrise on the dunes | Phone-free time in the desert is a bonus |
When to Go and What to Pack
The best months for this route are March to May and October to November, when days are warm and nights are cool. Our guide to the best time to visit Morocco covers each month. Pack light clothes in layers, sun hats, closed shoes, a warm jacket, a scarf, swimwear, a small first aid kit with children’s medicine and plenty of snacks. Our guide on what to wear in Morocco for women has modest clothing ideas for parents, and our Moroccan dirham guide explains cash and tipping.
How to Adjust This 10-Day Plan
- Need less driving? Skip Fes and fly back from Errachidia or Marrakech, or follow the shorter 4-day Marrakech desert tour.
- Want the sea? Replace Fes with Essaouira, a small walled seaside town with a beach and an easy pace.
- Want more adventure? Add a second desert night, a family quad ride where age allows, or a day of camel trekking. See our things to do in Merzouga.
- Short on time? Compare other lengths in our guide to Morocco tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 10 days enough for Morocco with kids?
Yes. It lets you see Marrakech, the Atlas, the Sahara and Fes at a relaxed pace, with rest days.
What is the longest drive on this route?
Day 7, from Merzouga towards Midelt or Ifrane, at about 5 to 6 hours with stops. Start early and take breaks.
Is the Sahara safe for children?
With a good local team, a well-run camp and suitable clothes, families enjoy it. Ask about tents, bedding, camel rides for children and emergency contacts.
Do we need a private driver?
It is the easiest option with children: you control the stops, the timing and the pace, and you can ask for child seats.
Can we do this trip in winter?
Yes, but desert nights and the mountains are very cold, so pack warm clothes. Spring and autumn are more comfortable.
Can the itinerary be changed for toddlers?
Yes. Shorten drives, add rest days, and choose hotels and camps with warm rooms and easy access.
Plan Your 10-Day Family Trip With Local Help
We are a local Merzouga team, and every trip is private and flexible. Message us on WhatsApp at +212 620 628 083 or use our contact page with your dates, the number of people and the ages of your children, and we will build a 10-day plan with comfortable drives and a family-friendly desert camp.