Morocco is a great place to travel with kids. Overall, the country is very safe and the culture is deeply family oriented. People love kids and show lots of kindness and affection towards them.
Marrakech in particular is filled with tons of kid-friendly activities, and the very flat terrain makes it easier for strollers and tiny legs.
Many of the activities mentioned in our Marrakech articles are great for children, but this list highlights some of the best!
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Fun Things to Do
Stroll Through Jemma El Fnaa
Jemma El Fnaa is the main square of Marrakech and is always full of activity. The whole square is ringed by restaurants and hotels, nearly all with balconies overlooking the plaza.
Many of the restaurants are quite good, and it’s fun to eat while watching the hustle and bustle from above. During the day, there are stands selling juice, dried fruit and nuts, and souvenir trinkets, as well as entertainers with monkeys, snakes, and birds.
They are lots of fun to see, but make sure little ones don’t get too close since the animals are not always well trained or safe to handle.
The animals often stick around into the evening, and are joined by storytellers and actors staging street performances. In late afternoon, in a stunningly short amount of time, several rows of restaurant stalls are set up.
They offer local favorites like harira (a light tomato soup), grilled meat and chicken skewers, an array of fried vegetables, and sheep’s head soup! It can be really fun to eat there, but it can also be cramped and a little hectic, and food safety and handling varies a lot.
It is worth walking through for the experience, but with small children we would generally recommend eating somewhere else.
Visit a Garden
There are a handful of lovely gardens in and around Marrakech, and they can be a fun place for parents to stroll and kids to run around a little more freely than the narrow streets of the Medina (some are stricter than others about staying off the grass, though, so pay attention to signs).
The Jardin Majorelle is one of the most famous, and is located right in the middle of the city. Twelve lush acres of botanical gardens spread out around paths, fountains, and a charming riad and cultural museum.
Adult admission is 70 dh (about $7) and 30 dh for the museum, but kids under 12 are free.
Accessibly located on the edge of the Medina are the Bahia Gardens surrounding the Bahia palace. The Palace is a beautiful example of Moroccan architecture and tilework, and worth the visit in itself. Adult admission is just 10 dh (about $1), and kids under 12 are free.
Close to the Bahia Palace is the El Badi Palace and Gardens (http://www.palais-el-badi.com/en/). It’s a great example of older Moroccan architecture, and is also just 10 dh for adults/free for kids under 12.
Koutoubia Gardens are also located in the center city, are free to all, and open 24 hours a day.
Menara Gardens (http://www.jardin-menara.com/en/), to the west of the city center, date back to the Saadi Dynasty in the 16th century.
They include a pavilion, orchards and olive groves, and a reservoir built to supply them with water. Admission is just 10 dh.
The Anima Gardens are a 30-minute drive outside the city, but with its whimsical sculptures, beautiful plants, and a café serving tea, Moroccan cookies, and fresh juices, it is worth the drive.
Kids under ten are free; the adult admission is 120 dh (about $12). Less structured gardens to visit – more like parks you can wander in – are the Agdal Gardens, originally an orchard dating to the 12th century, and the Palmeraie, a palm grove located to the north of the city.
Go for a Camel, Pony, or Carriage Ride
If your kids like animals, they will love seeing the horses, donkeys, and camels around the city. You can find camels and ponies at Menara Gardens, and camels at the Palmeraie.
Dozens of carriages line up on the edge of Jemma el Fnaa, and you can find them in other parts of the city as well. It will usually be around 200-250 dh ($20-$25) for an hour, and they can take you through the old or new city.
Get Henna
Henna designs are traditionally done on holidays and for weddings, when the bride’s hands and feet are covered with intricate designs.
On holidays and in tourist areas henna artists set up a chair in busy squares, and you’ll often see little girls patiently waiting as the henna is applied, thrilled to be included in this elegant, grown-up tradition.
If your kids think it sounds fun, visit the Marrakech Henna Art Cafe. You’ll avoid getting hassled and possibly misled about prices by the artists in the tourist areas, and you can enjoy a glass of tea or a delicious meal while you wait for the designs to be done.
Go on a Day Trip
Check out our list of day trips around Marrakech. The surrounding regions offer a mix of diverse cultures, natural areas, hiking, and more, and it will be fun for both you and your kids to see something totally different from the Medina.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Cafe Clock
Cafe Clock is fun for travelers of any age. With its colorful decor, a range of delicious dishes, and a family-friendly atmosphere, you can be sure your kids will love it.
Many dishes are kid friendly, such as crepes with bananas, couscous, fruit salad, grilled chicken sandwiches, juices, smoothies, and desserts.
More adventurous palates can savor the camel burger, a fig and blue cheese salad, or a lamb tagine.
Plus, there’s free storytelling on Monday and Thursday nights! Hosted by master storyteller Ahmed Ezzarghani, the tales begin at 7pm in both English and Darija.
If your kids are old enough to enjoy helping out in the kitchen, consider signing up for one of their cooking classes .
Zeitoun Cafe Kasbah
Zeitoun Cafe Kasbah is very centrally located and easy to find. The terrace offers a great view over the Jemma el Fnaa square, which helps keep little ones busy until the food arrives.
It is a great place for breakfast, more substantial meals, or tea and coffee accompanied by a plate of Moroccan sweets.
On the menu, you’ll find classic local dishes like tajines, bastilla, soup, and a selection of Moroccan salads, as well as delicious ice cream. Sitting on the terrace offers a respite from the intense activity of the city, which may be needed by parents, kids, or both!
Amal
Amal is more than just a restaurant – it is a program dedicated to empowering disadvantaged women from Marrakech by helping them develop culinary arts skills and improving their opportunities in life.
By trying traditional dishes made with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients in their restaurant, you are supporting the organization’s mission and programs.
They offer cooking classes to the public as well, where you can try making a Moroccan tagine or cookies. Kids are welcome.
The organization has expanded into two locations now – Amal Gueliz and Amal Targa. You will need reservations for meals at Targa, but you can walk in for breakfast and lunch at the Gueliz location. Check out their website for details.
Bazaar Cafe
Bazaar Cafe is a charming restaurant with an inspired menu drawing from countries around the Mediterranean including Morocco, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Lebanon.
The tapas, snacks, salads, sandwiches, pastries, juices, and shakes are made with organic, local ingredients, so you can feel great about eating here with your kids.
The ever-changing daily menu includes Moroccan favorites like tajine and cous cous, Mediterranean classics like hummus, and sweets such as ice cream, crepes, and cookies.
Family-Friendly Hotels in Marrakech
Many hotels in Marrakech are great for families, and this list highlights a few popular options.
Not all hotels are great for kids, however. When booking a hotel, check that they accept children, as some have an age limit.
Also consider what amenities would make your stay easier and more fun – a pool? Planned activities for kids? Cribs and cots available? Meals included? Sports facilities? Laundry service? Many resorts offer lots of extras that make traveling with kids easier, and some smaller riads and guesthouses include great perks as well.
Labranda Targa Club Aqua Parc
When traveling with kids, all-inclusive options can make your stay simpler and more relaxing. LaBranda Targa Club Aqua Parc is a good option if you want a fun place to stay with good value.
It is not upscale, but is nicely decorated and comfortable.
It offers comfortable, spacious rooms, breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets, four pools, a water park, a playground, a large garden, nightly activity programs, and a free shuttle to the city center of Marrakech, just 10km/6 miles away.
For an additional cost, you can also visit the spa, get a massage, relax in the sauna, or play a wide variety of sports.
Kids will love the heated pools, water slides, nightly entertainment, and wide range of sports activities. Parents can unwind in the garden, the spa and sauna, and the café.
Additional amenities including a variety of room sizes, all-inclusive meals, a free shuttle service to the Medina, on-site parking, car rental, self-service laundry, heating and air conditioning, cots and rollaway beds, and on-site child care make Kenzi Club a great option for families.
Hotel Lawrence d’Arabie
This modern hotel is easily accessible from the bus and train stations and the airport, and still within walking distance of the old city (40 minutes by foot, or a quick taxi ride).
Staff are friendly and helpful and can assist with planning activities, recommending restaurants, and printing documents. You and your kids can enjoy the cool Arab-style decor, the garden, the large, clean, comfortable rooms, the generous breakfast (with plenty of coffee) and the big outdoor pool.
Good Wi-Fi and air conditioning, an on-site restaurant, spa services, and free parking (reservation needed) add to the comfort.
Riad and Spa Africa
Riad Africa is an excellent choice if you want to stay in the Medina. Its spacious, beautifully decorated rooms provide a calm, quiet oasis in the middle of the city, ensuring that you can explore as much as possible during the day and relax and restore your energy in the evening.
Several different room sizes are available, and they have cots, high chairs, and child car seats available for your convenience.
There are two pools, one of which is heated, so your kids can splash away happily at any time of year.
In addition, they offer a delicious breakfast (lunch and dinner are available in their restaurant), spa and hammam services, and assistance planning activities and excursions.
It is family owned, so you can feel extra comfortable staying here with your own family.
As you can see, there are many options for family activities and accommodation in Marrakech. By putting in a little extra time planning your trip, you can ensure that it will be fun, relaxing, and exciting for everyone.