Marrakech with kids
Mini guide
Marrakech is one of the most unique cities to visit with children. The city is only a 3.5-hour flight from Amsterdam, but once you leave the airport, you enter a completely different world. Colors, scents, sounds, and so many people. In this blog, you’ll find out why you should book a city trip to Marrakech with children right now!
Marrakech is a city in central Morocco. With a population of one million, it is the fourth largest city in the country. Additionally, it is one of Morocco’s four royal cities (along with Fez, Meknes, and Rabat). Despite being only a 3.5-hour flight away, it feels like you’re on the other side of the world. You’re in Africa, but also in an Arabian fairy tale. This is what makes Marrakech so special and unique. In our opinion, it’s a city everyone should visit at least once.
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To do’s in Marrakech with kids
Jardin Majorelle
The Majorelle Garden, created by French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, is one of the highlights in Marrakech. This stunning 9,000 m² botanical garden was designed in 1924 by French artist Jacques Majorelle. The garden is an oasis of tranquility, filled with exotic botanical plants from far corners of the world.
The main attraction of the garden is the cobalt blue (also known as Majorelle blue) Villa Oasis. You can also visit the Berber Museum here, which features over 600 creations by the Berbers, the oldest people of North Africa. The museum offers a great overview of the history of Morocco’s Berbers.
After visiting the garden, you can enjoy a drink or a meal at Café Majorelle. They offer a Moroccan breakfast, light salads, fruit juices, and traditional Moroccan mint tea.
The garden is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tickets can only be purchased online at www.jardinmajorelle.com. Children under 12 years old can enter for free, while adults and children over 12 years old pay 14 euros per ticket.
Bahia palace
The Bahia Palace was built at the end of the 19th century and, with its area of 8,000 m², was quite large for its time. The palace consists of various inner gardens and 150 rooms surrounding the courtyards, all adorned with beautiful stucco work, paintings, and mosaics. Bahia means brilliance and shine, and that is certainly reflected in this immense beautiful palace.
The palace is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office, costing 18 euros per person and 7.50 euros for children.
Jamaa el Fna Square
Djemaa el Fna is the central and by far the largest square in Marrakech, located in the heart of the old medina. If you get lost in the narrow streets of the old town, you can always ask for directions to this central square. On this large square, there is plenty to experience from early morning until late at night. You’ll be amazed by the many curiosities you encounter here. The square is filled with snake charmers, monkeys on leashes, fortune tellers, and acrobats, among others.
During the day, you’ll find a market on the square with typical local products. Be sure to try the fresh orange juice and dried dates. You’ll also find dozens of stalls filled with Moroccan spices, souvenirs, and clothing.
As the sun sets, the square fills up with people. It transforms into a large open-air restaurant with dozens of food stalls. Around the square, you’ll find various shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Ben Youssef Madrasa
In our opinion, it is the most beautiful building in Marrakech. Ben Youssef Madrasa was the most important Quran school in the Islamic world and, with its 900 students, the largest in Africa. It is a typical example of Islamic architecture. The building was constructed in 1570 and has since been restored.
Ben Youssef Madrasa is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office for 10 euros per person.
Shopping in the souks
Your city trip to Marrakech isn’t complete without buying a souvenir from one of the stalls in a souk. A souk is an Arab market, often covered. Here, you can find Moroccan spices, rugs, lamps, sweets, and pottery, among other things.
You can find souks all over Marrakech, so it won’t be difficult to locate one. However, it’s trickier to find the exit from a souk! That’s part of the charm of souks—allow yourself to get lost in the maze of streets.
From the central square, you can walk directly into the souks. Souk Semmarine and Souk Cherifia are the two most well-known.
Travel duration
Marrakech is a great destination for a (long) weekend getaway. However, Marrakech can also be the starting point for an adventurous journey through beautiful Morocco.
The best time to travel to Marrakech with kids
The best time to visit Marrakech with children is from September to May. During this period, the temperatures are not too high. Marrakech is not an ideal destination to visit during the summer holidays, as it can be extremely hot. Consider planning a city trip during the May or autumn break instead.
The Best Hotels in Marrakech with Kids
Riad l’Oiseau du Paradis
Riad l’Oiseau du Paradis is a beautiful riad in the center of Marrakech, about a 10-minute walk from Djemaa El Fna square.
On the beautiful rooftop terrace, you can enjoy delicious Moroccan dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Be sure to ask for a room with access to the rooftop terrace, so you have a lovely spot to sit outside in the evenings while the children are asleep.
Average price family room: €149 – More information
Riad Olema & Spa
This beautiful riad is located in the center of Marrakech, about a 15-minute walk from Djemaa el-Fna. On the cozy rooftop terrace with views of the Atlas Mountains, you can enjoy delightful breakfasts and lunches.
And after a busy day, it’s lovely to relax in the jacuzzi or enjoy a wellness treatment in the traditional hammam.
Average price family room: €370 – More information
Riad Dama & Spa
Riad Dama & Spa is a beautiful 19th-century guesthouse in the center of Marrakech, just a 10-minute walk from the Jemaâ El-Fna square.
The riad features a hot tub, a traditional hammam, and offers massages and other treatments. Traditional Moroccan dishes can be prepared upon request on the terrace or in the dining room.
Average price family room: €90 – More information
Ksar Salha
Are you looking for more peace and space during your city trip to Marrakech? Then Ksar Salha is the ideal accommodation. With a lovely outdoor pool, a large garden, a children’s playground, a table tennis table, and a dartboard, this is an ideal spot in Marrakech for families with children.
The restaurant serves delicious Moroccan dishes.
Average price family room: €125 – More information
The best restaurants in Marrakech with kids
Note: You will hardly find high chairs in the restaurants in Marrakech. We brought a portable high chair with us, which is ideal for restaurants without high chairs! Click here for your portable high chair.
Le Nid’ cigogne
Our favorite! Less well-known than the other favorite restaurants, but maybe that makes it even more special. From the rooftop terrace, you have a beautiful view over the Moulay el Yazid Mosque. The food is typical and delicious Moroccan, and the owners are super friendly and great with children.
Zeitoun Café Jamaa el Fna – www.zeitouncafe.com
At Zeitoun Café Jamaa el Fna, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the 1001 Nights fairy tale of Morocco. Enjoy delicious Moroccan dishes such as fresh fruit juices, pastries, and of course, tea. From this restaurant, you have a fantastic view over Jemaa el Fna Square. Make sure to have dinner here at sunset—you’ll see the square transform into one big open-air restaurant.
Le Jardin Restaurant Marrakech Medina – www.lejardinmarrakech.com
In this oasis of calm, nestled in the beautiful green courtyard of Le Jardin Restaurant in Marrakech Medina, you can take a moment to relax and recover from all the impressions of the impressive medina. The paprika hummus is especially recommended! Lizzy went for the caramelized pear with vanilla ice cream ;-).
Nomad Marrakech – www.nomadmarrakech.com
Probably the most popular restaurant and the hotspot of Marrakech. But it’s also great fun with kids. From the rooftop terrace, you have a beautiful view over the city. Make sure to book a few days in advance because it’s always busy here. After tasting the delicious dishes, you’ll understand why it’s always so crowded. What stood out to us the most was the friendliness of the staff. The children are treated like royalty.
Are you in Morocco for a longer period? Then definitely consider a trip to Merzouga: the perfect base for a journey through the Sahara. We drove from Marrakech to Merzouga with a rental car. Along the way, you encounter beautiful villages and landscapes. Want to know more? Check out Raïssa’s blog: Merzouga: the perfect base for the Sahara.
Book your family vacation to Marrakech with kids
You can easily find family-friendly accommodations in Marrakech via Booking.com, and the cheapest flights can be found with Skyscanner. Prefer a fully organized vacation? Then check out TUI.
For fun excursions and activities, you can browse GetYourGuide.com.
Still exploring options for a family-friendly holiday? On our homepage, you’ll find an overview of popular destinations for families.
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