Is Morocco a good idea with kids?
Yes, very much so. Moroccans love children, and as a family you will often be welcomed even more warmly. For kids, Morocco is one big adventure: camels, sand dunes, colourful markets, monkeys in the forest and mud-brick kasbahs that look like fairy-tale castles.
The most important tip: plan fewer kilometres than you would as a couple. With a private driver you stop whenever the children need a break, with no bus timetable to follow.
The best route for families
The right route depends mostly on how old your children are. To be honest: the shortest desert tour is not always the best one for a family.
| Age of the children | Our recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | Marrakech, an evening in the Agafay desert and a few days in Essaouira by the sea | Short drives, a beach and still camels |
| 5 to 10 | Oases and Sahara in 6 days | Two nights in Merzouga, no there-and-back in one day |
| 10 and up | Imperial cities and desert in 8 days | Fes, monkeys in the Atlas, desert and kasbahs |
| Teenagers | The deep south and the Atlantic | Off-road tracks, the Chegaga dunes, two days in Essaouira |
The 3-day desert tour from Marrakech is possible with children, but tiring: on the third day you drive all day from Merzouga back to Marrakech. With young children we would rather add one more night. We can adapt any tour to your family as a tailor-made trip.
Driving days, breaks and child seats
The road over the Tizi n’Tichka pass in the High Atlas has many bends. For children who get car sick, a seat with a view to the front, a light breakfast and fresh air at short stops help a lot. Your driver knows good places on the way for breaks, toilets and a mint tea.
Child seat: tell us the age and weight of your children when you enquire. We then plan the right seat for your trip.
What kids love in Morocco
- Camel ride: in the dunes of Merzouga or, shorter, in the Agafay desert near Marrakech.
- Barbary macaques: wild monkeys live in the cedar forests near Ifrane in the Middle Atlas.
- Jemaa el-Fna square: in the evening, with musicians, acrobats and storytellers.
- Cooking class in Marrakech: at the cooking class in a riad, everyone gets their own station and cooks their own tagine.
- Essaouira beach: a wide sandy beach, blue fishing boats and camels by the sea.
- Kasbahs: Aït Ben Haddou looks like a castle from a film, and it really is one.
Desert camp with kids
For many children the night in the desert camp is the highlight of the trip: the fire, the drums, the stars and, in the morning, the sunrise over the dunes. Bring warm clothes, because nights in the desert are cold, and in winter very cold. A torch and a hat belong in the bag. Everything about the night in the dunes is in our article Merzouga desert tour and desert camp.
Food, water and health
Most children quickly like Moroccan food: fresh bread, couscous, chicken tagine, omelettes and lots of fruit. Drink only bottled water and wash fruit well. Sun cream, a sun hat and a small first-aid kit are a must. Every larger town has well-stocked pharmacies. General tips are in our article Morocco travel tips.
The best time to go with kids
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant: roughly March to May and October to November. That makes Easter and the autumn half-term a great fit. In summer the south and the desert get hotter than 40 degrees, which is too much for children. In winter the days are mild but the nights are cold. More in our article Best time to visit Morocco.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morocco good for children?
Yes. Moroccans love children, and with a private driver you set the pace and the breaks yourself. What matters most is a route with short driving days, sun protection and bottled water.
From what age is the desert worth it?
From about 5 or 6, children really take in the camel ride and the desert camp. With toddlers, an evening in the Agafay desert near Marrakech is often the more relaxed choice.
Is there a child seat in the car?
Tell us the age and weight of your children when you enquire. We then plan the right child seat for your trip.
What is the best time to visit Morocco with kids?
Spring and autumn, roughly March to May and October to November. Easter and the autumn half-term work well. In summer the south and the desert are too hot for children.
Your family trip to Morocco
Tell us how old your children are and how much time you have. We will suggest a route that fits, in English.
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