Travelling in Morocco with kids is easy. We found the Moroccans to be extremely hospitable and flexible when dealing with our two curious toddlers.
Table of Contents
ToggleOur 7 Day Morocco Itinerary covers almost everything from the Sahara desert to the best places in the major cities of Fes and Marrakech.
We also include options for extending your trip to 8, 9, or even 10 days.
Traveling in Morocco with Kids
Morocco is a large country and many of the great attractions are quite spread out. If you are traveling in Morocco with kids, then you have two options for transport: rental car and private driver.
The best way to travel in Morocco with kids is with a private driver. They are inexpensive and will make your trip infinitely more enjoyable. We were never lost, didn’t worry about finding gas stations , and ended up with a lifelong friend.
If you have small children, then you may need a car seat. We recommend bringing your own. Airlines do not consider them as additional luggage and they can be expensive to rent in country.
Read More: 12 Safety Tips for How to Travel with a Baby in a Taxi
Day 1 – Arrival
Day 1 of our 7 Day Morocco Itinerary was all about our arrival. Casablanca has the country’s largest airport with the most flights from North America and Europe. That being said, if you can fly direct to Marrakech, do it. It will save you a 2.5 hour drive.
I have visited Casablanca many times for work. While it is a lovely city. I would not recommend it as a vacation destination.
If your flight gets in early, you can spend the day wandering around the old medina in Marrakech, lounging by the swimming pool, or ejoying Moroccan cuisine.
Read More: Best Baby Carrier for Air Travel: A Comprehensive Guide
Day 2 – Marrakech in a Day
Day 2 of our 7 Day Morocco Itinerary focused on exploring the ancient city of Marrakech.
Marrakech has thousands of lodging options. You can choose from hotels, traditional Riads (old converted houses), or Airbnbs.
A traditional Riad is the best option for adults. They are beautiful and demonstrate Moroccan culture and architecture. That being said, they are too nice for our toddlers!
We opted for an Airbnb in a non-descript suburb of Marrakech. It allowed us to have downtime as a family and kept us out of the constant hustle and bustle of the Medina. We were close to a great corner store where we could get snacks, including fresh croissants and orange juice.
Day one saw our first travel fail of the trip. The day before our trip, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, rightfully so, decided that he’d had enough with daylight savings time. So he went on the airwaves and cancelled it.
All of Morocco knew this apart from us. It happened so abruptly that the telecom providers didn’t have time to update their software, so our phones still showed the old time. We were casually enjoying our breakfast when our driver called. He was waiting at the door waiting for us!
Other famous stops to consider in Marrakech, which you can do with a private tour guide, include Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa, El Badi Palace, and maybe a Moroccan hammam.
Jardin Majorelle
Jardin Majorelle – Yves Saint Laurent Mansion is a beautiful two-acre botanical garden just northwest of the Medina. Our kids loved being able to walk around and we loved learning about the local flora.
Our only recommendation is to buy tickets online ahead of time! That was not an option when we went and ended up standing in line for quite some time, and as you know lines and young kids rarely mix.
It is the home to the Berber Museum. We did not enter because, just like lines, museums and kids rarely go together. If our kids were older we would have visited.
Koutoubia Mosque
Koutoubia Mosque is right outside of the Medina walls. We did not enter the mosque, but spent some time exploring the exterior while the kids ran laps. The adults were able to admire the beauty of the building and the kids were able to burn off some energy.
Morocco is an safe country, so while it may be hard as a parent to relax, you can. We had nothing but positive experiences. Many areas are busy though, so just make sure you stick together and don’t get lost!
Marrakech Medina
Our final stop of the day was the Medina, a UNESCO WOrld Heritage site. It is the historic walled city built by the Almoravids in 1070. This is where you’ll find the old Kasbah and its maze-like streets lined with shops and markets, as well as the famed Djmaa El Fna Square.
If you have not been to an Arabic city and never visited a historic Medina, this will be an experience! Just remember, yes it is busy, chaotic, and seems out of this world, but it is also safe.
We all have a natural inclination to stick to what is comfortable. My recommendation is to let go a little. Wander down random streets. Take a wrong turn. Or two. Or three… Stop at random shops. I promise the locals will get you back to where you need to go. They may ask for a small tip, but such is life. It is worth it!
Djemma El Fna Square
Djemma El Fna (Jemma el-Fnaa) square is home to snake charmers, fortune tellers, poets, and more. It has served as a gathering place for thousands of years. Compared to the medieval days, it is a bit more touristy, but still worth a visit.
You will get hassled for everything from pictures in funny hats to chances to hold a snake. Some are fun and you have to negotiate, a lot! They may ask for 300-500 dirham ($30-50 USD) for a picture with a snake. 50 dirham ($5) is plenty. Young children will love it!
Our best advice is to immerse yourselves in the atmosphere and see where it takes you. You do not have to spend a dime to be able to enjoy the wonderful chaos that surrounds you, however before Kristen knew it she had a hat on her head, a picture taken, and a couple of guys asking for money.
We negotiated a fair settlement for our lack of awareness and have a hilarious picture as proof. Your best bang for your buck is a glass of fresh orange juice at one of the stands that surround the square.
The best time to visit is at night, however probably not with younger children.
Kid-Friendly Moroccan Cuisine and Mindless Wandering
Our next stop was to explore the maze of streets that lead from Djemma El Fna square to the heart of the Medina. We had one goal, which was to find Terrasse Des Épices.
After many wrong turns, a couple of muttered swear words, and a long feeling of hopelessness, we found our spot and had our first of many Moroccan tagines.
The flavors in Morocco may be too much for your kids. They were for ours. Luckily you can find spaghetti and meatballs with fresh orange juice everywhere.
The rest of the day was spent exploring the winding streets, colorful souks, and tiny alleyways. The diversity is amazing. We stumbled through countless markets, ranging in products from rugs and trinkets to spices and street food. We passed within inches of donkey’s carrying building materials down narrow alleyways.
While we aren’t much for souvenirs, we did allow the kids to pick out one item. That may have been a mistake. While it kept them busy, it also ate up far more time than we had allotted!
They both came home with nesting containers decorated with beads and other shiny objects. Our kids still use them five years later.
A Note on Dinners and Eating Out
We take a unique approach to eating when traveling with kids. We eat one meal out per day, and that is usually lunch. Both breakfast and dinner are cooked at our Airbnb.
While it is more work, we find it is cheaper and helps regulate little kids’ behaviors. Experience has taught us that they can only sit still in a restaurant once per day.We stock up on groceries and enjoy downtime each night.
If that is not your style, Marrakech has restaurants everywhere. You will not have an issue finding a place to eat that is interesting for the adults and palatable or the kids.
Day 3 – Up and over the High Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate
Road trip to the Desert
Day 3 of our 7 Day Morocco Itinerary involves a road trip through the mountains.
The drive from Marrakech to Ourzazate passes through the snow-covered High Atlas Mountains. The foothills of the Atlas Mountains outside of Marrakech are full of beautiful farms and the road winds past picturesque old Kasbahs and villages.
Elevation peaks at about 2,300 meters above sea level in the Tizi n’Tichka pass, which is high enough to have plenty of snow in the winter. It was such a juxtaposition to go from the hot bustling medina of Marrakech to snow covered peaks!
Argun Oil Cooperative
Two hours outside of Marrakech is a small shop in Tamguinguante, Argan Tichka, that specializes in Argan Oil products.
Argan Oil is popular in beauty products, most notably Moroccanoil. What most people do not realize is that this oil is produced from a kernal from a tree that is endemic to southwestern Morocco. It is a traditional Moroccan product and it makes a great souvenir or gift.
The local women are part of an agricultural coop and will give a demonstration the oil extraction process. They soon had out kids spinning the traditional stone grinders and magically turning nuts into oil!
While our kids did not understand a word of Arabic or French, these ladies were able to make them feel comfortable and put them to work in no time. I wish I had that power to just get them to clean their room!
This is a fun stop if you are traveling with young kids. There is also a restaurant for lunch.
Aït Benhaddou
The Ksar of Aït Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was featured in Game of Thrones. It is located on the other side of the High Atlas Mountains.
Ait Ben Haddou is an ancient city of earthen buildings. Historically, it was an important stopping point for caravans before they attempted to cross the Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
We had a wonderful Tagine for lunch at a restaurant by the entrance and spent a couple hours walking through the town. The village hosts both Muslim and Jewish cemeteries, various shops, and a fortification at the top with wonderful views of the mountains and desert.
Atlas Film Studios
We are not big movie buffs, so this stop was largely lost on us. Atlas Film Studios is like Universal Film Studios, but smaller. Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, some episodes of Game of Thrones, and many others were filmed there.
They offer a nice tour of the movie sets. While not somewhere we would choose on our own, it was interesting and provided the kids a chance to run around.
Ouarzazate – The Door To the Desert
Ouarzazate, The Door to the Desert, was our final destination on day 3 of our 7 day Morocco Itinerary.
The town is primarily inhabited by the local Berber people and is the last stop before 9.2 million square kilometers of desert! We made a quick stop at the Kasbah of Taourirt for some pictures and then arrived at our hotel, Les Jardins de Ouarzazate.
I’ll be honest, the hotel is a bit dated. We were only staying for one night and are not very picky when it comes to accommodations. If you do happen to prefer higher-end establishments, it is worth looking around. There are other nice resorts in the area like Berbere Palace and OZ Palace Ouarzazate.
We had our first of many positive experiences with the locals. The kids were hungry, and our hotel did not serve dinner until past their bedtime, so we wandered the streets in search of food. We stopped at the first restaurant we saw, La Rose Des Sables (also a B&B).
The kids did not finish their meals and the owner asked if we would like to take it home. We said of course and he soon came back with his plates and silverware wrapped up in cellophane!
We said we couldn’t possible take his plates with us. He said not to worry as he knew we’d be back. The level of trust was astonishing.
Day 4 – Ouarzazate to Merzouga and the Sahara
Day 4 of our 7 day Morocco Itinerary involved driving from the foothills of the Atlas Mountians to our most anticipated destination, the Sahara desert.
Just like in the caravan days of the past, Ouarzazate was just a stopping point on our longer journey to the desert. That being said, we did have enough time for a unique shopping experience.
Like most travelers to Morocco, we had our hearts set on a traditional Moroccan rug, but had absolutely no idea what we were doing.
Our Rug-buying Disaster
We found a couple of rugs and negotiated like crazy people. Unfortunately, our competition was far more experienced. We ended up with a couple of beautiful rugs at double the retail price.
Like true tourists, we were talked into a rug made from cactus fibers, or so we thought. It was a beautiful deep blue rug. Turns out there is no such thing and it was made of rayon or some other synthetic material. It was a mainstay of our house for years until it faded so badly that it had to be tossed.
We have made future rug purchases via Revival Rugs and we would recommend you do the same. You’ll have a far more enjoyable experience and will be sure you are getting what you are paying for! Their design team will even help you pick out one free of charge.
Moroccan Kindness
We experienced countless circumstances of Moroccan kindness and hospitality during our trip, but one sticks out in my mind.
The drive 6 hour drive from Ouarzazate to Merzouga cuts through a long stretch of arid, rocky desert. Halfway through we met a couple of kids herding sheep.
We pulled over to stretch our legs and our driver proceeded to empty out the car for the young herders. He made sure they had food, plenty of water, and some chewing gum for good measure. It melted our hearts and taught the kids a valuable lesson in generosity.
Valley of the Dates
Our first official stop was the town of Tinghir in the Draa Valley (Valley of the Dates). The Draa River winds through the desert from Ouarzazate to the ocean. It is known for the delicious dates that are grown in its fertile and well irrigated soil.
It is a bustling town and an economic powerhouse for the region. We stopped at a small restaurant overlooking the river and had a wonderful meal of, your guessed it, Tagine for the adults and spaghetti and meatballs for the kids.
Todgha Gorge
Tinghir nestles up to Todgha Gorge (Todra Gorge), which is a narrow river valley surrounded by sheer 500 ft limestone cliffs.
In the dry season the valley is open to exploration. There is a small trickle of a stream. During the rainy season, the gorge is host to torrent of water, so visiting is not always possible.
There are wonderfull rock climbing opportunities with Climb Morocco. In a prior life we would have jumped at this opportunity, however, the kids were just too young on this trip.
Havel La Chance
Our trip was planned by Blue Men of Morocco, which owns Haven La Chance Desert Hotel in Merzouga. It was the off season and the hotel was nearly empty (which we loved!).
We had a nice room and had a wonderful home-cooked dinner. Haven La Chance is a nice hotel for the whole family. We loved the pool and direct access to the sand dunes. Who needs a Sahara desert tour when you can explore on your own?
Day 5 – Exploring the Desert
Day 5 of our 7 Day Morocco Itinerary was our favorite and was all about the Sahara Desert.
This was our first true desert experience (apart from Kristen’s time growing up int he UAE and Saudi Arabia as a young child). There are few experiences that are so different that they take your breath away. For me, exploring the desert around Merzouga was one of them.
Haven La Chance backs right up to the desert. All we had to do was exit our room, walk across the pool area and gardens, and exit through the back.
As far as the eye could see were beautiful rolling sand dunes. We spent a good hour or two just walking the ridges and letting the kids jump into the abyss. I think we are still finding sand in their nooks and crannies five year later…
Read: The Best Marrakech to Fes Desert Tour – 4 Day Itinerary
Exploring on Foot and Almost Losing our Shoes
We were out in the sand long before breakfast was served. After a couple of minutes we realized that shoes were not working, so we took them off and set them aside. We hiked along the ridges and took turns jumping off of the sand and sliding down the hills.
It wasn’t long before we could hear the hum of four wheelers and 4x4s. They were taking their first tour groups out for a day of adventure. As we looked over we saw they were following out footprints in our direction… and were heading straight for our shoes!
Before we could react our shoes were pressed neatly into the sand by one of the 4x4s. The driver saw them at the last second, but it was too late. He stopped to apologize profusely, however we assured him it was our fault for leaving a pile of shoes in the middle of the desert. T
he shoes were fine apart from the fine bits of sand and the story is one we still tell to this day.
A Traditional Gnaoua Music Experience
The next stop was to the village of Khamlia to listen to traditional Gnaoua music. Gnaoua is a genre of music that originates in the Sub-saharan African population that was brought to Morocco as slaves.
The music is a mixture of drum beats, stringed instruments, and krakebs, which replaced the original banging of the chains and shackles world by the slaves. This was a unique and intimate cultural experience that I would highly recommend, especially if you are bringing young kids.
Glamping in the Desert
Our next stop was what we had all been waiting for, glamping in the desert! A 4×4 driver from Sahara Stars Desert Camp picked us up from our hotel and took us to our camels. On the way, he took us on a fun jaunt through over the sand dunes.
If camels aren’t your thing, you can always take a 4×4 out to the campsite.
Camel Ride through the Erg Chebbi
Young children are more than welcome. The guides will have you ride tandem with your children in front. The ride starts right before sunset and takes about an hour and a half. It was very peaceful and the views were stunning.
We will warn you, getting up and down on camels is qutie the experience. Camels drop down onto all four knees to sit. Once you are in the saddle, they first stand up with their back legs, and then their front.
In that period between the back legs straightening and the front, you feel like you are going to roll right down the top of the camel! It is probably best to warn the kids so they don’t think they are falling off.
Sahara Stars Desert Camp
Our stay with Sahara Stars Desert Camp was our first glamping experience. We are avid backcountry campers and must admit that this was pretty nice!
We had our own desert tent with a private bathroom. The common space between the tents was lined with rugs and added a wonderful ambiance. A band played traditional Moroccan music around a bonfire and we were served a wonderful traditional meal..
The highlight for the kids was snowboarding down the sand dunes. The camp provides boards for everyoen to use and great hills are only a step away.
For the adults, the highlight was the starry sky. I have never in my life seen stars so bright! The Milky Way was dancing above us in all its glory.
It is a sight I will never forget and has made me wonder what we could do in the cities and towns around the world to expose the wonders of the night sky. We’d all be happier lookup up and seeing space with that clarity.
Day 6 – Merzouga to Fez
Day 6 of our 7 Day Morocco Itinery focused on the long drive from the desert to the imperial city of Fes.
The trip takes about seven hours, which is challenging for young kids. We brought plenty of car activities and their iPads as a backup. Luckily for us the scenery was foreign and the rest stops engaging enough that the iPads never left their cases.
This is another reason why hiring a driver was so beneficial. We were able to focus our attention on happy kids and our driver could focus on our safe passage.
Fossiles d’Erfoud
Like many deserts, the area around Merzoud was at one point in time the bottom of a prehistoric lake. As a result, fossils are everywhere.
We made a quick stop at the Fossiles d’Erfoud, a local store selling fossil-related goods. We were amazed at the geological diversity that Morocco offers and the wide array of fossils.
The highlight was that the shopkeeper/tour guide gave the kids each some geodes to keep and a hammer so they could break them open. The power of these small gestures never ceases to amaze me.
If you are not on a budget, they make some amazing larger items that they will ship for “free.” The tables, sinks, etc. were gorgeous, however did not fit into our “parents with young kids” budget.
Erfoud and the World’s Best Dates
Erfoud was our driver’s favorite stop on his trips to the desert. He told us he always stopped at the same store and picked up dates for his family in Fes. The shop was non-descript and we never would have guessed that it drew crouds from the cities.
We also ran next door for our kids’ favorite batbout (Moroccan pita bread) fresh out of the oven. We ended up with dates and bread to help with the long drive ahead of us.
Cèdre Gouraud Forest and the Barbary Macaques
Cèdre Gouraud is a cedar forest on the outskirts of Ifrane. It is home to a tame population of Barbary Macaques.
Passersby stop on the side of the road for an up-close encounter with these cuties. There are vendors selling peanuts as monkey snacks.
I have no idea what this means from an animal rights perspective and I understand people may feel differently. All I know is that they are cute and we followed the local’s guidance.
We did not however touch or entice them to come that close. Wild animals are wild animals and this was a chance to teach out kids restraint, kindness, and respect for our animal friends.
Ifrane – the Swiss Village on the Hill
Ifrane is one of many juxtapositions in Morocco. It is proper Swiss chalet town in the middle Atlas mountains! Ifrane was established in the 16th century and is known for its alpine-style architect and nearby ski slopes.
We stopped for a bite to eat and were lucky enough to stumble into a mini town festival.
People were out celebrating and we ran into Mickey and Minnie Mouse! Unfortunately our kids were afraid to get too close for a picture. I think it must have b een hearing Mickey speaking arabic that confused them!
Ifrane has a wonderful city center that is walkable and full of shops, restaurants, and small vendors.
Day 7 – Explore the Kasbah of Fez
Day seven of our 7 Day Morocco Itinerary was all about Fez, Morocco’s second largest city.
We had an option to take a guided tour, however decided to explore on our own. Private tours can be amazing, however our toddlers were too young.
We prefer to have more control over our days and like to take random turns down interesting streets and do not like the pressure that comes with a guide. If our kids were older we would have taken the private tour. Fes is a confusing city and a guide would definitely be helpful!
We stayed at Hotel Menzeh Zalagh which is well located but dated. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it if you are looking for high-end accommodations, but at about $50/night it fit our needs. If price and location are what you are after, it is worth a stay. If not, best look elsewhere!
The list of things to do in Fes is long. Below are a couple of highlights that we thought were kid appropriate.
Jewish Mellah of Fez
Our first stop was the Jewish Mellah (Quarter) of Fez. The area dates back to the mid-15th century and, while it no longer is home to a significant Jewish population, it still bears the name and is the home of numerous monuments and landmarks from the Jewish community’s presence.
We started our visit at the Royal Palace (Dar al-Makhzen). We then explored the neighborhods and shops in the area.
Tamegroute Pottery Cooperative
Fez is famous for many things, one of which are local clay ceramics often sporting the traditional Fassi blue and white color scheme. They can be found in every Souk in the city, however, if bargaining in a traditional souk leaves you irritated, or tired, or frustrated, or… you get our point, then try Tamegroute Pottery Cooperative.
They have a great shop and you can see the artisans in action. Historically, the kilns were powered by burning olive pits. The process of heating up, and cooling down, the traditional kilns takes days.
Bab Bou Jeloud and the Medina
The Medina of Fes is where the magic happens. There are seven main entrances into the old city and we entered through Bab Bou Jeloud (the Blue Door, Bab Boujloud). We ate lunch on a balcony right inside of the gates and enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the street below.
Next we wandered though unnamed alleyways and curious little streets until we came to Souk al-Attarine and the Kissaria Markets. Souk Al-Attarine is a mind boggling maze of streets and alleyways with shops of all shapes and sizes.
Souq al-Attarine is a traditional spice market. It is close to Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts, the Tanneries of Fes, Palace Seffarine, and University Kairaouine.
There are 10 great souks in Fes that all focus on something special:
- The Henna Souk – Henna and other dyes
- Kiseria Al Kifah – grand bazaar with a bit of everything
- The Coppersmith’s Souk – Copper pots
- Ain Allou Souk – leather goods
- Attarine Souk – spices
- Chemaine Souk – nuts and dried fruits
- Nejjarine Souk – wood crafts
- Achebine Souk – live birds and poultry
- Sekkatine Souk – equipment for horses, mules, and donkeys
- Bellagine Souk – istorically locks and wooden shoes
Chourara Tannery
No visit to Fez is complete without a visit to one of three large tanneries, where animal hides are tanned using traditional methods.
While the tannery visits are kid-friendly, the smell can be overwhelming. We were very fortunate that our driver agreed to let the kids sleep in the car during this visit.
The tannery staff will give you a sprig of mint to hold up to your nose to help cover the stench. I’m not sure if the mint smell actually helps or if holding your hand to your nose for a half hour just takes your mind off the pain.
Seeing the stone vats tucked into the middle of the city is fascinating. It is rumored that Chourara Tannery dates back to the founding of Fez in the 9th century, and looking around it I tend to believe it.
There is an excellent observation point at the top where one can see the stone vats in their entirety. The main tanning ingredients are cow urine and pigeon poop. If you pay attention you will also see some of the household pigeon roosts that produce one of these ingredients.
The whole process largely as it has been since medieval times, and, without the help of machines or synthetic chemicals. It is no wonder it is UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other Fez Options
You will only have one day to explore Fes with our 7 Day Morocco Itinerary.
Other options if you had more time include Bou Inania Madrasa, University Kairaouine, Al Attarine Madrasa, Fontaine Nejjarine, and Marinid Tombs.
Mystery Viewpoint
After our time at the tannery, we were taken to a viewpoint just outside of the city center. Unfortunately we have no idea what it is called or where it was at. It was a chance to see the city in its entirety and the tanneries from a distance.
Even more unique were the donkeys leaving the tannery, unaccompanied, and carrying the wet hides up to the hillside where additional workers would unload them and lay them out to dry. This view is one I will never forget!
Day 8, 9, 10, and more
Morocco is a beaufitul and diverse country and exemplifies everything that North Africa has to offer. Exploring it is almost like a treasure hunt!
Below are additional spots that we would have visited if we had another day or two.
Agafay Desert
The Agafay Desert is located 30 kilometers south of Marrakech and covers several hundred acres. There is a beautiful oasis in the center and you can choose to explore by camel trek, jeep, or hot air balloon ride.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a port city and resort town on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. It is the one city we really regret not visiting.
It is known as the blue city and can be a stop on its own or a simple day trip from Marrakech. The cuisine is unique and utilizes a lot of seafood. Maybe try a cooking class!
Tangier
Tangier is a Moroccan port city on the Straight of Gibraltar, just south of Spain and north of the Rif Mountains. It has been a strategic gateway between Africa and Europe since the Phoenecian times. It is probably most well known fo rits whitewashed hillside medina, which is now a famous museum.
Be sure to check out the Grand Socco, where old and new Tangier meet or may of the Roman Ruins of Volubilis.
Beautiful Waterfalls
With images of vast deserts front of mind, it can be hard to think of Morocco as a place of waterfalls. One could not be more wrong.
There are beautiful waterfalls spread thorughout the Atlas Mountains, including Ouzoud Waterfalls north of Marrakech, Akchour Waterfalls near Chefchaouen, Oum Rabia waterfalls in the middle atlas, and Paradise Valley Waterfalls near Agadir,