The Atlas Expeditions

This article explores visiting Marrakech, Morocco and the Sahara desert with kids

We love adventure and, before kids, spent a significant amount of time traveling through developing countries. Back then, we embraced all kinds of trips without much hesitation. Traveling with young children, however, has naturally made us more conservative in our travel planning.

Deciding to visit Morocco with kids required thoughtful consideration, detailed preparation, and a clearly defined itinerary—quite a departure from the flexible, go-with-the-flow style we once preferred. Looking back, we’re so glad we made this trip.

Travel feedback about this part of the world can vary widely, which can feel overwhelming when you’re researching with kids in mind. Our hope is that this post helps you set realistic expectations, plan with confidence, and safely enjoy this remarkable corner of the world as a family.

For this journey, we arrived in Marrakech and chose to stay in riads—traditional Moroccan guesthouses—nestled in the heart of the medina (old town). This area is characterized by winding souks (bazaars), and if you have only a few days to discover Marrakech, we recommend immersing yourself here. Firstly, the riads are exquisite, highlighting Moorish architecture, boast stunning views of the ancient city from their rooftops, and many feature courtyard pools—perfect for cooling off on those hot summer days. In addition, you’ll typically be greeted by warm hosts and exceptional service. The proximity to the main attractions allows for leisurely exploration, enabling you to take in more of the vibrant culture without the hassle of commuting in and out of the old town.

Tip: Choose your riad in the medina with care!

* Throughout our trip research, we discovered just how easy it is to get lost in the souks. To mitigate this risk, we strategically selected riads close to main corridors and just off the bustling square. We noted down the addresses of several appealing riads and used Google Maps to double check their locations and accessibility. This approach was incredibly helpful! While some properties appeared fine at first glance, a closer look on Google Maps revealed they were not easily reachable. If you plan to stay in the medina, it’s crucial to take this step to avoid booking a place that may prove difficult to find, or from which you could easily lose your way.

For our first couple of nights, we chose a two-bedroom suite at Palais Chadmi. This stunning 1,300 square foot (gawk) suite felt like our own private palace, all for an incredibly affordable price. The beautifully designed sitting room featured a reflective pool and a glass atrium nestled between the spacious rooms, along with a walk-through shower. The breakfast was absolutely delightful, and the location, conveniently close to the main square, made this riad a gem. As the riad was near a mosque, we enjoyed the soothing sounds of the call to prayer, which I personally cherish when traveling in predominantly Muslim areas.

When we returned from our desert trip, we had the pleasure of staying at Riad Dar Hamid. This budget-friendly alternative to Palais Chadmi still offered a charming experience. The owner’s impeccable customer service stood out; he personally served us a delightful early breakfast before guiding us to our waiting shuttle driver, who whisked us back to the airport. Although our room was less expansive and opulent than Palais Chadmi, it was quaint, featuring a fun loft where the kids could sleep. The traditional styling and decor transported us to a scene from Aladdin.

To explore Marrakech, we opted for a private guide to enhance our flexibility with the kids and ensure we didn’t miss any of the sights we were eager to see. Traveling with young children has taught us that private tours often justify their extra cost due to the added flexibility and support they provide. I discovered an exceptional guide on Viator, who came highly recommended. He met us outside our riad at the agreed time and was fantastic with our children, sharing fascinating insights about the various attractions we wished to visit in the city. We paused at numerous sites, and he was in no hurry to rush through our experience, encouraging our questions and tailoring our walking itinerary based on when the kids had reached their limit for the day. For this walking tour, we spent around $100 through Viator, plus a gratuity.

Some main sites we chose to tour included the impressive Madrasa Ben Youseff, Koutoubia,the Bahai Palace, the souks and Jemma-el-Fnaa.

Possibly the most impressive of our visit, was the Madrasa Ben Youseff, a 14th century Islamic college that beautifully showcases Moorish architectural design. Kids will enjoy having space to move in the courtyard, as well as peering down to the 1st floor from the cedar wood dormitories upstairs.

The Souks of Marrakech

The souks are organized into distinct sections, showcasing a vibrant array of silversmiths, carpets, textiles, antiques, spices and more. These labyrinthine markets trace their origins to a rich history of caravan trade and merchant guilds. The winding, covered pathways not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also serve a practical purpose, keeping the marketplace cool during the sweltering summer months and warm throughout the chilly winters. Today, the souks continue to preserve much of their unique character; the camel caravans of yesteryears have been replaced by bustling mopeds and pushcarts navigating the narrow, winding alleys.

Much like in the past, the souks stand as a cultural hub. I vividly recall an image of several merchants in the metalworks area sharing a meal just outside their storefronts, a testament to the community spirit. We also visited a community bread oven. Our guide pointed out that most shops close early, allowing people within the community to gather and share a meal together in observance of holy days.

Tips:

* When walking through the winding souks, keep your kids to the wall and next to you. Motorbikes and carts can whizz through at a fast clip. Best to keep the little ones protected to avoid any accidental injury.

* If you plan to buy anything, be prepared to haggle. Remember, it’s an art, not a science 😉. We paid way too much for beautiful wood carved trick boxes for our kids as a keepsake that they picked out, but thoroughly enjoyed the banter with the carpenter/shop owner, which made the experience memorable.

* If something catches your eye, it doesn’t hurt to price it out at a few shops to get an idea of a fair starting point before negotiating down a bit, until both buyer and seller are satisfied.

*Double check if markets will be open for the day/time you intend to shop. If you prefer to explore the souks with a guide, there are a plethora of both group and private options on sites like Viator.

Jemma-el-Fnaa

Since our riad was conveniently located near the vibrant Jemma-el-Fnaa square, we later explored this bustling area in more depth on our own. The square truly comes alive at night (which is the best time to explore), as Morocco like other desert nations is very much a night culture. We were advised to stay vigilant with our personal belongings due to potential pickpockets, but encountered no issues.

Jemma-el-Fnaa is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its rich history of storytelling that still enchants visitors today. Although the tales were told in Arabic and we couldn’t fully comprehend them, we relished the opportunity to witness this cultural gem for a few moments. Snake charmers, trained monkeys, a multitude of food vendors, and an array of other fascinating activities regularly take place in this lively square.

Beside the square, carriage rides await. The tour route winds along the main roads, tracing the historic old town walls rather than navigating the narrow streets that make up the medina. If you’ve experienced a carriage tour in Seville, Spain, you understand the joy of meandering through picturesque old lanes. While this carriage ride offers some delightful views, it lacks the scenic beauty typical of such experiences. Nevertheless, it became a cherished family memory when our carriage driver graciously invited our two boys to steer the carriage alongside him. They relished the opportunity to take the reins, leaving the adults to enjoy an unexpectedly private carriage ride!

After spending a couple days in Marrakech, we hired a tour company for a private tour to a Sahara desert camp. We knew that getting to the Sahara would involve a lot of driving, but the flexibility of stopping as needed with a private tour enabled us to do this portion of the trip with our kids.

Some highlights along our drive included a stop at Ait Benhaddou, an entire town classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its well-preserved clay buildings. This historic village sits along a river valley and was once a thriving caravan stop on the route from the Sahara Desert to Marrakech. As our guide explained, caravans followed the rivers, leading to the growth of wealthy towns around these caravan routes.

If you’re a fan of Game of Thrones (like we are), you might recognize Ait Benhaddou as the city of Yunkai. However, Game of Thrones isn’t the only production to have filmed here; notable films such as Gladiator, The Mummy, Lawrence of Arabia, Alexander, and Kingdom of Heaven were all shot on location.

As we journeyed deeper into the Sahara, we encountered numerous traditional clay fortifications known as kasbahs, and we even took the time to explore several of them on foot. Exploring these earthen abandoned buildings are great fun for the young and old alike!

As we neared the starting point for our brief camel trek to the desert camp, our guide inquired if our kids wanted their own camels to ride. I had previously assumed they would need to ride with us. Honestly, having ridden a camel before, I remember how daunting it felt to be perched atop one, and I worried they might freak out (as I did at the beginning of my first ride 🤣). However, once our boys learned that they could ride their own camels, there was no turning back.

When we arrived, four camels were tethered together, patiently waiting for us. My adventurous five-year-old declared himself the caravan leader, followed closely by his seven-year-old sibling, while us parents brought up the rear. As the orders were given for the camels to rise, the boys held on tightly, their smiles radiating as we crossed a small slice of the expansive desert, bouncing towards camp. The infectious giggles and smiles of our ecstatic children created the kind of memories you dream of while planning a travel journey. It’s these travel moments that truly make all the effort worthwhile.

We reached the desert camp just as the sun began to set, soaking in the breathtaking desert views while the boys leaped off red towering sand dunes nearby. Dinner was served quite late—around 10:30 PM, which felt like an eternity for our tired little travelers. Our kids, exhausted from the day’s adventures, were already dozing off at the table before the meal concluded. Later that night, there was a fire dance performance, which, while surely spectacular, was too late for us and our early-rising children.

One aspect of this trip that deeply impressed me was the child-friendly nature of Moroccan culture. The Bedouins at the desert camp, along with others we encountered, were exceptionally kind to our children, engaging them in playful activities, generously offering treats and kind exchanges. Having previously visited Morrocco with a group of females, my experience traveling back to Morocco as a family felt warm and welcoming.

Our guide dropped us off at Atlas Studios, where we made the decision to forgo the tour given our children’s age and their limited attention spans. Instead, we explored the main lobby and enjoyed a brief video showcasing the filming process on the lot before continuing on our adventure. The flexibility offered by our private guide was invaluable, allowing us to tailor our itinerary to better suit our family’s needs while traveling in Morocco.

Food

We enjoy exploring food as culture when traveling, despite sometimes picky kiddos. Our kids ate the various tagines, and couscous without problem, that are synonymous with Moroccan cuisine.

Tips:

* We traveled in February and found the weather to be cool at night but comfortable for light jacket wear during the day. Summer can bring high heat, which might limit activities for young kids. A summer trip may still be manageable, but you might want to consider planning fewer activities to avoid the high heat during daytime hours.

* We didn’t have any problems with sickness, although this is a common complaint among travelers. I purchased medicine for motion sickness beforehand in case our kids got carsick on the winding roads. Despite the sometimes crazy driving, they luckily had no issues. Other common complaints from travelers are food poisoning and travelers diarrhea. We stuck to tourist restaurants and included meals within activities/hotels, as well as only drinking filtered water and had zero problems.

* Pack conservatively if you’re female. Long pants and long sleeves generally do the trick. I brought a scarf to cover my head if needed, but only used it as a neck warmer. When traveling in countries where it’s typical to cover up when visiting religious sites, I always carry a scarf.

*Bring snacks and games for the kids if taking a long driving tour. There are plenty of roadside stops to purchase food/water/snacks when on an excursion.

*Morocco uses 220v/ European electric sized plugs.

*For this trip we carried all our luggage on our flight and did not check baggage. Some travelers complain of items being stolen from checked baggage. If you decide to check baggage, consider carefully what you pack.

*Morocco is very much a tipping culture. Plan ahead to have cash on hand for tipping.

We hope this post helps you and your family on your explorations!