Marrakech With Kids

Marrakech with kids was our family’s first taste of Morocco, and it set the bar high. This is our honest guide to visiting Marrakech with kids: where we stayed, what we ate, the souks worth your time, and how we actually paced the medina with little ones and a stroller in tow.

Marrakech: the Red City

Marrakech was our first stop in Morocco, and wow, what an intro! The city was buzzing with life (even without tourists, thanks to COVID!). In all fairness, we arrived the same week the curfew was lifted, and the locals were beyond excited to be out past 8 p.m.

Since we visited in June, the heat was intense, and most people avoided the outdoors during the day. That made the curfew extension from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. feel like a big win. Once the sun dipped down, the city came alive.

As we drove through the gates and passed the fortress walls into the Medina, I instantly felt it, that rush of “this is exactly what I imagined” while planning the trip back home. Scooters buzzed past donkeys, who strolled past children, who were watched lazily by street cats napping in the shade. It was gritty, but in a real, life-is-happening-here kind of way. Like, “Dawson, don’t let the stroller wheel roll over that chicken head!” kind of gritty.

The people of Marrakech were so welcoming. And I mean SO welcoming. Maybe it was the excitement of seeing tourists again, but I’d like to believe that’s just who they are.

Shop owners were eager to make a sale, restaurants were excited to have customers, but everyone was kind and respectful. Of course, there were a few street hustlers and kids who tried to give directions, then asked for money. But I had read plenty about that beforehand and knew to brush them off quickly and firmly.

A local told me that people from Marrakech are known across Morocco for their sense of humor. I have to say, they weren’t wrong. So many laughs, cheeky comments, and playful interactions. While Marrakech might not look glamorous at first glance, the energy and warmth of the people make it an incredibly fun and memorable place to be.

And let’s talk about the shopping. This was hands-down my favorite place to shop in all of Morocco- and I did a LOT of shopping. I saw so many things in the souks here that I never saw again in any other city. And yes, I still regret not buying some of them.

I’d even read advice before we left that said, if you see something you love, buy it, because there’s a good chance you won’t find it again. I wish I’d listened. Maybe it was just first-stop overwhelm, but lesson learned. That said, I did manage to snag some amazing pieces in Marrakech, and lugged them around the country until we finally shipped it all home at the end of our trip!
Check out our Where to Shop in Marrakech page here.

Compared to other cities in Morocco, Marrakech made it much easier to find great food. It’s one of the largest cities in the country and a top destination for tourists, even for weekend travelers from Europe. That means there’s enough demand to support really great high-end restaurants and cafes, along with the local gems.

If you’re after a luxury resort experience, there’s no shortage of those, most are just outside the Medina walls. If you want something more traditional, there are hundreds of charming riads tucked inside the Medina to choose from.

So keep reading to discover our recommendations for the best places to stay, the best places to eat, where to shop, what to see, and of course, things to do in Marrakech with kids!

Is Marrakech Good for Kids?

Short answer: yes, with a little planning. Marrakech is loud, colorful, and full of the kind of sensory overload that little kids either love or find overwhelming, sometimes both in the same hour. The medina is not built for strollers, so we leaned on a carrier for our youngest and let the older ones walk. If you bring a stroller, expect to fold it often and lift it over curbs and cables.

Timing matters more here than almost anywhere else we visited. We went in June and the midday heat was intense, so we explored early in the morning and again after the sun dropped. The afternoons were for the pool and a rest, which honestly saved everyone’s mood.

Food was easier than we expected. Marrakech has enough tourist traffic to support familiar options alongside the local gems, so even our pickiest eater found something. Fresh bread, tagines, couscous, and orange juice from the square carts were all easy wins.

The famous hustle of the souks is real, but it never felt unsafe with kids. A firm, friendly no thank you and a quick pace handled the persistent sellers. A riad with a courtyard or a small pool made a huge difference as a calm home base at the end of a busy day.

We would say Marrakech works for just about any age, as long as you build in downtime and lower your expectations for a spotless, polished trip. The mess is part of the magic.