Things to Do in Marrakech With Kids

Looking for the best things to do in Marrakech with kids? The city is a feast for the senses, all color, spice, and sound, and it turned out to be far more kid-friendly than we expected. We spent our days wandering the medina, ducking into palaces and gardens, and letting the girls chase the chaos of the souks. Here are the things to do in Marrakech with kids that were worth it for our family, with the honest notes on what held their attention and what did not.

What to See and Do in Marrakech With Kids

Honestly, just wondering around Marrakech you are going to see plenty of beautiful streets, interesting architecture and so much life and vibrancy!  Here are a few photos I snapped while we walked about to get you started, followed by our recommendations of some of the best things to do in Marrakech!

Dar El Bacha Musée

If getting that fabulous photo is top of your list, then this is one of the best things to do in Marrakech.  The beautifully restored royal palace of Dar el Bacha is easily one of the most breathtaking works of architecture in Marrakech.  Built in 1910 for Thami El Glaoui, who was designated to the position of pasha (like “governor”/ high ranking official) of Marrakech by the Sultan.  He pulled out all the stops to create an extravagant palace of impress all his guests.  It is said that the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill were among some of the more famous guests to visit the palace!

Dar El Bacha, in an example of traditional Moroccan architecture, boasts a courtyard in the center complete with a fountain and citrus filled gardens.  The palace is no stranger to photography and is overly Instagram worthy.  No matter where you snap a photo or selfie, the backdrop is sure to include cedar wood carved doors, stained glass windows, zellij tile mosaics, majestic tile covered columns or the lush courtyard gardens.  Keep in mind that every tile found in most of Morocco is hand chiseled, a jaw dropping thought when you are in the center of the palace looking at the extensive tile work.

Also, part of the palace is an incredible coffee house where you will be treated like royalty!  Head over to my Marrakech Eats page to read more about that experience (and see photos!) along with other food filled recommendations!

Dar El Bacha, Rte Sidi Abdelaziz, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Jardin Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent Museum

For the fashion gurus, this should go at the top of the list of things to do in Marrakech!  For those that appreciate the tremendous achievements that Yves Saint Laurent accomplished over the decades, it is hard to pass up the opportunity to visit his masterpieces!

Many of his iconic runway looks can be found here, along with original dresses for you to gawk over in this extensive collection.  There is no photography allowed inside the Yves Saint Laurent portion of the museum, so I am not able to share any photos of the dresses.  But I did snap this quick photo of the girls looking at sketches before I got yelled at by a guard…my bad!

The Majorelle Gardens are connected to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, but also separate.  You can visit one and not the other if fashion is not your thing (that being said, even Dawson was impressed by the dresses).  The gardens are a welcome oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city.  The gardens are famous for the vibrant blue (also known as Majorelle blue) building that juts out of the middle of the gardens, surrounded by cacti and water features and is very photo op worthy.

If you are looking to visit/see something outside of the Medina, this is probably one of the more popular places. If you are looking for a place to grab lunch nearby with exceptional food, try Amal Women’s Training Center if you want to eat like a local; or Plus61 for something upscale. To read more about those restaurants, visit our Marrakech eats page here.

Rue Yves St Laurent, Marrakech 40090, Morocco
www.jardinmajorelle.com

Jemaa El-Fna Square

This UNESCO world heritage site is the lifeblood of the city!  And also happens to be one of the most popular things to do in Marrakech.  This open square in the heart of the medina bustles with street entertainers, also known as Halqa (Street Theatre), vendors hawking fresh juices and array of interesting eats, as well as locals and visitors milling about.  The square is somber during the day, but come evening time, the hoopla begins!  This is a fabulous place to people watch, grab a bite and get approached by every man, woman and child trying to make a buck selling you something.  When we were there during COVID with no tourists around the square was still quite active with locals.  I can only imagine how crazy it could be during normal times.  Possibly overwhelming to some, it was a “must do” experience to check off the bucket list!

Rue El Ksour, 38, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Koutoubia Mosque

The largest mosque in Marrakech, Koutoubia stands 253ft high (77 meters).  The minaret is one of Marrakech’s most famous landmarks and can easily be seen from Jemaa el-Fna square.  Five times a day (like at all mosques) the prayer broadcast from Koutoubia reverberates through Jemaa el-Fna square; and when it coincides with sunset, it is a quite magical experience.

The mosque you see today is actually the second version of the mosque, built in 1158.  It is uncertain when the first version was built but you can see the many pilings from the original mosque sitting somberly next to the version that remains today.  As a non-Muslim you are not able to enter any mosques in Morocco (with the single exception of Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca) but the exterior is beautiful and worth a look-see.

Medina Jemaa El Fna, 40000, Morocco

Other Things to do in Marrakech

Unfortunately, we visited at a time when many government owned/run sites had not yet been opened to the public due to COVID. Fortunately, they were all reopened, 5 days after we left Marrakech (seriously!?!?). These places were high on our list to visit, so hopefully you will have any opportunity to see them for us!

• Saadien Tombs
Rue de La Kasbah, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco

• Bahia Palace: this gorgeous 150 room palace is a great spot for photo ops.  This palace was owned by a once slave, then vizier.  No expense was spared on the decor of this must-see palace.
Av. Imam El Ghazali, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

• El Badii Palace: Magnificent ruins of the palace of the Sultan.
Ksibat Nhass, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

• Dar Si Said: Museum that used to be a palace.  Lots of traditional tile work throughout and some of the oldest artifacts in Marrakech can be found here.

Rue de la Bahia, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

• Ben Youssef Madrasa: This former 16th century college is another example of incredible architecture around this city.  Pop in for a look and some pictures.
Rue Assouel, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

And of course, GO SHOPPING!!!! You simply cannot leave Marrakech without finding something amazing in the souks…visit our where to shop in Marrakech page!

Planning Things to Do in Marrakech With Kids

A little planning made our days in Marrakech with kids go so much smoother. Mornings are cooler and calmer, so we saved the busy souks and open squares for early in the day and headed back to our riad for a rest when the afternoon heat peaked. Gardens like Majorelle and the quiet courtyards of the palaces gave everyone a break from the crowds, and the kids loved having space to move. Buy tickets for the popular sights online when you can, and keep expectations loose, some of our best moments were the unplanned ones, like watching the snake charmers and orange-juice carts fill up Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk.

Keep planning your trip with our guide to Marrakech with kids, plus where to eat in Marrakech with kids and where to stay in Marrakech with a family.