Skip to main content
Get my written quote

Things to Do in Marrakech with Kids

Marrakech is more child-friendly than it first appears: open gardens to run in, calèche rides, animals and acrobats on the big square, and easy escapes to the Atlas foothills.

Plan a private trip

10 experiences

The best things to do in Marrakech

Marrakech is more child-friendly than it first appears: open gardens to run in, calèche rides, animals and acrobats on the big square, and easy escapes to the Atlas foothills. Pace the medina around the heat and a midday pool, and the city becomes a genuine family adventure. Here are the experiences that work best with children.

  1. 01

    Jardin Majorelle

    Gardens

    The cobalt-blue garden saved by Yves Saint Laurent is compact, shaded and full of cacti, bamboo and koi-filled pools that hold younger children's attention. Go early to beat both the heat and the queues, and book timed tickets ahead.

  2. 02

    Menara Gardens

    Gardens

    These historic Almohad-era olive groves ring a huge reflecting basin where families feed the carp and picnic under the trees, with the Atlas as a backdrop on clear days. It is free to walk the grounds, with plenty of open space to let kids stretch their legs.

  3. 03

    Calèche (Horse-Carriage) Ride

    Family

    Marrakech's green horse-drawn calèches gather near Jemaa el-Fna and the Koutoubia. A loop around the ramparts and palmeraie is a relaxed, shaded way to see the city without tired little legs — agree the fare before you set off.

  4. 04

    Jemaa el-Fna (with caution)

    Culture

    The great square's storytellers, drummers, acrobats and snake charmers fascinate children, especially in the cooler early evening. Keep a firm hold of hands in the crowds, and be aware that the snake charmers and Barbary-macaque handlers expect payment for any photo, so it is fine to admire from a distance.

  5. 05

    Le Jardin Secret

    Gardens

    A restored riad-garden in the heart of the medina, with an Islamic-style courtyard, an exotic garden and a tower to climb for medina rooftop views. The calm and the running water make it a welcome breather between the busy souk lanes.

  6. 06

    Terres d'Amanar Adventure Park

    Adventure

    About 40 minutes into the Atlas foothills at Tahanaout, this outdoor park offers zip-lines, a climbing via ferrata, archery, pony rides and walking trails set among the hills. It is built for active families and makes an easy half- or full-day escape from the city heat.

  7. 07

    Agafay Desert Camel Ride & Quad

    Adventure

    The rocky Agafay 'desert' is under an hour from Marrakech and a manageable introduction to the experience for children — short camel rides, family quad or buggy outings on operators with age limits, and lunch at a tented camp with Atlas views.

  8. 08

    Ourika Valley Day Trip

    Day trip

    An hour south into the High Atlas, the Ourika Valley brings cool river air, Berber villages, riverside cafés with tables set in the stream, and the Setti Fatma waterfalls. The lower falls are an easy walk; older children can scramble higher with a local guide.

  9. 09

    A Pool Day

    Downtime

    Marrakech afternoons can top 40C in summer, so a swim is part of the plan. Many riads have a plunge pool, and garden restaurants and day-pass resorts around the Palmeraie let families combine lunch with a proper splash in the heat of the day.

  10. 10

    Food Kids Like

    Food

    Beyond tagine, Marrakech offers plenty of familiar wins: msemen (flaky pancakes) with honey, fresh orange juice from the square's carts, grilled brochette skewers, crusty khobz bread, and crêpes and pastries in Gueliz cafés. Mint tea is sweet enough to suit most young palates.

Things to Do in Marrakech with Kids: FAQ

Is Marrakech a good destination for children?
Yes — Moroccans are famously warm with children, and the mix of gardens, animals, calèche rides and nearby mountains keeps families busy. The main things to manage are the summer heat, the crowded medina lanes, and crossing busy roads, so plan around a midday break and keep little ones close.
How do you handle the heat and the crowds with kids?
Sightsee in the cooler morning, retreat to a shaded garden or pool over midday, and head out again in the early evening when Jemaa el-Fna comes alive. Carry water and sun hats, and use a calèche or petit taxi rather than long walks through the medina with tired children.
Are the snake charmers and monkeys on Jemaa el-Fna safe for children?
They are a memorable spectacle but best enjoyed from a distance. The snakes are typically de-fanged and the Barbary macaques are wild animals kept on chains, which many families prefer not to support; handlers also expect payment for any photo. Watching from a few metres away is the easiest approach.
What is the best family day trip from Marrakech?
For active families, Terres d'Amanar in the foothills offers zip-lines and pony rides about 40 minutes away. For scenery and cool water, the Ourika Valley is an hour south with riverside cafés and the Setti Fatma falls. The Agafay desert suits a shorter camel-and-lunch outing.

More things to do in Morocco

Plan a private Marrakech trip

We build a private, guided plan around the experiences you care about, with a driver, hand-picked riads and a written quote within 24 hours.

Get my written quote