Marrakech with children

Unlike other countries in the region, Morocco is a safe country and is a perfect destination for any family trip. Generally, Moroccans love children and will be much friendlier to you if you visit the country with your little ones.

If you have decided to take your family to North Africa, keep in mind that the best times are autumn and spring. This way, you will avoid the scorching temperatures of the Red City between June and September. Below is a list of 10 activities you can do in Marrakech with your kids.

Jemaa el Fna is the vibrant heart of Marrakech. In this central place you will find monkey trainers, tattoo artists, snake charmers, a "dentist", healers and the essential food carts. The soundtrack is provided by the gnawas, groups of musicians dressed in a variety of outfits.

Because of the location and its exotic atmosphere, this can be the first activity to do with your children, as they will become familiar with the atmosphere of the city, while having fun with all the elements mentioned above. In fact, for their acclimatization, you can also book a guided tour of Marrakech.

If you want, you can visit Jemaa el Fna Square also at night. At sunset, the heart of Marrakech is transformed and it is the perfect time to taste the traditional Moroccan dishes: couscous, tajine, harira or chebakia.

Located in the northern part of Marrakech, the Palm Grove is a place where children will feel like little adventurers as they ride on the back of a camel.

Some camel trekking excursions in the Palm Grove include a typical mint tea and a traditional snack so that they can discover the particularities of the local culture.

If you think that during the day they might be too hot, you can choose a sunset ride which will give them the opportunity to admire one of Morocco's incomparable attractions: its sunsets.

What do "Gladiator", "Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra" and "Game of Thrones" have in common? Easy! All three were filmed in Ouarzazate, a Moroccan town known as "the Hollywood of the desert".

This gigantic set is a surprising place where the alleys of ancient Rome give way to Egyptian temples, Tibetan villages and buildings of ancient Jerusalem. If you want to surprise your children, the best thing to do is to book an organized excursion to the Atlas Studios. A private vehicle will pick you up at your hotel or riad in the morning and, after overcoming the mountains, you will arrive at your destination after about three and a half hours.

But Ouarzazate is much more than its Atlas Studio, so I also recommend taking an excursion to Ouarzazate from Marrakech to see, for example, the amazing Kasbah of Ait Ben Hadu, a fortified city declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Your kids are sure to love it too.

Terres d'Amanar is a resort 30 minutes drive from Marrakech and in the vicinity of Toubkal National Park. It is the perfect place to recharge your batteries and enjoy a wide range of leisure and sporting activities:

• Tyrolean traverse.
• Trampoline.
• Slides of the Accro Park Junior.
• Horseback riding in the High Atlas (with ponies for children).
• Archery (for children over 6 years old).
• Swimming pool.
• Ping-pong.

But before jumping to the next activity, I can't help recommending another one for when you return to the country, this time without children. It is located in the Toubkal National Park that I mentioned before and consists of trekking on Mount Toubkal. Of course, it's something for adults, so don't forget it if you come back to Marrakech.

Book a tour of the Majorelle Gardens is to enter a park of great beauty on the outskirts of Marrakech. Conceived and raised by the eponymous painter, it was rescued by Yves Saint Laurent in the 1970s.

The exponent of haute couture devoted time and money to restore this green area to its former glory. Thanks to him we can walk in this magical place that brings together hundreds of different plant species. For your children, it will be like entering a fairy tale. The palm trees, the cactus forest and the water lily pond will captivate your children.

A typical way to visit the center is by taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. If you want your children to have fun discovering the city, you will only have to go to the main points of Marrakech: Djemaa el Fna Square, the Koutoubia Mosque or Foucald Square.

As always in Morocco, before boarding the carriage you will have to negotiate the price with the driver but I assure you that it is worth it. This way the children can get to know the city without getting too tired. In spring and summer, it is advisable to avoid the central hours of the day to avoid sunburn and sunstroke.

In the article 11 tips for visiting Marrakech you will find more tips.

If you want to escape the heat, there is nothing better than a trip to the Oasiria water park. It is located a few kilometers from Marrakech and is very easy to reach thanks to free shuttles leaving from Jemaa el Fna Square.

In this beautiful spot, children can enjoy attractions such as the Pirates' Lagoon (a red ship anchored in the middle of a pool), mini-slides and the "overflowing buckets", large containers that spill water over children and adults. There are also play and sports activities for children from 6 to 12 years old.

Oasiria also includes attractions designed for adults. One of the most famous is the Rio Loco, a fast descent on life-saving donuts in the middle of an artificial torrent. But if you like strong emotions, I recommend the Kamikaze, a very fast slide (almost 30 km/h) that is completed in 4 seconds.

If your children are over 7 years old and love speed, you can take them to the Marrakech Kart Racing, a modern track hosted at the Moulay El Hassan Circuit.

The kids will have a blast driving a kart with adjustable controls and a four-stroke engine. You won't have to worry about their safety as all the vehicles are made by an internationally renowned manufacturer with protections, wraparound bodywork and a shock absorption system. And if you have no previous experience, you can opt for the Tandem, a two-seater driven by an experienced instructor.

Marrakech Kart Racing is located near the hotel zone of Agdal, a location 10 minutes from the airport and 5 minutes from Jemaa el Fna Square. With a width of 7 meters and a total length of about 1000 meters, the track is perfect both day and night.

The Cyber Park is a botanical garden that saw the light of day during the 18th century at the behest of Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah. Today, you can stroll through a beautiful rose garden, enjoy a quality Wi-Fi connection and find a wealth of information on the digital screens scattered throughout the park. If you want to relax in the shade of palm trees, answer an email and let the children play at their leisure, the Cyber Parc is your destination.

This green lung is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Marrakech as it is located between the bustling Medina and the Gueliz district. It is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00 and can be visited by people with reduced mobility. If you want to organize your visit, you can read the article Marrakech in a day: express guide to the city.

If your children like bicycles, why not take a ride with this means of transport? To explore the Red City, you can choose a bike tour. These tours go around Marrakech daily and touch the main points of interest of the city.

The guide will show you the most beautiful and famous places and the most picturesque alleys, where there are also small stops for you to refresh yourself or take some pictures.

They usually last about three hours and you also have the option of renting bikes in the Palm Grove.

Morocco is an exotic country and your kids will love it. However, before landing it is important to keep in mind some useful tips:

• In Morocco you may encounter the odd pickpocket and, most certainly, pushy salesmen. However, in general it is a safe country. In the article Safety in Marrakech you will find more details.
• If you travel with your children, it is not advisable to use public transport. Buses are often overcrowded, so it is preferable to rely on cabs and private drivers.
• When you travel with children, it is important to be able to take them to a park to let them relax and play. In Marrakech, the Cyber Park is the place to be. The other green areas (such as the famous Majorelle Garden) are not intended for these activities.
• Rabies is endemic in Morocco. To avoid health problems, it is best to avoid contact with stray animals.

-Tap water is supposed to be drinkable, but it is not recommended to drink it. If your children are thirsty, always have bottled water at hand.

• If your kids like drones, I have some bad news: it is not allowed to fly drones in Morocco. Leave them at home or they could be confiscated at the border.
• All kids (or almost) love Camel Rides. Make sure they don't come home disappointed....