Morocco with kids: a practical guide for families
Yes, Morocco is a good destination for children, even young ones, as long as you choose the right time of year and resist the urge to see everything in a few days. Moroccans adore children, distances are manageable with a private car, and the experiences – camels, dunes, colourful souks, Atlantic beaches – stay with little ones for years. Here is what you need to know about timing, activities, pacing, health and documents for minors.
For many families Morocco is their first “exotic” trip with the kids, and for good reason: the flight from Europe is short, the time difference is minimal, and children are warmly welcomed everywhere, from the riads of Marrakech to the Berber tents in the desert.
A few things to be realistic about: medinas busy with mopeds and handcarts, long distances to the desert and the summer heat inland. Nothing insurmountable, provided your itinerary takes them into account.
When to go with children
With school-age children, dates are often fixed by the school calendar. Here is how the main school holidays work out:
- Easter: probably the best time. Temperatures are mild in the cities and in the desert, the days are long and the Atlas is still green. It is high season, though, so book early.
- Summer: to be honest, July and August are not ideal inland. In Marrakech, the Draa Valley and the Sahara temperatures often exceed 40 °C. With children it is better to focus on the Atlantic coast (Essaouira is breezy and cool) and the mountains and, if you really want the desert, to go out only at dawn and sunset. June and the first half of September are more manageable.
- Christmas and New Year: sunny, pleasant days but cold nights, especially in the desert, where temperatures can drop close to freezing. Pack a down jacket, a hat and warm pyjamas.
If you have some flexibility, spring bank holidays or a week in October also offer ideal weather.
What children love in Morocco
Camels and Sahara dunes
For most children the highlight is the desert. A camel ride through the Merzouga dunes at sunset and dinner under the stars at the camp make for lasting memories. For younger children the route can be shortened. On the Erg Chebbi dunes you can also try sandboarding: children slide down sitting or standing on the board.
Quads and buggies for older children
Teenagers love quad excursions in the Merzouga desert or a buggy ride, always with an instructor. Operators set age and height limits for minors, so ask before booking.
The beach at Essaouira
Essaouira is Morocco’s most relaxing town for a family: a small medina, a harbour full of blue boats and seagulls, and a long beach for sandcastles. The ocean is cold and windy, better suited to paddling than to long swims.
Souks, squares and mountains
Jemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech, with its musicians, storytellers and orange-juice stalls, is a real show for children (hold little ones by the hand and steer clear of the animals displayed for photos). In the souks a visit easily turns into a treasure hunt. In the High Atlas, easily reached from Marrakech, walks between Berber villages and waterfalls are perfect for stretching little legs.
Planning the trip: pace and transport
The golden rule is simple: fewer stops, more nights in the same place. A few practical tips:
- Short driving days: with children it is best not to exceed 4–5 hours on the road per day, with frequent breaks. The journey from Marrakech to Merzouga, for example, should be split over at least two days.
- Private car with driver: lets you stop whenever you need to. With our car with driver service in Morocco you set the schedule; an Italian-speaking driver or guide is available on request. Tell us the children’s ages when you book, so we can check the availability of child seats and room for a pushchair. Remember that in Morocco children under 10 may not sit in the front seat.
- Two nights in the desert: a single night means arriving tired and leaving at dawn. With two nights children get a whole day to play on the dunes and rest. The 4-day tour from Marrakech with 2 nights in the Sahara (from €200) and the 3-day tour from Fes to Merzouga with 2 nights in the dunes (from €170) are designed exactly this way.
- Riads with a pool or garden: after a morning in the medina, an afternoon by the pool puts everyone back in a good mood.
For a longer trip combining cities, desert and sea, the 12-day tour from Casablanca with the Sahara and Essaouira (from €600) can be slowed down by adding extra nights.
Food, water and health
Children almost always enjoy Moroccan food: couscous, chicken tagine with potatoes, skewers, freshly baked bread, msemen pancakes and plenty of fruit. To avoid problems:
- drink only sealed bottled water, including for brushing little ones’ teeth, and ask for drinks without ice;
- choose well-cooked food and fruit you can peel, and avoid raw vegetables and unpasteurised milk;
- protect children from the sun all year round: hat, sunglasses, high-factor sun cream and breaks in the shade in the middle of the day;
- bring a small kit with probiotics, rehydration salts, a fever reducer and plasters (in the cities pharmacies are plentiful and well stocked anyway);
- keep children away from stray dogs and cats.
No vaccinations are compulsory to enter Morocco, but talk to your paediatrician a few weeks before departure. Travel insurance covering medical expenses is strongly recommended.
Documents for minors
Children need a passport to enter Morocco, just like adults. For Italian families: an identity card is not enough, and since 2012 every Italian minor must hold their own passport, whatever their age; being listed on a parent’s passport is no longer valid. The passport must be valid for at least the whole length of the stay. If a child under 14 travels with adults other than their parents (grandparents, uncles, friends), a declaration of accompaniment issued by the Questura is also required.
Rules can change: before leaving, always check the Morocco page on viaggiaresicuri.it (or your own government’s travel advice) and the Polizia di Stato website. You will find more details in our article on passports and documents for Morocco.
Checklist by age
| Age | Recommended experiences | What to pack or plan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | Riad with a garden, Essaouira, short 4×4 rides | Baby carrier (pushchairs are awkward in the medina), child seat requested in advance, very short driving days |
| 4–7 years | Short camel ride, sandboarding on small dunes, beach | Hat, sun cream, snacks and a water bottle, a game for the car |
| 8–12 years | Night in a desert camp, sunset camel ride, souk treasure hunt, Atlas walks | Head torch, closed shoes, a warm top for desert evenings |
| 13–17 years | Quad or buggy with an instructor, trekking, sandboarding | Check age limits for quads and buggies, covering clothes for visits |
Plan your family trip
Every family has its own rhythm. At Tour al Marocco we build tailor-made private itineraries, with stages matched to your children’s ages, standard or luxury desert camps in Merzouga and no full payment in advance. Get in touch to plan your family itinerary and tell us who is travelling and how much time you have.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can children ride a camel?
There is no fixed age: young children often ride with a parent or take a shorter route. The cameleer usually leads the animal on foot, at walking pace.
Is a night in the desert safe for children?
Yes, the Merzouga camps are organised sites with staff on hand. Bring a torch and warm clothes, because even after hot days the desert gets much cooler at night.
Does a child need an ID card or a passport?
A child needs their own passport, valid for the whole stay. Always check for updates on official travel advice websites before departure.
Is Morocco in August a good idea with children?
It can be done, but it is better to favour the coast and the mountains and limit the desert to one excursion with outings at dawn and sunset, because inland temperatures often exceed 40 °C.