Marrakech with Kids: Family Things to Do, Places and Tips

Marrakech as a family: what to know before you go

The city suits short breaks with children: direct flights from much of Europe, an airport 15 to 25 minutes by car from the medina, and little time difference with Western Europe. Three things need a bit of preparation.

• The heat: average highs top 33°C in June and 37°C in July and August. With children, the best periods are March to May and October to November; our guide to the best time to visit Marrakech covers the climate month by month.
• The medina: narrow lanes, scooters that do not slow down, constant approaches from sellers. Young children tire quickly there; plan short outings in the morning, broken up by quiet breaks.
• The pace: one visit in the morning, the pool or a nap during the hot hours, a walk at the end of the day. It is the rhythm the climate calls for, and the one children prefer.

Gardens, the family refuge

Le Jardin Secret, in the heart of the medina

Ten minutes' walk from Jemaa el-Fna, Le Jardin Secret is a quiet break in the middle of the souks: two restored gardens, one Islamic and one exotic, with pools and irrigation channels that children love to follow. Entry is free for under-12s with proof of age (MAD 100 for an adult). The tower, which looks out over the rooftops of the medina, is off limits to children under 6.

Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle, in Gueliz, appeals to children for its colours, its pools and its garden of giant cacti. It is free for accompanied children under 10; tickets cost MAD 95 for children from 10 and MAD 170 for an adult. Tickets are booked online for a set time slot: arrive at opening time, ahead of the crowds. The paths are flat and easy with a pushchair.

Cyber Parc and the Menara Gardens

Between the Koutoubia and Gueliz, Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam is free and shady: a good place to let children run around between two visits. Further out, the Menara Gardens surround a large pool lined with olive trees, with the Atlas in the background on clear days; access to the olive groves is free.

Anima Garden, on the Ourika road

About 30 km south of the city, Anima Garden, created by the artist André Heller, mixes plants, sculptures and quirky installations that children explore like a treasure hunt. Entry is free for under-12s, MAD 60 for 12 to 16-year-olds and MAD 140 for an adult. A free shuttle, for ticket holders only, leaves from the car park behind the Koutoubia; it must be booked online at least 24 hours ahead.

Activities children enjoy

A horse-drawn carriage ride

The green carriages wait near Jemaa el-Fna square, along the avenue leading to the Koutoubia and near Jardin Majorelle. A ride along the ramparts, through Bab Agnaou or out to the Palmeraie lets you see the city without walking, a real plus with young children. There is no single fare: agree the route, the length and the price with the driver before climbing in, and check the condition of the horses.

Camels and dromedaries in the Palmeraie

About 6 km north of the medina, the Palmeraie is the closest place for a first dromedary ride. Children often ride with a parent or on an animal led on a rope by a cameleer. Prices vary widely with the length of the ride and the transfer: compare offers and set the price before getting on. The quad bike rides offered in the same area are not suitable for young children; ask the operator about the minimum age.

Oasiria water park

At kilometre 4 on the Amizmiz road, south-west of the city, Oasiria is Marrakech's big water park: slides, a wave pool, a lazy river on rubber rings, pools and play areas for little ones, plus a supervised kids' club. The 2026 season runs from 4 April to 1 November, daily from 10am to 6pm. Entry costs MAD 300 for an adult or a child taller than 1.50 m and MAD 200 for a child under 1.50 m; it is free for children under 80 cm. A free shuttle links the park with the city centre; ask for the times and pick-up points when you book. Out of season, from November to March, the park is closed.

Jemaa el-Fna, in small doses

Jemaa el-Fna square fascinates children in the late afternoon: musicians, acrobats, storytellers, smoke from the grills. Hold younger children by the hand, as the crowd is dense at nightfall. Keep away from the snake charmers and monkey handlers: they demand money for the slightest photo, and the monkeys are Barbary macaques, an endangered species. Our guide to scams to avoid in Marrakech describes the situations to know about.

Palaces, for older children

The courtyards, fountains and painted ceilings of Bahia Palace interest children from 7 or 8, especially if the visit stays short. Tickets cost MAD 100 for a foreign adult and MAD 50 for a foreign child aged 7 to 13.

Family day trips

The Ourika Valley

About 1 hour 30 minutes' drive away, the Ourika Valley offers cooler air in summer, restaurants along the river and waterfalls above the village of Setti Fatma. The climb to the first waterfalls crosses slippery rocks: bring good shoes, a baby carrier rather than a pushchair, and skip the upper falls with young children. Stay away from the riverbed if a storm threatens.

The Agafay Desert

45 minutes to an hour's drive away, the Agafay Desert is a stony desert, not one of dunes, but in a short time it gives children what they expect from the desert: a dromedary ride, the sunset, dinner in a tent and a starry sky. It is a good alternative to the great desert for a family: Merzouga takes at least three days on the road, as our guide to the desert from Marrakech explains. Evenings are cool, even in spring: pack warm clothes for the children.

Terres d'Amanar and Essaouira

On the first foothills of the Atlas, about 37 km from Marrakech near Tahannaout, the Terres d'Amanar estate offers treetop adventure courses, including a junior course for little ones, and ziplines reserved for older children, with a minimum age and height. Book directly with the estate or through an agency, transfer included. Further away, Essaouira, about 3 hours by bus, appeals to families for its beach, its fishing port and its calmer medina; with children, it is worth a night there rather than a day trip.

Practical tips with children

Where to stay

With children, a pool changes the trip. Medina riads have charm, but their steep stairs, roof terraces and unfenced pools call for constant supervision, and few have a real swimming pool. Hotels in Hivernage and the Palmeraie, or riads with gardens outside the medina, offer more space. Our guide to where to stay in Marrakech compares the neighbourhoods.

Pushchair or baby carrier

In the medina, a pushchair struggles: uneven paving, steps, lanes shared with scooters and carts. A baby carrier is more practical in the souks; a light pushchair is still useful in Gueliz, Hivernage, the gardens and at the airport. Petits taxis generally have no child seat: if you need one, book a private transfer and say so. Our guide to getting around Marrakech covers taxis and transfers.

Meals, water and health

• Meals: tagines, couscous, skewers, bread and fresh orange juice suit most children; restaurants in Gueliz also serve international food. Ask for dishes that are not too spicy.
• Water: give children bottled water and avoid ice cubes and raw vegetables washed in tap water.
• Sun: hat, sunscreen and water at all times, spring included. Spend the hours between noon and 4pm in the shade.
• Pharmacies: plentiful in the city and easy to spot by their green cross; a duty pharmacy takes over at night and on Sundays, and your accommodation can point you to the nearest one.

Summary table of activities by age

Prices noted in October 2026; suggested ages are a guide only.

Further reading

To build a short programme, start from our itinerary what to do in Marrakech in one day and drop one visit. The guide to free things to do in Marrakech lists more outings without a ticket, and our article on the Marrakech travel budget helps you cost a family trip.