ArabiaWeather - For curious, open-minded travelers, Marrakesh is a family-friendly treasure waiting to be explored.
Moroccans, as a culture, love children, and they often grow up in multi-generational homes. Traveling with children can open doors to unique cultural connections and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. The city has sunny weather all year round and is perfect for families who love outdoor play, water parks, city exploration, and desert adventures.
The hustle and bustle of the city can be stressful for all ages, including adults. Noisy, smelly and an endless maze of winding streets, it stimulates all the senses and can be a culture shock for first-time visitors. Be realistic about how much you can see during your stay.
Marrakesh is an excellent city for adventurous families wanting to introduce their children to a unique culture and different ways of seeing the world. Children are welcome in most places, and there are many parks and play areas where you can meet and mingle with local families. A few restaurants offer special menus for children, but most will offer a child-friendly option and try to accommodate any dietary desires.
Although landmarks for children are not as obvious as in some international cities, they do exist. A walk through the aisles of the market with some imagination can turn into an entertaining evening. The city can feel like an open-air museum; Watch your children's eyes light up as history books come to life in their eyes.
However, the city can be stressful. You may encounter minimal public amenities, limited changing facilities, flexible health and safety laws, inconvenience due to being asked to pay for photography, uneven crosswalks, and crowded public transportation. Keep an open mind, be realistic in your travel plans, and be sure to take time to rest and recharge.
The Old Medina and Jemaa el Fna Square are a place where your children's curiosity can roam freely. Both are busiest at sunset; You can avoid this by visiting them in the morning, but you will miss out on the atmosphere of the beating heart of the city and dealing with the crowds.
The city center is flat and can be easily explored on foot. Babies do best in a baby carrier or sling. Young children may find it easier in a lightweight stroller, keeping them safe from bicycles and motorcycles passing through narrow streets. Large carts can be awkward for the alley-lined market lanes and heavy to carry to rooftop cafés without elevators.
If you're in the city area and need your kids to burn off some energy, Jemaa el-Fnaa, nearby Koutoubia Gardens, and Café Munich are some options. Café Munich is the only place in the Old Town that has an indoor children's area, including a slide for the little ones.
Marrakesh has a dry, sunny and hot climate. If you and your young children enjoy shaded gardens and playing in swimming pools, hotels in green suburbs such as Palmeraie and Hivernage offer many options. Moroccans will do their best to help if you are traveling with an infant. They love children.
A quiet break in Koutoubia Gardens
Young children love playing in the cool fountains of Koutoubia Gardens. Behind the Koutoubia Mosque, the welcoming shade of palm trees and open green space is a favorite place for outdoor play, walking and relaxation in Marrakesh.
Playing in water parks and swimming pools
With almost year-round sunshine, it's easy to spend a day at one of the city's water parks. At Oasiria, you'll find 25 acres of gardens, multiple pools, slides, waves, a lazy river, a climbing wall, and tranquil tropical gardens. Free buses from Jemaa el-Fna and Gueliz run throughout the day.
Alternatively, pool tickets can be purchased online to access most of the city's best hotel pools for a day.
Embark on a caliche for a horseback ride
When you get tired of the city streets and markets, do what Moroccan families do: rent a caliche (horse-drawn cart). The blue tag horses have been microchipped and are regularly monitored by SPANA International. These green carts are a fun way to see the city and tailor your tour to include the neighborhoods that interest you, such as Jemaa el-Fnaa, the Mellah, the Medina Walls, and Majorelle Garden.
Head to the play area to connect with local families
On the rare rainy day, or more likely when it's too hot to play outdoors, at the air-conditioned Menara Mall, KidZoo - with its play area, 7D cinema and ice skating track - is a popular choice. Also, KidZone in Marjan has bungees, slides and a cafeteria. Both are great places to meet local families in a relaxed and fun way.
Sunset camel ride in Palmeraie
The Palmeraie is an oasis of palm gardens, featuring date and orange trees and local villages, and at the time of the authentic Moroccan sunset, the opportunity to ride a camel with the family in the area is irresistible. Most one-hour tours will also include Moroccan mint tea and a quick look at rural life on the outskirts of Marrakesh.
Take a day trip to the desert
The Akavai Desert is an arid and rocky desert area located less than an hour from Marrakesh. Spend a night under the stars at one of our many luxury camping options, or visit in the afternoon for a stunning sunset and a desert dining experience with a campfire and atmosphere. Horse and camel rides are also available.
Source: lonelyplanet
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