Traveling in Morocco with Children: A Family Guide
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| Best cities | Agadir (beach, easy), Rabat (calm, walkable), Essaouira (small, charming) |
|---|---|
| Harder with kids | Fes medina (steep, narrow), desert tours (long drives) |
| Food | Most kids love msemen, chicken, fries, fresh juice. Spice levels manageable. |
| Health | Most families use bottled water. Carry rehydration salts. Pharmacies are easy to find. |
| Car seats | Not standard in taxis. Bring your own if driving. |
| Train discount | Al Boraq: under 4 free without a seat; child fares up to age 15. Check your service. |
Travelling with children in Morocco is easier than most parents expect. Children are widely welcomed, in restaurants, riads and public spaces, in a way that can feel refreshing compared to some Western countries. That said, the medinas are not stroller-friendly, the sun is stronger than you think, and the food is rich enough to upset small stomachs.
Choosing Where to Go
Agadir is easiest for young families: beach, pools, flat city, mild climate. Rabat is best for culture without chaos: small medina, tramway, Chellah ruins. Essaouira is small enough for older children to explore. Marrakech works but requires more energy: Gueliz and Palmeraie are calmer bases than the medina. Fes is hardest with young children: steep hills, narrow alleys, no car access.
Food and Health
Msemen, well-cooked chicken and plain couscous may suit picky eaters, but familiar food is not a guarantee of hygiene. Choose food cooked thoroughly and served hot, fruit you peel yourself, and sealed or properly treated drinking water. Raw salads and unpasteurized juices can carry infection throughout the trip, not just during the first few days. Follow CDC family travel advice, carry oral rehydration salts and seek medical help for dehydration or a seriously unwell child. Use shade, hats and sunscreen, and supervise children closely around pools and the sea.
Getting Around
Do not assume a taxi has a suitable child car seat. Confirm restraints before booking. Rent a car and request a seat from the agency or bring your own. Strollers are useless in medinas; use a baby carrier. ONCF’s Al Boraq fare page says under-4s travel free when they do not occupy a seat. Child fares are available up to age 15; check the selected service and seat arrangements when booking.
Practical Tips
- Pack children's paracetamol, rehydration salts, plasters, antihistamine, insect repellent, SPF 50.
- Ask a pharmacist or clinician about suitable children's medicines, prescriptions and age-appropriate use.
- Many riads have steep stairs and open rooftops. Ask about child-safety when booking.
- Choose mountain walks for each child's fitness, experience and the conditions; age alone does not establish suitability.
- Bring a tablet for long drives. Marrakech to the Sahara is 10+ hours.