Travelling in Morocco with Children: A Family Guide

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 pushchair-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.

For a move rather than a holiday, our guide to raising a family in Morocco covers everyday routines and longer-term decisions.

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 unpasteurised 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.

Booking accommodation with children

Before booking a riad, ask whether your room is reached by stairs, whether staircases and roof terraces have secure barriers, and whether a cot or extra bed actually fits in the room. A property described as family-friendly may still have an open courtyard pool or steep steps. Check where a taxi can drop you off and how far you must carry luggage through the medina.

For young children or anyone using a pushchair, an apartment or hotel with lift access and an easy vehicle drop-off can be simpler than a traditional riad. Ask about heating in winter, air conditioning in summer and whether the pool is supervised; do not assume these from photos.

Plan journeys around the children, not just the sights

One main activity each morning, a proper lunch break and a flexible afternoon is a workable starting point for families with younger children. In Marrakech, pair one medina visit with time in a garden or at your accommodation rather than stacking several ticketed attractions. In Agadir, the promenade and beach are convenient, but check swimming flags and current conditions before entering the water.

Avoid treating a long drive as a sightseeing day. A Sahara camp may be memorable for older children, but journeys via the Atlas can take most of the day and operators vary in sleeping arrangements, vehicle restraints and access to toilets. Check the actual route and overnight stops using our Sahara guide. Families travelling by public transport can use the car-free guide to plan the connections without assuming a direct service.

Before leaving each morning

Confirm the nearest usable toilet, a shaded place to rest and the way back to your accommodation. Carry drinking water, snacks, hats, any prescribed medication and a change of clothes for younger children. If you need a baby-changing area or accessible toilet, check a specific venue rather than assuming it is available; our public toilet guide explains common facilities.

For outings with a driver, agree the pickup point, expected return time, child-restraint arrangements and whether stops can be added. Keep the day’s plan flexible enough to return early if a child becomes tired or unwell.

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. Pushchairs are impractical 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.

Booking a transfer with a child seat

• Give the operator each child’s age, weight and height. Ask which seat they will provide and whether it fits the vehicle assigned to you.
• Get confirmation for each leg, including the airport return and any transfers run by a different operator. Ask whether the driver can help fit the seat before departure.
• If you bring your own, confirm that the vehicle has the seat belt or ISOFIX fittings your restraint requires. If the booked seat is missing or unsuitable on arrival, ask for a replacement vehicle or seat before setting off.