Quick answer: travelling in Morocco with kids works well if you keep travel days short and avoid the hottest months for the desert. A good first family trip is Marrakech, plus an easy mountain day in the Ourika Valley (about 30 km away), plus a few days on the coast at Essaouira (about 2 h 30 by road). Add the Sahara only if your children cope with long drives: the dunes are several days away there and back. For getting around, a vehicle with room for luggage and pushchairs saves a lot of stress. If you need child seats, confirm them in advance with whoever provides your transport.
A 7-day family itinerary with short travel days
| Day | Plan | Travel |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Marrakech and settle in | The airport is about 5 km from the centre |
| 2 | Marrakech at a gentle pace: gardens and the Medina in the morning | On foot and short taxi rides |
| 3 | Ourika Valley: river, villages, short walks | About 30 km each way |
| 4 | Marrakech → Essaouira | About 190 km, roughly 2 h 30 (per our routes page) |
| 5 | Essaouira: ramparts, harbour, beach | On foot |
| 6 | Essaouira → Marrakech | Roughly 2 h 30 |
| 7 | Optional Agafay afternoon (a rocky desert about 30 km south), or rest; depart | Short drive |
Why this works: no day has more than a few hours in a vehicle, and the week mixes city, mountains, coast and desert scenery. For an adult-paced week with the Sahara, see our 7-day Morocco itinerary; for longer trips, our 10-day itinerary.
Adding the Sahara with children
The Sahara dunes at Erg Chebbi (Merzouga) are beyond the High Atlas, over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,205 m), and our shortest route there takes three days. It can be a highlight for older children, but consider:
- long, winding mountain drives, which matter if anyone gets carsick
- heat: the desert edge gets extremely hot in summer; Zagora’s recorded summer highs reach 44.9 °C
- altitude: the UK government notes that altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Morocco
If the dunes are a must, look at our private tours from Marrakech.
Getting around Morocco with kids
| Option | With children | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer / driver | Door to door, room for luggage and pushchairs, stops when needed | Book ahead; confirm child seats if you need them |
| Train | Good between the main cities (Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes) | Doesn’t reach the coast towns, mountains or desert; plan station transfers |
| Coach | A budget option to Essaouira and Agadir | Fixed schedules; luggage handling |
| Petit taxi | Short hops within a city | Drivers may pick up other passengers (UK government advice) |
Choosing a vehicle size (capacities as listed on our fleet page):
- Up to 3 passengers: a saloon, e.g. the ŠKODA Superb (3 passengers / 4 bags)
- 4–6 passengers: a people carrier, e.g. the Mercedes V-Class (6 passengers / 7 bags)
- Several families together: a Mercedes Sprinter (16 passengers / 10 bags)
Practical tips for families
- The Medina on foot: cars can’t enter many of the Medina’s lanes, so a baby carrier is often easier than a pushchair there.
- Riad arrivals: ask your riad where the car drop-off point is and whether someone can help with luggage.
- Heat: plan outdoor visits for mornings and late afternoons in warm months.
- Cash in small notes helps with snacks, porters and tips.
- Day trips: the Ourika Valley and Agafay (both about 30 km away) are the closest. Ouzoud (about 150 km) and Ait Benhaddou mean long days in the car. Browse our private day trips from Marrakech and our guide to the Ourika Valley.
FAQ
Is Morocco good for a family holiday?
Yes, with realistic pacing: short travel days, time on the coast and easy mountain trips work better than trying to see the whole country.
What’s a good Morocco itinerary with kids?
For one week: Marrakech, an Ourika Valley day, two or three nights in Essaouira, and optionally an Agafay afternoon. It keeps the drives short.
Can we do the Sahara with young children?
It’s possible, but it means several long driving days over the High Atlas (our shortest route is three days), and summer heat at the desert edge is extreme. Agafay is a closer desert-scenery alternative.
Which vehicle fits a family of five with luggage?
A people carrier such as the Mercedes V-Class (listed for 6 passengers and 7 bags) is the comfortable choice.
Travelling as a family? Tell us your children’s ages, your luggage and your route on WhatsApp or via our contact page, and we’ll suggest a suitable vehicle from our fleet.