Ever thought of visiting Morocco with children? We bring you a selection of some of the great places to stay in Morocco with kids
Introduction
Morocco is a surprisingly family-friendly travel destination. The people tend to be very warm and welcoming, particularly towards children. The country is vast and very varied, with a mixture of tourist accommodation to match. To get a better insight into some of the best places to stay in Morocco with kids, we have teamed up with some of our favourite travel bloggers who share our enthusiasm for Morocco, to bring you this list of brilliant places to stay in Morocco with Kids.
For more of how we spent our time touring the country with 3 small children, check out how we spent 1 month in Morocco.
If, like us, you are planning to visit Morocco in a campervan or caravan, also see our top 5 campsites in Morocco for children.
Riad Les Clos Des Arts, Marrakech
By Nina, from Nina Out and About
If you’re looking for a unique and beautiful place to stay in Morocco with your kids, look no further than Riad Les Clos Des Arts, in Marrakech.
This Moroccan style boutique riad is the perfect spot for families who want to experience the magical atmosphere of Morocco, while having all the comforts of home.
The riad has five spacious and luxurious suites, two of which are big enough for families of 4. They feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, flat screen TV’s and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The riad also offers a range of amenities for families including a large pool with shallow sections for younger children, games in the lounge, and lovely seating areas in the main areas so dad can take the kids and let mum have a lie in. They even greet you with fresh cookies!
What really sets the Riad Les Clos Des Arts apart is its proximity to the Marrakech Medina – it’s very easy to get around. Just blocks from the riad is the amazing Jemaa El Fna, the city’s largest square and a great place to take kids as there are monkeys and henna painters. There’s also the palace, gardens, and markets of Marrakech only a few minutes away.
The area is away from busy roads, making it safe for children to explore the riad to their heart’s content.
The cost for an overnight stay starts at $250 USD per night, with discounts available for extended stays.
Essaouira Medina Airbnb
By Jenny, from Explore Essaouira
Families love Essaouira due to its laid back vibes, small and manageable medina, long stretches of beach, and lots of activities for the kids to do (surfing, horse riding, quad biking, and more). But rather than booking into one of the hotels in Essaouira, perhaps consider an airbnb instead?
Airbnbs are perfect for families who want to immerse themselves into the culture and everyday life of Essaouira. You are, after all, staying in someone’s home. Indeed, the beauty of an Airbnb is that this is a home from home, with a kitchen and washing machine. Self-catering is always the easier option if you’re visiting Essaouira with kids, as you can be flexible with your meal times and have a fridge to stock all the snacks (there’s a Carrefour supermarket in Essaouira).
Plus, an Airbnb rental also gives families the space to spread out, and kids can often have their own rooms (this is often an important factor for finding accommodation if you are visiting Essaouira with teens). And if you’re planning on staying in Essaouira for a month you can often get up to 50% off your stay.
JA&SO house in the heart of the medina, tucked away from the main throng, is a wonderful airbnb for families split across three different levels. There’s a dining area, lounge, three sleeping areas, three toilets, a very small kitchen and washing machine. The house oozes quirk and character, but the best bit is the rooftop with two separate areas overlooking the rooftops. Families with babies and toddlers may struggle here with all the steps, but it’s perfect for ages 3+.
Chez Brahim, Ait Ben Haddou
By Ann, from The Road is Life
Travelling to the Moroccan desert is a bucket list experience for many families. Staying in a unique desert accommodation will make your holiday even more special.
One of the most popular places to visit in Morocco is the desert fortress of Ait Ben Haddou. This UNESCO listed village can be visited on a day trip from Marrakech but to really experience the magic of this place, you will need more than one day. A trip to Ait Ben Haddou is a great addition to everyone’s Morocco itinerary.
There is nothing quite like waking up and looking out the window of your accommodation to see the ancient desert fortress bathing in the golden morning light. This incredible experience is made possible by booking a room at Chez Brahim which is located directly across from the village.
Besides the fantastic views that you will get from the rooms, nothing beats eating breakfast on the rooftop terrace while surrounded by breath-taking desert scenery. Staying at Chez Brahim will be a highlight for any family visiting Ait Ben Haddou. It also provides the chance to see this exotic destination before and after the day trippers arrive on tour buses.
When visiting Ait Ben Haddou with kids, you can’t miss out on the chance to go for a desert camel ride. The kids will also love to explore the fortified village and climb to the top for a panoramic view over the desert and town below.
Kasbah El Hajja, Ait Ben Haddou
By Stephanie, from The Unknown Enthusiast
Kasbah El Hajja is an incredibly cool place to stay in Morocco with kids, as it is the only riad (or accommodation of any kind) that is available IN the historic ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Most people stop in Ait Ben Haddou on their way out to a Sahara desert tour, so why not make your stop at Ait Ben Haddou even more memorable?
After all the tourists leave for the day, you’ll be practically the only ones left in the ksar, with epic views from the terrace over the hillside village and into the date and olive groves below. This is an exceptionally unique property and one where you’ll feel like you just stepped into Arabian Nights.
Of course, you must walk around Ait Ben Haddou and explore all the nooks and crannies of this ancient village. This was also one place in Morocco where a guide really made a big difference in the experience – he showed us what all the different buildings were, what they were used for, and where the most important and beautiful spots were. (Just definitely haggle on the price for the guide!)
You can book this hotel on Booking.com, and a delicious breakfast spread is included in the price. This riad offers really great family rooms, with large rooms decorated in a traditional Berber style. The cost is very reasonable for this type of super cool accommodation and experience.
Kasbah Ellouze, Tamdaght, near Ouarzazate
By Heather, from Conversant Traveller
Sitting on the edge of a lush oasis, the imposing towers of Kasbah Ellouze keep watch over the rocky landscape of Tamdaght. This family-friendly guest house makes a great stop on the journey south from Marrakech to the desert, and it’s not far from Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou, which are among the most instagrammable places in Morocco.
The staff at Kasbah Ellouze are super welcoming, and they love kids so you know your little ones will be in safe hands here. There’s a heated pool with noodle floats for cooling off in the hot afternoons, and plenty of picturesque terraces for chilling out, or playing hide and seek!
Children love meeting the resident camels and going for rides around the oasis with handler Omar. There are troglodyte caves to explore down by the river, as well as the magnificent Kasbah of Glaoui which is just next door and was used for filming movies like Gladiator and Hidalgo. There’s also quad biking in the Fint Oasis to enjoy, while the famous UNESCO fortress at Ait Ben Haddou is just half an hour away.
You can book directly with Kasbah Ellouze by email, or via several third-party sites. Aim to stay around 3 nights to make the most of the activities, and to break up the long drive down to the desert. Rooms cost €90 for a double or twin, and €128 for a family suite – this includes breakfast and dinner.
L’ma Lodge, Skoura, near Ouarzazate
By Tamara, from We 3 Travel
L’ma Lodge is a family-friendly boutique hotel in the palm oasis of Skoura, near Ouarzazate. It is a perfect place to break up the long drive between Marrakech and Merzouga in the desert. You can book online and choose from one of the many family-friendly rooms that sleep three to five people. Nestled in a palm grove, this beautiful property offers relaxation and fun, with many cozy nooks dotted among the palms, with blankets, pillows, and hanging lanterns.
Children will love the family activities, from the playground with a slide, swing, and trampoline, to the free-form swimming pool and petanque field. Families can also tour the kitchen garden and say hello to the animals on property. The rates include breakfast and child rates are discounted. In addition, families can save 10 percent when booking directly and saying for three consecutive nights. Light lunch and dinner is also available on the property and is freshly prepared using local ingredients, many of which are grown on-site.
Nearby, families can visit the town of Ouarzazate, where many films are shot or the enclave at Ait Ben Haddou. In addition, L’ma Lodge can arrange guided hikes, mountain biking, camelback rides, or 4×4 excursions. A visit to the weekly market in Skoura is a immersive cultural experience not to be missed.
L’ma Lodge is the perfect respite after busy days of exploring and driving. The beautiful design, personalized service, and family-friendly activities make it an ideal choice to add to your itinerary when visiting Morocco with kids.
Hotel Kasbah Moyahut, Merzouga
By Children of Wanderlust
Merzouga is the town at the heart of Morocco’s desert tourism industry. Nestled beside huge red sand dunes, the town has a range of desert hotels to stay in, as well as offering the option of staying overnight at a luxury desert camp
The Hotel Kasbah Moyahut guarentees excitement on arrival. The mud construction, entrance foyer full of desert fossils, and maze of rooms and walkways all add to the atmosphere. There is also a pool, comfy outdoor seating and a licensed rooftop bar with desert views.
The staff are very friendly and welcoming towards children. There is the option of a family suite containing 2 separate bedrooms (with hot/cold air con) and private bathroom, perfect for those travelling with kids.
Only a short walk to the rear of the hotel brings you onto the desert dunes. It is possible to see some of the larger dunes, such as the majestic Erb Chebbi, which itself can even be climbed for sweeping panoramic views. On a clear night it is also possible to see an incredible display of stars in the night sky.
The hotel has its own desert camp located a short walk from the hotel. For a more authentic experience, consider heading instead on camels to a camp located further into the desert, such as the Sahara Stars camp (see below).
Sahara Stars Desert Camp, Merzouga
By Children of Wanderlust
No trip to Merzouga would be complete without a stay at a desert camp. Nowadays this can be achieved in complete comfort at one of the luxury camps that have sprung up in recent years. Although none of the camps are allowed to be based deep inside the desert, some definitely feel more secluded than others. The Sahara Stars camp is possibly one of the best in this regard, providing an authentic feeling of remoteness.
There are various ways to reach the camp, such as quad biking or in a 4WD for the less adventurous. Of course, for arguably the best experience, the real way to arrive is on camels. This sort of experience is the kind of thing that will stay with kids forever. Small children can share a camel with a parent or adult, so that thay don’t have to ride alone.
Once at the camp, the luxury tents all have comfy beds, cosy bedding for winter nights, and en suite bathrooms. Not at all how you’d imagine camping! The camp provides ample tasty meals to eat (with plenty of selection), as well as the option to buy alcoholic drinks if desired. Outside at the camp there is a campfire to sit around while admiring the stars.
In the morning, there is the option to ride the camels the 40 minute ride back again, or to instead take a 4WD transfer if preferred.
Palais Houyam, Fes
By Jenny, from TraveLynn Family
The sprawling medina of Fes, with its narrow and confusing web of alleyways, can be exhausting, especially in the heat. So your choice of accommodation needs some thought, even more so if you are visiting Fes with kids. Hidden in a quiet corner of Fes Medina, Palais Houyam is a pocket of tranquillity, offering an authentic riad experience for families.
Now a tranquil, riad experience may make parents of lively kids rather nervous. Indeed, like any riad in Morocco (a traditional townhouse with central courtyard), sound carries; voices of guests coming and going carry up through the central open courtyard, and you often hear every time a door opens or closes. But what makes Palais Houyam perfect for families is the relaxed and warm welcome; expect fist pumps and high fives for the kids, and perhaps the threat of being thrown into the pool (cue giggles).
The small pool is very much welcome if you are visiting in the warmer months. It provides a space for kids to play and expel some energy, which isn’t really possible in the usual confines of the medina alleyways. And the rooftop views are very impressive; you can see all across Fes and it’s stunning as the sun sets with the call to prayer drifting over the rooftops.
Whilst you’re in Fes, a guided tour of the medina is a must. You will be taken to the main tourist sites such as the tanneries and university, but also to places you just wouldn’t find on your own, such as where to buy chameleons for black magic and camel testicles! It’s also worth exploring outside of the city walls to visit the pottery factories, Jewish Quarter, and have a run around the gardens of Jardin Jnan Sbil.
Riad Moulaydriss et Giacomo, Fes
By Kanu, from My Lost Camel
Riad Moulaydriss et Giacomo is a gorgeous riad on the entrance of the medina in Fes. The riad is perfect for kids because of the unique way it’s structured and the design of the rooms themselves.The riad has four levels, each with its own rooms and the best rooms for kids is the twin room. The room has two twin beds with a sofa in the middle that’s very fun to jump on, run across and be a kid. If you prefer your kids to be in the same room as you, the deluxe room has a large king bed and two sofa beds in the living room.
The riad is also situated in an area that is very safe which is always important when you are traveling with kids. It’s near the entrance to the medina and there is always a police presence here. The medina is also right at your doorstep and so are all the wonderful restaurants and gardens in Fes.
The rooftop is also very interesting for a kid to see across the tops of all the buildings in the medina and point out the forts in the distance. This riad is usually booked out in advance because of how popular it is so be sure to book your room a couple months in advance. The rooms cost between $70 to $200 depending on which room you are booking and the season. The booking can be done through booking.com and the hosts (a mother and daughter duo) are more than happy to provide accommodation for children, recommend nearby places or make a specific dinner for you specially – which is great if you are traveling with a fussy eater.
In Summary
Morocco is a beautiful and interesting country, full of history and intrigue. The sights and sounds of its iconic tourist attractions are often a feast for the senses. The friendly welcome and range of avtivities available are sure to leave visitors of all ages with a sense of wonder, especially children who have the chance to really experience this feeling of magic wherever they go.
The growth in tourism has brought about an explosion in the quantity and variety of accommodation that is now available to visitors, with many now specifically tailoring their offerings to meet the needs of families and those travelling with children. This all makes Morocco a truly special country to visit with kids at any time.
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