Marrakech with kids is colourful, loud and full of small adventures: camels, blue gardens, pottery wheels and a whole city to explore. This guide covers the best things to do with children, what they cost and how to make the Medina easy for the whole family. It is written by the team behind Dar Bassidi, a family-friendly holiday home in Marrakech.
Is Marrakech good for families?
Marrakech is a very good city for families. Children are welcome almost everywhere, and many sights are free or cheap for kids. The Medina can be busy and loud, so the key is a good rhythm: an outing in the morning, a calm break at midday and a short trip out in the late afternoon.
The best seasons for a family trip are spring and autumn, when days are warm but not hot. In summer, plan early starts and a pool in the afternoon. In winter, days are mild and sunny, with cold nights. Read our guide to Christmas and New Year in Marrakech for a winter trip.
The best things to do in Marrakech with kids
| Activity | Best for | Price for children | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jardin Majorelle | All ages | Free under 10 | Tickets only online, go at 8:30 |
| Le Jardin Secret | All ages | 30 dirhams (6 to 18) | Quiet garden inside the Medina |
| Koutoubia Gardens | Young kids | Free | Fountains and shade next to the mosque |
| Calèche ride | All ages | Agree the price first | Horse-drawn carriage around the city walls |
| Camel ride | All ages | Varies | Palmeraie or the Agafay Desert at sunset |
| Pottery or painting workshop | Kids and teens | See below | Hands-on, kids take their piece home |
| Oasiria water park | All ages | From about 170 dirhams | Open late March to early November |
Sources: Avygeo, Le Jardin Secret, Lonely Planet, Nomado.
Gardens: Jardin Majorelle and Le Jardin Secret
Gardens are the easiest start for a family day. Jardin Majorelle, the cobalt-blue garden of Yves Saint Laurent, is free for children under 10 and calmest when it opens at 8:30 (Avygeo). Book tickets online in advance, because there is no ticket office at the gate.
Le Jardin Secret is a restored palace garden right inside the Medina. It costs 50 dirhams for adults and 30 dirhams for children aged 6 to 18 (Le Jardin Secret). Older kids love the view from the tower, which costs a little extra.
For a free break, let young children play by the fountains of the Koutoubia Gardens, in the shade of the palms next to the famous mosque (Lonely Planet).
Camels, calèches and the desert
A calèche, a horse-drawn carriage, is a fun way to see the city walls without tired legs. Choose a carriage whose horse wears a blue tag: these horses are microchipped and checked by the animal charity SPANA (Lonely Planet). Agree the price before you get in.
A camel ride is the highlight of many family trips. Short rides in the Palmeraie take about an hour, often with mint tea. For a bigger adventure, head to the Agafay Desert, less than an hour from the city, for a camel ride at sunset and dinner under the stars.
Palaces and the Medina
Palaces work best with kids who like stories of sultans and secret courtyards. Bahia Palace is free for children under 7 and costs 50 dirhams for foreign children aged 7 to 13 (Nomado). Ben Youssef Madrasa costs 10 dirhams for children under 12 (Médersa Ben Youssef).
Older children enjoy the souks most when they have a mission. Give them a small budget and let them haggle for a lantern, a pair of babouche slippers or a bag of spices. Our guide to Marrakech souvenirs explains how bargaining works.
Hands-on workshops
Workshops are perfect for a slower day. Children can shape a bowl on a pottery wheel, paint a canvas or learn to crochet, and they take home what they made. Older kids also enjoy a Moroccan cooking class, where they shop for spices and cook their own tagine.
Oasiria water park
On hot days, Oasiria is the favourite of many children. The water park has pools, slides, a wave pool and a lazy river, about 15 minutes by car from the Medina (Nomado). It opens from late March to early November. Children under 1.50 metres pay about 170–200 dirhams, and babies are free. Check the current prices on the official website before you go.
Practical tips for Marrakech with kids
- Leave the big stroller at home. The Medina lanes are narrow and busy. Use a baby carrier for babies and a light, foldable stroller for toddlers.
- Hold hands in the Medina. Bikes and mopeds share the lanes with walkers, so keep small children close.
- Plan around the heat. Go out early, rest at midday and head out again in the late afternoon.
- Bring cash. Many ticket counters, taxis and stalls only take dirhams.
- Book transfers with a child seat. Taxis rarely have child seats, so book a private driver in advance for the airport and day trips.
- Pack sunscreen and hats, even in winter, and take shade breaks in the gardens.
- Find baby supplies in supermarkets like Carrefour, which sell international nappy brands.
- Stay calm with street animals. Cats and dogs are common in the city. Teach children not to run towards them.
Sources: Lonely Planet.
Where to stay in Marrakech with kids
With children, space and calm matter more than anything. A private holiday home gives everyone their own bedroom, a kitchen for snacks and simple meals, and a living room for quiet hours. Before you book a riad, check for age limits, because some riads only accept guests aged 12 and over (Lonely Planet).
Dar Bassidi suits families and groups. The whole house is yours, with four bedrooms for up to 8 guests, a roof terrace with a grill and a living room for slow evenings. It sits in a gated residence with 24-hour security, three shared pools for the warmer months and free parking right in front of the house. The house is on two floors with stairs, so keep an eye on toddlers.
A free 24/7 airport pickup makes arriving with tired children easy. Our guide to where to stay in Marrakech compares the different areas and types of stay.
Family activities you can book with us
Several family activities in this guide can be booked through Morocco Voyage. Full disclosure: Morocco Voyage is our own partner brand. All prices are per person, for two people or more:
| Activity | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Pottery, crochet or canvas painting workshop | €50 |
| Moroccan cooking class | €40 |
| Agafay camel ride and dinner show | €39 |
| Agafay quad, camel ride and dinner show | €45 |
See all activities in the experiences section.
A family trip full of firsts
Marrakech gives children a trip they will talk about for years: their first camel ride, their first bargain in the souk, their first bowl from a pottery wheel. Keep the days short, the mornings early and the afternoons slow, and the city becomes a big adventure for the whole family.
Planning a family holiday? Dar Bassidi is a private holiday home for up to 8 guests with four bedrooms, a roof terrace and a free 24/7 airport shuttle. Check the calendar and book direct.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marrakech good for kids?
Yes, Marrakech is a good city for children. The gardens, camel rides, calèche tours, workshops and water park are all very family-friendly, and children are welcome almost everywhere. The Medina can be busy and loud, so plan short outings, take breaks and keep small children close in the narrow lanes.
Can you use a stroller in Marrakech?
A big stroller is hard to use in the narrow, crowded lanes of the Medina and on the stairs of rooftop cafés. A lightweight stroller works for toddlers, and a baby carrier or sling is best for babies. Gardens like Jardin Majorelle and the wide streets of Gueliz are easier with a stroller.
What is the best time to visit Marrakech with children?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for families, with warm days that are good for walking. Summer is very hot, so plan early mornings, a pool at midday and outings after sunset. Winter brings mild, sunny days and cold nights, which suits sightseeing well.
Do children pay entrance fees in Marrakech?
Many sights in Marrakech offer free or reduced entry for children. Jardin Majorelle is free for children under 10, Bahia Palace is free for children under 7, and Ben Youssef Madrasa costs 10 dirhams for children under 12. Bring cash, because many ticket counters don't take cards.
Are taxis in Marrakech safe for children?
Taxis in Marrakech rarely have child seats, and some have no seatbelts in the back. For airport transfers and day trips, book a private driver in advance and ask for a child seat if you need one. In the Medina, most places are easiest to reach on foot.
Where should families stay in Marrakech?
Families do best with space, a calm base and an easy arrival. A private holiday home gives you separate bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. Check age limits before you book, because some riads only accept guests aged 12 and over.
Sources
- Lonely Planet: The best things to do with kids in Marrakesh – family activities and practical tips (accessed November 2026)
- Avygeo: Majorelle Garden – opening hours, ticket prices (accessed November 2026)
- Le Jardin Secret: Visiting – opening hours, ticket prices (accessed November 2026)
- Médersa Ben Youssef: Opening hours and prices – ticket prices (accessed November 2026)
- Nomado: Marrakech's historic palaces – Bahia Palace fees for children (accessed November 2026)
- Nomado: Oasiria Water Park – season, hours, prices, location (accessed November 2026)