Spending A Long Weekend in Morocco With Kids
We moved to Sintra, Portugal for 3 months in spring of 2024 to be a part of our second cohort with Boundless Life. Portugal was intriguing to us, and we had such a great first cohort in spring of 2023 with the organization in Greece that we couldn’t wait to do another one!
While we were in Portugal, we decided to take a long weekend trip to Morocco and check out a new continent for the first time- Africa!
Several people had recommended it and it was a relatively short and easy flight from Lisbon to Marrakesh.
Where Stayed:
A Riad Is The Way To Go!
We recruited two other families to join us, and had a total of 14 people for this adventure! When I was studying up on things to do and places to stay, everyone recommended staying in a riad as opposed to a hotel.
I found one on Airbnb that slept exactly 14, which meant we didn’t have to share it with strangers, so we booked it!
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an indoor garden and courtyard. We had a cook who made us breakfast each morning, and plenty of space to spread out. We are glad we stayed there and really enjoyed it.
Our riad was located inside the Medina, which is the old city of Marrakech, Morocco, and is considered the heart of its historic city center.
What is A Medina and what is it like?
A medina is a historical district in a North African city that is often a walled city. The word "medina" comes from the Arabic word madīnah, which means "city" or "town".
Medinas are often car-free and feature narrow streets, fountains, palaces, and mosques. They are an important part of Moroccan traditions and are often included in tourist routes.
I have never experienced anything like the Medina in Marrakesh.
Some words to describe it are:
busy
bustling
hectic
colorful
lively
interesting
loud!
For most it would be a stimulation overload! There are narrow alleys that feel like a maze with shops and restaurants, and people everywhere.
You have to be on high alert, as these alleys, which look like pedestrian walkways are open to everything- horses, carts, donkeys, bikes, cars and even big trucks.
It’s quite an experience to walk around, and I’m so glad we got to experience the sights, sounds, smells and feeling of the Medina.
You can spend a few hours taking it all in, or multiple days if you want to walk through all of the streets, alleyways, and shops. If possible, try and experience the main square of the medina at night. The lights, music, and energy are a site to see.
I’m also glad we took several trips to other areas to see more of Morocco!
Family Friendly Activities in Marrakesh (and surrounding areas)
Riding Quads (and camels) Through the desert
One day we took a tour bus out to the Agafay desert (fake desert according to the locals. The nearby Sahara is the REAL desert!). We had the option of doing a camel ride through the desert or a quad tour. We all thought that a camel ride in the Sahara would have been a magical experience, but since this was the “fake desert”, we opted for the quad ride…and it was a blast!
After the ride, we were served a traditional dinner and enjoyed a show that included music, singing, dancing and fire breathing! It was an excursion we will never forget! It was cool seeing people riding camels off in the distance, especially at sunset. It made for a cool visual and really made us feel like we were in Africa!
Guided Hike Through the Nearby Mountains
Another day we took another tour van to Ourika Valley in the Atlas Mountains. It was an all day excursion and we loved it.
It took about an hour to get there, but it was a great way to relax and see more of the area. Once we arrived, we went on an incredible hike through the small village and up into the mountains. We reached a waterfall at the end (which was full of tourists like us, but it was still a beautiful end-point).
Normally, you would hike back down the way you came, but to avoid the crowds of other groups coming up, our guide took us another back, going up higher into the mountains which provided absolutely stunning views before making our way down to the initial starting point.
The whole experience was great. We learned all about the history of the area, had lunch by the water and really enjoyed seeing yet another area of Morocco.
Traveling In And Out of Morroco
Luggage
Thanks to the pleasant time of year, we didn’t have to worry about packing for the cold or rain, so we only packed one backpack each for this 4 day trip, which counted as a personal item, so we didn’t pay any extra for luggage!
We each brought one good pair of sturdy shoes and I also brought a pair of sandals. We did a ton of walking, so comfortable shoes were really important. Since we do so much walking in our travels, we focus on getting high quality shoes that last, like these mens sneakers.
Airport
The airport was nice, but very crowded for both our flight in and flight out. The security lines were extremely long, but they made accomodations for our friends who had younger kids, allowing them to get in a separate line for families (which seemed to be for families with kids under 5, not sure of the official rule). Unfortunately, we didn’t fit that criteria, so we had to wait about 2 hours to get through the line.
Taxis and Transfers
It is very easy to get a taxi from the airport to your hotel or riad. Make sure you have local currency, as they do not take credit cards. Some offered to take Euros, but ask the driver beforehand. There is also a little Taxi kiosk where you can pay for your trip with a credit card and be assigned a specific taxi. It is just outside the airport exit.
Our Riad host helped schedule and book a return taxi for all 14 of us to go back to the airport. I am sure most hotels and experienced short-term rental hosts do the same. If not, just take notice of where the taxis tend to congregate. They are easy to spot as you are walking around and expolring the city.
Conclusion
Venturing into the vibrant chaos of Marrakech, Morocco, was a unique, unforgettable experience. Whether it was exploring the medina, riding quads through the desert, or hiking in the Atlas Mountains, every experience left us with a deep appreciation for the cultures we encountered.
We felt very safe during our entire trip, and we would love to explore more of Morocco one day (maybe to see the “real” Sahara Desert!).
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*Some products discussed in this blog were gifted to me by adidas however, all opinions are entirely my own.