Morocco for Families: 7 Days in Marrakech, the Atlas, the Desert and Essaouira

Trip overview

A family week with drives of two and a half hours at most: Marrakech, a village in the Atlas, a night in a tent in the Agafay desert and the beach at Essaouira.

• Duration7 days / 6 nights
• Starts inMarrakech
• GroupPrivate · 2–12 people
• DifficultyEasy
• LanguageEspañol
• DeparturesDaily departures all year round

Highlights

• Drives of two and a half hours at most
• Private vehicle with child seats on request
• A Marrakech visit planned for children
• Mule ride through a Berber village in the High Atlas
• Night in a family tent in the Agafay desert
• Camel ride at sunset
• Two nights by the beach in Essaouira
• Family-friendly accommodation, many with pools

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech

   We pick you up at Marrakech airport with the child seats you've asked for and take you to your riad or hotel. We look for places with family or connecting rooms and, where possible, a pool.

   The afternoon is free to rest. If the children still have energy, at the end of the day you can take a short walk to Jemaa el Fna square to see the musicians, storytellers and orange juice stalls. For the first night, an early, simple dinner on a nearby terrace is best.

   Family riad or hotel in Marrakech

2. 2

   Day 2: Marrakech for young explorers

   In the morning, before the heat builds, a Spanish-speaking guide used to families shows you Marrakech. At the Bahia Palace the children can look for patterns in the tiles, and in the souks they watch blacksmiths, carpenters and dyers at work.

   After lunch, pool time at your accommodation. Late in the afternoon we go to the Majorelle Garden, with its giant cacti and fish ponds. If you prefer, instead of the garden we arrange a family Moroccan cooking or pottery workshop, which children usually love.

   Family riad or hotel in MarrakechBreakfast

3. 3

   Day 3: Marrakech – Imlil Valley, High Atlas

   We head for the High Atlas, an hour and a half from Marrakech. On the way we stop at a village to see how Berber bread is baked in a clay oven and, with luck, taste it fresh.

   In the Imlil valley we take an easy walk through the villages, among walnut trees, orchards and small waterfalls. The youngest can ride a mule, always led by a muleteer, and it's usually what they remember most about the day. We have lunch with a local family or on the terrace of a guesthouse looking out at Toubkal. Night in a lodge with a fireplace; it gets quite chilly at night.

   Lodge or guesthouse in the Imlil valleyBreakfast, lunch and dinner

4. 4

   Day 4: High Atlas – Agafay Desert

   Breakfast in the mountains and the drive down to the Agafay desert, about two hours away. On the way we visit an argan oil cooperative, where the children see the seeds being cracked by hand.

   We reach the camp in the early afternoon. The family tents have beds for everyone, and on the Superior option a private bathroom too. Before sunset we head out by camel across the stony hills, a short ride depending on the children's ages. Then dinner by the fire with music and, if the sky is clear, we show them how to pick out some constellations.

   Camp in the Agafay desertBreakfast and dinner

5. 5

   Day 5: Agafay – Essaouira

   Breakfast at the camp and off to the coast. It's about two and a half hours, with a stop halfway. The road crosses argan forests and sometimes you'll see goats up in the trees, which children find very funny.

   We reach Essaouira before lunch, at a hotel near the beach or a riad inside the walled medina. In the afternoon we walk along the Skala ramparts, with their old cannons, and there's time for the beach. It's cool here even in summer.

   Family hotel or riad in EssaouiraBreakfast

6. 6

   Day 6: Essaouira: harbour, beach and medina

   In the morning we go to the fishing harbour: blue boats, seagulls and the auction of the day's catch, with plenty of noise and bustle. Then we walk through the white and blue medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and go into the thuya wood workshops, where the children see boxes and toys being carved.

   At midday the simplest option is grilled fish by the harbour. The afternoon is free for the beach. You can book a surf lesson for the older ones or a horse or camel ride along the shore, with instructors used to families. These activities are paid separately.

   Family hotel or riad in EssaouiraBreakfast

7. 7

   Day 7: Essaouira – Marrakech and departure

   Breakfast and, at a time agreed according to your flight, departure for Marrakech. It's about two and a half hours with a rest stop. With an afternoon flight, we can stop for lunch on the way or give you some free time in Marrakech for last-minute shopping.

   We take you to the airport with plenty of time to check in. If you want to stay longer, we add nights at the beach or in Marrakech. You can also finish in Agadir, about three hours from Essaouira, if your flight home leaves from there.

   Breakfast

What's included

Prices per person

The vehicle and driver are paid per day and shared between the travellers, so the price per person goes down the more of you there are. Accommodation is charged per person per night (6 nights).

• Standard: Comfortable hotels and riads, standard desert camp
• Superior: More characterful accommodation and a superior desert camp
• Children aged 3 to 11: 3% less than an adult.
• Groups of more than 7 people travel in two vehicles. The booking calculator takes this into account.

Payment and cancellation

You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.

Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.

Frequently asked questions

Destinations on this trip