From historical sites to fun-filled experiences, here’s everything you need to know for a memorable family-friendly trip to Marrakech.
Why Visit Marrakech with Kids?
Marrakech is a vibrant, busy and buzzing city that will dazzle the senses, and for kids, it can feel like stepping into a fairy tale. With its bustling medina, snake charmers, and incredible food, there is so much for families to discover and explore. While it may seem overwhelming at times, Marrakech is a great destination for families if planned properly.
Here’s some of our top experiences and tips from visiting the city. We went on a long weekend leaving on Thursday morning and returning on Sunday night. This was plenty of time to enjoy the city – although you could make it a week and travel to seaside towns to break up a city break with some relaxation.
10 off the beaten track things to oo in Marrakech with kids
1. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
For a magical start to the day, take a hot air balloon ride over the Moroccan desert. Kids will love the adventure of flying high above the city, with breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains and Berber villages below. For us this was one of the highlights of our visit. We booked through getyourguide and our experience was seamless, highly recommend.
🛠 Pricing: approx £100 per person, with discounts for children. Most tours include breakfast and hotel pickup and some also offer camel rides in the desert.
📜 Fun Fact: Some rides include a visit to a Berber home, where you can enjoy Moroccan tea and learn about local traditions.
2. Ride a horse-drawn carriage through the city
Swap taxis for a horse-drawn carriage (calèche) ride through Marrakech! It’s a fun and relaxed way for kids to experience the city’s sights without too much walking.
🛠 Pricing: A calèche ride costs around £20 per hour.
📜 Historical Context: Calèches have been used in Marrakech since the early 20th century when they were a main form of transport for wealthy families.
3. Explore the tanneries and watch leather-making in action
Venture into the tanneries of Marrakech, where leather is made using centuries-old techniques. Kids will be fascinated by the large stone vats filled with colorful dyes, and they can even see craftsmen working on leather bags, belts, and shoes. This was a great and authentic experience – it made us have a new appreciation for the leather making process.
🛠 Pricing: Free to enter, but tipping a local guide £3-£5 is recommended and expect to be taken to a shop where you can buy products made in the tanneries.
📜 Tip: The tanneries can be smelly due to the traditional process—bring a scarf or accept the mint leaves that locals offer to mask the scent!
4. Visit Anima Garden – A surreal wonderland
If you want a break from the city, Anima Garden is a hidden paradise about 30 minutes from Marrakech. It’s filled with surreal art, colorful sculptures, and lush greenery—like stepping into a fairytale!
🛠 Pricing: €12 for adults, €6 for kids (includes a shuttle from the city).
📜 Fun Fact: The garden was designed by Austrian artist André Heller, blending nature with imaginative artwork.
5. Experience an immersive dining show
Rather than a regular restaurant, take your family to an immersive dining experience where Moroccan food is served with music, dance, and fire performances! Great venues include:
- Nouba Restaurant (Belly dancing, acrobatics and fire performers)
- Palais Dar Soukkar (Belly dancing & live music)
- Agafay Desert Camps (Dinner under the stars with a fire show)
🛠 Pricing: £40-£80 per adult, £20-£40 per child, depending on the venue.
📜 Tip: Book in advance, as these shows sell out quickly.
6. Visit the Henna Art Café & get a henna tattoo
For a unique cultural experience, visit the Henna Art Café, where kids can get natural henna tattoos in beautiful Moroccan designs. Parents can sip mint tea while the artists work their magic!
🛠 Pricing: Simple designs start at £5, while intricate ones cost £15.
📜 Fun Fact: Henna has been used in Moroccan celebrations for centuries and is considered a symbol of good luck.
7. Take a day trip to a Berber village in the Atlas Mountains
Escape the city for a day and visit a traditional Berber village in the Atlas Mountains. Kids will love seeing how people live in the mountains, and they can even try baking Moroccan bread in a clay oven!
🛠 Pricing: Guided tours start from £40 per person (includes lunch and transport).
📜 Tip: Visit on a market day (Monday or Thursday) to see the village come to life with stalls selling spices, textiles, and handmade crafts.
8. Experience a family-friendly hammam spa
A visit to a traditional Moroccan hammam is a fantastic way for the whole family to relax and experience an important part of local culture. While some hammams are too intense for young children, there are family-friendly spas that offer gentler treatments, making it a fun and calming experience for kids. We booked this spa in our hotel for a hammam and massage treatment and it was a really joyful experience for me and my son. Highly recommend.
✅ What to Expect: A hammam experience typically includes a warm steam bath, followed by a gentle black soap scrub, and a soothing rinse with warm water. Some spas even offer kid-friendly oils (we had eucalyptus) and milder scrubbing techniques.
🏡 Family-friendly hammams in Marrakech:
- Jemaa El’Fna Suites and Spa – gentle hammam and spa experience for adults and children from age 9.
- Les Bains de Marrakech – Offers a gentle family hammam experience with private rooms.
- Heritage Spa – Specializes in customised treatments for parents and children.
🛠 Pricing: Expect to pay €25-€40 per child and €40-€80 per adult, depending on the spa and treatments chosen.
📜 Tip: Book a private family hammam session for a more comfortable experience with little ones!
9. Create your own perfume in a Moroccan perfumery
Step into the world of Moroccan scents and let your family create a custom perfume inspired by Marrakech! Kids will love mixing essential oils, choosing their favorite notes, and designing their own signature fragrance to take home as a souvenir.
✅ What to Expect: A guided workshop where a perfumer explains the art of Moroccan fragrance-making, including scents like orange blossom, rose, and amber. Each person gets to blend their own unique perfume!
🏡 Best Places for a Perfume Workshop in Marrakech:
- Nouha – a small boutique with lots of hand-on elements
- Musee du Parfum Marrakech – A perfume museum where you can create and bottle your own fragrance.
🛠 Pricing: Workshops start at £20-£60 per person, depending on the size of the perfume bottle and the ingredients used.
📜 Tip: Ask about the meaning of different Moroccan scents—many have traditional uses in beauty and wellness!
10. Traditional Must-Sees: Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace & Le Jardin Secret
While exploring Marrakech’s hidden gems is exciting, no trip is complete without some traditional highlights. These family-friendly spots are a must-see:
✅ Majorelle Garden – A stunning botanical garden restored by Yves Saint Laurent, featuring a Berber Museum with traditional jewelry, clothing, and pottery (£12 entry). Advice booking in advance as tickets sell out.
✅ Bahia Palace – A 19th-century palace with stunning mosaic courtyards and secret gardens (£7 entry).
✅ Le Jardin Secret – A beautifully restored Islamic garden in the medina, perfect for a peaceful escape (£8 entry).
✅ Koutoubia Mosque – The largest mosque in Marrakech, best viewed at sunset (free to see from the outside).
✅ Ben Youssef Madrasa – A beautifully preserved Islamic school with intricate carvings and courtyards (£6 entry).
Marrakech offers so much more than the typical tourist spots. By mixing adventure, culture, and hidden gems, you’ll create a truly unforgettable family trip.
Check out our reel for a visual representation of our trip and don’t forget to share your experience in the comments.