Traveling with a family can be very fun but can also be very hard. Once you have kids and a family to travel with, you have to know places that accommodate for an entire family rather than just you. Because of this, you and your family should look into visiting Marrakech, Morocco.
Marrakech is one of the most amazing places to take the kids to because there is so much to see and experience as a family. In fact, there is so much to see and do that all the stress of the family will melt away and you will find yourself having fun and relaxing.
There is a lot of history to Marrakech as well as a lot of sights to visit and see. Because there is so much to break down, here is the ultimate guide to traveling to Marrakech and what you can expect once you get there.
Details About Marrakech, Morocco
The history of Marrakech dates back nearly 1,000 years back to when it was founded and named by Morocco. It went on to be the capital of Morocco and has grown tremendously since then. While it is no longer the capital of Morocco, it is still an amazing place to visit and learn about.
Marrakech is the largest of the cities in Morocco and from the map of Morocco, you can see that it’s located in the southwestern area of what is known as Marrakesh-Safi. It is just along the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, which make a wonderful sight to see when you are visiting.
Commonly Asked Questions
When people are planning to travel to Marrakech, there are a few specific questions that they ask before the journey. To help ease your stresses for your journey, below are some of the most common questions that are asked and the answers to them:
When is the best time to visit Marrakech?
The best time to visit Marrakech is between the months of March and May as well as between September and November. These are the best seasons to visit because they not only have the best weather throughout the entire year, but they also offer affordable traveling and hotel stays. While you can still visit Marrakech during other stretches of months, the weather may not be as ideal so be aware of that.
What is the weather like in Marrakech?
The most ideal weather is between the months of March and May as well as September and November because the sun is shining, and it is just warm enough to not be sweating like crazy. Throughout the months of December, January, and February, the weather is between 43 degrees Fahrenheit and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so it is still not crazy cold. Between March and May, one of the ideal times to travel, the weather is between 48 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. During the span of June to August, the weather heats up to around 60 degrees to over 90 degrees. Finally, during the months of September and November, the other ideal traveling months, the weather is between 64 and 90 degrees yet again.
What is the time zone in Marrakech?
The time zone in Marrakech is known as GMT +1:00 meaning that it is nine hours ahead of California in the United States.
What is the population of Marrakech?
As of this year, the population of the city of Marrakech reached 928,850 and has grown since then. As stated, prior, it is the largest city in Morocco, so it has quite a large population of people living there year-round.
Things to do and Places to Visit in Marrakech, Morocco
1) Medina Marrakech
Medina is one of those magical places that you see in movies but don’t realize actually exist in real life and is truly one of the best places to visit in Marrakech Medina is a maze-like area in Morocco that is filled with bath houses, cobblestone streets, and an original citadel. While there, you can experience traditional dancers, food, and even snake charmers. It is a place that your kids will stand in awe at all the magic that is going on around them.
Visiting at daytime is a great experience, but you can also visit at night when the lights are on and the street is glowing a magnificent yellow and orange aura. But be aware that the streets are extremely confusing so always carry a map or have a great sense of direction so you’re able to get back to your accommodations safely without getting too lost.
2) Go Down to the Market or Souk
One way to fully immerse yourself in the culture of Marrakech is to take your family down to the market or Souk. A souk is a traditional market, and Marrakech has some of the largest souks in Morocco! There are a couple of different souks that you can go to in the city, and each sell various goods, trinkets, food, clothing, and more. This is the best way to interact with locals, see some cultural elements the city has to offer, and have a fun day with your kids just taking in everything. Going to a Souk is one of the best things to do in Marrakech.
3) Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa
The Ben Youseff Madrasa is a preserved Islamic school dating all the way back to the 14th century in Morocco. It has amazing and traditional Moroccan design, architecture, and more.
Now, you can walk through it and see all of that amazing art and design for yourself. Trust me, photos do not do this beautiful building justice. And you’ll certainly add this to your list of best things to do in Marrakech while on a vacation.
4) Go to the Maison De La Photographie
If you and your family are fans of museums and history, a must-see place is the Maison de la Photographie. While this building is quite small and doesn’t seem to hold much, the photographs that are displayed here are some of the most beautiful shots taken over the past century and more. You certainly would love visiting here, as this is one of the top things to do while in Marrakech. You can spend hours here and still not take in enough, especially if you are one that is drawn to photography and art of any kind.
5) Eat Traditional Food
As with any other place that you visit, one of the best things to do in Marrakech is to partake in some traditional dishes that they offer.
One way to get in touch with the culture of a place is to enjoy their foods because food has a deeply rooted spot in culture. There are many traditional cuisines that you can enjoy while in Marrakech, so just take your pick!
6) Go to Essaouira
If you have a day off of your adventures and travels, you can take a day trip down to Essaouira where you can take in the sights and smells of the ocean. Essaouira is a beautiful place on the coast of Morocco that many people either don’t know about or don’t travel to because it doesn’t have all of the hype that other places do. However, you can catch a tour or a bus to Essaouira, so you too don’t miss out on the beauty of this coastal city. Certainly a great place to dip into water, especially when you’re trying to escape the heat of the inlands.
7) Experience Casablanca
If you’re up to a day trip, then Casablanca is another wonderful place that you can easily visit from Marrakech by catching a train ride. It has beautiful history and sights to see as well, just as Marrakech does.
All you have to do to get there is to buy some train tickets and enjoy the ride. Plan to spend at least a day or two in Casablanca since you need about 2.5-3 hours travel time each way.
8) Get a Vacation Package
If you don’t feel like planning an entire trip for the whole family to Marrakech, you can invest in a vacation package that comes with everything you need, including the flight. While these can get pretty high in price, they do make the travelling much easier and less stressful. While this is not the best choice for everyone, it can work very well for some people. You have to search and read reviews to make sure you end up with a great tour company.
Where to stay in Marrakech, Morocco
When you are traveling to a city as beautiful as Marrakech, you want to make sure that you stay in a riad or hotel that is just as beautiful and can accommodate the whole family. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses built around the central courtyard or interior garden. Riad are usually family-owned and the family that owns the establishment typically live in the house. Some riads have swimming pools or smaller spas to dip in, especially when it gets hot outside. The windows of a riad typically face the inner courtyard for privacy. Most riads are built within the maze-like streets of busy Old Medina and finding your maze on arrival is already is an adventure!
Most people that come to Marrakech chose to stay in a riad to enjoy Marrakech in a more authentic way. It’s sort of equivalent of getting an Airbnb or HomeAway rental that come with breakfast included. Most times, the riad owner lives in the same home and is available to take care of you during your visit. There are so many beautiful riads in Marrakech, and choosing the best one is an exercise in patience. But you’d have to research to make sure you find what fits your family. Be aware that the best riads sell out really quickly, especially during peak travel months. Once you decided that you want to go Marrakech and want to stay in a riad, you should consider booking your accommodations as soon as possible.
And if you do want to stay in a riad, be aware that they can sometimes be hard to find in the Medina in Morocco. You might want to talk with your host about meeting with you at your taxi drop-off location on arrival as cars can’t drive into many places within the Medina. Don’t arrive after dark and certainly don’t wander too far without a map if you can help it. It’s quite easy to get lost in the beautiful maze that is Medina.
If a riad is not your thing, you could try a hotel and there are quite a lot of great hotels in the city. A few great hotels in Marrakech including five-star hotels include:
- Hotel Sofitel
- La Mamounia
- Royal Mansour Marrakech
- La Sultana
- Villa des Orangeers
- Royal Mansour
- Four Seasons Marrakech
- Mandarin Oriental
- Amanjena
- Selman Marrakech
Overall
Overall, if you are looking for a family-friendly trip where you can, the entire family can kick back and have a good time or see all the sights together, Marrakech is an amazing choice for you. Being the biggest city in Morocco has its advantages because it means that there is a lot to see and do while you are there.
We know family trips can be stressful and can cause a lot of worry and stress. However, vacations are not meant to be stressful, and that is exactly how you will feel when you get to Marrakech. In Marrakech, you can throw those worries away because there is something to see and do around every corner of the city, so don’t miss out. Yes, Medina might be a maze, but that is the beauty of experiencing different cultures and foods.
If you take the family to Marrakech, your kids will not be bored because of the mass amounts of things to do and experience in this wonderful city. Plan your trip today and have the time of your life!
