Morocco is a great trip with kids when the route is built around how families travel: a private vehicle you control, two nights in the Sahara instead of one, and breaks on the long driving days. Ten days covers the classic loop of Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech at a pace children can enjoy.
Kids can ride a camel at sunset, sleep in a desert tent, watch craftsmen at work in a medina and spot monkeys in a cedar forest, all in one trip. This guide gives you a 10 day family itinerary, then covers rooms, the desert camp, long drives and what to pack.
Is Morocco Good for a Family Trip?
Yes, and the variety is the reason. Few countries give children deserts, mountains, colorful old towns and markets within one road trip.
What kids usually love most:
- The Sahara at Merzouga: a camel trek over the dunes, a night in a desert tent and a sky full of stars
- The cedar forest near Azrou: Barbary macaques living wild along the road from Fes to the desert
- Chefchaouen: blue streets made for slow walks and photos
- The medinas of Fes and Marrakech: workshops, spice stalls and the evening buzz of Jemaa el-Fna square
- Ait Ben Haddou: a fortified earthen village that looks like a film set
The challenge is distance. Morocco is a big country, and a few days on the route involve long drives. A private tour is the easiest way to manage that with children, because the vehicle, the stops and the pace are yours.
Why a Private Tour Works for Families
- Your own vehicle: a private, air-conditioned, recent-model 4×4 or van used only by your family, so you stop for a bathroom break, a snack or a photo whenever you need to
- Your own pace: if a child is tired, the day can be shortened; if everyone loves a place, you stay longer
- A driver and guide who look after you: they handle directions, tickets and local advice while you focus on the kids
- Airport pickup and drop-off: you are met on arrival, which matters after a long flight with children
- A route that bends: a stop with a lot of stairs or walking can be shortened or removed
English-speaking drivers are standard, and Spanish-speaking drivers and guides can be arranged. For a full comparison, read private vs group Morocco tours.
A 10 Day Family Itinerary
This is our classic 10 day route, with notes on what children enjoy at each stop. It starts and ends in Casablanca, and it can start and end in Marrakech instead. You fly into and out of the same city.
| Day | Route | What kids enjoy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Casablanca, Hassan II Mosque | A short first day to rest after the flight |
| 2 | Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat | Blue lanes to explore in the evening |
| 3 | Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes | Roman mosaics and columns in open fields |
| 4 | Fes guided tour | Tanneries, workshops and a medina with no cars |
| 5 | Fes to Merzouga via Ifrane, Azrou and the Ziz Valley | Monkeys in the cedar forest, then a sunset camel ride |
| 6 | A full day in the Sahara | Dunes, free time and a second night under the stars |
| 7 | Merzouga to Ouarzazate via the Todra Gorge and Dades Valley | Canyon walls and winding mountain roads |
| 8 | Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou | A real kasbah village, with an optional climb |
| 9 | Marrakech guided tour | Souks, gardens and Jemaa el-Fna at night |
| 10 | Transfer to the airport for your flight |
See every day in detail in our 10 day Morocco itinerary. With 14 days, the loop slows down and adds Essaouira on the coast: see two weeks in Morocco. To compare every trip length, start with our Morocco itinerary planner.
Pace, Rooms and the Sahara Camp
Long driving days. Fes to Merzouga is 468 km, about 7 hours with stops, and tours leave Fes between 7 and 8 a.m. With younger children, you can break this drive with a night at Aguelmame Sidi Ali, a quiet lakeside stop between Fes and the Sahara, when your dates allow. The route is explained stop by stop in our guide to Fes to Merzouga.
Two nights in the Sahara. This is the best choice for families. One night means arriving at dusk and leaving after breakfast. Two nights give you a full day in the dunes and time to rest after the drive. Your luggage comes with you to the camp. Read what to expect at a Sahara desert camp.
Camels and quads. The camel trek is included. Tell us your children’s ages when you inquire and we will advise. Quad biking is an optional extra, run by a separate local agency and booked on arrival at the camp, so ask us about age and safety rules before you decide.
Rooms. Hotels and riads are arranged for the size of your family at the level you choose: Standard 3*, Affordable Lux 4* or Deluxe 5*. Tell us how many adults and children are traveling, and their ages, so we plan the right rooms. Larger families travel in a van.
Meals. Breakfast is included every day, and dinner is included at the Sahara camp and at selected stops on the route. Simple choices such as couscous, fresh bread, grilled meats, salads and fruit work well for picky eaters.
If you would rather drive less, read slow Morocco for routes with fewer hotel changes.
Beaches and Easy Extras for Families
Many families want beach time after the desert. Essaouira, a relaxed seaside town with a harbor and ramparts, is included on the 14 day itinerary. For other options along the coast, see the beaches of Morocco and the best beach cities for a summer vacation.
In Marrakech, families often add a half day in the Agafay desert, about 40 minutes from the city, or a hot air balloon ride at sunrise as an optional extra. Our list of Marrakech experiences you can book has more ideas.
What to Pack for Kids in Morocco
- Clothing: light, loose layers that cover shoulders and knees, plus a warm layer for desert nights. Our guide to what to wear in Morocco covers each place and season.
- Sun and sand: hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and a light scarf for everyone. See what to pack for a Morocco desert trip.
- Shoes: comfortable closed shoes for uneven medina lanes, and sandals for the riad.
- For the road: snacks, water, downloaded movies or games, and motion sickness remedies if your children need them.
- Strollers: narrow lanes and stairs make strollers hard in the medinas. A carrier is easier for young children.
- Health: talk to your doctor or a travel clinic before you leave, and bring any medicine your family needs.
- Phones: plan your connection before you land with our guide to using your phone in Morocco.
- Insurance: we recommend travel insurance for every trip.
Weather changes a lot by region and season, so check the best time to visit Morocco before you choose dates.
Morocco With Kids FAQ
Yes. Camels, desert tents, markets and colorful old towns keep children interested, and a private tour lets you set the pace.
Most families travel without problems. Keep children close in crowded medinas and follow your guide’s local advice. Read our honest take on whether Morocco is safe to visit.
Ten days covers the main route with two nights in the Sahara. Fourteen days gives a slower pace and adds Essaouira.
The camel trek is part of the Sahara camp experience. Tell us your children’s ages when you inquire and we will advise.
Children over 4 are priced as adults. For typical prices, see our guide to what a Morocco trip costs.
Yes. Stops can be shortened or removed, and long driving days can be broken up with an extra night.
Plan Your Family Morocco Tour
Tell us your travel dates, the number of adults and children with the children’s ages, your hotel level (Standard, Affordable Lux or Deluxe) and the city you are flying in and out of. Fill in the form below and we will send you a day by day itinerary and a quote.
Learn more about our private tours across Morocco, or read the Morocco private tours planning guide. For daily photos from the road, follow Simply Morocco on Instagram and Facebook. To choose where to go, see the best cities to visit in Morocco.
