Marrakech with children

Unlike other countries in the region, Morocco is a safe country and is a perfect destination for any family trip. Generally, Moroccans love children and will be much friendlier to you if you visit the country with your little ones.

If you've decided to take your family to North Africa, bear in mind that the best times are autumn and spring. That way, you'll avoid the scorching temperatures of the Red City between June and September. Here's a list of 10 things to do in Marrakesh with the kids.

Jemaa el Fna is the vibrant heart of Marrakech. In this central location you'll find monkey trainers, tattoo artists, snake charmers, a 'dentist', healers and the obligatory food carts. The soundtrack is provided by gnawas, groups of musicians dressed in a variety of outfits.

Because of its location and exotic atmosphere, this could be the first activity to do with your children, as they will become familiar with the city's atmosphere while having fun with all the elements mentioned above. In fact, for their acclimatisation, you can also book a guided tour of Marrakech.

If you want, you can also visit Jemaa el Fna Square at night. At sunset, the heart of Marrakesh is transformed and it is the perfect time to taste traditional Moroccan dishes: couscous, tajine, harira or chebakia.

Located in the northern part of Marrakech, the Palm Grove is a place where children will feel like little adventurers as they ride on the back of a camel.

Some camel trekking excursions in the Palm Grove include a typical mint tea and a traditional snack so that they can discover the particularities of the local culture.

If you think you might be too hot during the day, you can choose a sunset ride which will give you the opportunity to admire one of Morocco's incomparable attractions: its sunsets.

What do "Gladiator", "Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra" and "Game of Thrones" have in common? Easy! All three were filmed in Ouarzazate, the Moroccan town known as "the Hollywood of the desert".

This gigantic set is a surprising place where the alleys of ancient Rome give way to Egyptian temples, Tibetan villages and buildings from ancient Jerusalem. If you want to surprise your children, the best thing to do is to book an organised excursion to the Atlas Studios. A private vehicle will pick you up from your hotel or riad in the morning and, after overcoming the mountains, you will arrive at your destination after about three and a half hours.

But Ouarzazate is much more than its Atlas Studio, so I also recommend a trip to Ouarzazate from Marrakech to see, for example, the amazing Kasbah of Ait Ben Hadu, a fortified city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your children are sure to love it too.

Terres d'Amanar is a resort 30 minutes drive from Marrakech and in the vicinity of Toubkal National Park. It is the perfect place to recharge your batteries and enjoy a wide range of leisure and sporting activities:

• Tyrolean traverse.
• Trampoline.
• Slides of the Accro Park Junior.
• Horse riding in the High Atlas (with ponies for the children).
• Archery (for children over 6 years old).
• Swimming pool.
• Table tennis.

But before we jump to the next activity, I can't help recommending another one for when you return to the country, this time without children. It is in the Toubkal National Park itself, which I mentioned earlier, and consists of trekking up Mount Toubkal. Of course, it's something for adults, so don't forget to do it if you're back in Marrakech.

Tobook a tour of the Majorelle Gardens is to enter a park of great beauty on the outskirts of Marrakech. Conceived and raised by the eponymous painter, it was rescued by Yves Saint Laurent in the 1970s.

The exponent of haute couture devoted time and money to restore this green area to its former glory. Thanks to him, we can stroll through this magical place that brings together hundreds of different plant species. For your little ones, it will be like entering a fairy tale. The palm trees, the cactus forest and the water lily pond will captivate your children.

A typical way to visit the centre is to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. If you want your children to have fun discovering the city, all you have to do is go to the most important places in Marrakesh: Djemaa el Fna Square, the Koutoubia Mosque or Foucald Square.

As is always the case in Morocco, you will have to negotiate the price with the driver before getting into the carriage, but I assure you that it is well worth it. This way the children can get to know the city without getting too tired. In spring and summer, it is advisable to avoid the middle of the day to avoid sunburn and sunstroke.

You can find more tips in the article 11 tips for visiting Marrakech.

If you want to escape the heat, there is nothing better than a trip to the Oasiria water park. It is located a few kilometres from Marrakech and is easy to reach thanks to free shuttles leaving from Place Jemaa el Fna.

In this beautiful spot, children can enjoy attractions such as the Pirates' Lagoon (a red ship anchored in the middle of a pool), mini-slides and the "overflowing buckets", large containers that spill water over children and adults. And there are also fun and sporting activities for children aged 6 to 12.

Oasiria also includes attractions designed for adults. One of the most famous is the Rio Loco, a rapid descent on lifebuoys in the middle of a man-made torrent. But if you like thrills, I recommend the Kamikaze, a very fast slide (almost 30 km/h) that can be completed in 4 seconds.

If your children are over 7 years old and love speed, you can take them to the Marrakech Kart Racing, a modern track hosted by the Moulay El Hassan Circuit.

The kids will have a blast driving a go-kart with adjustable controls and a four-stroke engine. You won't have to worry about their safety, as all the vehicles are made by an internationally renowned manufacturer with protection, wraparound bodywork and a shock-absorbing system. And if you have no previous experience, you can opt for the Tandem, a two-seater driven by an experienced instructor.

Marrakech Kart Racing is located near the Agdal hotel zone, a 10-minute drive from the airport and 5 minutes from Jemaa el Fna Square. With a width of 7 metres and a total length of about 1000 metres, the track is perfect both day and night.

The Cyber Park is a botanical garden that came into being during the 18th century at the behest of Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah. Today you can stroll through a beautiful rose garden, enjoy a quality Wi-Fi connection and find a wealth of information on the digital screens scattered around the park. If you want to relax in the shade of palm trees, answer an email and let the children play at their leisure, the Cyber Parc is the place for you.

This green lung is an oasis of tranquillity in the heart of Marrakech, located between the bustling Medina and the Gueliz district. It is open every day from 9:00 to 19:00 and can be visited by people with reduced mobility. If you want to organise your visit, you can read the article Marrakech in a day: an express guide to the city.

If your children like bicycles, why not take a ride on one? To explore the Red City, you can choose a bike tour. These tours go around Marrakech every day and take in the main s ights of the city.

The guide will show you the most beautiful and famous sights and the most picturesque alleys, and there are also short stops for you to refresh yourself or take some photos.

They usually last about three hours and you also have the option of renting bikes in the Palm Grove.

Morocco is an exotic country and your kids will love it. However, before landing it is important to have some useful tips in mind:

• In Morocco you may encounter pickpockets and, most certainly, pushy salesmen. In general, however, it is a safe country. See the article Safety in Marrakech for more details.
• If you're travelling with your children, it's not advisable to use public transport. Buses are often overcrowded, so it 's best to rely on taxis and private drivers.
• When travelling with children, it's important to be able to take them to a park to let them let off steam and play. In Marrakech, the Cyber Park is the place to be. The other green areas (such as the famous Majorelle Garden) are not intended for these activities.
• Rabies is endemic in Morocco. To avoid health problems, it is best to avoid contact with stray animals.

-Tap water is supposed to be safe to drink, but it is not advisable to drink it. If your children are thirsty, always have bottled water on hand.

• If your kids like drones, I have some bad news: you are not allowed to fly drones in Morocco. Leave them at home or they could be confiscated at the border.
• All kids (or almost all) love Camel Rides. Make sure they don't come home disappointed...