Morocco works well with children when the plan respects two things: the distances, which are bigger than most people expect, and the pace, which should leave room for play. Here is how we would plan it.
“This tour was the ideal family outing for us, and we brought our kids along! Everyone had a terrific day thanks to the amiable and interesting guides. Every activity, including sandboarding and camel rides, was a huge hit with the children!”
Brent Hickle, on Tripadvisor, June 2025
Plan around the drive times
These are real driving times from Marrakech, without stops:
| From Marrakech to | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Agafay (stony desert) | 36 km | about 1 hour |
| Imlil (High Atlas) | 68 km | about 1 h 20 |
| Merzouga (Sahara dunes) | 556 km | about 10 hours |
With children, split anything long across several days and build in stops. The Sahara is still very doable as a family, but give it at least three days so no single day is spent entirely in the car. Our guide Marrakech to Merzouga explains the route.
A desert close to Marrakech
If your stay is short or your children are small, Agafay is an easy first taste of the desert, under an hour from the city. It is a stony desert rather than a sea of dunes, but there are camel rides, horse riding and camps for sunset and dinner. We compare the two in Agafay Desert vs the Sahara.
What children tend to enjoy
- Camel rides, in Agafay or at the Sahara dunes.
- Sandboarding down the dunes in the Sahara.
- A day in the mountains: short walks around Imlil, at their pace, with a local guide.
- The souks of Marrakech in small doses, early in the day before the crowds.
Practical tips
- Travel by day. Poor lighting makes night driving risky, so plan long drives for daylight.
- Walk the mountains with a guide. The UK government’s travel advice recommends a professional guide for Atlas hiking.
- Water, sunscreen and hats every day, all year.
- A warm layer for the desert. Evenings in the desert can be surprisingly cold, even after a hot day.
- Ask before taking photos of people, and especially of children.
A relaxed family plan
A few days in Marrakech with an evening in Agafay and a day in the Atlas around Imlil makes a gentle first trip. With more time, add three or more days for the Sahara. Our 3-day Sahara tour is private, so the pace follows your children rather than a group schedule, and we also run day trips from Marrakech.
Tell us the ages of your children and your dates, and we will suggest a plan: WhatsApp +212 661 933 546 or contact@travel-legacy.com.