Morocco with young children?

[ponderingthisthing]

We're planning a winter holiday in Morocco with DC aged 2 and 5. I keep reading very mixed things about Morocco with young kids and wondered if anyone could share their experiences? Getting a bit worried about tummy bugs, crowds, petty theft etc.! Is it a good idea to go on a tour? Any recommendations welcome for places to stay etc.! Thank you.

Posh budget or middling?

I wouldn't have chosen it with DD at that age but it is doable.

Moving around or staying in one place?

@MrsTerryPratchett mid to slightly higher end probably! We're thinking maybe 2 cities in the course of 10-11 days or so? Basically not too exhausting an itinerary. Thought about the dessert but got put off by how far it is to get there!

I loved Morocco. You will def get the shits though. Talk to your doctor before hand. Mine said that if i had spoken to her before i went she could have prescribed something that would have cured it in a couple of days.

The desert can be cold in the winter, as can the mountains. So Marrakech and Essaouira would be a nice combination.

I didn't get sick but DH did. I eat for the country and he doesn't. It was the dairy that got him!

We went in the height of summer in August pre kids though and neither of us got a tummy bug. We stayed in Marrakech.We avoided street food,no ice in drinks etc. So it isn't guaranteed that you will get an upset tummy but you do need to be sensible and take precautions, eg pack antibacterial handles. Do a bit of research.We ate in restaurants only and stayed in a lovely hotel . We went to Essaouira for a day trip and also to the Atlas mountains.

I'd say it depends on your kids temperaments and how well travelled they are. It is tiring hopping from one city to another.

*handgel even!

We found the food amazing, mostly ate in the places we stayed - check tripadvisor for anywhere you're thinking of eating if you're worried.

I was the only one who got food poisoning and guess where from.....KFC in Jemaa el-Fnaa square! Stupid, stupid thing to do but after a week of delicious tagines etc ds wanted something Western. Just wish I'd taken my own advice and read the reviews on tripadvisor!

We travelled before the internet was good enough to check Tripadvisor reviews on the go and both got pretty sick at different points. My DH got sick from a tourist restaurant where an undercooked egg cracked into a tagine seemed to be the culprit (probably needed to wait longer to eat it) so I would be careful to make sure eggs are well cooked. Local food is not necessarily a problem if it is freshly cooked and not reheated. I’m not sure if Morocco would be a relaxing holiday with young kids for me but it will also depend on what your kids are used to and where you stay.

We did Marrakech when ours were slightly older than your kids, and to be honest, we didn't enjoy it entirely.

We stayed slightly out of centre, in one of the resort hotels (quiet, coming out of season so not very well stocked- 'enjoyed' many refreshing red wines round the pool )

We found the souks very overwhelming whilst trying to keep hold of three kids, although to be fair, that bothered us more than them. But all three came home with E Coli 157, so there was also that...

Definitely on the list for DH and me to do on our own though.

I wouldn't spend more than a day or two in Marrakech - it's interesting but quite overwhelming. I actually lived in Morocco between the ages your kids are and have so many good memories (obviously a while back now!) and have been back a few times since. Taghazout and Essaouira are both good options for a seaside holiday. I'd personally give Agadir a miss - it's very commercialised.

The Atlas Mountains are also lovely but maybe not for travelling with kids so young!

I've never been sick in Morocco just to give a bit of balance to PP's comments, ha.

I went to Essaouaira (I've probably spelt that wrong! ) when my little boy was 2. It's great for small kids, massive sandy beach and it's very chilled out. Loved it, and the Moroccans are so friendly towards children.

I went to Marrakech Pre kids and tbh I wouldn't see it as a family holiday destination particularly; bit too full on for me these days. I've also stayed at a fabulous hotel about half an hour from Agadir (Agadir itself is a hole). The hotel was called Paradise Plage and is well worth a look. I've been to Morocco 3 times and I've never had any problems with theft or sickness.

We travelled to Marrakech with a 3 year old and stayed in a Riad in the old town. My friend stayed with her DD also 3 in different accommodation at the same time - no one got ill ( unlike the 5 star hotel in Mauritius we stayed in this year). We used a carrier for DD to get around rather than a pushchair. We also hired a driver to take us out to the Atlas Mountains to do a hike which was beautiful. Ate in recommended local restaurants and had some great food.

I’m not sure I see it as a particular troublesome place to visit unless you’re very new to international travel or busy cities.

Been twice, stayed at posh hotels and only ate there or at relatively expensive restaurants/cafes. Did not touch anything pork. Didn’t get ill, had fab time.

As a woman though you do need to be physically near your man when out in public, particularly at markets / in cities, if you don’t wanna get groped ☹️

I’d go again.

Anyone who eats ‘street food’ in Morocco is unwise. Only go to nice restaurants. You don’t have to spend loads just think of equivalent of Pizza Express not the burger van.

Ps it is colder than you think. We hired a driver to drive us up the mountains. Was freezing and lost in fog, couldn’t see a thing.

I went with DD one February, to Marrakech. Stayed in a 4 star hotel with pool, 5 mins walk from the Katoubia mosque and the main square. Neither of us got stomach upsets/groped or pestered, despite being on our own and DD being a v attractive 20 something at the time!
I don’t think a v young child would particularly appreciate the cultural sights, but they might enjoy the performing monkeys and snake charmers in the square, a horse drawn carriage ride round the old city, seeing camels, the amazing giant cacti and plants of the Jardin Majorelle, and a trip to the Atlas Mountains to visit a mediaeval stone house and take tea with the Berber inhabitants. Our hotel had adorable tortoises roaming in the gardens, which DD enjoyed feeding on lettuce scraps from lunch.

We went when ours were 7 and 5 - stayed in Fawakay which is small and very family friendly about 10
min drive from the centre. They had a great time. I got a nasty tummy bug (I NEVER get tummy bugs).

I would recommend but not at 5 and 2, wait a couple of years.

These are all great suggestions, thank you! To get from one city to the next, we were thinking of booking a transfer rather than taking the coach/ train. Are there any reputable companies for this type of thing? Want to avoid taxis off the road asap as heard they can charge x10 the standard price!