Morocco with 12 year old

[Jank8]

Any advice/ideas? We dont want just a beach holiday would like some sightseeing and culture. Not sure where to start!

Marrakesh is fabulous and a 12 year old would love it. Stay in a riad and not a fancy western style hotel.
There are loads of trips and activities you can do from there too.
Avoid Agadir though. It reminded us of 1970s Costa Brava.

No beach in Marrakech. Nice beach and family atmosphere at Essaouira

Do you reckon it'd be OK for a single mum with 2 sons (both over 12) - last time I went to Morocco (Tangiers) was many years ago, and the harassment when I walked around was pretty full-on - I'd prefer my sons not see that.

OP doesn’t want a beach holiday.

Yes. We didn’t experience any harassment in Marrakesh.

I went with my teen son and didn't get any harassment other than once or twice a child begging in the evenings.

I went with my (then) teen DD to Marrakech and she loved it. Lots of palaces, the souk, the main square in the evenings has pop up restaurants and lots of street entertainers singing and playing instruments.

i’ve been back myself many times and one time I was there for their national storytelling festival which was magical.

Misread! Ignore my comment....Sorry.🙄

Actually, I wasn't clear in my original post, I would like to spend some time at the beach but also do lots of other things!

essouira is much nicer than Marrakech, much more chilled out. In Marrakech you get hassled the whole time by traders. It’s relentless and quite wearing. Essouira is totally different. And it has a great relaxed hippy vibe.

Oh I am so happy seeing the comments about essouira As we are going there October !! (With 3yr old and two teens)!!

Is the 12 year old female? I got harassed a lot in Marrakech and groped and I was with dh. Essaouira was much nicer, more laid back. I have a friend who loves Marrakech but goes to an all inclusive resort in la palmeraie and doesn't really leave it other than on organised coach outings. That's not my kind of holiday.

We had 4 days in Marrakech, we saw some lovely things, ate all sorts at jemaa el fnaa, although the monkeys in chains were very sad to see, then hired a car and drove to Essaouira on the old roads and back on the new ones. A man in Marrakech tried to pull me out of the car in a petrol station when DH got out, another grabbed me between the legs from behind when I was using a cash point and DH was a few metres away. I was dressed sensibly in loose trousers and sleeved tops not that it should make a difference, but when in Rome.... I also felt a lot of men would only talk to DH.
We did have some nice experiences in restaurants and the owners of the riad we stayed in were lovely. The museums etc were great.

Eat the fish that comes in directly from the boats and you choose it fresh from little stands and they BBQ it, honestly delicious! I got offered 'hashish' a lot in Essaouira so watch the teens! 😂, it's has a really chilled friendly vibe, I'd take ds there but wouldn't go to Marrakech again

I stayed with a 12 year old boy in Marrakesh in a riad for a few days then headed out for an all inclusive with loads of entertainment for rest of holiday. He LOVED riad and medina then hated all inc. him and dad did dune buggy driving which went very well whilst I shopped in the medina and did cultural things on my own. I was treated very respectfully and had no bother at all - maybe because I dressed modestly. Not sure but it was a brilliant holiday.

Oh great sounds perfect and we are a fish living family so thanks for the tip! X

Did you do it independently or through a travel company?

Would love to know how you get on! Where are you staying? Have you booked a package or independently booked?

We were there 3 months ago... No hassle at all

Essouria is lovely, but very windy

Air b n b. A great big villa just for us! With a pool 🥰
and upon request someone to prepare us authentic cuisine!
i can’t wait 😍😍

What about an organised tour and a few days in a riad at the end
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/morocco/morocco-family-holiday-159489

Marrakech was like this for me - lots of con men, men following us and women tricking foreigners into extortionate henna prices then grabbing them and shouting if they debate the charge, not somewhere I'd want to go as a vulnerable teen myself. I wouldn't go back as I felt very unsafe in the souks. I've been to Casablanca and not felt that way and I hear Essaouira is nice.

I went as a 10yo girl, 12yo girl and 17 and hated all 3 times because men were very pervy, even at 12 years old. There was a lot of hassle at the markets etc and I didn’t feel safe or enjoy it.
I have been as an adult since then and enjoyed it much more, staying in a nice hotel and going on guided tours. Prefer Egypt though.