15 Things to do in Marrakech with teens

 

So near, yet so different!

With a 3 hour flight from London, you can be in Marrakech in North Africa. In my experience, its hands down the most culturally different and exotic place nearest to the UK.

Nicknamed “the red city” because of the natural red ochre pigment of the buildings, Marrakech is beautiful, smelly and intriguing all at the same time. A big part of visiting Marrakesh is experiencing it by site, taste and feel! The scents of the Middle East and Africa – spice, incense, all blend with the exhaust of the ever-present moped and other natural smells! It’s quite an experience.

 

Is Marrakech good for families?

Marrakech is definitely good to families with older kids. With younger children, I think it would depend on where you are staying and what you are doing. In the crazy medina area, you’d have to keep little ones near you simply to avoid a collision with a moped! Also it might be hard for a young child to understand the selling culture in the streets and souks. Teenagers, on the other hand, will be fascinated.

 

 

15 Things to do in Marrakech with the family (especially older kids)

 

1. Stay in a Riad

The explosion of Riads in Marrakesh has completely revolutionised local tourism. A riad is a traditional home that has been renovated and transformed into a boutique hotel. Once the homes of successful merchants, they have been built one on top of each over the centuries, resulting in a labyrinth of mazes. The outside is not much look at, a wall with perhaps a window. But open the exquisitely carved Cedar doors and you suddenly escape the crazy medina into an exotic and peaceful sanctuary. 

 

 

2. Hone your haggling skills in the souks

North of Jemma el-Fnaa, there is a maze of narrow lanes with small shops with everything from leather goods to babouches (slippers) to poetry! These are the souks! 40,000 local craftsmen sell their wares here.  If you need it, they have it. Leave room in your suitcase because you will want to bring everything home with you. There are some lovely colourful textiles, pretty hand-crafted jewelry, and beautiful pottery. Also bring your haggling skills, it’s all part of the fun. Pick your price, and if they agree it’s like an auction you are morally obligated to buy. It’s good fun and they are friendly and aren’t aggressive (like they were in Dubai). The souks are open roughly from 8:30am to 9:00pm. Many shops are closed on Fridays, and some merchants leave their shop for a few minutes during prayer times.

 

 

 

3. Explore Jemma el-Fnaa by day and by night

In the heart of Marrakech is the carnival-esque Jemma el-Fnaa square. A wide open space that by day is filled with orange juice stands and shops and by night turns into an outdoor eating area and theatre with snake charmers, fire eaters and musicians. Once where criminals sentenced to death by the sultan, the Jemaa-el-Fna square, now it is one of Africa’s best-known squares. It’s crazy busy but also great fun. Just watch phones in back pockets and wallets. 

 

 

4. Get lost in the Medina

You WILL get lost in the narrow na maze like streets of the medina (medina is Arabic for town). It’s part of the magic. It is a “full on” experience and takes a bit of getting used to. Watch out for the moped speeding past as you walk through the narrow streets. Luckily they seem to have a 6th sense, as many come very, very close but don’t actually collide.

 

 

5. Try Moroccan Food

Moroccan food is practical and unfussy, coming from Persian, Andalusian and French influences. The basic premise is to put ingredients in a pot and let it cook for a long time! Perhaps most famous is a Tajine, which is named for the ceramic dome-shaped dish in which it is cooked. Tajina is specific to Marrakech, where traditionally the dish is placed in the coals of the local hammam and left for hours to simmer. There is also salad marocaine (Moroccan salads), bisara (thick pea soup, briouettes (envelopes of ground meat wrapped in filo), couscous, cinnamon-dusted pastilla (a sweet/savory pigeon or chicken pie). Pastries include cornes de gazelle (almond filled crescents), briouat (nut filled oil parcel). 

 

 

6. Learn to cook Moroccan Food!

Gain a newfound appreciation for Moroccan cuisine and learn to make a traditional Moroccan meal such as couscous or ‘tagine’ (a meat and vegetable dish named after the pot used for cooking). Many Riads have cooking classes with the resident chef who will happily share their family secrets and recipes. even if there is a language barrier, you can bond over how to make the perfect couscous.

 

 

7. Drink fresh squeezed orange juice

Fresh squeezed orange juice is one of my favourite things in the world and oranges are everywhere in Morocco and very cheap. Most Riads will serve fresh squeezed orange juice for breakfast. By day, Jemma el-Fnaa square is full of orange juice vendors. I’ve heard mixed reports, and stories of getting very ill. If you buy from a vendor, just watch that it is fresh squeezed and they don’t mix in any water (or ice!). If you like oranges you will love the local dessert Canelle  – thinly sliced oranges sprinkled with cinnamon, sugar and orange flower water.

 

 

8. Indulge in Moroccan mint tea

You will most likely have Moroccan mint tea several times while you are in Marrakech. Gunpowder tea is seeped with lots of spearmint leaves and sweetened with sugar. It’s also delicious without the sugar (just ask if it is available – our Riad served tea with sugar on the side). The traditional way to serve is poured into a tea glass from above to create a frothy crown. For the ultimate tea service, have tea at La Mamounia hotel – you can check out the fancy hotel and garden while you are there (no jeans, shorts, trainers and T-shirts). 

 

 

9. Relax and clean up at a Hammam

Hammams, Turkish-style steam baths, are a great way to experience the local culture and relax at the same time. The larger public baths are separated by sex, but you can also go to an upmarket Spa to experience a private hammam. Prepare to be very hot, be scrubbed with pleasant smelling soap and leave feeling very relaxed (and clean)!

 

 

10. Hang out at a Swimming Pool

Don’t fret if your riad doesn’t have a swimming pool. Many hotels make their facilities available for a day rate. The Fairmont Royal Palm, Movepick Mansour Eddahbi, Four Seasons, Bedli Country Club, Nauru Barriere and even the all-inclusive Club Med La Palmeraie all offer facilities/ pool day passes, many with a meal included. Also try the Daypass app. 

 

 

11. Have breakfast on Riad rooftop!

Most riads have a rooftop patio where they serve breakfast. Make sure you check it out. You can sip coffee or fresh mint tea as the birds chirp, the sun shines  and Marrakech comes alive.

 

 

13. Meander around Jardin Majorelle

Created in 30s by French artists Jacques and Louis Majorelle is a small peaceful oasis located in central Marrakech. It’s a stunning garden with cactus, bougenvilla, bamboo and great palms. It’s all entered around the artist’s studio, which is painted a stunning cobalt blue (names Majorelle blue). Neglected for a while, Yves Saint Laurent purchased the garden and keeps it open to the public. There’s also a Berber museum (with some pretty trendy clothing). It’s a wonderful place to escape crazy Marrakech and take photos. Get there early though as it attracts the crowds. There’s a great cafe there to stop by for lunch!

 

 

13. Visit the Yves Saint Laurent museum

The new Yves Saint Laurent museum, opened in 2017, spans over 4,000 square metres and showcases Yves saint Laurent’s work. It’s completely gorgeous. If you are into fashion it’s a must-see. Plus, you can buy a ticket for both the YSL museum and Jardin Majorelle and go straight to the front of the queue for the gardens and the queue was huge!

 

 

 

14. See the beautiful Bahia Palace

Bahia mean marvellous, and the Bahia Palace certainly is. Another place to take respite from the bustling Medina and take pics. Shady courtyards and blue mosaics are very inviting. It took 14 years for Moroccan and Andalusian craftsmen to create this work of art. The tiles were imported from Tetouan, the marble from Meknes while the cedar wood used for the painted and shimmering ceilings came from the atlas mountains.

 

 

 

15. Get a Henna Tattoo

A popular “souvenir” to take home is a personal piece of artwork on your body! There are talented henna artists all over Marrakech. Go or natural red henna (not black synthetic) You can either go to the square with a street artist or skip the haggling and scams and  visit the Henna Cafe, which is a registered cultural foundation in Morocco. They offer food, henna, art and classes. All income from these cultural experiences is used to give free education and assistance to Moroccan people. If you get a tattoo,  be careful, Henna is a strong dye and it can stain your clothing and can stain the linens at your riad! Ask for plastic to wrap around for a couple of nights.  

 

Things to skip

• Don’t take a photo with a monkey in the Square. They are poorly treated and taking photo just encourages the vendors.
• Don’t take a Caleche ride, similarly the horses are poorly treated
• Don’t drink the water, or anything that may have been washed in water (such as lettuce) or made with water, such as ice cubes!
• Be very selective with street food 
• Don’t wear low-cut tops and shorts! Respect the culture and cover your shoulders and knees.
• Note: Ben Yousseff Madrasa is closed for the next 2 years for renovation

 

Suggested reading

Marrakech Express by Peter Millar. Fabulous descriptions of getting lost finding his Riad in Marrakesh, the magic of visiting Jemma el-Fnaa and cooking tanjia in the coals of a local hammam.

 

Watch our Video: The Modern Family goes to Marrakech!

 

 

 

IF YOU GO

Riad Asrari http://www.riadasrari.com  42, Derb Derdouba, Arset Ihiri, Marrakech Medina 40000, Morocco +33 2 35 36 91 51 (read my review of Riad Asrari)

Jardin Majorelle Rue Yves St Laurent By A-Maps، Marrakesh 40000, Morocco http://www.jardinmajorelle.com

Yves Saint Laurent Museum Rue Yves St Laurent, Marrakech 40000, Morocco +212 5242-98686 https://www.museeyslmarrakech.com/en/

Cafe Árabe 184 Rue Mouassine, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco +212 5244-29728 https://www.cafearabe.com/en/

Cafe Majorelle (in the Jardin Majorelle) Rue Yves St Laurent By A-Maps، Marrakesh 40000, Morocco http://jardinmajorelle.com/ang/visiting-the-garden/

Heritage Spa 40 Arset Aouzal Rd, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco +212 5243-84333 http://heritagespamarrakech.com/en/

Henna Café Arset Aouzal Rd, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco +212 658-028697 http://www.hennacafemarrakech.com/

Bahia Palace Avenue Imam El Ghazali, Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech Km 12 Route d’Amizmiz، Marrakesh, Morocco +212 5244-87800 www.fairmont.com

La Mamounia Avenue Bab Jdid، Marrakech 40040, Morocco +212 5243-88600 https://www.mamounia.com/