The Sound Of The Souks

Category: Visiting Marrakech with children

Exploring The Red City Of Marrakech.

  • Visiting Marrakech With Children.

    Helpful advice for parents.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    There are plenty of parents choosing Marrakech as a  holiday destination with children. It is a safe city with a low crime rate, central to areas like Essaouira on the Atlantic coast, and easily affordable. With some careful planning and being aware of the pros and cons, travelling to Marrakech as a family can be a fun and rewarding experience.

    The following list contains  everything parents should know before booking a holiday in Marrakech. I include safety tips and the best time to visit. I offer suggestions to help parents put an itinerary together that the whole family will enjoy. There are a few snippets of useful information to make travelling with children a success.Knowing these things will allow families to get the most out of their holiday stressfree.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    • Marrakech is touristy. The medina is incredibly busy, and the souks can be overwhelming. Instead of using a stroller, consider a child carrier in the narrow alleyways. If that’s not possible, plan to visit early in the morning when it’s quieter. Mornings in the main square are also less chaotic. After dusk, the square comes alive, and the crowds swell. This can be overstimulating for young children. Plan to venture out early to avoid the mayhem.
    • When considering a stay in a riad, choose a room on the ground floor facing the courtyard. This is more suitable for young children. There are a lot of steep  steps up to the rooftop terrace, which may also be problematic. There is often a small pool in the centre of the courtyard, so parents with young children will need to keep a close watch over their infants. Riads are ancient structures, and soundproofing isn’t great. This could make you feel conscious of other guests hearing your children. There is the option of booking a whole riad for your family and although it’s pricier, you won’t have to worry about keeping your children quiet. The Kasbah district is less busy if you do decide to stay in a traditional riad. There are a number of hotels and apartments in Gueliz and Hivernage, which may be a better choice for younger children. The Palmerai has resorts that specifically cater to  families of all ages. These offer facilities like spas, gyms and swimming pools. Many resorts are all-inclusive.
    • The weather in Marrakech can be extremely hot, especially during the summer months when temperatures can exceed 40° Winter is an excellent time for visiting with children. The temperature is still warm and sunny, turning cooler in the evening. There are fewer tourists at this time of year, making it easier to visit popular sightseeing attractions. Springtime is also a good time to travel to Marrakech but gets much busier than winter.
    • When the weather is hot, consider visiting water parks like Oasiria, Eden Aquapark, and Aqua Mirage. Some resorts offer day passes, and you can take advantage of their facilities, including the swimming pools. I recommend La Maison Des Oliviers in Agdal.
    • There are a number of gardens around Marrakech where children can let off steam. Cyber Park is a beautiful quiet space, and Koutoubia Mosque has a peaceful garden, especially during the evening. Both are free to enter. Amina Garden is a magical garden where nature and art meet. It’s a stunning botanical garden with paintings by Picasso. Entrance fees start at €3 and it’s a fun day out for all the family.
    • The food in Marrakech is diverse. There are plenty of European and international dishes available in most restaurants. For picky eaters, there are popular chain restaurants like  McDonald’s, KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s strategically positioned throughout the city.
    • Keeping children hydrated is important. There are a number of shops selling bottled water around Marrakech. Do not offer children tap water. Although it is said to be safe to drink, it doesn’t taste very pleasant, and I wouldn’t risk it.
    • Remember to pack some medication in case your children feel unwell. There are plenty of chemists in Marrakech, but by being prepared before you travel, you save yourself any hassle if your child does pick up a cold. Plasters and antiseptic cream may come in handy also.
    • Whichever time of year you visit Marrakech, apply high factor sunscreen on your children. You can not underestimate the power of the African sun. I have been sunburnt in March.
    • There are enclosed shopping malls like Menara Mall and Eden Mall. These are home to  popular highstreet chain stores and cooler places to shop if the weather is hot. There is also a Carrefour supermarket for any provisions you may run out of.
    • Taxis don’t insist on you wearing seatbelts, and tuk-tuks don’t have them. Check the seatbelts work before accepting a ride in a taxi because the roads in Marrakech are chaotic.
    • Moroccan people adore children. Don’t be surprised if they offer them gifts.  They may ask you if they can kiss your child or touch their heads. Occasionally, they just do it without asking for permission. This is a cultural thing, and to Westerners, they may appear to be crossing boundaries. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, politely ask them not to do it.  The family is the most important thing to Moroccan people, and children are viewed as gifts.
    • The coastal city of Essaouira is a 2.5-hour drive from Marrakech. It is a quieter relaxed city on the Atlantic coast. Essaouira is a great day trip from Marrakech if the weather is hot. Known as the windy city, it’s a good place to take children to escape the heat. Day trips can be booked through Get Your Guide and other tour companies. Your accommodation may also be able to organise a trip for you. Imlil in the Atlas mountains is cooler than Marrakech, and there are several hiking trails for older children. Ourika Valley is a nice day out, and Ouzoud Waterfall is a popular day trip from Marrakech. Children will enjoy seeing the Barbary Macaque monkeys in their natural habitat where they should be. If children want to experience a camel ride, there is Agafay desert and the Palmerai.
    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Marrakech is an exciting destination for all age groups. As long as you do some research beforehand, including writing down the names and addresses of places to eat. Planning an itinerary will save little legs from getting too tired.This will make travelling with young children easier and more enjoyable for you.  Bringing a lightweight stroller can be helpful in eliminating the stress caused by long queues at passport control. You will also be doing a lot of walking, and it will come in handy when your child gets tired.

    Finally, try to steer clear of the monkeys and snakes in the main square. Children are often seen as a target to get parents to pay for photos.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • A Day Trip To Essaouira.

    Visit a fascinating city on the Atlantic coast.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Marrakech is the perfect starting point for visiting other Moroccan destinations. One of the popular day trips from Marrakech is the beautiful city of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. The journey takes approximately 3 hours with a 20-minute break for refreshments midway through.

    Essaouira is a delightful city, steeped in history. It is full of eclectic, quirky little shops, and the atmosphere is very bohemian. There are street musicians, local artists, and artisans plying their trade all around the picturesque old medina.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    The beach is huge and a great place for a spot of sunbathing if the wind allows. You will most likely notice kite surfers because Essaouira is popular with the surfing community. The wind can be pretty wild, so it isn’t known as a beach destination, but on calm days, the beach attracts lots of local families and gets quite busy.

    The temperature in Essaouira is cooler than it is in Marrakech. However, even on the windiest of days, you can not underestimate the power of the Moroccan sun. In the old medina, it can still feel very warm. Be mindful of this and apply sunscreen to stay safe.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The fort is exciting and offers incredible views over the Atlantic Ocean. Cannons look out across the dramatic blue sea, and tourists gather to take photos. In the distance, you can see the island of Mogador, once home to a notorious prison known as the Alcatraz of Morocco. The fort was also one of the locations where Game Of Thrones was filmed.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    The port is one of the main attractions of Essaouira. The beautiful iconic blue fishing boats featured on every postcard of Essaouira are a sight to behold. Freshly caught fish are on display, including everything from sardines to baby sharks. The tourists queue to sample sea urchins and fresh oysters. It is possible to buy fish at the port and take it to a nearby cafe to be barbecued. There is also a fish market in the old medina that will barbecue fish for you. I have heard that prices here are better than the cafes next to the port.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Lovely little cafes adorn the streets of the old medina, perfect for a spot of people watching. Pumpkin Cafe is very popular with its pink hues and delicious pastries. Three Little Birds and Soul Cafe are vibey and serve great coffee.

    There are plenty of great restaurants for lunch, and prices are more reasonable than Marrakech or Agadir. I recommend Mandala Society and The Loft, which has interesting decor and excellent food. Love Caravan is very exotic, and Salut Maroc does a very creative salad. It’s one of the best places to watch the sunset. Many of the restaurants play live music, and gnawa musicians can be heard all around the walls of the medina. After all, Essaouira is the spiritual capital and cultural home to gnawa music.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Moulay Hassan Square is a gathering place for the locals to sit and drink mint tea and coffee. It is a vibrant area and houses one of the main stages during the annual Gnawa Festival in June. Sitting in the sun, listening to the many street entertainers is a nice way to relax and experience the cities culture.

    Cats wander around freely as if they have the right of way, and you can expect to see hundreds of them wherever you go in Essaouira. The locals look after them well, and it’s not uncommon to see cats sitting on the laps of the shop owners. Food, water, and shelter are strategically placed around the medina.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Essaouira is a fascinating place. Ideally, you would need at least a few days to appreciate it in its full entirety. There is plenty to do, and you need a couple of days to enjoy some of the attractions Essaouira has to offer.

    The Jimi Hendrix cafe in Diabat is worth a visit for fans. Sidi Kouki 25 km away is a very chilled surfing spot with a long white beach. It’s a 30-minute ride by grand or private taxi, longer if you decide to take the bus.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    There is the opportunity to ride an Arabian horse across the beach. The horses are very well looked after, and the stables are spotlessly clean. This can be booked in advance through Get Your Guide or by visiting the stables in Diabat independentently, which I did. After visiting the Jimi Hendrix cafe, I simply wandered down to the stables and got to ride across the beach on my own with my guide. It was a memorable experience on a gentle horse called Andaluse, perfect for beginners.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    When visiting Essaouira, knowing a little bit of French or Darija helps because English is considered a foreign language, and you will hear much more spoken French than in Marrakech. However, the locals in Essaouira are friendly and welcoming and will go out of their way to help you.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The pace of life in Essaouira is much slower than Marrakech despite the growing influx of tourism and the popularity of this wonderful destination. Shops open slightly later and close earlier. The feeling is very laid-back.

    Essaouira is ideal for solo travellers and families with children alike. The long promenade is kept beautifully clean and comes to life at dusk, lined with street vendors selling corn, ice cream, and sugar cane juice. Locals play football on the beach, and families and friends sit together watching the sunset.

    Incidentally, Essaouira has one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever witnessed. The best places to watch it are from the ramparts or Salut Maroc and Taros. Both of these places serve alcoholic beverages.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Whilst it’s true that Essaouira is a very windy city, it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of visiting, even between the months of June and August when the climate is perfect for surfing. The wind picks up during these months. However, if you carry a light jacket or sweater, you will be comfortable near the beach and ramparts where the wind is felt the most.

    Essaouira is a very pretty city. The white buildings, with their blue shutters influenced by the Portuguese, are a complete contrast from the red city of Marrakech. Some visitors have claimed that it feels more like being in a European city than Morocco. The Amazigh culture is still very present in Essaouira despite its whitewashed buildings and laid-back charm.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    I would recommend a visit to Essaouira as part of your itinerary when you’re visiting Marrakech. You can get a good feel of the city in a day. It may encourage you to return in order to spend a few more days exploring everything this great destination has to offer.

    If you are travelling to Essaouira by yourself, I recommend taking the CTM or Supratours coach adjacent to the train station in Marrakech. Booking online guarantees you a seat, and there is a small charge of around 5 dirhams for your luggage. Backpacks can be taken on board free of charge. The coaches have air conditioning, and mine had reclining seats. The journey was very comfortable.

    If you book as part of a group, including a guide, you may stop off and visit an argan cooperative during the journey. You may also stop to photograph the goats sitting in the argan trees. The journey may take slightly longer if you factor this in. On average, you get to spend approximately 4 hours sightseeing. Essaouira is a relatively small city, so you will have plenty of time to shop, have lunch, walk along the beach, and visit the port.

    Just a gentle reminder, keep a few dirhams handy in case you need to use the bathroom during the rest stop. There is often an attendant present who will expect around 2 dirhams for the privilege of toilet tissue and the maintenance of the bathroom. It’s also a good idea to carry hand sanitiser.

    Essaouira is sunny all year round, so it can be an enjoyable experience at any time of year. However, during June, when the annual Gnawa Festival takes place, it can be incredibly busy. At least 500,000 visitors descend on the city, which puts a strain on its infrastructure. The festival lasts 3 days. If you’re put off by huge crowds, I would choose a different time to visit. However, the energy around the city is electric during the festival, and it’s an explosion of sound and colour. Most visitors choose Essaouira for its contrast to the heady, over stimulation of Marrakech, so take that into consideration before planning a visit.

    Whichever time you choose to come, your heart will be captured by Essaouira.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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