Marrakesh in Morocco might not be the first destination that springs to mind when you’re thinking of family travel, but the Our Overseas Adventures family had a great time exploring when they visited for a long weekend. Mum Kylie tells us all about their visit:
Friendly & safe
Firstly the people are so friendly and welcoming, and given that there aren’t huge numbers of families that travel there, your kids are bound to get some special attention and have a fuss made of them. We felt extremely safe the whole time we were there and loved that our children could experience a small taste of North African and Arabic culture.
Wandering through the narrow alleyways in the medina (old part of town) is like a giant game of hide and seek. Our kids loved exploring all the nooks and crannies and especially liked it when we got lost as you inevitably will! The locals are very quick to help and point you back in the right direction.
Exploring the Medina
Botanic gardens
The fabulous Jardin Marjorelle is a great place to head to get away from the hustle and bustle of the medina. These beautiful botanic gardens were created over 40 years in the early 20th century, and then purchased by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1980. They restored the garden and today it is a fabulous place to wander through and cool off.
Beautiful Botanic Gardens
Sunset at the marketplace
While in Marrakesh you must visit Jeema el-Fnaa, which is the famous square and marketplace in the medina. Sunset is a great time to visit and our kids were fascinated watching the snake charmers and magicians at work. As it gets dark the square fills with lots of enticing smelling food stalls and people selling the most amazing orange juice you’ve ever tasted all for a few cents. The atmosphere is incredible, particularly when combined with the background call to prayer as night falls.
We also visited the stunning Ben Youssef Madrasa which dates back to the 14th century and was originally an Islamic College. It’s now open to the public and has the most stunning wooden carvings and beautiful tiled courtyards. Our kids enjoyed wandering through and seeing the very small dormitories where the students lived hundreds of years ago.
Atlas Mountains
Finally, a day trip out to the Atlas mountains is an absolute must do. We hired a taxi who drove us out and met with a guide who took us on a short hike up through the Berber villages to a stunning waterfall, which was a great way for the kids to get out and stretch their legs. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty and the perfect way to finish your time in Marrakesh.
Hiking in the Atlas Mountains
About Kylie:
Kylie Gibbon is a passionate traveller and foodie who’s been to over 45 countries around the globe. The Our Overseas Adventures blog chronicles her family travels with her husband and 5 and 7 year olds in tow. Last year the Gibbon family quit their jobs, packed up their lives and took an 8 month sabbatical through SE Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Now based back in New Zealand, the family is continuing to travel as much as possible and are always planning their next adventures!
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