First 3 nights: Marrakech & our private riad in the medina

For our first three nights we stayed at a beautiful private riad in the heart of the medina called Le Petit Kech (which basically means “Little Marrakech”). It felt like a real sanctuary from the hustle and bustle outside.

We had plenty of space, which is essential with teens: each of us had our own bedroom and bathroom, so no arguing over who was hogging the shower. The rooftop was the real highlight: a private plunge pool with gorgeous views over the snow‑capped Atlas mountains and the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, which looks especially magical when it is lit up at night.

Our housekeeper, Fatima, greeted us with delicious mint tea when we arrived and was on hand each morning to serve up a homemade breakfast. Not having to think about breakfast at all felt like a real treat.

We treated ourselves to a traditional hammam, just a minute’s walk from our riad. After a black soap scrub I felt completely polished, followed by a full body massage which was heavenly!  They were happy to welcome children too which meant that we could all enjoy the experience as a family.  

Getting to grips with the souks

We kicked off our first morning with a guided tour of the vibrant souks to get ourselves orientated. I am not sure it actually helped with navigation, as they really are like a maze, but it did help us understand the layout and feel a bit more confident wandering around on our own later. It's actually fun simply getting lost and seeing where you end up and there's always something new to marvel at around the next corner.

We loved haggling and usually managed to get the price down to around 30–40% of the original asking price. It was fascinating watching the artisans at work making everything from slippers and jewellery to leather goods and blankets.  Everyone we met was friendly and genuinely seemed to want to help. I had heard stories about vendors being very pushy, but that wasn’t our experience at all.

Street food & fresh juices in Jemaa el‑Fnaa

We did go against some of the travel advice and bought fresh fruit juices from the juice stalls in the main square, Jemaa el‑Fnaa. Our rule was simple: avoid anything pre‑poured and always ask them to make the juice fresh in front of us. The juices were always so tasty, there were endless flavour combinations to try, and they were really good value. The boys soon became juice fanatics!

At night Jemaa el-Fnaa really comes to life, with food stalls, market stalls and entertainers everywhere you look. One evening we ate brochettes (grilled skewers). We made the mistake of not agreeing the price beforehand and definitely felt it on the bill, so that was a good lesson learned.

We ate a lot of street food overall and none of us got sick. Our tactic was to always ask for things to be well cooked and to choose busy stalls that were clearly popular with locals.

Next 3 nights: Coastal escape in Essaouira

After three nights in Marrakech we travelled by bus for 2.5 hours to Essaouira. We used Supratours, which was a comfortable journey and straightforward. I booked the tickets before leaving the UK as the more common routes in Morocco can get busy, and I would recommend doing the same to ensure a seat.

We stayed at a lovely boutique hotel called Le Palazzo, set in a former 19th‑century residence that was once used as a carriage house by the Sultan of the city. The interiors were beautiful, the staff friendly and welcoming, and the rooftop restaurant and bar quickly became one of our favourite spots. There was a DJ playing chilled tunes as we watched the sunset over the ocean: the perfect way to end the day.

Chilled, bohemian vibes by the Atlantic

Essaouira has a very relaxed, bohemian vibe and is a great contrast to Marrakech. It has a wide beach, lots of surfers and kite-surfers (it is known as the windy city thanks to the strong Atlantic winds), and a lovely medina that is much smaller and more manageable than Marrakech.

The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with whitewashed buildings and blue shutters, and parts of it were used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. It is easy to wander, explore the ramparts and just soak up the atmosphere.

Down by the port, it was great to see the fishermen at work and to try the fresh fish. You can handpick what you want and then they grill it in front of you. Simple, fresh and delicious.

Final 3 nights: Pool time & adventures back in Marrakech

For our final three nights we headed back to Marrakech and checked into the Grand Plaza Hotel, mainly because it had a lovely pool to enjoy after all our exploring. It was a short taxi ride to the medina, so it worked really well location‑wise too.  We made the most of the pool for some proper chill time, which the boys definitely appreciated, but still squeezed in a few more adventures.

Camel trekking & quad biking

One of the highlights for the boys was camel trekking and desert quad biking. The camel trek was something we all wanted to experience, and the quad biking added that extra bit of excitement and adrenaline that teens love. It was a fun way to see a different side of the landscape outside the city.

Jardin Majorelle & Ben Youssef Madrasa

We also visited Jardin Majorelle, a botanical garden originally designed in the 1920s and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. The gardens are beautiful, full of bold colours and stunning plant life. My love of cacti was definitely satisfied, even if the boys were a bit less interested than I was!  Top tip: book tickets at least a few weeks ahead as it sells out quickly.

Another must‑see is Ben Youssef Madrasa, once the largest Islamic college in Morocco. The interiors are stunning, with intricate tilework and traditional architecture. It gives a real sense of the history and culture of the city and is incredibly photogenic. It stays open to until 7pm so if you visit later in the day, it’s a bit calmer.

Top tips for visiting Morocco

From our experience, here are some tips I would pass on for anyone planning a similar trip:

Carry plenty of small notes and coins – a lot of vendors only accept cash and often aren’t keen to break large notes. You will also want small change for tips.

Drink bottled water - avoid tap water and stick to bottled water to be on the safe side.

Use a few local phrases - although English is widely spoken, making the effort to speak a bit of Arabic or French is always appreciated.

Agree prices in advance - whether it is a taxi ride or a local food stall without a menu, agree the price upfront so you know what you will be charged and avoid surprises.

Pack a light jacket and long trousers - even at Easter the evenings can be cooler, particularly in windy Essaouira, so it is worth having some layers.

Immerse yourself in the food - Moroccan cuisine is delicious, so be adventurous and try things you might not usually order, such as snails, tagine (slow‑cooked stew), pastilla (a pie with flaky pastry, spiced meat, almonds, cinnamon and sugar), harira (a hearty lentil soup) and msemen (fried bread, often served with honey or cheese).

Reserve popular rooftop bars and restaurants - these get booked up during busy periods, especially in Marrakech, so it is worth reserving ahead of your visit.

Be courteous with photos - always ask before taking photos of people. Some are happy to say yes, others might expect a small tip, and some will prefer not to be photographed at all.

Know your taxis - there are two main types of taxi cabs: Yellow taxis, which are only licensed to carry up to three passengers and larger beige taxis, which can take up to four passengers.

Leave space in your suitcase - if you are anything like me, you will want to bring home lots of local products: slippers, pottery, lanterns and more. A spare bag is a very good idea!

Is Morocco a good option for families?

In my view, yes. Both Marrakech and Essaouira are definitely suitable for families and work especially well together in one trip. Marrakech gives you that vibrant, colourful, energetic city experience, while Essaouira offers a calmer, coastal contrast with a more laid‑back vibe.

They are easy to travel between, there is plenty to keep teens interested, and you get a real mix of culture, adventure, beach time and relaxation in just 9 nights. For us, it was a brilliant way to discover Morocco for the first time and it has given us lots of special memories as a family.

If you would like to plan something similar, I can help you tailor the trip around your family, from choosing the right accommodation to arranging transfers, tours and activities that will work for your teenagers as well as for you.  Get in touch to start planning your next adventure!