The Ultimate Travel Guide: Magical Marrakech – A Family Adventure in April
Arrival & First Impressions We landed early from Liverpool and, after waiting fairly patiently in 3 different and very long queues, were greeted by our pre-booked transfer—thankfully, a seamless start. Our driver, Soultan, immediately set the tone for the trip with fascinating facts and a warm welcome as we made our way into the bustling city.
Top Tip #1: Have your transfers organised. Marrakech's airport is renowned for long queues. After the airport experience, you'll definitely want to hop-in to a pre organised transfer with zero haggling.
We’d chosen to stay in a riad in the heart of the medina (old town), and it was the perfect base—authentic, intimate, and ideal for exploring.
A Whirlwind Tour of Marrakech The next day we embarked on a private guided tour of the city. Our guide, Usama, was fantastic. Patient, engaging, and full of insight, he opened doors we’d never have found ourselves.
In the souks, we watched a carpenter skilfully use his feet to carve chess pieces, sampled warm bread straight from a community bakery oven, explored a herbalist’s treasure trove of all-natural products, and shopped for scarves in preparation for our desert adventure. Of course, we also visited a rug co-operative, where I fell head over heels for a stunning handmade rug.
Our guide gently steered us through this experience as, as you can imagine, it's very different to shopping in the UK. He also made sure the tour was exciting for the children and focused on places where they could see things being made by hand (or feet!).
Top Tip #2: A private guide is a must, especially for first timers. Marrakech is an overwhelming feast for the senses, and having someone guide you through it all and take you to the hidden gems is invaluable.
Top Tip #3: To get the best out of your private guided experience, be clear with your guide. If you don’t want to shop, say so. Set expectations early, and you’ll have a richer, more authentic experience.
Into the Desert Early the next morning, a new guide, Abdul, collected us for our desert adventure. We travelled through Aït Benhaddou, stopped at Ouarzazate, and arrived at Kasbah Hnini—a hidden gem of a hotel.
Then… the rain came. And not just any rain—the heaviest rainfall Marrakech had seen in a decade. Roads flooded, plans shifted, and we had to pivot fast. Abdul was incredible, making sure we were safe, informed, and calm.
We visited a welcoming Berber village and toured traditional homes. Later, we made it to a desert camp—rain-soaked but still beautiful. That night, traditional music and dancing lit up the evening.
Sunrise on Camelback – A Moment to Remember A thunder and lightning storm lit up our desert tent at 2am but that didn't stop us rising from our beds at 5:30am for a sun rise camel ride. And this experience will be etched in my brain forever. The early wake-up was so worth it. The storm had passed just enough to gift us a magical sliver of calm and clear skies. It was just us, our camels, and the vast red dunes stretching into the horizon. The kids ran free, climbed dunes, and connected with their camels. It was pure, unscripted magic.
Later, we booked ATVs to tear through the dunes (cue lots of whooping), but motion sickness eventually got the better of us and we retreated to camp. Because of the rain and floods, what followed was a looooong 11-hour drive back to Marrakech—no stops, no sightseeing, just road. The silver lining? We all built our resilience.
Family & the Atlas Mountains Finally back in Marrakech, we moved into a serviced villa and joined up with extended family. Cue slower mornings, shared meals, and more adventures. The Atlas Mountains day trip was a firm favourite of everyone (aged 7 to 73).
Again, led by a fantastic local guide, Houcine, we stopped at a local market—no tourists, just real Moroccan life. It was chaotic and brilliant, and the kids got a real sense of the culture. Then came our trek from Imlil to a Berber village. Between my MS, a 7-year-old’s short legs, and a fit but slightly wobbly 73-year-old grandma, we were quite the group! But we made it—two hours of steady walking, rewarded with breathtaking waterfalls, mountain views, and a home-cooked Berber lunch overlooking the snow capped mountains.
Later, we ticked off another highlight: a full family camel ride caravan. Twelve of us in a line on camels through the landscape = pure joy and many giggles.
Waterparks, Balloons & the Rest One afternoon, we hit Oasiria Waterpark. It wasn’t busy, the queues were short, and the kids had a blast.
We also splashed out (in a monetary sense) on a sunrise hot air balloon ride. The weather didn’t cooperate—we missed the sunrise, and the view was cloudy—but it was still an unforgettable experience. Floating above Morocco with your family? Absolutely worth doing.
We squeezed in amazing restaurants, hidden rooftop cafes, and little gems I wish I had more room to list here. (Message me if you’re planning a trip—I’ve got recommendations galore!)
Final Thoughts & Top Tips Morocco is a sensory overload: beautiful, wild, challenging, rewarding. You will be sold to but you’ll also meet some of the warmest, most welcoming people.
This trip stretched us, delighted us, and bonded us. And while the weather had, at times, other plans, it didn’t dampen the magic of Morocco.
Top Tip #4: Don’t miss the Jardin Majorelle. But book direct at least one week in advance to get tickets!
Thinking of heading to Marrakech with kids? It’s an adventure like no other. Just come with open eyes, flexible plans, and a good guide! My advice, ask an expert for help. You won't be disappointed. Contact me on 01270 917091 or sara.dickenson@travelcounsellors.com.
Day 1: Relax & gently immerse yourself in the colours, sounds and textures of Marrakech Day 2: Private Guided Tour of Marrakech Day 3-5: Merzougha Desert Adventure Day 6-7: Marrakech and REST (mum gets to go to a hammam & spa) Day 8: Private Guided Tour to Atlas Mountains (visit a local market too) Day 9: Visit a waterpark (one for the kids) Day 10: Trip to Ourika Valley or watch the sun rise from a hot air balloon Day 11: Say goodbye
