Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Marrakech, Agafay Desert, Essaouira & The Coast
100% customisable for you
Let the family fun begin. After whizzing through security and enjoying a coffee (or juice, for the little ones) in the airport lounge, it’s time to board your three-hour-and-45-minute flight to Marrakech.
Once you’ve touched down and collected your bags, you’ll be met by a local driver, who’ll whisk you all into the car and onto your hotel. After spending the afternoon getting your bearings in this bustling city, head out to a local restaurant to treat the children to their first proper Moroccan tagine – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some of the best in town.
Where better to begin a family holiday than Marrakech’s iconic markets? This morning, head out to explore the medina, wandering among brightly coloured stalls and haggling for goodies. Once the youngsters have worked up an appetite, stop for a leisurely lunch in one of the city’s rooftop restaurants (the perfect place for an aerial game of I-Spy).
Come evening, take a trip to Jemaa el-Fnaa, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed square which truly comes alive at night. Wander along rows of exotic food stalls and watch the weird and wonderful street theatre in the centre of the square, from musicians and storytellers to snake charmers and tooth pullers – Jemaa el-Fnaa is perfect for adults and children alike.
This morning, we’ve arranged for the whole family to head out on a guided tour of Marrakech’s museums and gardens. The tour allows adults and older children to discover the city’s art, architecture and history while also giving you plenty of time to explore its beautiful gardens with the youngsters.
The tour begins with a visit to a private museum displaying a collection of Berber and sub-Saharan artefacts, before heading to Dar Si Said Museum, a beautiful 19th-century aristocratic home. Here, you’ll be introduced to the best of Marrakech's traditional arts, along with its fantastic garden, which features tropical plants and cacti, elegant ponds, an Art Deco villa and more than 15 North African bird species for the little ones to spot.
After a tasty lunch at the museum’s restaurant, round off the tour with a visit to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum to see his personal collection of Berber antiques and the private museum of the Palmeraie to explore its well-designed gardens.
It’s time to say goodbye to the city today as you swap Marrakech for the mountains. This morning, you’ll be picked up and privately transferred to the Agafay Desert, a journey which will take around an hour.
When you arrive, drop off your bags and stretch your legs. After the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoy the fresh air with an afternoon walk and a game of hide and seek around the hotel grounds before dinner.
The next two days are all about walking (and not just to tire the youngsters out for bed). Set 20 miles outside of Marrakech, the Agafay Desert boasts sprawling sandy plains against the towering peaks of the Atlas Mountains.
We’ve left your time in Agafay free for you to enjoy at leisure. Fancy exploring the spectacular mountain scenery? We can arrange for a private guide to take you out to explore the rocky dunes (cameras at the ready…). Along the way, stop for a tasty picnic under the sun, before heading back to your camp to cool off in the pool.
When the children have had their fill of hiking, take them to visit a nearby Berber village. This experience will be eye-opening for the little ones and for the parents, as you’ll be shown around the village, meeting locals and learning about their customs and traditions.
This morning, make sure the children fuel up with a tasty breakfast before meeting your driver, who will privately transfer you to the coastal town of Essaouira. The journey is pretty long (about two-and-a-half hours), so there’ll be plenty of time to play I-Spy along the way.
When you arrive in Essaouira, check in and spend the afternoon settling into your hotel, which will be your base for the next four nights. Come evening, enjoy an authentic Moroccan meal before flopping into bed, ready for more family adventures tomorrow.
Essaouira is famous for its beaches, so the whole family will no doubt be itching to get down to the sand or splash around in the sea. Spend the next two days spending quality family time together on the shore, happily lazing on the beach and soaking in the sun.
If your little ones aren’t fans of sitting still, don’t worry – there are a number of water sports to try here. Kite-surfing is particularly popular, as the coastal conditions for this sport are among the best in the world, but children (and parents) can also try their hand at surfing, windsurfing and sea kayaking. Prefer to keep your feet firmly planted in the sand? Nothing beats a sandcastle building competition.
For your final morning in Morocco, head out to explore Essaouira town and learn about its history. Alongside a private guide, wander through bustling markets and along narrow alleyways, past donkeys laden with vibrant oranges, mouthwatering chocolates or the catch of the day.
After a tasty lunch, we’ve organised a family camel-riding adventure. Clamber up to perch between the camel’s humps and settle in for an hour-long trek across the beautiful beach. Parents can enjoy the scenic views, while the little ones have the time of their lives making friends with their camel. What better way to spend the penultimate day of your trip?
This morning, it's sadly time to head home. After waving goodbye to the beach, you’ll be privately transferred three hours to Marrakech. Enjoy one last nibble in the airport lounge before boarding your four-hour flight home, which should have you back in the UK before bedtime.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
