Family and Solo Travel Tips for Morocco

Accommodation

Seek family-friendly riads or hotels that offer cribs or connecting rooms. Keep in mind traditional riads have open courtyards and stairs; supervise young children closely. Beach resorts (e.g. in Agadir or Essaouira) often have kid’s clubs and pools. Check reviews for “family room” or “kids stay free” deals. (Many tours even allow children under 5 to join free.)

Transport

Moroccan trains are efficient; children under about 4 travel free. Grand taxis (shared sedans) are cheap but cramped – consider renting a private car or large van. Car seats are rare; bring your own if needed. Domestic flights (Royal Air Maroc, Air Arabia Maroc) are another option for long hauls. In cities, petit-taxis (metered cabs) are affordable for short rides.

Sightseeing

Plan activities with kids’ interests: hire a donkey or camel for short rides, visit Ouzoud Waterfalls (with easy swimming pools), and stroll in national parks like Ifrane (often called “Little Switzerland”). Include downtime (pool day or park play) after long drives. Many guided tours welcome families – ask for child-friendly options.

Dining

Moroccan food has plenty of child-friendly options (grilled chicken, bread, fruit). Always carry bottled water for toddlers. Restaurants usually don’t have high-chairs; bring a travel booster seat. Cafés and snack stands are plentiful. Pack simple snacks (nuts, dried fruit) for day trips.

Packing

Bring sunscreen, sunhats, and versatile layers (even deserts get cool at night). Include basic medicines (paracetamol, rehydration salts, band-aids). If traveling by car, pack motion sickness pills (the Atlas roads are winding).

Health

Pharmacies (pharmacie) have most medications; pharmacists are usually helpful if you describe symptoms. Hospitals in larger cities are of high standard. Register with your embassy or download their app for alerts (e.g. US STEP, Canada Registration).

Safety

Teach children about basic safety (e.g., “stay where I can see you”). Have a photo of your child on hand (for security). In medinas and bus stations, hold hands. Avoid letting kids play near roads or in crowds without supervision.

Dress and Behavior

Women should wear modest, loose-fitting clothes (long pants/skirts, long sleeves) and consider a scarf for mosques. Men should not walk around shirtless in cities. Avoid public displays of affection (Morocco is conservative).

Harassment

Unsolicited attention can occur. Travel advisories note women alone may face verbal harassment. A polite “La shukran” (no thank you) and a smile usually suffices. Choose day tours or female-only tour groups (some travel companies offer women’s tours).

Connectivity

Buy a Moroccan SIM (offered at airports; providers like Orange or Inwi). Data is cheap and reliable in cities. Use offline map apps (Maps.me or Google offline) for navigation. Carry portable chargers – power outages can happen.

Safety

Follow official advice: stay on well-lit streets after dark. Use licensed taxis with meters or agree on fares in advance. In medinas, negotiate prices clearly and consider hiring a guide – ensure they display an official ID. Don’t leave drinks unattended. Keep a copy of your passport and a minimal cash amount on you (hide the rest).

Emergency Preparedness

Write down local emergency numbers (e.g. Police 19, Tourist Police 150, or 112 for all emergencies) in French or Arabic. Keep these in your wallet. Share your itinerary with someone you trust back home. If you feel unsafe, retreat to a hotel lobby or call a taxi.

Money & Valuables

Use hotel safes. Don’t flash cash, jewelry, or phones. ATM fraud is uncommon, but always use machine ATMs attached to banks if possible. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in stores; carry cash (dirhams) for small markets and tips.

Insider Tip

Many accommodations cater to solo travelers (hostels, guesthouses). Look for reviews mentioning a welcoming atmosphere or solo-traveler community. For women: riads run by women can offer comfort and local insight.

Taxis & Cars

Grand taxis are shared; negotiate splits or hire private grand taxi (full car). For solo drivers, renting a car gives freedom; drive carefully, stick to day routes, and be aware that Moroccan highways have camel warning signs. Avoid unlit rural roads after dark.

Lodging

Hostels (via Hostelworld) often have family rooms or private dorms for soloists. Booking.com allows filtering for family-friendly and solo traveler options. Many riads post “no children under 10” – double-check policies if traveling with kids.

Trains & Buses

Trains (ONCF) connect major cities; opt for first-class with families for more space. Main bus lines (CTM, Supratours) are safe and air-conditioned. Seat-belt laws are lax, so sit back carefully. Overnight travel can be tiring for kids; prefer daytime.

Solo-Friendly

Solo adventurers can hike with local guides (day hikes or multi-day treks in safe areas of the High Atlas). Join group excursions (e.g. a cooking class or surf camp) to meet others. Solo women might consider women-only accommodations or guided tours focusing on crafts or volunteering (Morocco has some women’s travel groups).

Family-Friendly

Children usually love Morocco. Camel rides at dawn in Erg Chebbi; a donkey ride in a mountain oasis; the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech (water plants and ponds). Beach towns (Agadir, Essaouira) offer gentle waves and water parks. Pet parks (like Mini-Farmer in Agadir) can be fun stops.

Combined Sites

Cities like Fes and Marrakech are great for both families and solo travelers – their medinas can be explored in small chunks with kids or at your own pace. Museums (e.g. Dar Si Said in Marrakech) have artifacts that interest older kids and adults alike.

Dining

Look for family-friendly restaurants (many offer tagine, couscous, chicken soup – universal hits). For solo diners, cafés often have communal seating. Try street food stalls in Medina squares, but only at busy, popular ones (guides can point these out safely).

Emergency Plans

Have a fallback plan (know the closest hospital or police station to your lodging). Pack a small emergency kit (bandages, rehydration salts, disinfectant).

Embassy Contacts

Note your country’s embassy address and phone. US, Canadian, and EU citizens can register travel online for emergency contact info.

Insurance

Strongly recommended. Morocco travel advice specifically suggests insurance covering your itinerary and activities. In remote areas or mountains, consider evacuation coverage.

Local Laws

Homosexuality is illegal; LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise discretion. Public intoxication is also illegal. This advice is noted in travel advisories.