Marrakech in February 2015
Jun 20th, 2014, 02:39 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Marrakech in February 2015
Hello,
Husband and I are planning our next trip to Marrakech. We are both lost in deciding when to book for flight. As we have kids & they are in school we can only book during holiday times. I was wondering about the weather in February. Is it going to be cold or warm at that time? Is booking in February a wise decision?
Thanks in advance.
Husband and I are planning our next trip to Marrakech. We are both lost in deciding when to book for flight. As we have kids & they are in school we can only book during holiday times. I was wondering about the weather in February. Is it going to be cold or warm at that time? Is booking in February a wise decision?
Thanks in advance.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 09:52 AM
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can't reply for Feb. We were there in late March and the weather was pretty ideal. Not too cold and not too hot. We had to go at that time of year because of our kid's school schedule as well. I know someone who went in Jan and it was a lot cooler for them so Feb. is probably a bit warmer than that. Here is a link to my trip report with pictures if you are interested. http://www.fromhometoroam.com/2012/0...ents-tangines/ Our kids were 14 and 11 at the time. It was an amazing trip!!
Jul 5th, 2014, 06:50 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you so much. I apologise that I took my time to reply back as I've just checked it out now.
I have been Googling, searching and asking member's on FB.
I will check your trip report. I'm so looking forward to many tips, ideas, and experiences from your report. Hoping it will come in handy. We are a family of five. Three children aged 6 (twins) & 8. Hope there are many things to do for the kids.
I have been Googling, searching and asking member's on FB.
I will check your trip report. I'm so looking forward to many tips, ideas, and experiences from your report. Hoping it will come in handy. We are a family of five. Three children aged 6 (twins) & 8. Hope there are many things to do for the kids.
Jul 7th, 2014, 01:57 PM
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While we loved Marrakech, I'm not sure I'd recommend it for a week trip with 3 young kids. I can't see most of the typical Marrakech 'to do's' (the medina, historical sites, food, shopping) being on the top of things kids would like.
Was there a particular reason you were looking at Marrakech?
Was there a particular reason you were looking at Marrakech?
Jul 11th, 2014, 02:12 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@astein12 Marrakech is my dream destination hence the decision to go. I know it will be so difficult with young kids but the positive thing is they are used to it.
Apart from a lot of walking and visiting historical sites we are also planning to go to beach and do something that kids will enjoy.
Apart from a lot of walking and visiting historical sites we are also planning to go to beach and do something that kids will enjoy.
Jul 11th, 2014, 06:02 PM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it's a dream trip, I certainly wouldn't try to talk you out of it. It's a great place.
The beach is a good 2 hour plus bus ride, so make sure you take that into account. I'd also try to arrange some sort of child care for parts of your stay.
Something like the Jardin Majorelle might be a good quiet stop with younger kids. Not exactly an amusement park, but might be a nice break from the hustle and bustle.
It think the Jemaa el-Fnaa in the evening with some of the music and dancing would be good with the kids as well.
The beach is a good 2 hour plus bus ride, so make sure you take that into account. I'd also try to arrange some sort of child care for parts of your stay.
Something like the Jardin Majorelle might be a good quiet stop with younger kids. Not exactly an amusement park, but might be a nice break from the hustle and bustle.
It think the Jemaa el-Fnaa in the evening with some of the music and dancing would be good with the kids as well.
Feb 9th, 2015, 03:49 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@Astein12, After your feedback I went over my guide book and searched Google 'things to do for kids' and was slightly disappointed that there isn't much for the kids apart from getting on the camel and enjoy being in the Jemaa el Fnaa.
Thanks for your suggetions.
Thanks for your suggetions.
Feb 9th, 2015, 05:49 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We did a day trip from Marrakech where we did a donkey trek through the Atlas mountains and stopped in a couple of berber villages for a tea ceremony and lunch. Our group included a 5- and 7-year-old and they loved it. Let me know if you want me to dig up our guide's name.
Feb 9th, 2015, 11:22 PM
#10
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sallam 'lekum bandhan1983,
This is some info that I offer to my readers as well as our Compass Odyssey travelers:
Moroccans love children, which can be both a godsend and an irritant, as every shopkeeper in the souks will wave you into his store to both acquire your business and interact with your young one. There is plenty to keep your children’s attention while you wander around Marrakech's souks — music shops with lots of drums; Berber pharmacies (called herboristes) with brightly colored concoctions; butcheries with the odd sheep or camel’s head prominently displayed. The souks are very busy areas with lots of pedestrian traffic, so be sure to keep an eye on your kids. After you’re done shopping, check out the entertainment on Jemaa el Fna, where you’ll also find a number of cafes and patisseries. If the enclosed spaces are making the kids antsy, the city’s various public gardens (Jnane Harti has some life-size dinosaurs) are a good place to let little legs run free for a while, as is the kiddies playground Kawkab Jeux, on rue Imam Chafaï, just south of Jardin el Harti (www.kawkab-jeux.com). Well managed, constantly supervised, and with controlled access, this wonderland of toddler-friendly rides, trampolines, jungle gyms and play houses is protected from the weather but open on one side, offering the dual benefits of shade and fresh air. Besides admission (10dh–15dh per child), there’s also a separate cost for each activity (3dh–10dh) rather than an all-in-one cost. An on-site café-restaurant serves up comfort food such as pizzas, panini, crêpes, ice cream and milkshakes. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30am to 10:30pm.
A ride around the medina’s walls on a calèche or aboard the open-sided double-decker Marrakech Bus Touristique can be a quick fix for tired kids, and those who miss their familiar Western fast food can stop at the KFC opposite place Foucauld or on place de la Liberté, where there’s a popular McDonald’s.
For a day at the “beach,” take the kids to Oasiria, 5km (3 miles) from the city on the Asni road (www.oasiria.com). They’ll love the wave pool, water slides, pools, and lagoons, plus there are grassy areas and a couple of restaurants. It’s open 10am to 6pm daily, but from October to March access is restricted to one covered and heated pool. A free shuttle bus runs from April through September, picking up from both the parking lot on the western side of the Koutoubia Mosque and opposite McDonald’s on place de la Liberté in Guéliz at 9:30, 10:15, 11, and 11:45am, and 1:30, 2:25, and 3pm. The bus drops you right at the entrance to Oasiria. At the end of the day, the shuttle bus departs for the return journey into town at 5, 5:45, 6:30, and 7:15pm. Admission is free for all children under .8m (2[bf]2/3 ft.), 100dh (half-day) or 130dh (full day) for those under 1.5m (5 ft.) tall, and 170dh (half-day) or 210dh (full day) for all persons over 1.5m (5 ft.) tall. There are discounts between October and March as well as for those aged over 65 years. For the ultimate in securing major brownie points, take the kids up in a hot-air balloon ride with Ciel d’Afrique (www.cieldafrique.info). Hour-long flights over the plains surrounding Marrakech start from 2,050dh per person, with half price for children 9 and under.
In the evening the entertainment continues on Jemaa el Fna or at Chez Ali on the outskirts of the city in Jaafary palmeraie, where Disneyland meets Morocco in a nightly dinner extravaganza complete with Berber musicians, belly-dancing, fireworks, a mock wedding, and a show from charging, gun-wielding horsemen. Diners are seated in Berber-style tents that are heated in winter, but the show is held outdoors so make sure to take warm clothing during the colder months. It’s totally kitsch and the kids (and maybe the grown-ups, too) will love it, but be sure to bring plenty of change for tipping the steady stream of performers who visit your table during the course of the night.
It's wonderful to see families coming to Morocco, happy travels!
Darren Humphrys
This is some info that I offer to my readers as well as our Compass Odyssey travelers:
Moroccans love children, which can be both a godsend and an irritant, as every shopkeeper in the souks will wave you into his store to both acquire your business and interact with your young one. There is plenty to keep your children’s attention while you wander around Marrakech's souks — music shops with lots of drums; Berber pharmacies (called herboristes) with brightly colored concoctions; butcheries with the odd sheep or camel’s head prominently displayed. The souks are very busy areas with lots of pedestrian traffic, so be sure to keep an eye on your kids. After you’re done shopping, check out the entertainment on Jemaa el Fna, where you’ll also find a number of cafes and patisseries. If the enclosed spaces are making the kids antsy, the city’s various public gardens (Jnane Harti has some life-size dinosaurs) are a good place to let little legs run free for a while, as is the kiddies playground Kawkab Jeux, on rue Imam Chafaï, just south of Jardin el Harti (www.kawkab-jeux.com). Well managed, constantly supervised, and with controlled access, this wonderland of toddler-friendly rides, trampolines, jungle gyms and play houses is protected from the weather but open on one side, offering the dual benefits of shade and fresh air. Besides admission (10dh–15dh per child), there’s also a separate cost for each activity (3dh–10dh) rather than an all-in-one cost. An on-site café-restaurant serves up comfort food such as pizzas, panini, crêpes, ice cream and milkshakes. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30am to 10:30pm.
A ride around the medina’s walls on a calèche or aboard the open-sided double-decker Marrakech Bus Touristique can be a quick fix for tired kids, and those who miss their familiar Western fast food can stop at the KFC opposite place Foucauld or on place de la Liberté, where there’s a popular McDonald’s.
For a day at the “beach,” take the kids to Oasiria, 5km (3 miles) from the city on the Asni road (www.oasiria.com). They’ll love the wave pool, water slides, pools, and lagoons, plus there are grassy areas and a couple of restaurants. It’s open 10am to 6pm daily, but from October to March access is restricted to one covered and heated pool. A free shuttle bus runs from April through September, picking up from both the parking lot on the western side of the Koutoubia Mosque and opposite McDonald’s on place de la Liberté in Guéliz at 9:30, 10:15, 11, and 11:45am, and 1:30, 2:25, and 3pm. The bus drops you right at the entrance to Oasiria. At the end of the day, the shuttle bus departs for the return journey into town at 5, 5:45, 6:30, and 7:15pm. Admission is free for all children under .8m (2[bf]2/3 ft.), 100dh (half-day) or 130dh (full day) for those under 1.5m (5 ft.) tall, and 170dh (half-day) or 210dh (full day) for all persons over 1.5m (5 ft.) tall. There are discounts between October and March as well as for those aged over 65 years. For the ultimate in securing major brownie points, take the kids up in a hot-air balloon ride with Ciel d’Afrique (www.cieldafrique.info). Hour-long flights over the plains surrounding Marrakech start from 2,050dh per person, with half price for children 9 and under.
In the evening the entertainment continues on Jemaa el Fna or at Chez Ali on the outskirts of the city in Jaafary palmeraie, where Disneyland meets Morocco in a nightly dinner extravaganza complete with Berber musicians, belly-dancing, fireworks, a mock wedding, and a show from charging, gun-wielding horsemen. Diners are seated in Berber-style tents that are heated in winter, but the show is held outdoors so make sure to take warm clothing during the colder months. It’s totally kitsch and the kids (and maybe the grown-ups, too) will love it, but be sure to bring plenty of change for tipping the steady stream of performers who visit your table during the course of the night.
It's wonderful to see families coming to Morocco, happy travels!
Darren Humphrys
Feb 11th, 2015, 09:10 PM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@Pigiletta, I would like that, please. Tia 
Instead of opening another thread about Atlas Mountain, how safe and suitable is it for children aged 6 & 8years old? Will there be a lot of walking?
Last year when we went to Turkey, my son, aged seven back then hated all the walking he had to do.
Instead of opening another thread about Atlas Mountain, how safe and suitable is it for children aged 6 & 8years old? Will there be a lot of walking?
Last year when we went to Turkey, my son, aged seven back then hated all the walking he had to do.
Feb 11th, 2015, 09:22 PM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@DarrenHumphrys, Walaikum Salam,
Thank you for a detailed informations. That was a lot of informations. I took note of it all. Hot air balloon seems interesting but the price had put me off when I converted how much it'd cost per person. Gutted, actually!
It's the Atlas Mountain I'm concerned about. Heard people mentioning it being worth the visit. But I have three kids under the age of 8yrs old & I can't take the risk if it becomes too much to handle for them. Just expecting some positive and persuasive feedbacks from parents with young children who'd taken their children to Atlas Mountain.
Thanks
Thank you for a detailed informations. That was a lot of informations. I took note of it all. Hot air balloon seems interesting but the price had put me off when I converted how much it'd cost per person. Gutted, actually!
It's the Atlas Mountain I'm concerned about. Heard people mentioning it being worth the visit. But I have three kids under the age of 8yrs old & I can't take the risk if it becomes too much to handle for them. Just expecting some positive and persuasive feedbacks from parents with young children who'd taken their children to Atlas Mountain.
Thanks
Feb 11th, 2015, 10:24 PM
#13
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi bandhan1983,
I am also a father of three children (all under 7yrs). I wouldn't consider taking them on a 'serious' multi-day hike through the Atlas ranges. Remember that "the Atlas" includes the High, Middle and Anti- ranges, so you may have to start looking specifically which range you would like to visit. Perhaps consider going to somewhere like Imlil (2 hours drive from Marrakech) and basing yourself in a nice guesthouse from where you can venture on walks, hikes and (more likely for your children) mule rides but come back to a nice bed/meal whenever you want?
Darren
I am also a father of three children (all under 7yrs). I wouldn't consider taking them on a 'serious' multi-day hike through the Atlas ranges. Remember that "the Atlas" includes the High, Middle and Anti- ranges, so you may have to start looking specifically which range you would like to visit. Perhaps consider going to somewhere like Imlil (2 hours drive from Marrakech) and basing yourself in a nice guesthouse from where you can venture on walks, hikes and (more likely for your children) mule rides but come back to a nice bed/meal whenever you want?
Darren
Feb 12th, 2015, 10:57 AM
#14
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our guide was Noureddine Nidali <[email protected]>. The kids had a lot of fun - the excursion was the whole day, with multiple stops along the way. The kids rode donkeys the entire time and the adults both walked and rode. Definitely a highlight of our trip.
Feb 12th, 2015, 05:48 PM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mr DarrenHumphrys,
After your comment, I've been Googling about the Atlas Mountain ranges. I loved the breathtaking view of Ouzoud fall. It falls on High Atlas range, right? Would you say going there would be suitable for kids?
Thank you very much, Pigiletta.
If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you for the whole day?
I appreciate feedbacks from you all. It has helped me to decide and plan ahead. I bought Rough Guide-pocket travel guide. Still there are some things that's needed to find out from the first hand experts & the travellers.
Thanks everyone.
After your comment, I've been Googling about the Atlas Mountain ranges. I loved the breathtaking view of Ouzoud fall. It falls on High Atlas range, right? Would you say going there would be suitable for kids?
Thank you very much, Pigiletta.
If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you for the whole day?
I appreciate feedbacks from you all. It has helped me to decide and plan ahead. I bought Rough Guide-pocket travel guide. Still there are some things that's needed to find out from the first hand experts & the travellers.
Thanks everyone.
Feb 12th, 2015, 10:04 PM
#16
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good day bandhan1983,
The Cascades d'Ouzoud fall in what I term the Central High Atlas, and they are indeed a wonderful sight. Your children will enjoy the path up and down the falls but you must consider that the path can be muddy and slippery at times. There are usually cheeky Barbary macaques (often misnamed Barbary apes) around there as well, to entertain the children so to speak. In the same region is some wonderful hiking in the Aït bou Goumez valley, as well as the natural phenomenon of Imi n'Ifri.
Regards,
Your fellow traveler Darren
The Cascades d'Ouzoud fall in what I term the Central High Atlas, and they are indeed a wonderful sight. Your children will enjoy the path up and down the falls but you must consider that the path can be muddy and slippery at times. There are usually cheeky Barbary macaques (often misnamed Barbary apes) around there as well, to entertain the children so to speak. In the same region is some wonderful hiking in the Aït bou Goumez valley, as well as the natural phenomenon of Imi n'Ifri.
Regards,
Your fellow traveler Darren
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
UsInUk
Africa & the Middle East
8
Feb 4th, 2008 12:14 AM
