• Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech
  The house and garden which gave the world the colour Majorelle Blue was most recently owned by Yves Saint Laurent and bequeathed to the city after his death. The museum is interesting but the gardens, where Saint Laurent’s ashes were scattered, are the main reason to visit.

• Marrakech Medina
  The medina is fabulous but Jemaa el-Fnaa square is the showstopper. One of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Intangible Culture, this ancient gathering place of soothsayers, snake charmers, food sellers, musicians and storytellers is not to be missed under any circumstances.
• Palmeraie Camel Tour, Marrakech
  A gentle, family-friendly half-day tour by camel round the enchanting Palm Grove north of Marrakech.

• Volubilis, Meknes
  The ancient Roman city of Volubilis near Meknes, between Fez and Rabat, is huge and magnificent. Try to visit later in the afternoon when it’s cooler and less crowded to really appreciate the stunning ruins and – if you’re lucky – see the sunset over them.

• Historic City of Meknes
  Another beautiful Moroccan World Heritage site, the medieval city of Meknes is entered through the vast Bab el-Mansour, Morocco’s grandest imperial gateway, and contains no fewer than 25 mosques and 10 hammams, along with granaries, inns, palaces and homes. Leave at least a day to explore.

• Bahia Palace, Marrakech
  This 19^th-century palace is new by Moroccan standards but it’s no less spectacular than many of the country’s truly ancient architecture. The tales of intrigue and daring are thrilling, and don’t miss the gardens – they’re said to be Marrakech’s loveliest.

• Atlantica Parc, Agadir
  In the unlikely event kids get bored with Agadir’s gorgeous beaches, this waterpark is the place for chutes, slides and rides. While not in the same league as the monsters in Asia and UAE, this is still a splash-tastically fun way to cool off.

• Medina of Essaouira
  Essaouira’s 18^th-century medina may not have the medieval heritage of others, but the Atlantic coast more than makes up for relative youth. It’s also very much alive, so sandarac carvers, faith healers, fish sellers and mystics are just a few of the locals you’ll see plying their trade here.

• Ouarzazate
  A drive through the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech to Ouarzazate is an unforgettable experience with older kids and teenagers. This ancient desert settlement is one of the most captivating (and filmed) in Morocco. It’s also gateway to the Sahara for trekking and guided tours.

• Toubkal National Park
  Morocco’s oldest national park covers 380 km², 80km south of Marrakech. Local communities, eco-initiatives, wildlife, wilderness landscape and the country’s highest mountain at 4,167m, Jebel Toubkal, are all reasons to hike, walk, drive or stay here with older children.

Educational value for kids

• Morocco is one of the world’s greatest natural-history lessons and has traces of the past wherever you look.
• The oral tradition is still strong in Morocco, and language isn’t a barrier to younger kids getting caught up in marketplace storytelling.
• There are traditional villages and craft workshops to visit in the Atlas Mountains.
• Picking up a few words in French or Arabic goes a long way for children in Morocco.

• Visit Jemaa el-Fnaa in the evening for the street-food stalls – snack heaven for kids and a wonderful learning experience.
• Customs of the country are another eye-opener for children, and mostly delightful.
• The country’s glorious mosques are a sight to behold – the same mysterious symbols in Koutoubia are found in the Alhambra palace in Granada.

Getting around with kids in Morocco

City centres are hectic to drive around, but hiring a car is the best way to explore this intricate country. Dozens of operators offer excellent tours to most of the historic sites and even a day in the Atlas Mountain foothills is memorable. Walking is the only way to travel around the medinas.