Covering all bases: the delights of travelling with teens in Morocco

Ultimate cool aunt Sara Darling took her teenage niece on a Morocco holiday from Tangier to Marrakech, and discovered that beaches, medinas and museums work perfectly for teens.

Morocco holiday beach, Tangier © ONMT

Intro teens to tangiers at the start of your Morocco holiday

Teenage girls like two things in my experience: shopping and their friends. So in order to to spend some quality time with my 17-year-old niece, a trip to Morocco was on the cards for a bit of its infamous winter sun – mostly for me!

Tangier is not often the introduction to Morocco, but with its sprawling white sand beaches and modern hotels, it is quite an appropriate entry point.

Just under three hours from London, and 20 miles from Spain, Tangier boasts all the good things that Morocco is famed for.

There’s the classic old medina, Petit Socco: a market square in the heart of the Old Town which has been a meeting place for centuries, with stalls selling everything from spices to traditional handicrafts. Then there’s Grand Socco: a bustling market area offering an authentic glimpse into daily life, plus delicious local food, without the notorious hassle and hustle of Marrakech.

Today’s Tangier is famous for its royal connections

Once known as a haven for artists and writers, Tangier is now famed for being the summer site of the Moroccan royal residence; and the city is an intriguing mix of Spanish, Portuguese and French influences.

Enjoy a quintessential mint tea at Café Hafa, which offers uninterrupted views of the Strait of Gibraltar from the extensive terrace, or take a walk along the marina and admire the luxury yachts.

When spring kicks in and temperatures reach the 20s, beaches like Plage Malabata are great for swimming and sunbathing: you can even ride a horse through the waves.

Another iconic landmark (and great Instagram spot) is the Cape Spartel, an impressive viewpoint where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.

Go off the beaten track in the ‘Blue City’ of Chefchaouen

Next stop on the adventure was laidback Chefchaouen, a two-hour car ride away.

This was my wild card as, hidden in the Rif Mountains, the small city is another Morocco off-the-tourist-trail find.

But it proved to be a good call, as the array of blue walls, narrow pathways and hidden staircases leading to further shops and open-fronted artisans preparing their wares, meant that there was a treat at every corner.

Stop for lunch at one of the many rooftop-terrace restaurants (I recommend Cafe Clock where you can sample camel burgers!)

Then finish your day with a leisurely hike to the impressive Spanish Mosque for a cinematic view of the mountains, and to relish the tranquillity that this pretty city oozes, and which is especially evident at sunset.

Rabat makes a capital addition to our Morocco holiday

Rabat in contrast is more commercial, and as Morocco’s capital city, you’ll notice the change in pace. Although still not as frenetic as Marrakech it is well worth a visit, and it’s accessible by a daily four-hour bus ride.

With boutique shopping, high end restaurants and sandy beaches, this is a luxury destination, popular with holidaymakers clamouring to take pictures outside the Royal Palace.

Although you can’t enter the palace, it’s interesting just to see how the guards on horseback cope in the sweltering heat, while you consider a Hamman – which are a stalwart of Moroccan culture. First-time visitors might want to visit a hotel Spa (try Story Rabat) for the ultimate invigorating and cleansing experience.

The impressively maintained Mausoleum of Mohammed V, which is guarded by an elite (and impeccably dressed) ceremonial unit of the Moroccan military, is also worth a visit. Visitors are welcome to enter the catacomb and marvel at the memorial and original carvings, and this can be combined with a visit to the city’s looming, iconic minaret which dates back to the 12th century, which, although unfinished, has become a city landmark.

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Buzzy Marrakech, Morocco

Iconic Marrakech delivers all the buzz we were expecting

The last stop on our journey was Marrakech, with its iconic Jemaa el-Fnaa Square where locals and tourists rub shoulders in a buzzy market space. Expect Henna artists, snake charmers, storytellers and street performers and all kinds of items laid out on rugs for sale. I’d recommend your first visit to be during daylight as it is a completely different vibe after dark! And be wary of pickpockets.

The Square is the gateway to Marrakech’s famed shopping, with its labyrinth of lanes assaulting your senses with carpets, pottery, leather, spices and silver – plus of course the super comfortable Moroccan babouches (traditional slippers).

Don’t forget to haggle when you know you want to buy, and don’t be afraid to make the first offer; starting with a price that is lower than what you’re willing to pay, giving you room to negotiate upwards.

Explore the legendary Majorelle Garden for a change of pace

When we had enough of browsing, and getting lost, we booked a visit to the Majorelle Garden which can be found outside the medina. Providing a completely different vibe to the animated noise and hustle of the souks, the gardens are an oasis of calm set behind imposing iron gates on Rue Yves Saint Laurent.

There are still plenty of tourists – in fact this is the most visited landmark in Marrakech – so it’s definitely worth booking a time slot. But committing to a time is well worth it, as once inside the grounds, the outside world is muted and the only sounds are the hushed voices of visitors, the chirping of birds and the rhythmic stream of water.

Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech © ONMT

Make like Yves Saint Laurent and be inspired by Marrakech

Majorelle was created by French Realist painter Jacques Majorelle in the early 1900s, and it’s now a tourist Mecca for people who come to visit the beautifully manicured grounds complete with shady pathways and giant cacti: lovingly restored by his friend, Yves Saint Laurent, after his death.

Saint Laurent is also revered as one of Marrakech’s ‘darlings’, as he made the city his home in the 1960s and designed many collections inspired by the Arabic colours and architecture.

So, 50 years later, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum  was opened, adjacent to the park, which we loved, as it showcases the late designer’s work, via a film in an air conditioned auditorium, along with a beautifully curated mannequin gallery of his designs.

Colourful herbalist wares, Marrakech

Our top Marrakech experience might surprise you

Marrakech is arguably Morocco’s most well-known city, attracting an international crowd and showcasing local artisans. You can enjoy annual film and art festivals, designer shopping, and luxury hotels, but visiting a herbalist remains one of the most memorable experiences we had there. We left with goodies promising us shiny hair, clear skin, and Argan Oil touted as the answer to everything.

Marrakech street life is made for sharing

Turns out Morocco holidays are made for sharing with teens

From Tangier’s coastal charm to Chefchaouen’s serene blue streets, Rabat’s elegant modernity, and the vibrant chaos of Marrakech, each destination offered its own unique character. Our Morocco holiday was a perfect mix of adventure, relaxation and bonding – whether marvelling at century-old architecture, experiencing a Hammam, haggling for treasures in bustling souks, or simply enjoying the rich culture, it is the ideal country for making memories and effortlessly balances the thrill of exploration with the comfort of familiar luxuries.

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