Marrakesh with Kids: A Solo Mum’s Honest Travel Guide

Marrakesh with a 4-Year-Old: A Solo Mum’s Honest Travel Guide

Marrakesh is one of those places that doesn’t just feel different — it wakes something up in you.
The colours, the sounds, the heat, the chaos, the calm hidden behind heavy wooden doors.

When I booked Marrakesh as a solo trip with my 4-year-old, I won’t lie — I nearly didn’t get on the plane. Anxiety crept in. The what ifs were loud. Safety, crowds, judgement, fear of the unknown.

I’m so glad I went anyway.

This guide isn’t polished or sugar-coated. It’s a real, experience-led look at Marrakesh as a solo mum, what worked beautifully, what helped me feel safe, and why I’d go back in a heartbeat.

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Is Marrakesh Safe for a Solo Traveller with a Child?

From my experience: yes — with intention and smart choices.

Marrakech is intense in places, but it’s also incredibly welcoming. Being with my daughter changed how I moved through the city — slower, more observant, more grounded. I had zero harassment, and while I’m aware other solo women have had different experiences, I always felt supported and looked after.

The biggest factor in that? Where we stayed.

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Where We Stayed (and Why This Made the Trip)

We stayed at Riad Sierra, and I genuinely believe it shaped the entire experience.

For solo travellers — especially with a child — a good riad is everything.

What made it perfect:

• Reception staff were exceptional
  Whoever was on reception that week would personally book taxis for us, then walk us to and from the taxi each time. That small detail made me feel incredibly safe.
• Ground floor room
  Perfect with a child — no stairs, easy access, calm.
• Pool + rooftop
  After busy days in the medina, this was our reset.
• Rooftop dinner
  We ate dinner up there one evening and it was genuinely one of my favourite moments of the trip — warm air, quiet, city lights.

If you’re travelling solo in Marrakesh, I can’t stress this enough:
👉 Choose a riad where you feel held. It changes everything.

My number one priority as a solo mum travelling with a child is keeping her safe and this Riad really was the backbone of that.

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Finding Calm Inside the Medina (Our Favourite Spots)

Marrakesh can feel overwhelming — especially with a young child — so we balanced busy exploring with intentional quiet spaces.

🍽 1112 Marrakech

This was a slice of calm in the chaos. Beautiful, peaceful, and the perfect place to pause, eat slowly, and breathe.

🍴 L’Mida Marrakech

Another standout. Elevated food, relaxed atmosphere, and a rooftop for al fresco dining — ideal if you want something special without stress.

🌿 Le Jardin Secret

A brilliant reset spot. Shaded, calm, and a welcome break from the intensity of the souks.

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Getting Around with a 4-Year-Old

She walked everywhere — no pram, no stress. We simply held hands.

The medina felt manageable moving at her pace, and I actually think walking helped us feel more connected and confident. I will add though, we travelled in the summer and although the heat was stifling, with the little breaks during the day in tea houses and restaurant, it was bearable.

Travelling solo in Marrakesh with her, one of my main concerns was the crowds, but with the heat came people searching for shade, and just a quieter season in general. I’m actually grateful for this now as in hindsight, it stopped me getting overwhelmed (although the sweat was uncomfortable at the time 😅).

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Standout Experiences (Worth Every Penny)

🐪 Agafay Desert Sunset Experience (Unmissable)

We did Marrakech: Sunset in the Agafay Desert Camel Ride Dinner Show, and it was absolutely fantastic.

The landscape is unreal, the experience felt safe and organised, and it was magical to share something so special with my daughter. We opted for a camel ride, swam in the pool and enjoyed a lovely dinner followed by dancing and a fire show.

👉 Link:
https://gyg.me/CReqx6P0

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🌅 Ourika Valley (Also a Standout)

Explore the stunning Ourika Valley and captivating Setti Fatma waterfalls on a day trip from Marrakesh. Lunch next to the river is a real unique experience and the waterfalls amidst the Atlas Mountains are stunning! I decided to give this one a miss this time because it involved some hiking and this mixed with heat and a toddler didn’t seem a sensible mix but I shall be back.

👉 Link:
https://gyg.me/RGwMWEZ9

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🎈 Hot Air Balloon in Marrakech (So Reasonably Priced)

I was genuinely surprised at how affordable this was compared to other destinations — and it’s such a bucket list experience. I did a hot air balloon in Dubai and it was one of my trip highlights but this is a fraction of what we paid there!

👉 Link:
https://gyg.me/117DWb8y

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📱 Book Everything Easily with GetYourGuide

I booked activities through GetYourGuide, it’s quickly become my favourite platform because it’s budget friendly and has made trip and excursion planning simple and stress-free.

👉 Download the app here:
https://gyg.me/emmahaswanderlust-app

💸 Extra bonus: Use my code EMMAHASWANDERLUST5 for 5% off your booking.

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What to Wear & Cultural Comfort

In the main tourist areas, especially in summer, you’ll see people wearing less modest clothing — and it’s widely accepted due to temperatures reaching 40°C+.

Personally:

• I dressed modestly for comfort, especially outside tourist hubs
• Light fabrics, covered shoulders, flowing silhouettes
• For nicer dinners, I always took taxis to and from venues

It wasn’t necessarily about fear — but it was about ease and also safety which I will always advocate for as a solo traveller.

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Safety, Taxis & Peace of Mind

I didn’t experience any harassment, but I’m aware others have — so I always say:
👉 Safety first. Always.

Things that helped:

• Pre-booked taxis via the riad
• Being walked to taxis by staff
• Evenings kept simple
• Trusting my instincts

Travelling with a child naturally changed how people interacted with me, but I never let my guard down.

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Would I Go Back?

Without hesitation — yes.

I’d love to return:

• With friends
• For rooftop dinners
• Long, slow evenings
• And deeper exploration

Marrakesh is vibrant, colourful, chaotic, and beautiful — unlike anywhere I’ve ever been.

Most importantly?
This trip boosted my confidence tenfold.

I nearly didn’t go. Anxiety almost won.
But I did — and I’m so glad I trusted myself.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re a solo mum wondering whether Marrakech is “too much” — it isn’t.
It’s bold, yes. Different, yes. But with the right choices, it’s wonderful.

And sometimes, the trips you’re most scared to take…
are the ones that change you the most.

Some of the links in this guide are commission links meaning that at no extra cost to you, I will earn a small amount from any bookings made.