Tales from TravelLocal: Isabelle’s family adventure in Morocco

From the bustle of Marrakech, up to the peaks of the Atlas Mountains and all the way out to the windswept coastline, TravelLocal team member Isabelle’s family trip to Morocco was filled with endless delight and wonder. A country rich in diverse experiences, this North African favorite ticked all boxes for her family of three, who went in search of culture, nature and relaxation—and arrived back home with a suitcase full of fond memories. Read on as she shares stories from her travels, to help inspire your very own tailor-made trip to Morocco.

A family trip to Morocco: adventures from mountains to sea

Could you start by sharing a bit about your trip: why you picked Morocco, who you travelled with, and for how long?

Morocco had been on my bucket list for a while, as we were looking for a destination that offered a mix of culture, nature, relaxation, and warmth, while still being family-friendly and not too far from the UK. I traveled with my husband and our nine-year-old son during the May school holidays in 2025. The trip lasted nine days including travel days, which gave us enough time to combine Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, and Essaouira without feeling rushed.

Read more: Top things to do in Morocco

What did your itinerary look like in a nutshell? Did it live up to your expectations?

We started with three nights in Marrakech. On our first day we had a walking tour with a private guide, which was a great way to orient ourselves in the city and the souks. The following day we took part in a private family cooking class, which turned out to be our favorite activity of the trip. Afternoons were free for us to explore or relax by the pool in our riad, which combined charm and authenticity.

From Marrakech we traveled to Imlil in the Atlas Mountains for a hike with a private guide and a mule for our son. Yassine (our local expert) had recommended Imlil over the better-known Ourika Valley, as it is just as beautiful but less touristy, and he was right. The scenery was stunning, and the family lunch at a Berber house was one of the best meals of the trip. When our son felt tired he had the option of riding the mule, and he got a real thrill when it was negotiating some of the steeper sections, safely guided by the mule handler and with our guide reassuringly holding his hand.

We then continued to Essaouira, where the sea breeze, relaxed atmosphere, and iconic blue fishing boats offered a refreshing contrast to Marrakech and the mountains. Finally, we returned to Marrakech for two more nights in a different riad before flying home.

What trip highlights did you and your family most enjoy?

• The private family cooking class in Marrakech was the highlight for all three of us. We enjoyed visiting the market to buy fresh ingredients, then cooking together with expert guidance. The food was delicious, and it was a wonderful experience to share as a family.
• The Berber house lunch in the mountains also stood out. The food was plentiful (the biggest lunch I’ve ever had during a hike!) and delicious, and the experience of sharing it in such a setting made it memorable.
• In Marrakech, exploring the souks with all their colors and smells was an experience in itself.
• Essaouira, with its sea breeze, relaxed vibe, and iconic blue fishing boats, perfectly complemented the bustle of Marrakech and the fresh air of the mountains.
• And throughout the trip, we found people everywhere to be warm, welcoming, and incredibly friendly.

Could you share your experience planning this trip with a local expert through TravelLocal?

TravelLocal connected me with Yassine, our local expert, and the whole planning process was so easy. I had a video call with Yassine, and after a few follow-up emails our itinerary was finalized. What really helped was his ability to balance our needs as a family: avoiding long car journeys, making sure we stayed long enough in each place, and finding riads with pools that still felt unique and full of character.

I had debated traveling at Easter, but Yassine recommended May as it would be less busy and not too hot yet. That advice proved invaluable, as he was able to secure popular riads that would already have been booked at Easter.

The information pack Yassine prepared was also very helpful, especially the tipping guide, which we referred to throughout the trip. It’s the kind of practical detail that makes a big difference and adds to the value of booking through TravelLocal.

Read more: A world of sensory richness: Morocco travel tips from a local expert

What did you appreciate most about tailor-making your trip?

The biggest benefit was the time saved. Without Yassine’s guidance I could easily have spent hours scrolling through endless options online: hundreds of riads in Marrakech, countless possible hikes, and activities that all look similar on paper. Having a local expert curate the right options for us cut through that overload and gave us the confidence we were making the right choices.

It also meant the trip truly reflected what we wanted: not too packed, enough downtime to relax, and a balance between culture, activities, and free time. Most importantly, there was no stress during the trip itself. Everything had been pre-arranged and worked smoothly as planned.

In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently? Any wisdom you’ve gained and will now keep in mind when planning another tailor-made trip?

The hike in Imlil was wonderful for the scenery and the Berber lunch, but with our son it was kept fairly short and simple. If traveling without children, or with children who are more experienced hikers, I would recommend planning something longer and a little more challenging.

What’s one tip you have for families planning their first trip to Morocco?

My biggest tip would be not to overpack the itinerary. Morocco has so much to offer, but with children it’s important to leave time for pauses and flexibility. Some of our best moments came from slowing down: enjoying our riad courtyard, playing cards while enjoying Moroccan tea and cakes at the pool, or wandering the streets of Essaouira at our own pace.

It is better to schedule multiple Moroccan vacations to explore the different regions of such a big country, than to try to fit everything into one trip. That’s exactly what we plan on doing: North Morocco is now firmly on our bucket list.

Read more: Take the kids to Morocco for a family vacation

Make it happen

If Isabelle’s family trip to Morocco has inspired you to plan a tailor-made adventure of your own, head on over to our Morocco destination page to get in touch with our local experts. They’re ready and excited to help fill your trip with experiences you won’t soon forget, all based around your family’s interests and budget.