Is the blue city a good destination with children?

The north of Morocco is one of the most rewarding family destinations we know — and one of the most underestimated. The colour of the blue city, the warmth towards children, the gentle Rif walks and the sheer novelty of it make it deeply memorable for kids who might shrug at another European city break, and the calm of Chefchaouen suits young families far better than a frantic itinerary. It still takes planning. Here is what we have learned from years of designing family trips in the north.

Where in the north is best for families with children?

Chefchaouen is the natural base — small, safe and endlessly photogenic, with traffic-free lanes where children can roam a few steps ahead. The blue medina is a treasure hunt of painted doorways, staircases and resident cats; Place Outa el-Hammam makes an easy spot for mint tea while small legs rest. The walk down to Ras el-Maa ends at a cascade where kids can paddle, and the climb to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint is short enough for most ages and rewards them with a sweeping view of the rooftops.

The Rif and Akchour — a short drive into Talassemtane National Park — offer pine-shaded trails, clear pools and the famous waterfalls. There is a choice of a gentle lower-fall path for little ones and a longer climb to the God's Bridge rock arch for older children, so you can match the day to the youngest in the group.

Fès, a scenic four-hour drive south, adds the drama of a great medieval medina — best explored with a guide and children old enough to keep pace. The tanneries seen from above, the artisan lanes and the woodwork museum read as a different world to young imaginations, a vivid contrast to the calm of the blue city.

Tangier, the usual arrival point, is a relaxed coastal bookend — the kasbah ramparts, the meeting of two seas at Cap Spartel and a beach to run off the journey before the road climbs south into the mountains.

How should you pace a family itinerary in the north?

The single most common mistake in family travel here is over- programming. The north rewards slow movement, and Chefchaouen almost insists on it. A family with children under ten is well served by two or three nights in each place, with one active outing per day and one long unstructured afternoon back at the riad. Build in plenty of downtime — a rooftop terrace, a quiet square, a paddle at Ras el-Maa — because children need the decompression.

For a relaxed week: arrive at Tangier for one night, three nights in Chefchaouen with a half-day at Akchour, then two nights in Fès before flying home. This suits children aged six and above. With younger children, keep it gentler still: one night Tangier, four nights in the blue city at a slow rhythm, and two nights in Fès — no long driving days and no rush.

What are the best riads for families in the blue city?

Riads and guesthouses — the courtyard houses that serve as the north's small boutique stays — make ideal family bases. The interior courtyard shuts out street noise, the architecture is naturally child-friendly (corridors to explore, roof terraces to breakfast on with the blue rooftops below), and the small scale means attentive, family-run service. Look for a family suite or connecting rooms and a kitchen happy to adapt menus. Because the blue city's houses are often stepped and built around tight stairs, ask about the layout when travelling with toddlers. We pre-inspect every riad we recommend. See our destinations guide for our current shortlist.

What should children eat and drink in the blue city?

Moroccan food is broadly child-friendly. Tagines with chicken, olives and preserved lemon; couscous with seven vegetables; harira soup; kefta (spiced minced lamb) on skewers; and msemen (griddle-fried flatbreads) with honey and argan oil are all approachable, lightly spiced and made fresh. Chefchaouen's relaxed cafés make mealtimes easy, and most riads will rustle up simpler dishes on request — grilled chicken, plain rice, eggs — for young children.

Water: drink bottled water only. Tap water is chlorinated and technically safe in town, but the mineral balance is unfamiliar to foreign systems and upsets a fair share of visitors. Fresh-squeezed orange juice from the local stalls is safe and excellent. Skip ice in cafés unless you are sure it was made from bottled water.

What practical tips make travelling with kids easier in the north?

• Book private transport throughout — the Rif roads to and from the blue city are winding, and a trusted driver beats shared taxis with children and luggage.
• Carry a child-specific sun cream rated SPF 50+. The blue city sits at altitude, so the sun is strong even when the air feels cool; spring and autumn are gentler.
• Pack oral rehydration sachets as a precaution; pharmacies in Chefchaouen and Fès stock them, but having your own is reassuring.
• A lightweight or structured backpack carrier is far more practical than a pushchair on the stepped, cobbled lanes of the blue medina.
• Brief children aged five and up on bargaining before the souk — it clears up confusion and turns it into a game.
• Keep small MAD notes (10 and 20 dirham) for children to hand over in shops — it gives them a part to play and makes the day tangible.

Frequently asked