Our Big Summer Adventure Part XI: Cabo Negro and M'Diq with Kids
Hello friends!
Welcome to the next chapter of our Big Summer Adventure!
If you've missed the previous posts, you can catch up on our journey through Southern Europe and beyond in the Family Travel section.
In the previous post, we arrived in Cabo Negro, one of Northern Morocco's well-known seaside destinations, and I shared the story of our magical first evening there.
What I didn't tell you is that the days that followed turned out to be just as memorable.
Some summer memories are made of beautiful beaches and unforgettable places. Others are made of people.
For us, our days in Cabo Negro and M'Diq were a little bit of both.
A Family Reunion Across Continents
The next day, members of my husband's family joined us.
For some families, seeing relatives is simply part of everyday life.
For us, it's a little different.
My family lives in Greece.
My husband's family lives in Morocco.
And we live in Canada.
Which means every summer reunion feels incredibly special.
There is always that feeling that we're trying to squeeze an entire year's worth of conversations, laughter, updates and memories into just a few days.
And somehow, those days always pass far too quickly.
The children were especially excited. Being reunited with their cousins meant endless hours of swimming, playing, laughing and making memories together.
Meanwhile, the adults had their own version of summer fun.
Long mornings chatting on the veranda while watching the children enjoy the pool, breakfasts that somehow stretched well beyond lunchtime, and evenings filled with stories, confessions and conversations that continued long after sunset.
I already miss those moments.
Cabo Negro and M'Diq: Our Favourite Family Experiences
If you're planning a family holiday in Northern Morocco, Cabo Negro and nearby M'Diq offer a lovely combination of beach time, local food, seaside walks and activities for all ages.
Here are some of the experiences we enjoyed most:
Mornings, Moroccan Style
One thing you'll quickly discover in Morocco is that breakfast is taken very seriously.
And honestly?
I completely support this philosophy.
Forget grabbing a coffee and rushing out the door.
Here, breakfast is a proper event.
Tables fill with traditional Moroccan favourites such as:
Msemen, delicious layered Moroccan pancakes
Harcha, a traditional semolina bread
Freshly baked bread
Local honey
Olive oil and olives
Fresh mint tea
Freshly squeezed orange juice
By the time breakfast was over, I felt as though I had already consumed my entire daily calorie allowance.
And I regretted absolutely nothing.
One of my favourite things about travelling is discovering these little everyday traditions. Food is such a wonderful way to experience a place, and Moroccan breakfasts are definitely something worth slowing down for.
If you're staying in Cabo Negro or visiting nearby M'Diq, you can look for local cafés and bakeries along the waterfront and in the surrounding areas for Moroccan and international breakfast options.
Beach Time in Cabo Negro and M'Diq
Now, let's talk about the beaches.
Cabo Negro and M'Diq are located along Morocco's Mediterranean coastline, near Tetouan and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
The sea here feels quite different from Morocco's Atlantic coast.
Instead, you'll find Mediterranean scenery and, depending on the conditions, beautiful clear blue water that may remind you of Greece.
My personal favourite was Cabo Negro Beach.
I found the water slightly cooler and particularly refreshing.
The children's favourite, however, was undoubtedly M'Diq Beach.
And I can understand why.
The beach seems endless.
It is honestly one of the widest beaches I have ever seen.
You keep walking.
And walking.
And walking.
And somehow, you're still not at the water!
The golden sand stretches as far as the eye can see.
During the summer, one of the attractions families may come across is a floating inflatable water park installed offshore. Children can climb, jump and slide while enjoying a completely different kind of beach day. Availability and conditions can vary, so it's worth checking locally before planning your visit.
Family Travel Tip
Bring everything you'll need before settling down on the beach.
Because once you've crossed half of Morocco's largest beach carrying towels, toys, bags, sunscreen and snacks, the idea of walking all the way back for a bottle of water becomes significantly less appealing.
Fortunately, donut sellers regularly patrol the beach.
Coffee sellers?
Not so much.
Plan accordingly.
Restaurant La Méditerranée
I described our unforgettable evening there in the previous post, but this restaurant deserves another mention.
Located in nearby M'Diq, La Méditerranée is built directly over the sea and offers a spectacular setting overlooking the Mediterranean.
And it's not just worth considering for dinner.
During our visit, we also appreciated the idea of stopping by during the day for coffee, pastries or a relaxed break with a beautiful sea view.
Few things are more relaxing than sipping coffee while listening to the waves beneath you.
It's one of those places where the setting becomes just as memorable as the food!
M'Diq After Sunset
If there is one place the children absolutely adored, it was M'Diq after dark.
Imagine a long waterfront promenade stretching along the Mediterranean coast.
Now fill it with:
Ice cream vendors
Sweet treats
Toy stalls
Local products
Clothing and jewellery
Souvenirs
Street entertainment
And then add an outdoor amusement park.
Yes.
An actual amusement park.
Needless to say, our children thought they had discovered paradise.
There is something wonderful about the atmosphere of a Moroccan summer evening. Families come out to enjoy the cooler air, children play, cafés fill up and the promenade becomes a lively meeting place.
Family Travel Tip
Summer evenings can get very busy, particularly along the waterfront.
Keep younger children close, especially after dark, as the crowds can make it easy to lose sight of one another.
Seafood Heaven
If you love seafood, Northern Morocco is definitely worth exploring.
During our stay, we enjoyed the abundance of seafood available in M'Diq, from casual food options to more traditional restaurant meals.
One evening, my husband returned with an impressive feast:
Grilled sea bream
Fried calamari
Shrimp
And the largest, freshest oysters I have ever eaten
I am fairly certain I still dream about those oysters.
We enjoyed our seafood feast as a family, and it was one of those simple holiday meals that somehow becomes a lasting memory.
Coming from Canada, I was also struck by how much more affordable seafood seemed to be compared with what we're accustomed to paying back home.
I don't remember the exact cost, but I certainly remember how much we enjoyed it!
Morocco Truly Comes Alive at Night
One of the things that fascinates me most about Morocco is its nighttime culture.
Coming from Canada, the contrast could not be greater.
Near midnight, you'll often find:
Convenience stores still open
Barbers working
Cafés full of people
Families enjoying the evening outdoors
Children still playing
The streets feel alive.
We noticed this during our travels in Tangier, Marrakech and other parts of Morocco too.
Partly because of the daytime heat, many people prefer to enjoy the cooler evening temperatures.
As a visitor, my advice is simple:
Slow down.
Embrace the rhythm.
You're on vacation.
There is no need to rush.
And honestly, some of our favourite moments happened precisely because we weren't rushing anywhere.
Exploring the Coast by Boat
Perhaps I saved one of the best experiences for last.
One afternoon, we rented a small boat with a local captain from the marina in M'Diq.
Both our Canadian and Moroccan families climbed aboard together and set off to explore the coastline.
The excursion took us past:
Hidden coves
Dramatic cliffs
Small sea caves
Beautiful stretches of coastline
It was magical.
The children were absolutely thrilled.
To be honest, so were the adults.
With music playing, sea spray filling the air and the Mediterranean sparkling around us, it became impossible not to smile.
For a little while, everyone forgot about work, responsibilities, schedules and obligations.
We simply enjoyed the moment.
One thing worth mentioning: although some visitors choose to swim during boat excursions, we decided not to.
The water was beautifully clear, but we spotted jellyfish in several areas and preferred not to take any chances.
Sometimes the best holiday decision is simply to enjoy the view from the boat.
Until Next Time...
These were some of the highlights of our family days in Cabo Negro and M'Diq.
But when I think back to those days, I don't remember only the beaches, restaurants or activities.
I remember the feeling.
The laughter of cousins reunited.
The long Moroccan breakfasts.
The children running towards the sea.
The warm Mediterranean evenings.
The conversations that lasted until late at night.
And that special sense of togetherness that becomes even more precious when the people you love are scattered across continents.
Perhaps that's one of the most beautiful things about travelling.
You discover new places, experience different cultures and collect photographs along the way.
But sometimes, the memories you treasure most have very little to do with where you went.
They have everything to do with who was there.
Join me in the next chapter of our Big Summer Adventure, as we continue exploring Northern Morocco and discover more beautiful landscapes, local experiences and unforgettable family moments.
Until then, enjoy the little things!
Love, Katerina
Continue the Journey
This summer adventure took us across Portugal and Spain before arriving in Morocco. If you'd like to follow our route from the beginning, you may enjoy reading:
• Lisbon
• Lagos
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