A spate of celebrity weddings and the recent honeymoon of actor George Clooney and his new wife, Amal Alamuddin, have put Marrakesh firmly on the map as a romantic destination. However, Morocco offers much more than just the city of Marrakesh for honeymooners. There are plenty of locations and destinations which will encourage your romantic side and create hundreds of joint memories for the happy couple!
Coastal Communities
Watching the sun setting into the Atlantic Ocean, sundowner cocktail or mint tea in hand is guaranteed to be an unforgettable moment of a Moroccan honeymoon. Essaouira and Agadir are two coastal resorts around three hours from Marrakech which offer infinite sunset-gazing opportunities. Head even further south to the secluded town of Mirleft. Opt for Agadir if you want luxury 5-star resorts, miles of sandy beach and enough nightclubs and casinos to try a different one every night. Go to Essaouira if boho-chic boutiques, horse rides along windswept beaches and an easy breezy laid-back attitude is more your thing. November is a good time to visit, the weather remains excellent but thinning crowds mean more availability and privacy.
Desert Dreaming
What could be more romantic than huddled around a fire in the vast Sahara Desert at the heart of Africa, being serenaded by your Berber hosts as you reflect wish upon a shooting star? Morocco has two main dune complexes, Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga. At either, Journey Beyond Travel can offer luxury camp or kasbah accommodation complete with all the modern conveniences of a city hotel. Either location is easily reached from Ouarzarzate, home to Morocco’s booming film industry. You can visit the Atlas Studios and the sets of countless movies made here. While the coasts of Morocco may be cool during this time, and visiting the desert in summer is too hot, planning a visit in February will allow you to have a more comfortable and unique experience. The period after the winter rains also means the desert is alive with color and growth!
Exploring the Mountain Regions
The High Atlas Mountains offer trekking and hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiast couples. In spring, when the almond, walnut and fruit trees are in bloom, the slightest breeze scatters the tiny petals like confetti. You will be welcomed with authentic Berber hospitality and invited to share in the lives of local people. Stay in luxurious kasbah accommodation in the foothills of the mountains. Alternatively, day excursions from Marrakech are easily arranged to the stunning Ouzoud Waterfalls or the picturesque Ourika Valley, where visitors can take lunch in a riverside restaurant as the sun dapples the water. During the winter you can reach the snow-capped peaks and ski in Oukaimden outside of Marrakech, or the mountain hills near Ifrane.
The Medinas of Morocco
Fes – Morocco’s spiritual capital where some things have hardly changed since medieval times – was recently nominated the 6th most romantic city in Morocco. The UNESCO-registered medinas (old cities) of Fes and Marrakesh offer lovingly restored riads (townhouses) featuring meticulously decorated bedrooms and roof terraces under the stars, where you can listen to the call to prayer ring out and watch the world pass by beneath you. In winter, many riads have an open fire and offer fireside dining of the finest Moroccan cuisine.
If you feel your honeymoon deserves something more opulent, the palm groves of Marrakech are the home of many 5-star hotels (and their honeymoon suites), including some of the world’s most famous brands. In both cities, visit the palaces, madrasa (Koranic schools) and gardens of great sultans and haggle for souvenirs in the souks. Morocco is famous for its hammam (bathing) culture – many spas and hotels offer the opportunity for couples to take spa treatments together.
When to Visit
You will find plenty to visit, see and experience in Morocco all year round. However, the heat of the interior and desert are best avoided in the middle of summer (July, August) – Head to the coast or the mountains during the summer when temperatures in the interior of Morocco soar. Winter can be cold in the interior and the mountains – expect snow, and even in the desert you will need a warm layer at night. However, days are generally sunny and Morocco offers a good opportunity for winter sunshine. Great times to come which are off-peak (for example outside the European school vacations) are the new year (January, February), spring (March to May, avoiding the Easter vacation period) and the fall (September – October). At any time of year, you are sure to start your married life together with plenty of unique experiences and happy memories!
We would love to help you make your honeymoon memorable. Contact our team of professionals today. We’ll guide you through the planning stages, and be with you every step of the way. Our on the ground, local guides and drivers are at your service to ensure your time spent in Morocco is magical.
