A Morocco honeymoon is a must for all romantics. Although it is in Africa, it is less than ten miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. Not only does it have the city of Casablanca, the setting of one of the world’s most romantic movies, but it is also a stunning paradise of diversity. From camel rides in the desert to hikes in scenic mountain terrain (perhaps some skiing at the right time of year) to historic cities, Morocco is an ideal place for any couple to start their marriage.
Best yet, it is relatively inexpensive to visit. In addition, few people realize that Morocco has 1,200 miles of beautiful coastline lined with luxurious beach resorts. Morocco is a year-round honeymoon destination.
About Morocco
The city of Marrakech offers incredible architecture, epic dining, and endless shopping at boutiques and its famous souks, where almost anything can be found and bought. The souks are filled with exotic spices, wonderful crafts, handmade soaps, and so much more at incredible bargain prices. Perhaps the most romantic part of being in Marrakech is a stroll through the back street and inhaling the fragrances and ambiance.
A quick day trip will take honeymooners to Sir Richard Branson’s incredible mountain getaway, Kasbah Tamadot. To stretch a metaphor, here, the hills are alive.
For honeymooners, accommodations couldn’t be more luxurious – many were commissioned by kings and are fit for royalty. Why not spend your honeymoon getting pampered in a former palace?
Best Hotels and Resorts for a Moroccan Honeymoon
Medina Gardens Marrakech
Medina Gardens Marrakech in the center of Marrakech has 282 rooms and suites in a three-building complex. All are surrounded by beautiful gardens which are perfect for relaxing and strolling. This is an all-inclusive adult-only property. It is close the Marrakech’s famed souks.
Medina Gardens has 2 swimming pools and a tennis court. The onsite restaurants serve Moroccan-style dishes and snacks are available by the pools. There are also 7 bars and lounges.
The gym offers water aerobics, Zumba, and yoga. The Blue Spa is specifically geared for honeymooners, with treatments, massages, and jacuzzi being couples-oriented.
Kasbah Tamadot
Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson’s own resort, was voted the No. 1 hotel in North Africa by Travel and Leisure in 2021. This magical resort is surrounded by lush gardens and the mighty Atlas Mountains. Guests have a choice of 28 rooms and suites as well as ten luxury tents, some with their own plunge pool. Golf, yoga, and tennis are available to all guests.
Meals can be enjoyed in the in-house restaurants or by the infinity pool bar and/or the rooftop terrace beneath the stars. The Kasbah Tamadot emphasized Moroccan delicacies.
The chefs offer three-hour classes in Moroccan cooking to enable guests to enjoy the cuisine long after their visit. In addition, guests can arrange excursions, mule treks, and tours up the Atlas Mountains.
To elevate their stay, a couple can arrange for the Berber Package. For a minimum two-night stay, they will enjoy a mule trek, tea at a genuine Berber residence, as well as cooking and baking lessons.
Riu Tikida Dunas
The all-inclusive Riu Tikida Dunas in Agadir has 400 rooms in a large complex only steps from a private beach. The hotel received the 2019 Certificate of Excellence from HotelCheck. Every room has its own balcony or terrace with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to the beach, there are three outdoor pools and an indoor pool. Two restaurants serve Asian and Moroccan cuisines, as well as a breakfast buffet. All meals, including snacks, are included in the price.
Adults can enjoy live entertainment each evening. During the day, the hotel offers shuttles to the 36-hole Golf Du Soleil course, and green fees are discounted.
Terre des Toiles
Terre des Toiles is a luxury camp in the Agafay Desert forty kilometers outside of Marrakesh. Each tent has a large bed, a terrace, and a bathroom – all amid a tranquil desert. The privacy is ideal for honeymooners. Experience the magic of half-day or day-long excursions, camel and horse rides through the sand, cuddling beneath a bright starry sky, or yoga sessions in the desert.
The camp offers a refreshing swimming pool and bar. Guests can arrange for a picnic lunch and dinner on the terrace or by the pool. Or couples can be served in their own private tent. The spa in the middle of the desert includes massages and other treatments.
Merzouga Luxury Camp
Merzouga Luxury Camp is located 9 hours outside of Marrakech or an hour from the town of Erfoud– and the trip is half of the fun experience. A driver can be hired to pass through the mountains, green valleys, local villages, and a fascinating landscape before reaching the tranquility of Merzouga.
Ten secluded private tents are ideal for honeymooners, who can explore the desert dunes on a camel or walk around the high dunes with a guide, then return to camp and enjoy an intimate four-course dinner beneath the stars.
Culture and Food in Morocco
The Berbers inhabited Morocco for thousands of years, to be joined next by a great deal of Arabian influence. The country became a French protectorate in the early twentieth century but gained its independence in 1956. Modern Morocco is the sole surviving North African monarchy. The different sights of sounds of the country provide a kaleidoscope of different experiences, especially the many architecturally extraordinary mosques, which must be seen. Visitors should keep in mind that some mosques do not permit entry by non-Muslims, so it is best to check first.
The country has been a major trading destination for centuries, thus importing many foods and flavors from other cultures. This tradition is often the focus of novels set in Morocco which are well worth reading if you want to understand more about the rich cultural tapestry of the country. Its cuisine is as diverse and sophisticated as Morocco itself. The staples of Moroccan dining, olives, figs, lamb, etc., were enjoyed by the original Berbers and are still the mainstay of Moroccan diets. By the 7th century, Arabs introduced grain, and much more importantly, its famed spices such as cinnamon, caraway, paprika, turmeric, saffron, ginger, and others. Spain, just a few miles north but worlds apart, introduced the ever-popular pastilla pie, a meat or seafood pie wrapped in phyllo dough.
The country has been a major trading destination for centuries, thus importing many foods and flavors from other cultures. “This tradition is often the focus of <<novels set in Morocco>> which are well worth reading if you want to understand more about the rich cultural tapestry of the country.
With fertile land, Morocco is rich in delicious fresh fruits such as tomatoes, melons, oranges, dates, and figs. It’s a foodie’s dream. A medieval traveler wrote home of Morocco “it is the best of countries, for in it fruits are plentiful, and running water and nourishing food are never exhausted.”
Top Things to Do in Morocco
It is virtually impossible to enjoy everything that Morocco has to offer unless you stay for a long time. Here are simply a few highlights.
Exquisite Dining in Morocco
Nomad in Marrakesh serves perfect Moroccan cuisine. The restaurant is spread across four floors, with several terraces overlooking the breathtaking Atlas Mountains.
Royal Mansour in Marrakesh takes a detour from Moroccan dining and offers a welcome French menu. It exemplifies an elegant French style for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can indulge in a romantic sunset dinner on the terrace or treat themselves to afternoon tea.
Rick’s Cafe in Casablanca is a must-see for all fans of the movie. Humphrey Bogart isn’t here, but Rick’s Café has recreated romance. Of course, there is a piano, and “As Time Goes By” is requested several times an evening.
Hiking the Atlas Mountains
Hiking the Atlas Mountains is one of Morocco’s most vibrant experiences, especially with a guide. These hills are still the home of the Berbers, who welcome visitors. There are easy hikes for beginners and more challenging ones for the experienced. The goal is to reach Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest mountain. The top is snow-covered and not an easy climb, and it can take four days to reach the top. Along the way, hikers will find camps, huts, or luxurious kasbahs with spas to help sore muscles recover.
Chefchaouen
Feeling blue? You’ll feel at home in the city of Chefchaouen. Here, all the buildings are famously painted in shades of blue. Strolling the streets feels like visiting some magical foreign land. According to legend, the color blue here represents peace. Chefchaouen hasn’t changed much since the 15th century, including its stone steps which can leave a tingle in your leg muscles, or strolling through the souks which can be found throughout the city and felt in your wallet.
A visit to Chefchaouen should include a tour of the Kasbah Fortress Museum, the only place in the city with red walls, as well as a hike to the hilltop to the mosque. Non-Muslims are permitted entrance.
Ait Benhaddou is a fabulous day trip from Marrakech and a must-see for movie fans, as it has served as the location for films such as Lawrence of Arabia and the hit series Game of Thrones.
Average Cost of a One-Week Trip to Morocco
The cost of a trip to Morocco can vary. One night at a mid-range hotel is about $100, but plenty of available accommodations are less expensive and more expensive.
Train rides are inexpensive, and a first-class ticket can be under $20. Visitors should count on $50 for taxis. A three-day tour can cost $300, and tours through the Sahara can cost $400. Food prices can come to $25 per day, which is very reasonable.
Hint: when shopping at the fabulous souks, always bargain with the seller down 50 percent of the asking price. It is expected.
Best Time to Visit Morocco
Morocco is at its best in the autumn – September through November – and spring – March through April – when the weather is warm without hitting the extremes of other seasons.
While the summer months can get hot, it is a great time to cruise the coastline. The mountains can hit freezing temperatures in the winter, but that is the ideal time for a comfortable trek through the Sahara Desert, which is best avoided in the summer heat. The Desert can get cold at night during any season, so a sweater should always be at hand. Winter rates can save money all around.
Weather in Morocco
Morocco’s climate is as diverse as its landscape. Most of the country enjoys a tropical climate that ranges from 95 degrees to 41 degrees. Cities such as Marrakech and Agadir see temperatures around 70 degrees during the winter. Coastal regions can experience pleasant Mediterranean temperatures all year round. Moving south toward the Sahara, the weather becomes hotter and far more humid, although there is a huge drop in temperature in the evening. Most of the rain in the coastal areas happens between November and March.
Getting to Morocco
With 25 airports spanning across Morocco, the country is easy to reach by air. According to a 2017 survey, the Marrakech-Menara airport is named one of the world’s most beautiful airports while serving 19 airlines.
From Europe, flights from London take 3 hours. Leaving from Madrid will mean 2 hours in the air, and a flight from Paris will last close to 3 hours.
A direct roundtrip economy flight from the U.S. to Morocco taking American Airlines from Philadelphia to Casablanca will cost approximately $2,200.00 and last for 8 hours. The same flight on American Airlines in business class will cost close to $4,000.00. Fares, of course, vary constantly.
There are many direct ferries from Europe to Morocco. Depending on the company and take-off destination, there can be 12 to 18 ferries a day. Some are as quick as 45 minutes, while others turn into 7 to 13-day cruises before landing in Morocco.
From across Europe, there are 497 ferries per week using 13 different routes to take passengers to Morocco.