Morocco Honeymoon Guide

Few destinations offer Morocco’s intoxicating fusion of ancient sights, sounds and aromas.

Only here can you truly experience the exotic mix of Africa, Arabia and the Islamic world, all at the same time – just perfect for an adventurous honeymoon holiday or romantic getaway!


What to do and see in Morocco

Experience an exotic spectacle that has changed little over the centuries at Marrakech's famed square – the Place of the Dead – the Jemaa el Fna

Explore the world's largest still-functioning medieval city at Fez el Bali and examine the stunningly decorative carving that covers the lavish Bou Inania Medersa in the Imperial city of Meknes.

Haggle for handmade crafts in ancient souks, wander winding lanes through mud-walled kasbahs and medieval medinas, ride camels through a sea of sand dunes, hike or bike mountain trails and in the shade of palm-fringed oases or hilltop villages, meet proud nomadic people who maintain ancient tribal customs.

Morocco offers a choice of compelling destinations and attractions for adventurous couples, including the following …


Agadir

Agadir is Morocco’s premier holiday beach resort and offers the perfect romantic getaway for honeymoon couples travelling in Morocco.

With its warm sunny climate and long golden-sand beach lined with luxury hotels, Agadir is the perfect base to explore southern Morocco or to enjoy a respite from the intoxicating fusion of ancient sights, sounds and aromas that make Marrakech, Fez and Tangiers so beguiling.

Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on the 6km-long sweep of fine golden sand that curves around the magnificent Agadir Bay, enjoying creature comforts at a choice of upscale beachfront hotels.

Enjoy panoramic views overlooking the bay from the hilltop remains of the ancient Kasbah, which sits above the memorial park of Talborjt, dedicated to the victims of the 1960 earthquake.

Browse for Moroccan handicrafts, rugs, Berber-style jewellery, djellabas (woollen tunics) and babouches (leather slippers) in the town’s colourful souk. After dark, unwind in a classy piano bar or dance into the early hours at one of the open-air beachfront nightspots on boulevard 20 Août.

Read more about Agadir Beach


Fez

The medieval city of Fez offers an almost endless range of attractions for active couples celebrating a honeymoon or romantic getaway holiday.

In the spiritual heart of Morocco – explore the first Islamic and Arab city to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and discover the world's largest still-functioning medieval city – Fez el Bali.

Here, wander a winding maze of alleyways through covered bazaars surrounded by the ancient wall broken only by monumental gateways and bargain for carpets, rugs and ornate metalwork in one of the world’s largest medinas (markets).

At the Bou Inania Medersa, explore one of the few religious sites in Morocco that is accessible to non-Islamic visitors – a 14th century residential university whose green-tile roof and tall minaret are easily seen from Bab Bou Jeloud gateway.

Here, stucco walls carved in floral and geometrical motifs and ceramic tiles covered in cursive Arabic script rise from marble floors to cedar eaves, Koranic verses decorate every available surface of the courtyard and wood mashrabiyya screens separate the marble-paved courtyard from arcaded corridors.

Read more about Fez


Marrakech

Get happily exhausted by the sights, sounds and atmosphere of Marrakech.

The boisterous ‘pink’ city, founded in 1062 at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Arabia, is the perfect honeymoon destination for adventurous newlyweds.

Discover architectural jewels that date back to the 11th century, explore former palaces, mausoleums and harems of a distant culture and experience a slice of Moroccan life unchanged for centuries in the exotic spectacle that unfolds every day in Marrakech's main square – the Jemaa el Fna.

Come at dusk and be amazed, excited and surprised by this open-air theatre crowded with snake charmers, fortune-tellers, musicians, acrobats, storytellers and dancers – who perform not merely for tourists but to earn a living.

Weave through crowds to see deadly cobras sway to the eerie tones of snake charmers and witness acrobats turning wild tumbles and veiled women offering henna tattoos. Snack on sweet dates and sugar-coated peanuts or roasted sheep’s head and couscous, washed down with fresh grapefruit juice.

Read more about Marrakech


Meknes

Although often overlooked by visitors to Morocco, hassle-free Meknes offers couples a medina of narrow winding lanes and grand buildings to explore, and it is close to the Roman ruins at Volubilis and the pilgrimage centre of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.

Wander down a series of pale-yellow courtyards to the tomb of Sultan Moulay Ismail – one the few sacred sites in Morocco open to non-Muslims. After removing your shoes, enter the tranquil sanctuary supported by marble columns, graceful arches and decorated with carved stucco and exquisite zellij tiles containing colourful geometric patterns.

Stroll beneath countless arches and alongside 3m-thick walls in the former Royal Granaries and Stables, one of Moulay Ismail's greatest engineering achievements – Heri as Souani.

Once used to store grain to feed 12,000 horses of the royal stables, the uniquely designed granaries were kept cool by a cedar forest planted on the roof and by underfloor water channels fed by an underground reservoir.

Read more about Meknes


Chefchaouen

(North-west Morocco) – Experience a unique Andalusian (southern Spanish) village that still retains its Riffian (Berber) culture, nestled beneath the twin peaks of Jebel ech Chaouen, 190km north of Fez in north-west Morocco.

In the medina, wander a maze of winding cobbled streets past traditionally dressed women wearing red-and-white striped skirts and discover a showcase of traditional Andalusian architecture with arches, arcades and white- or blue-washed homes covered with ochre-tile roofs.

Explore the dungeons of the Musée de Chefchaouen, a 15th century kasbah, and climb to the roof for fine views over the town. Hike to the ruins of the old Spanish mosque for panoramic views over the limestone peaks of the Rif Mountains.


Taroudant

(Southern Morocco) – Explore an authentic Berber town enclosed by an almost unbroken 16th century wall, located 223km south-west of Marrakech.

Explore the 5km-long ramparts on foot, caleche (horse-drawn carriage) or bicycle; browse for leatherwork, rugs, ceramics and jewellery in the souks; watch storytellers, musicians and snake charmers in the Place al Alaouvine or people-watch as the friendly locals go about their daily lives, without being hassled by overeager touts.


Central High Atlas

Trek through rugged valleys and deep gorges to remote and often snow-capped mountains that rise up to 4068m in height at Ighil M'goun, north-east of Marrakech.

Meet friendly Berber tribesmen in the Ait Bou Guemez Valley, a stunning expanse of green pastures and wildflowers crisscrossed with streams. Stroll through almond trees to watch rainbows forming in the plunging waters of Cascades d'Ouzoud, a 100m-high waterfall surrounded by lush woodland and olive groves.

Explore the nearby medieval village of Tanagh-Melt, set on a steep slope and accessible only through semi-underground passageways.

At Imi n'Ifri, discover a natural rock bridge offering spectacular views overlooking a collapsed underground cave system then cool off with a dip in a rock pool fed by the Wadi Méhasseur. Or take a four-wheel drive tour across the never-ending network of dirt tracks that range from rocky gorge to fertile valley.


Western High Atlas

Explore some of North Africa's highest peaks in one of Morocco’s most scenic regions. Hike green pastures and terraced fields past Berber villages in the Toubkal National Park and climb to the summit of the 4167m-high Jebel Toubkal from the picturesque mountain village of Imlil.

Hike gorges and riverside fields in the pretty Ourika Valley, explore riverside trails on horseback at Ouirgane or hillside tracks by mountain bike at Amizmiz, home to one of the largest Berber souks in the Atlas (held every Tuesday).


Eastern High Atlas

Explore this rugged region on a four-wheel drive tour. Try not to miss the ancient Berber custom, known as the Imilchil Betrothal Fair: girls adorned in ceremonial costume and boys in white djellabahs from neighbouring tribes gather to find the perfect partner in a three-day festival of music, dance and mingling. The Fair is held annually on the last weekend of September.


Central Morocco

Wander through lush date groves, fruit orchards and mud-walled Berber villages in the green Todra Palmeraie to visit one of Morocco’s finest natural sights – the narrow 50m-wide pink canyons of Todra Gorge.

Here you can rock climb the 300m-high cliff face, stroll the sandy riverbank of the Oued Todra or explore the northern valley on foot, horse or by mountain bike. Then discover fortified kasbahs along the Draa Valley, including Tinerhir, a former garrison of the French Foreign Legion.

Take a scenic 35km-long drive through hairpin bends and hilltop villages to the spectacular ochre-coloured cliffs of the 500m-deep Dades Gorge. Visit the pre-Saharan fortifications of Ait-Ben-Haddou village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (seen in several films including Lawrence of Arabia and The Sheltering Sky), where earthen houses crowd together, surrounded by high defensive walls reinforced by corner watchtowers.


The Desert

Experience a four-wheel drive or camel safari into the 300m-high dunes of the Erg Chigaga, a 40km-long sand sea containing the highest dunes in Morocco. Or head to Erg Chebbi, a sweeping sea of sand 30km long and 7km wide, with red sand dunes reaching up to 150m high.

Both are isolated from the Sahara Desert by the hammada, a flat, rock desert plain. Along the way look out for indigo-robed Tuareg nomads, camel trains, ruined fortresses and date palm oases.


Best time to visit Morocco

Generally the best time to visit Morocco is spring and autumn (March, April and October). However, summer is the best time to explore the High Atlas and winter is best time to explore the desert.

Note: Non-Muslim travellers should avoid Morocco during the month-long fast of Ramadan, when cafés and nearly all restaurants are closed during the day. Ramadan starts in late August 2009 and lasts for around 30 days.

Read more about Morocco weather


Latest update: Morocco honeymoon guide: 2 January, 2023



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