Morocco honeymoon guide
With expert insights from Jenna Coiley, Travel Specialist
Nothing says honeymoon quite like photogenic landscapes, idyllic beaches and a sense of being somewhere truly magical… Enter, Morocco! The North African country checks all those (and plenty more) boxes and in a country where snow-capped mountains loom over the desert, there’s an experience for everyone. As for the accommodation, choose from secluded Bedouin camps to plush, revamped mansions and the most incredible of kasbahs.
In short: yes, Morocco makes for a wonderful honeymoon. Few destinations let you wake amongst snow-dusted Atlas peaks, watch the sun sink over the Sahara, and dip your toes in the Atlantic – all within a week or two. Add candlelit riads, steamy hammams and food worth crossing a continent for, and you have a luxury Morocco honeymoon that feels adventurous without ever asking you to rough it.
So, what are you waiting for? Delve into our Morocco honeymoon guide for some serious inspiration…
Enjoy a private picnic at Dar Ahlam, Skoura and surrounds
A luxury Moroccan escape
On this trip, you’ll be whisked away to the majestic High Atlas Mountains, the tallest peaks in North Africa. You could easily spend every moment of every day luxuriating at the hammam and soaking up the vistas from a beautiful kasbah, but should you fancy venturing out, there are some epic excursions on offer amongst the peaks. Hike or ride horseback along scenic trails, discovering rainbow-hued valleys and cascading waterfalls, raft down the Ourika River, or soar overhead in a hot air balloon.
Next up is Skoura in the Sahara Desert, where you’ll discover the romantically-named Oasis of 1,000 Palms and trek through the fragrant Valley of the Roses. Then, it’s to Marrakesh, a city synonymous with the Morocco of old and a very fitting end to your honeymoon.
“Simply let the intoxicating atmosphere take effect as you stroll past mosques and minarets, gilded tombs and palaces, visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and its lush gardens, and experience the magical scenes at Djemaa el-Fna square in the evening.”
– Jenna Coiley, Africa travel specialist
Amanjena Resort, Marrakesh
Top spots to stay on your luxury Morocco honeymoon
A honeymoon calls for some of the most spoiling properties in Morocco – and here they are! Begin with Kasbah Tamadot, a feast for the senses in every way from the Berber-style tents and private hot tubs to the orchard spa. Dar Ahlam (the House of Dreams) is a 200-year-old kasbah with tranquil interiors and oasis dining. Inspired by the bygone palaces of Marrakesh, Amanjena Resort boasts two-storey maisons, each with a secluded pool for the utmost privacy.
Visit the ornate and iconic Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
A Morocco honeymoon with the works
Make your honeymoon the trip of lifetime with this see-it-all Moroccan route. In charming Casablanca, you’ll visit one of the largest mosques in the world and raise a toast at iconic Rick’s Cafe, before venturing to Fez and into the Fes el Bali medina.
“Mysterious and enthralling, follow your feet (or a guide) through the souks and watch the artisans at work – and stock up your suitcase.”
– Jenna Coiley, Africa travel specialist
Then, leave the hustle and bustle of the cities behind and head into the dunes. Silent and tranquil, the sand seas and palmeraies of the Moroccan Desert are as surreal as you could imagine. How you choose to spend your days will depend on your tastes, but with sandboarding down giant dunes, picnics in quiet oases and camel treks at sunset all on offer, there’s plenty to enjoy.
Next, steal away to an alpine kasbah for as much (or as little) adventure as you fancy, before making your way to laid-back Essaouira. Located on the breezy Atlantic Coast, ride horseback along the beach, paddle-board in the shallows, and enjoy your fill of lip-smacking seafood. Bid farewell to Morocco with a few days of history, art and head-turning markets in Marrakesh.
Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp, Erg Chebbi
Top spots to stay on a romantic Morocco itinerary
You can’t go wrong with the top-tier service of the Four Seasons in Casablanca – including secluded poolside cabanas! – and in Fez, choose the Hotel Sahrai with its fabulous massages and mountain views. Surrounded by the terracotta dunes of Erg Chebbi, live out your desert dreams at the beautiful Merzouga Luxury Camp, then head to Les Jardins de Skoura to wash off the sand and doze in a hammock beside the pool.
In the Atlas Mountains, fairytale castle, Kasbah Bab Ourika always gets our vote and in Essaouira, check out the centrally placed Riad Dar Maya. Lastly, Hotel La Mamounia in Marrakesh has an impressive history and indulgent spa – the perfect end to your trip.
Stroll along the quaint streets of Essaouira’s medina
A see-it-all Morocco honeymoon: mountains to the beach
Just below the soaring High Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh is the beating heart of Morocco. Holding the country’s history, inspiring its art and welcoming curious visitors for centuries, your trip begins in this fabulous city, with days perusing the sights and stalls, and memorable evenings in the Djemaa el-Fna square amongst the snake charmers and dancers.
After your city thrills, make the journey into the mountains for utterly sensational views (and a gulp of fresh air), whether it’s from your private pool, the endless hiking trails or a hot air balloon. Then, swap the cool, high-altitude air for the rugged Agafay Desert, where exploring comes easily: meander through the dunes on camel or horseback, dune buggy or foot, and stop for a dip in the Lalla Takerkost Lake.
Your honeymoon ends in sublime Essaouira for a taste of the famous arts scene, seafood barbecue, and some R&R at the beach.
The Villa Des Orangers, Marrakesh
Top spots to stay on your honeymoon in Morocco
As enchanting as it sounds, the Villa Des Orangers is an oasis in Marrakesh with no less than three pools. Gazing over the valley below, Domaine Malika in the Atlas Mountains is impeccably decorated and evenings spent stargazing on the rooftop are divine, whilst in the Agafay, the White Camel Lodge is luxury personified with its spacious tented suites and canopied daybeds beside the pool. In Essaouira, choose L’Heure Bleue Palais for a heated rooftop pool and heavenly hammam.
Float over the enthralling Moroccan Desert in a hot air balloon
A highlights honeymoon: Morocco in a nutshell
Combine Morocco’s hidden gems with a selection of highlights on this trip from north to south. You’ll fall in love with the country’s quiet side in Chefchaouen. Known for its quaint, cobbled lanes lined with sky-blue houses and idyllic countryside, it’s the perfect introduction to Morocco.
Journey on to the buzzing medina of Fez, where little has changed since the 9th century, and visit the Chouara Tannery, one of the oldest in the world.
“Before you leave Fez behind, spend time with a local family and try your hand at cooking a traditional meal too. It’s one of the very best ways of capturing the essence of the this ancient city.”
– Jenna Coiley, Africa travel specialist
In Erg Chebbi, the tranquillity and monumental dunes welcome you to the Moroccan Desert before you head to Zagora’s markets and fascinating museums – and astounding views.
Then, let Morocco’s unofficial capital, Marrakesh, make you fall even further in love with this diverse country and mark the end of your honeymoon surrounded by the soaring beauty of the Atlas Mountains. And for the very best view? Soar overhead in a hot air balloon.
Kasbah Bab Ourika, Atlas Mountains
Top spots to stay on your luxury Morocco honeymoon
Not far from Chefchaouen’s souks, the Lina Ryad boasts a gorgeous Grecian pool to cool off in after a day of wanderings, whilst in Fez, the Riad Fes will make you feel like royalty, especially during a private dinner by the candle-lit pool. The Desert Luxury Camp in Erg Chebbi does just what it says on the tin, welcoming you with a red carpet, serenades and mint tea delivered to your sun lounger.
Surrounded by one of the world’s largest palm groves, the Azalai Desert Lodge is simply gorgeous and feels like your own personal oasis. Actually five riads each representing a period in Marrakesh’s history, La Sultana is decorated with impeccable taste and you’ll be well looked after by your personal host. A stay at the rose-hued Kasbah Bab Ourika in the Atlas Mountains guarantees fabulous views and pampering service.
Where to stay in Morocco for a honeymoon
The best honeymoon hotels in Morocco tend to come in three flavours: a riad behind the medina walls, a kasbah with big mountain or oasis views, and a desert camp under a sky thick with stars. Here’s a quick steer on our favourites, region by region.
| Property | Best for | The draw |
|---|---|---|
| Kasbah Tamadot High Atlas | First-night wow factor | Berber-style tents with private hot tubs and an orchard spa |
| Kasbah Bab Ourika High Atlas | Valley views | Rose-hued hilltop perch above the Ourika Valley |
| Dar Ahlam Skoura | Switching off entirely | A 200-year-old kasbah amid the palm groves of the Skoura oasis |
| Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp Erg Chebbi | The classic dune night | Terracotta dunes, a red-carpet welcome and mint tea to your lounger |
| White Camel Lodge Agafay | Desert without the long drive | Tented suites and canopied daybeds an hour from Marrakesh |
| Amanjena Marrakesh | Pure seclusion | Two-storey maisons, each with its own private pool |
| La Sultana Marrakesh | History buffs | Five linked riads, one for each era of the city’s past |
| L’Heure Bleue Palais Essaouira | Coastal wind-down | A heated rooftop pool and hammam beside the Atlantic |
A traditional Berber tea ceremony
Morocco honeymoon FAQs
Is Morocco a good honeymoon destination?
It is, with one honest caveat. Morocco rewards couples who want their downtime laced with a little theatre rather than pure fly-and-flop – the souks are loud, the colours relentless, the days gloriously full. But with that intensity is the romance: a private riad courtyard to retreat to after the medina, a hammam to melt into, a dune-top dinner with nobody else for miles. Easy to reach, hard to forget.
When is the best time to visit Morocco for a honeymoon?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are among the very best times to visit Morocco. The days are warm rather than fierce, the High Atlas valleys are green or turning gold, and the desert is comfortable by day and crisp by night. High summer can be punishing inland – Marrakesh and the dunes hit serious heat – while winter brings genuine snow to the mountains and chilly desert evenings, which is glorious if you pack accordingly.
How many days do you need for a Morocco honeymoon?
Ten days is the comfortable minimum to enjoy the classic trio of mountains, desert and coast without feeling like you’re living out of the car. Seven works if you’re happy to pick two regions and go deeper rather than wider – Marrakesh plus the Sahara, say. Two weeks lets you fold in Fez, Chefchaouen or a proper stretch on the Essaouira coast, with room to do very little in between.
Should you stay in a riad, a kasbah or a desert camp?
Honestly, the best Morocco honeymoons include all three. A riad puts you inside the medina behind a quiet courtyard; a kasbah gives you those earthen walls and big mountain or oasis views; a desert camp hands you silence and a sky thick with stars. Mix them and the trip tells a story. Pick one and you’ll spend the whole time wondering about the others.
Can you drink alcohol in Morocco?
Yes, though with a little context. Morocco is a Muslim country, so alcohol isn’t sold everywhere – but licensed hotels, riads, desert camps and many restaurants serve wine, beer and cocktails quite happily. Sundowners in the dunes are very much a thing. Out in smaller towns and traditional cafés it’s far less common, so plan your celebratory bottle around where you’re staying rather than where you happen to be wandering.
What should you pack for a Morocco honeymoon?
Layers, layers and more layers. Desert nights and mountain mornings are cool even when the afternoons are hot, so a warm jumper earns its place beside the swimwear. Lightweight, loosely-cut clothes that cover shoulders and knees keep you comfortable and respectful in the medinas.
“Bring proper walking shoes for the Atlas trails and the souks alike – and leave a little suitcase space for that carpet you swear you won’t buy.”
– Jenna Coiley, Africa travel specialist
How much does a luxury Morocco honeymoon cost?
It flexes enormously with season, property choice and how far off the beaten track you roam – a Sahara camp under canvas and a palace riad in Marrakesh sit at very different points on the scale. We build the trip around your budget and tell you honestly where it’s worth spending and where it isn’t. Get in touch and we’ll map it out.
Can you combine the desert, mountains and coast in one trip?
You can, and it’s the route we’d nudge most couples towards. The country is compact enough that you can stand on a high Atlas pass in the morning and be padding across Saharan dunes by evening, then peel off to the Atlantic breeze of Essaouira a few days later. The contrast is the whole point – three completely different Moroccos, stitched into one honeymoon.
Ready to start planning? Tell us what you both love and we’ll design a Morocco honeymoon around it – get in touch and we’ll take it from there.
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