A Morocco Honeymoon Escape in North Africa

Local laws may restrict service availability to all. See the Equality Index for more information.

---

Going on a Morocco honeymoon is growing in popularity, and for good reason. This dreamy North African locale is filled with fascinating culture, mouthwatering cuisine and spectacular scenery. It's one of the best honeymoon destinations, particularly if you and your spouse-to-be have already visited some of the more popular spots in the Caribbean and Europe.

Sure, visiting Morocco will require a bit of extra planning versus jetting off to an all-inclusive resort, but the work is well worth it to see, experience—and taste—all this country has to offer. Seriously, for foodie couples, Morocco is the spot to be. And don't just hang out in Casablanca or Marrakech, the country's most popular destinations; you'll want to travel further afield to fully immerse yourself in everything that makes Morocco a favorite destination for many globe-trotters.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Need a little help planning a perfectly romantic getaway? That's exactly what we're here for. Read on for expert tips on how to plan an unforgettable Morocco honeymoon itinerary.

Morocco Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

• Best Time to Honeymoon in Morocco
• Morocco Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Best Morocco Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Morocco Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Morocco Honeymoon

Photo: Olena Tur | Shutterstock

Best Time to Honeymoon in Morocco

You'll want to plan your Moroccan honeymoon for either spring or fall (March to May or September to October). These months provide the best weather, and spring offers lush natural settings as the flora comes into bloom. Harsher temperatures are the norm in the summer and winter, so unless you're OK with either extreme heat or cold rains, you'll want to steer clear of these seasons.

Best weather: March to May, September to October.
Festival highlights: The Rose Festival in El Kelaa M'Gouna, celebrated in May; The Gnaoua World Music Festival in Essaouira, usually held in June; The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, also in June.

Morocco Honeymoon Planning Tips

There are so many wonderful advantages that come with a Morocco honeymoon. The destination is breathtakingly beautiful, from the desert to the mountains to the cities. It's also a relatively affordable vacation for couples, at least for the level of luxury you can expect from its hotels and experiences. Plus, you can find direct flights to Morocco from a handful of major US airports.

This is also a honeymoon destination where you'll easily find plenty to fill your itinerary; you certainly won't grow bored of just lying around on the beach all day. To top it off, there's something to do and enjoy for just about every couple, whether you're an adventurous couple or more low-key and prefer museums over midnight desert rides.

Planning is necessary in order to enjoy Morocco to the fullest, and you'll want to keep a relatively busy pace of sightseeing and exploring, unless you plan on spending a few weeks in the country.

Entry requirements: A US passport that is valid for at least 6 months.
Language: Arabic and Berber, but French is also widely spoken in some areas.
Location: Morocco is located in North Africa, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, with Algeria to the east and the Western Sahara to the south.
Currency: The Moroccan Dirham (MAD).
Flight time to Destination: Flights from New York City to Casablanca can take around 7 to 8 hours direct.
Getting around: Morocco's major cities are served by buses and trains, with taxis and private cars available for more flexible travel.

Pro tip: Include a honeymoon planning expert on your vendor team for travel guidance. Find top-rated travel agents on The Knot Marketplace, equipped with valuable reviews and testimonials for honeymoons in Morocco.

Best Morocco Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

For honeymooners, Morocco boasts a variety of accommodations, from luxurious riads and opulent resorts to charming guesthouses. Many offer special honeymoon packages that include romantic amenities, so keep an eye out for those while planning.

Photo: Cavan Images | Getty

Royal Mansour Marrakech

Easily the most well-known luxury property in all of Morocco, Royal Mansour in Marrakech is like a dream come true for any honeymooning couple who just wants to be pampered after months of wedding planning. Commissioned by the Moroccan king, the exclusive property offers plunge pools, a huge spa, suite-style riad (Moroccan palace) accommodations, three restaurants and gorgeous architecture everywhere you look. It's the perfect honeymoon resort.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Kasbah Tamadot

If you want to get out of the city for a bit, Kasbah Tamadot from Virgin delivers luxury in the Atlas mountains. The award-winning boutique hotel includes fewer than 30 guest rooms—for a more intimate feel—and is surrounded by mountain views, lush gardens and bright bursts of color incorporated into the decor. Of course, there are all the amenities you might need during your romantic getaway, including a spa (because what even is a honeymoon without a spa treatment or two?), a fitness center, a pool and a scenic rooftop terrace.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

La Mamounia

For a star-studded stay, follow the examples of celebrities and international politicians alike and book a suite at La Mamounia, another one of Marrakech's most well-known luxury hotels. The property has it all—more than 10 restaurants, bars and tearooms, a huge spa and a gorgeous pool area—so you never need to leave (though we have a hunch you'll take advantage of the great location to explore).

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Hilton Taghazout Bay Beach Resort & Spa

This Hilton resort is perfect for couples who want to explore Morocco without straying too far from the beach. With diverse dining options, multiple pools and direct beach access, you'll love your honeymoon stay at this Hilton property in Taghazout.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: If you're looking for unique Morocco honeymoon accommodations that'll provide you more privacy or lower prices, have a gander at romantic Airbnbs or VRBOs.

Morocco Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

When you fly into the country for your Moroccan vacation, you'll either land in Rabat, Casablanca or Marrakech, the former being the capital city and the latter two being the primary centers of tourism in the country. All are worth a few days of your trip and are filled with romantic settings, Instagram-worthy architecture, delicious dining and fine hotels and resorts. However, traveling beyond these cities comes with benefits.

Fes (or Fez), for example, is filled with history and culture, and boasts the largest and oldest medina, or ancient city, in the world. The Blue City, also known as Chefchaouen, is also worth a visit, if just for its picturesque streets and brightly hued buildings (that are, you guessed it, blue).

Day trip-worthy destinations include Essaouira, a small fishing village on the Atlantic coast with a beautiful beach and lots of shopping, as well as the Sahara Desert.

Photo: Alexandree | Shutterstock

Explore the Different Landscapes

Morocco's geography is a study in contrasts, from its Mediterranean villages to the Sahara Desert and the High Atlas Mountains, the highest mountain range in Africa. See a bit of it all during your trip.

The High Atlas hill country offers spectacular scenery and abundant opportunities for trekking (and even some skiing if you visit during the right months). You can book a plethora of Sahara Desert guided experiences and tours, from camel rides over the sand dunes to hot-air balloon rides and stargazing at desert camps (what's more romantic than lying beneath the stars with your sweetie?). Visiting the Mediterranean coastal destinations, like Essaouira, will give you a glimpse of yet another Moroccan landscape.

Hunt Down a Bargain at a Souk

If you'd rather shop than stargaze, Morocco has you covered with its vast, crowded and somewhat overwhelming (but in a delightful way) marketplaces, or souks. Look for handicrafts to take home—authentic rugs (if you have room in your luggage), soaps, spices, Berber baskets and bags. You're sure to find something you love.

Taste Your Way Through Moroccan Cuisine

Morocco is renowned for its food and dining culture. Look for rooftop restaurants and cozy cafes throughout Marrakech, or take a Moroccan cooking class while you're there. A few items you'll want to add to your must-try list of foods before your honeymoon in Morocco is over? Tagine, a Moroccan staple made in a special clay pot and similar to a meat-and-veggie stew; mint tea, Morocco's national drink; zaalouk, an eggplant-and-tomato dish; and fish chermoula, which is popular around the coast.

Take a Tour of Film Set Locations

Morocco has been the set for many popular films and series, including Game of Thrones. If you're into a set-jetting honeymoon, head to Ait-Ben-Haddou, which is where the fictional city of Yunkai in season 3 of Game of Thrones was set. Essaouira is another GOT location to check out—it's where Astapor, the home of the Unsullied, was shot.

Pro tip: Have you found some Morocco honeymoon experiences you'd absolutely love to do? Add them to your gift registry so that loved ones can pitch in on your honeymoon fun.

What to Pack for a Morocco Honeymoon

Photo: Thomas Barwick | Getty

In addition to your basics, when packing your honeymoon luggage for Morocco, you'll want to take the local culture into account. This means choosing clothing items that are more on the conservative side, such as loose linen trousers and flowing skirts (versus shorts or short dresses), as well as shirts that cover your shoulders. You'll also want to pack a few light layers to accommodate the changing temperatures.

While it might not be the most romantic thing to think about, you'll likely want to add travel-ready toilet paper on your packing checklist, as most Moroccan public bathrooms don't provide it (or they charge a fee for it).

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.