There are many newly-married couples who may prefer a beach resort to relax after their hectic wedding planning, but a honeymoon in Morocco offers so much more than just lazy days soaking up the sun.
Choosing to honeymoon in Morocco means being able to not only relax in a variety of settings, locations, and landscapes but also bond with your new spouse trying unique experiences, that only you two will discover together! Not to mention that a choosing to celebrate your honeymoon in Morocco means new and exciting options to mark this beginning chapter of marital bliss.
We have rounded up the top 10 ways to make your honeymoon in Morocco special and memorable!
1. Book an English-Speaking Private Driver for your Honeymoon in Morocco
One of the easiest ways to make your honeymoon in Morocco feel special is to book a private English-speaking driver for your Moroccan tour.
Having a private chauffeur in Morocco means you don’t have to deal with the hassle of renting a car and especially finding one with an automatic transmission (if you don’t drive stick), as most rental vehicles in Morocco are manual transmission.
And of course, you won’t have the stress of having to drive in a foreign country, which likely has different driving laws and habits than what you are used to at home.
If you want your honeymoon on Morocco to feel special, then hiring a private driver with a quality luxury vehicle for your Moroccan tour is the best way to travel in comfort and security at a relatively affordable price. By booking a private tour of Morocco, it means you have the intimacy and privacy between newlyweds, without having to contend with a coach filled with tourists.
And even better if your private driver in Morocco speaks English! This will make communication that much easier and pleasant, and you’ll likely feel that your English-speaking private driver becomes more of a friend than just a chauffeur to get you from Point A to Point B.
2. Splurge on a riad or boutique hotel during your honeymoon in Morocco
Looking for another way to make your honeymoon in Morocco feel special and indulgent? Stay at a boutique hotel or a riad!
Boutique hotels are most common in the largest cities of Morocco, and they can really provide that sense of luxury and romance which many newlyweds seek during their honeymoon. But staying in a riad while honeymooning Morocco is an especially easy way to spoil yourselves.
A riad (or dar) is a unique form of accommodations in Morocco. Originally a family house, most often located in the heart of a medina, a riad or dar is built around a central open courtyard and normally without any windows to the outside. It is the central courtyard which provides free air and light. Traditionally a riad has a garden, sometimes with fruit trees, in its courtyard; a dar most often has a decorative fountain.
What makes a riad so fitting for a romantic honeymoon in Morocco? Because of the original nature being a family house, typical riads have a small number of rooms, so the setting feels more private and intimate. And even though the location is nearly exclusively within the bustling medinas, the lack of windows to the outside, plus thick walls and the inner courtyard, provide a sense of calm and quiet.
With a smaller number of rooms, staff at riads have a better opportunity to provide great friendly service, while remaining professional and discreet. Last but not least, riads are most often decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, with beautiful zellige tilework, carved plaster, painted woodwork, metal lanterns which cast patterned glow; all while being decked out with opulent sitting areas and rugs.
If budgets are a concern when planning your honeymoon in Morocco, you could choose to stay in 3 star riads and dars, but we do recommend to treat yourself to a 4 star or even 5 star riad for at least one city stay during your tour.
3. Relax in a Moroccan Spa for Hammam and Massage
Taking care of yourself is always a good idea, but if you decide to honeymoon in Morocco, it’s easy to take self-care to the next level!
Morocco is well-known for its hammam, or steamy bathhouses! You can find all levels of hammams in Morocco, from basic neighborhood hammams, to spas and salons which offer hammams, and also hammams inside riads or hotels.
A hammam is not a rush-in, then rush-out affair. To fully experience a hammam in Morocco is to allow at least a couple of hours for total relaxation and pampering. Depending on the level of hammam, it’s quite common to also partake in facial masks and body wraps, and even a massage with argan oil scented with rosewater or orange blossom water!
While normally hammams in Morocco have different facilities or days for each gender, it is also possible to indulge in a couple’s hammam during your honeymoon in Morocco. Check out higher end riads or spas for this option.
To have hammam is also taking part in a long-standing Moroccan tradition, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy Moroccan culture while also being pampered.
4. Tempt your tastebuds by candlelit fine dining in Morocco
“A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. Of course this old adage can be applied to women as well! And if you or your new spouse love to discover tasty world cuisine, then booking your honeymoon in Morocco is the way to go!
There are many fine dining opportunities in Morocco, usually in the largest cities. Morocco boasts delicious traditional foods, as well as some international fare, often starring French cuisine or fusion food.
What better way to enjoy trying new or old favorites, than by dining by candlelight on the rooftop of your riad? Or in a beautifully decorated restaurant with an equally beautiful view?
5. Take a carriage ride in Marrakech
When you honeymoon in Morocco, you want to find ways to spend time just with your new spouse. One way to do just that while discovering some of the charms of Marrakech is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride.
These carriages were the first taxi drivers in Marrakech! The best place to pick them up is near Jemaa El Fna square, and the driver will take you on a carriage ride tour of the city walls, as you take in the sights and sounds of Marrakech.
6. Fly high on a hot air balloon ride near Marrakech
Another unique activity for your honeymoon in Morocco is to wake up early for a scenic hot air balloon ride outside of Marrakech.
There are now several companies who propose hot hair balloons rides near Marrakech, so you will want to research the one which offers the best experience for you as newlyweds (for example, private or group balloon flights) and which best fits your budget and schedule.
Typically the company will arrange transportation from your riad in the medina or from your hotel in Marrakech’s city center to an area, far away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. The flights are usually early morning, because that is when the air is most stable for a safe and comfortable hot air balloon ride.
After a scenic ride, it’s common that the activity includes a traditional Moroccan breakfast, which serves of course Moroccan mint tea! Most companies will also present a certificate of completion at the end of your hot air balloon ride.
7. Immortalize your honeymoon in Morocco with a personalized photo shoot
One of the newest and fastest growing offers in tourism in Morocco is to have your own personal photo shoot!
Local photographers in exotic locations such as Chefchaouen and Marrakech know the best places for photos op backgrounds, which is almost a guarantee that your newlywed photo shoot in Morocco will be epic and enviable!
Other photographers in Morocco may propose the opportunity to dress up in traditional Moroccan wedding outfits for both men and women; it’s common to use a beautiful riad in Fes as a backdrop.
The best part? Because many of the photographers who are proposing personal photography sessions in Morocco shoot digital or with an iPhone Pro, you may be able to get a download of your photos right after your session – no waiting involved!
8. Design some post-wedding memories with a henna party
Show your appreciation for Moroccan culture with your very own henna party!
Sure, if you’re on your honeymoon in Morocco, then you’ve already gone through your own wedding. But if you’d like to re-imagine your own Moroccan wedding to follow local traditions, consider having a henna “tattoo” done!
Henna design is a beloved part of Morocco heritage. Traditional weddings may span a few days, with one of the first days being a “henna party”, where the bride’s hands and feet are decorated with intricate henna designs.
While henna tattoos are typically done only for the bride in Morocco, the groom may also get a small henna mark, normally on his hand. This Moroccan cultural norm shouldn’t stop any man or woman from getting a temporary henna tattoo while on honeymoon in Morocco, should their heart so desire!
9. Glamping in the Sahara Desert, Moroccan Style
One of the most requested activities for any Moroccan tour is a camel ride in the Sahara Desert, and there is no reason why you can’t include it as part of your honeymoon in Morocco!
Take it up a notch by “glamping” or “glamourous camping” by choosing a luxury desert camp in the Sahara. The allure starts with a sunset camel trek to your desert camp. Look and play the part by going shopping for the traditional scarf worn by Tuareg nomads. Don’t worry if you’re not quite sure how to wrap it – the camel guide of your camel caravan will help you!
Upon arrival at your luxury desert camp, no doubt you will be greeted with Moroccan mint tea before being shown to your personal deluxe tent. These spacious tents are perfect for a honeymoon in Morocco. They are replete with large comfortable beds, en-suite facilities, as well as heat or AC, depending on the season! Of course they are decorated in Moroccan style, often with a handira (Moroccan wedding blanket), hand-knotted Moroccan rugs and leather poufs.
If the Sahara is too far a distance for the amount of time you have available for your honeymoon in Morocco, check out the luxury camps near Agafay Desert. Agafay is a stone / rock desert not far from Marrakech, so while you won’t be in the Sahara Desert, you can still have a similar experience.
10. Toast your honeymoon in Morocco with a visit to a winery
Many tourists are interested in traveling to Morocco but also want to be able imbibe their favorite alcoholic drink. Even though Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, in which the religion forbids drinking alcohol, it is still possible to enjoy a glass of wine while traveling in Morocco.
So if you want to celebrate during your honeymoon in Morocco, no worries – your honeymoon in Morocco does not have to be dry!
A unique way to pair your love of wine with traveling in Morocco, is to visit a winery during your honeymoon tour of Morocco. The two main locations for wineries in Morocco are near Meknes and near Essaouira. You’ll want to plan ahead and ensure these wineries are currently providing tours and wine-tastings before you make the way there.
But don’t worry if these winery locations are not part of your honeymoon tour of Morocco! If you stay or dine in finer riads, hotels and/or restaurants, you should have no problem finding great wines to fit your tastes and budget.
Looking for some help to plan your honeymoon in Morocco? Contact us at Mint Tea Tours – we will work with you to customize your very own private Morocco honeymoon tour package, with luxury vehicles, friendly yet professional service with English-speaking drivers!
