Looking for the perfect romantic break? Stop looking — your next trip together just has to be to Morocco. The contrast of a culture so different from our own, the mystery that pervades every corner and the stimulation of the senses will make your joint expedition unforgettable. Labyrinthine cities, unique desert sunsets, skies teeming with stars, and a mouthwatering cuisine will be the defining features of your stay. Would you like to know about the not-to-be-missed sights and activities for a romantic break in Morocco?
Marrakesh and its most romantic corners
Of Morocco’s four imperial cities, each more beautiful than the last, Marrakesh is perhaps the most romantic. Apart from the obvious highlights, such as the bustling souk and the spectacular Jemaa el Fna Square, there is a range of places where you can spend memorable times in the Red City.
One of these is the Majorelle Garden, which blends Art Deco with Arab style, flooding the whole with blue, yellow and green. Visit it late in the day to avoid the tourist crowds, and stroll around the garden at your leisure.
A walk through Marrakesh’s kasbah, in the southern part of the Medina, cannot fail to be a very special experience. This fortified area, filled with twisting streets, and with lots of shops and cafés, is the perfect setting for superb photos. Grab the opportunity to see the Saadian Tombs which are very close by.
Another garden where you can enjoy peace and privacy is Le Jardin Secret, in the Moussaine district. This veritable oasis, spilling over with plant life, is a perfect place to relax. It is divided between an Islamic garden and an exotic garden — a jewel that you won’t want to miss.
Round off the day enjoying a dinner beneath the stars, with splendid views of the Atlas mountains and the Koutoubia adding the final touch to the perfect evening. Such an evening can be had at the Terrace des Épices. Equally to be recommended is Bo Zin restaurant, which has a terrace, a chill-out area, gardens, and a menu offering a gastronomic voyage around the world.
If you also complete your stay at the Barceló Palmeraie, you will be rewarded with a luxurious haven of peace in Marrakesh’s Palm Grove. The hotel has five restaurants and snack bars to give you a taste of local culture, an amazing spa offering a comprehensive range of treatments, and a host of other services and facilities for you to enjoy.
The magic of the desert in Morocco
An expedition into the Sahara desert is one of the most fantastic adventures you can experience as a couple in Morocco. The Merzouga desert is the most famous, a dreamlike landscape with its huge dunes of the deepest red. Alternatively, the Zagora desert is the nearest one to Marrakesh. Though more arid and rocky, it is equally inspiring for a romantic evening.
You could take a camel ride together, see the most breathtaking sunset while sitting on the sand dunes, and even sleep in a nomad tent under a blanket of stars. The more adventurous could take a tour of the desert by quad bike or a 4×4 vehicle. Most of all, enjoy Berber culture to the rhythm of its drums, its music and its cuisine. You’ll always have a cup of tea at hand, as you immerse yourselves in Morocco’s fascinating and authentic spirit.
The Ouzoud Falls — a wonder of nature
The wonder of nature known as the Ouzoud Falls, will bring you just the romantic scenery you’ve been dreaming of. They are located halfway between Marrakesh and Fez, in Tanaghmeilt in the area of the Middle Atlas mountains.
If you love the great outdoors, this spectacular, 110-metre-high waterfall is sure to amaze you. On hot days, the chance to cool off in its waters is most welcome. The waterfalls can be accessed from both sides, so you can find a spot all to yourselves. On the way up to the waterfalls, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, some with incomparable views. How do you fancy a delicious cous cous with a wonderful view of the Falls?
Fez and its colourful Medina
The exciting city of Fez is one of Morocco’s main centres of culture. Fez is one of Morocco’s four main imperial cities, and its Medina is one of the most beautiful in the entire country; it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This simply has to be one of your essential places to see.
How do you fancy walking hand-in-hand through a real labyrinth? If so, you need to venture forth into Fez’s Medina. The souk, with its 7,000 or more narrow streets, will immerse you in the hurly-burly of Morocco’s city life.
The colourful spectacle offered by a visit to the tanneries of the city of Fez will give you an opportunity to take some of the most stunning photographs of your trip. Here, leather is still dyed in the traditional way in vats. The characteristic (and overpowering) smell is not the most pleasant, but it is nevertheless a scene worth witnessing.
The virgin beaches between Essaouira and Agadir
If the coast is more your kind of thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Morocco. The lovely, walled city of Essaouira lies on the coast, and its streets bear witness to its colonial past. This is a picture-postcard place, where the favourite activity is going to the port filled with fishing boats to watch the sunset, and then having a dinner of superb chargrilled fresh fish.
If your itinerary takes you on to Agadir, you will find that the kilometres separating the two cities are dotted with beaches in an almost virgin state. Moreover, this area attracts few visitors, so you can hire a van and spend the night in the midst of nature — an excellent plan. Cabo Sim will give you the impression that you are in the middle of the desert, with its beaches and their amazing sand dunes. The unspoilt beaches of Akawcht and Sidi Mbarak are surrounded by hills.
Agadir (internal link) is one of Morocco’s most important tourist hubs, mainly because of its vast beach. The beach of Sidi Ribat, one of this area’s most outstanding beaches, lies at the heart of the Souss-Massa National Park, and has a bird reserve. Most of these beaches are near small fishing villages, and you will certainly discover any number of delightful places.
If you’d prefer to opt for a few days relaxing on the beaches of Agadir, we recommend a stay at the Barceló Allegro Agadir hotel, which is set in gardens and enjoys a location in the very heart of the city. Here you can enjoy all-inclusive package, a large outdoor swimming pool, and a location close to the beach.
Chefchaouen — the ‘blue town’
If there is one romantic destination in Morocco with the power to transport you straight to another world, it must be Chefchaouen. Here, in this realm of blue-coloured streets, time stands still. Described as the country’s prettiest town, Chefchaouen was founded in the fifteenth century by the Berbers, who also built its exquisite Medina.
Surrounded by the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen has been regarded as a sacred town throughout its history. Nowadays it has become one of Morocco’s most popular spots with tourists, and a stop here is a ‘must’ on your romantic break. Just imagine the photos you’ll be able to take against this backdrop. You’ll want to frame them all!
Morocco will bring you all the romance and exotic flavours you could possibly ask for. Whether you’re lover of nature, or of fabulous, age-old cities, the range of possibilities is immense. There are so many places and experiences that cannot be left out, such as the Ait Ben Haddou Ksar, an incredible kasbah built from clay which has provided the setting for a great many films; the astonishing Roman ruins of Volubilis; the glorious Valley of the Roses, at the foot of the High Atlas mountains; the Dades Valley that you could tour together by car; the legendary Rick’s Café in Casablanca; as well as the imperial cities of Rabat o Meknès with their rich architectural heritage. What more do you need to make Morocco your destination for a special ‘honeymoon’?
