Couples' holidays to Morocco

A different side to Marrakech

Just outside the city are the highest waterfalls in Morocco, Cascades d’Ouzoud, which crash down into pools where you can swim and cool off. There’s a boat that takes you out onto the largest pool and you can even arrange to stay overnight at the falls.

To see Marrakech from a completely different angle, take a hot air balloon flight over the city, enjoying the peace of the air. With a company like Marrakech by Air you’ll start your journey at sunrise and drift for five hours over Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains before landing for breakfast. Then you can experience a camel ride around the grand Palmeraie Palace before being taken back to your hotel.

A relaxing soak

A hammam is similar to a Turkish bath and combines a steam room experience with exfoliating scrubs and massages to leave your skin glowing. A great bonding activity for couples, you’ll find them all over Morocco, with a high concentration in the modern city of Agadir.

Many hotels will have their own small hammam, so bear this in mind when booking. But if yours doesn’t, take a trip to somewhere like Argan Phyto House for a couple of hours of down time and pampering. First you’ll experience the hammam steam room and have your skin washed, scrubbed and oiled. Following a herbal tea on the terrace you’ll then get a massage while engulfed in warm towels – all this for around £30 per person.

Romance in the desert

To take some time out and focus on nothing but each other book a trip into the Sahara Desert. The silence and lack of Wi-Fi will aid conversation and the candle-lit atmosphere of a luxury tent should shed a new, dimly-lit light on your relationship.

Many excursions leave from Marrakech and Agadir and get to the camp in time for a Bedouin-style dinner and to watch the sun set over the dunes. Then you’ll stay overnight to experience the sunrise – an equally spectacular sight. It’s not all romance though as your adventure includes camel rides and 4×4 journeys across amazing landscapes and you can add on activities such as dune boarding.

Ancient Essaouira

Easily reached on a day trip from Agadir or Marrakech is the historic coastal city of Essaouira, which is so picturesque that scenes for Game of Thrones were filmed on the old city ramparts. It’s known for its 18th-century medina, beaches and good conditions for surfing and windsurfing from April to November.

As well as dining at the port while watching fishermen sail traditional boats and mend their nets, days can be spent walking along the palm-lined avenues of the fortified medina, and browsing the art galleries and boutiques.

Marrakech moments

The city that typifies Morocco, Marrakech is a colourful and enchanting place full of things to do, beautiful centuries-old alleyways, souks, hammams and grand architecture. Choose between the bustle of famed Jemaa el-Fna main square and marketplace, or Place des Epices spice market for more authentic charm.

When you get hungry the options for romantic meals are vast – from dining on a riad rooftop to eating at a former palace like Riyad al Moussika, housing PepeNero. This restaurant serves a mixture of Moroccan and Italian cuisine in a sublime setting of fountain-filled, tiled courtyards and grand salon rooms. Prices are remarkably reasonable at just £10 to £12 for a main course so, understandably, booking is essential.