A honeymoon in Morocco
For couples who want a trip with a story in it, not just a pool. The short answer: a few nights in a Marrakech riad, two days on the road over the Atlas, a night in a desert camp at Merzouga, then the sea at Essaouira to rest.
A trip shape: 10 days, city to dunes to sea
Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Merzouga → Marrakech → Essaouira · 10
The desert leg is a loop from Marrakech with a private driver. Fly home from Essaouira or Marrakech.
- Days 1–3Marrakech. A riad with a courtyard, a couples hammam, dinner on a roof terrace.
- Day 4Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate. Sleep in the Dades Valley or near the Todra Gorge to split the drive.
- Day 5On to Merzouga. Camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, a night in camp.
- Day 6Sunrise over the dunes, then the long drive back toward Marrakech, with a night on the way if you prefer.
- Days 7–10Essaouira. A walled town on the Atlantic, fish at the port, slow mornings.
The desert night
Erg Chebbi is the big dune field by Merzouga, about 28 km from north to south, with dunes rising up to 150 m above the rocky plain. Many companies run camel trips to permanent camps on its edge, from simple to comfortable. Ask the camp before you book what a private tent includes and get it confirmed in writing.
It is far. Merzouga is about 561 km and roughly 9 hours' drive from Marrakech, so most people split it over two days. From Fes it is about 463 km, around 7 hours. If you are short on time, fly to Errachidia and drive about 2 hours to the dunes. Give it at least one night; a day trip is possible but you miss the point.
October to April is the usual season. In the hottest months, the desert is hard going.
On the way: kasbahs and gorges
The road from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas at the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Aït Benhaddou, a fortified village on the old caravan route and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Beyond Ouarzazate come the Dades and Todra gorges, green oases and old Amazigh villages. A private driver stops where you want; a group bus mostly stops for lunch.
A few costs to plan with
Things couples ask about
Sharing a room. Moroccan law forbids unmarried Moroccan nationals sharing a hotel room, and the UK advice says this generally doesn't apply to visiting foreigners, especially in tourist areas. If one of you holds Moroccan nationality, bring your marriage certificate.
What couples ask
Is Morocco good for a honeymoon?
Yes, if you like a trip with variety: a riad in the city, the mountains, a desert camp and the coast, all in 10 days.
How far is the Sahara from Marrakech?
Merzouga is about 561 km, roughly 9 hours' drive. Most couples split it with a night in the Dades Valley or near Todra Gorge.
Can we fly to the desert?
Yes. Flights go to Errachidia, about 2 hours by road from Merzouga.
When is the best time for the desert?
October to April is the usual season. Summer is very hot.
Do we need to show a marriage certificate?
Not as foreign visitors, according to the UK advice. Bring one if either of you is a Moroccan national.
Is one night in the desert enough?
One is the minimum. Two lets you see a full day in the dunes without the drive in the way.
Where should we end the trip?
Essaouira, for calm days by the Atlantic. Its medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.
Private driver or group tour?
A private driver lets you stop at the kasbahs and gorges and sets your own pace. Group buses mostly stop only for lunch.
Cities for this trip
Next step
Sources · checked 2026-11-14
- Wikipedia: Erg Chebbi
- kimkim: Getting to the Sahara desert
- kimkim: Marrakech to the Sahara desert
- Wikipedia: Aït Benhaddou (UNESCO 1987)
- Wikipedia: Essaouira (UNESCO 2001)
- GOV.UK: Morocco safety and security (checked 2026-11-14)
- Lonely Planet: How to visit Morocco on a budget
- Lonely Planet: Marrakesh on a budget
Other ways in
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