Why is the Middle East the perfect choice for couples wishing for an unforgettable honeymoon?
For couples, the Middle East means a romantic charm with extraordinary experiences. Middle East offers a variety of special places that should make for a romantic getaway for couples, whether one is looking to plan a honeymoon, or simply wants to spend unforgettable time together.
Why the Middle East?
This is where civilization itself began. The Middle East is full of names that we have heard since childhood: Ancient Egypt, the Nile, Jerusalem, and Istanbul, magical places that have contributed to and witnessed the development of humanity. It is as if the Middle East houses the soul of humanity in all its grandeur.
In this article, you will discover the 12 Best Middle East Honeymoon Destinations:
Table of Contents
Israel
Israel has one of the oldest and richest cultures. Jerusalem is a holy city and one of the oldest cities in the world, but it is also a sublime dating city for couples. The Kumkum Teahouse serves up an elegant al fresco high tea with a tower of small sandwiches, cakes, and snacks, all to the sound of live music. The Kirka Hamusica is a square in Jerusalem with daily concerts and six different restaurants (from Italian to Kosher) for a romantic and sensual dining experience.
Are you in the mood for religion with a fun twist? The Live the Bible site allows visitors to dress up as their favorite biblical character, complete with costumes and accessories, and take souvenir photos. An interesting memory.
For a more serious religious experience, stroll through the Garden of Gethsemane to reflect on your life ahead. There are olive trees here that are the oldest in the world, probably dating back to the 11th century. This is magic, so let it happen.
Then there is the nightlife in Tel Aviv.
The Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar worships at the altar of creative cocktails to the sound of jazz and easy Rock n’ Roll. It was named Best Bar in the Middle East and Africa in 2017.
Oasis Spa Club-Dead Sea
One of the most romantic and beautiful resorts in Israel is the adults-only Oasis Spa Club – Dead Sea with its private beach. The rooms face the Dead Sea or the garden. The restaurants serve international cuisine with views of the Dead Sea. The resort is especially known for its Oasis Spa Club, which uses the healing qualities of the Dead Sea. The spa offers couples’ candlelit treatments, including a massage and a double Jacuzzi with champagne and snacks. After any requested treatment, the couple can enjoy some alone time in their very own spa suite.
Dubai
Where Israel presents itself with world history and soothing calm, the city of Dubai within UAR is a colorful rocket bursting through the air to overwhelm the senses. It is the city with the tallest buildings, the busiest airport in the world, and one of the most expensive places on the planet. However, it can be affordable for any couple on a budget.
As you begin your visit to Dubai, learn more about its basic culture at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding. Here, couples can enhance their visit by learning some Arabic and taking guided tours of some of the most important mosques to learn about Islamic culture.
For a day at the beach in Dubai, visit Al Sufouh Black Palace Beach, also known as Secret Beach. It is lined with royal palaces, and a path between two of the palaces provides access to this stretch of golden sand. Pack a nice lunch and make a day of it. It’s fine to wear regular beachwear in Dubai, no need to wear a burkini or head covering.
If you have 2 days to spend in Dubai read our ultimate guide to make the most of your stay.
The tallest building in Dubai, Burj Khalifa, is a must-see.
The tour to the top will stop at several floors until reaching level 148. For this tour, visitors will have a personal guide to explain all the amazing views from 555 meters above the ground while everyone enjoys a snack.
Dubai is famous for its spectacular souks, which are open-air Middle Eastern markets. They are wonderful for buyers, and it is normal to haggle over the price. The best souks in Dubai are on the Deira side of Dubai Creek. The Gold Souk is the world’s largest gold market, filled with the finest jewelry. The Spice Souk has every spice imaginable. A couple in search of an exotic perfume should wander through the Perfume Souk with its hundreds of different fragrances.
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort off the coast of Dubai will please any couple. It is the only hotel with overwater villas in the entire United Arab Emirates. The rooms are luxurious with private balconies and honeymooners will enjoy the Romantic Getaway plan, which includes luxury accommodation, chocolates, breakfast each morning, and discounts on spa treatments.
Overlooking the beach or garden, The Palm’s restaurants offer the best food in Dubai, from Asian to Mediterranean. Savvy couples can opt for Dining by Design, and the resort will offer a unique dining experience prepared by a personal chef to be served by a private butler in a secluded and private location.
The luxury spa at the Palm has 24 rooms, including five suites for couples with their sauna, whirlpool, and steam room.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi -the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is separated by space and spirit from the dazzling Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, luxury is the keyword.
A visit to Abu Dhabi without seeing the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is impossible. The grandeur of the architecture is nothing short of mesmerizing.
Tours are available. Visitors should remember that this is a sacred building and should dress accordingly; For the ladies, that means not revealing your knees or shoulders. And the couples should refrain from physical affection.
Isla Sadiyat
Sadiyat Island is an artist’s gem with hotels, restaurants, bars, pristine beaches, and ultimately plenty of art at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and Zayed National Museum. Even the American university Berkeley has an acting branch on the island.
The island’s Kai Beach is a beautiful beach where sea turtles have been known to greet visitors.
One of Saadiyat Island’s favorite restaurants is Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi inside the Louvre serving legendary Parisian delicacies. For a romantic evening, the Manhattan Lounge has class and fabulous cocktails.
The two-hour sunset cruise in Abu Dhabi is designed for couples. You will float past towers and palaces, stopping at Dolphin Island and returning to a magnificent sunset.
Hakkasan
For the most romantic dinner in Abu Dhabi, Hakkasan, a Michelin-starred restaurant, offers Dim Sum and an amazingly romantic Friday night brunch where couples can dine on Crispy Peking Duck with Imperial Caviar or Smoked Wagyu Beef Short Ribs. Their cocktail collection is extensive.
Hakkasan Terrace (pictured above) faces the Emirates Palace and the entire impressive Abu Dhabi skyline.
Emirates Palace
The Emirates Palace is the standard of grandeur in Abu Dhabi. Each room has 24-hour butler service, and the Palace’s 14 restaurants have cuisine prepared by top chefs. The spa is dedicated to wellness and there are two temperature-controlled pools. The best shops in the city are nearby.
The Palace has the best water sports in the city, from sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and paddle surfing. Horseback riding, golf, and beach volleyball are other fun diversions. For a workout, the Palace offers a training camp on the beach every Sunday.
Romance leads the way at the Emirates Palace. They will organize a private yacht tour of five hours. A romantic afternoon tea is served with special Palace cakes. The Palace offers private beach cabanas complete with juice and snacks. Close the curtains and listen to the waves or whatever the couple fancy.
Egypt
Egypt has the power to summon magic with just a few words: the pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Nile. Travelers have been coming here for 5,000 years, and the remnants of its long and electrifying history still amaze.
Cairo
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is an extraordinarily romantic city. Who needs a car when a camel ride or horse-drawn carriage can take a couple on a half-day tour to the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx? Couples are picked up from their hotel in Cairo, and along the way, they can learn about Egyptian culture while enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. At the end of the tour, the couples will return to their accommodations. A special photographer can be requested, if desired, at an additional cost, to create the photos of a lifetime for children and grandchildren.
Khan al Khalili
Shopping in one of Cairo’s oldest markets, Khan el-Khalili, (it was created in the 14th century ) involves maneuvering through a maze of alleyways where you can find anything from silver and gold artifacts, precious antiques, handmade crafts and rugs. Visitors can stop by El-Fishawi (built more recently in the 18th century ) for refreshments.
A cruise at sunset
Cruises on the mighty Nile River have been going on for thousands of years. A sunset felucca cruise updates history with guided tours on a traditional boat that will take guests to Cairo’s most popular sights at sunset. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included, as is an option for a tour with dinner and dancing.
Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx
The Pyramid of Giza, the Sphinx, and other pyramids are one of the ancient wonders of the world, and an estimated 100,000 men were needed to build them. They are best seen on a tour that will provide special access to off-limits areas. The Sphinx is the oldest existing monument and is located between two temples. Exploring the area on the back of a camel enhances this unforgettable experience. Follow in the footsteps of the pharaohs as you begin your life together.
Red Sea area
Egypt is not generally considered a beach getaway, but the Red Sea is a favorite with fans of scuba diving, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.
The sea is lined with tourist hotels, especially in the southern zone.
The Hurghada area on the Red Sea has a plethora of fabulous luxury resorts. If a couple has to choose, it’s hard to go wrong with Cleopatra Makadi Bay Resort, named for a queen famous for her style, men, beauty, and her love of being pampered.
The 448 rooms and suites have a patio or balcony. The hotel’s restaurants offer cuisine fit for royalty, and the Sky Lounge with its poolside bar and restaurants offers guests a great view of the Red Sea. The resort offers golf, tennis, and nightly entertainment, as well as a relaxing spa.
Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco, checks all the honeymoon destination boxes with its souks, palaces, and five-star resorts. The beauty is incredible enough that designer Yves Saint Laurent makes a home here.
Souks
Marrakech’s colorful markets are filled with unique items and fine foods. These souks are found all over Marrakech with their rugs, kitchen utensils, leather goods, and food of all kinds.
Majorelle Garden
This landscaped garden is part of Yves Saint Laurent’s house and is open to the public. There are 500 plants from every continent, surrounded by electric blue Saint Laurent designs. The garden also houses the Berber Museum with its 600 indigenous artifacts. About a million visitors come to enjoy the beauty of this garden.
Hot air balloon ride over Marrakech
This hot air balloon ride agency provides its clients with an incredible experience that goes beyond the ordinary. This hour-long journey will take a couple (just two people) through villages, mountains, and deserts while being served a full breakfast in the air and receiving a Moroccan souvenir.
Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental, near the city of Medina, set among olive groves and beautiful gardens, is the romantic destination of Marrakech. From romantic villas to mountain view suites, accommodations at the Mandarin are top-notch. The Oriental Pool Villa is surrounded by a patio and has its own pool, kitchen and jacuzzi. The Royal Suite has a stunning view and two plunge pools.
The resort serves international cuisine both indoors and by the pool. A romantic favorite is The Tent, where guests can snuggle up over cocktails under the stars. Of course, the service to the villas and suites is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The spa offers open-air massage suites and yoga. Your Wellness Program includes a professional fitness budget, two yoga sessions, a healthy cooking class, an 80-minute massage, and unlimited use of the steam room, indoor pool, and gym, plus a daily breakfast.
Mandarin’s romance package includes 100 roses with rose leaves in the bathtub, a four-course candlelit dinner with cocktails served in the villa, and a private in-room massage.
To find out about more of the best hotel options for every budget in Marrakech, read our blog post.
