All regions/Oriental

Mediterranean & Rif

Oriental

Eastern Mediterranean & Figuig oasis

The Oriental joins the blue Mediterranean from Al Hoceima to Saïdia — the Blue Pearl and its 14 km of golden beach — with refined Oujda, capital of the Beni Snassen and historical crossroads with Algeria. Berkane and its orange groves, the Marchica lagoon facing Nador, and far south the fortified oasis of Figuig on the Saharan Atlas edge reveal another, more secret Morocco.

Best period

May–Oct · beaches June–Sept

Ambience & flavours

Saïdia mhamssa · Berkane citrus · Mediterranean seafront

Key cities

Oujda

Eastern capital, compact medina, Bab Sidi Abdelwahab esplanade and raï music.

Médina d'OujdaBab Sidi AbdelwahabPlace du 16 aoûtMosquée El Atik
WikipediaMap

Saïdia

"Blue Pearl" of the Mediterranean, 14 km of fine-sand beach, family resort.

Plage SaïdiaMarina SaïdiaLagune MoulouyaCap de l'Eau
WikipediaMap

Nador

Sète-ferry arrival port, protected Marchica lagoon and gateway to the eastern Rif.

Lagune MarchicaCornicheMont GourougouBéni Ensar (port)
WikipediaMap

Suggested itineraries

3d

Eastern Mediterranean in 3 days

Saïdia beach, Marchica lagoon and Oujda medina.

  1. 1Day 1 · Saïdia plage
  2. 2Day 2 · Nador + Marchica
  3. 3Day 3 · Oujda médina

When to go — month by month

January

Cold and rainy, quiet medinas

February

Still cool, winter light

March

Spring, lagoon waking

April

Mild, beaches still empty

May

Ideal — warm, few people

June

Beach scene rising, MRE arrive

July

Summer peak, Saïdia packed

August

Still peak, book early

September

Ideal — warm sea, calm again

October

Bright October, low season

November

Rain, winter mood

December

Cool and calm

Festivals & events

Festival Raï

JulyOujda

International raï festival, tribute to Oujda the birthplace.

WikipediaMap

Must-see

Sites in this region· 7

Médina d'Oujda

Oujda

Millennial medina founded in 994, marked by Bab Sidi Abdelwahab and the spice souks at the heart of the Oriental region.

WikipediaMap

Plage de Saïdia

Saïdia

Mediterranean 'Blue Pearl': 14 km of fine golden sand, Algerian border to the east.

WikipediaMap

Marina de Saïdia

Saïdia

Modern marina at the heart of the seaside resort, 700 berths and family resorts.

WikipediaMap

Lagune de Marchica

Nador

115 km² Mediterranean lagoon ('Bouari Sea') at Nador, a major eco-project and bird-watching site.

WikipediaMap

Mont Gourougou

Nador

Forested 887 m massif overlooking Melilla and the Marchica lagoon; panoramic Mediterranean views.

WikipediaMap

Cap de l'Eau (Ras El Ma)

Berkane

Small Mediterranean port at the Moulouya mouth, quiet beaches and a Ramsar site.

WikipediaMap

Parc National des Beni-Snassen

Berkane

1,532 m limestone massif culminating at Ras Fourhal, home to the Camel Cave and the prehistoric Pigeon Cave.

WikipediaMap

Gastronomy & flavours

Crafts & shopping

What to pack

Swimsuit + flip-flops for Saïdia, windbreaker for the windy Med, modest scarf for Oujda medina.

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