Saidia, in and around

There are numerous attractions in and around Saidia, enabling you to discover for yourself the true experience of Morocco, both in the stunning countryside and the historical and cultural cities.

Saidia Oued Moulouya Ras El Mar & Cap de l'Eau Taforalt & The Zegzel Gorge Berkane Melilla Oujda Fes

Saidia is one of Morocco's most pleasant and relaxed seaside resorts. It is currently being completely rebuilt as part of the country's drive towards up market tourism, and when finished, will be the jewel in the crown of Morocco. It boasts one of the finest beaches in the Mediteranean, over 10 km long of fine white sand and crystal clear waters.

Saidia is still a low key resort, rambling back from the sea behind the still used 19th century Kasbah behind which the Sunday souk takes place - a great place to mingle, buy local fruits and crafts. The town is lively in July and especially in August when it hosts the "Festival du Rai et des Arts Populaires", an opportunity to listen to some indigenous chaabi, rai and amazigh music and watch laaoui and raggada folk dancing ensembles.

Facing the three tiny Islas Chafarinas, Ras el Mar and Cap de L'Eau on the sea front is a charming fishing village, with the most wonderful fish restaurants, known in the area as the offering the best sardines in the country (the sardines a la planche really are superb). About 6km from Saidia, it is worth spending a relaxing lunch here (about 5 pounds for two people) overlooking the harbour and beach.

Oujda is easy going, prosperous and distinctly Moroccan, yet is rare in that, as a tourist, you are rarely hassled. It is modern in outlook by Moroccan standards , and French in its cafe atmosphere.
With its strategic location at the crossroads of eastern and southern routes across Morocco and Algeria, Oujda has always been vulnerable to invasion and territorial claim. Founded in the 10th century by Berber chief Ziri Ben Attia, it was accupied for parts of the 13th & 14th centuries by the Ziyanids. From 1727 until the early 19th century, Oujda was under Turkish rule, at the edge of the Ottoman empire, after which the French twice occupied the town.
Oujda consists of the Medina and the Ville Nouvelle. The Medina, in the heart of the town (and largely a French reconstruction) is walled on 3 sides and has the Place du 16 Aout, the town's main square, at its northwest corner. The principal gate , Bab el Ouahab, leads onto a huge choice of cafes and stalls offering an amazing variety of food - the olives are especially wonderful, in particular just after the September harvest. A good route to follow from the gate is straight down the main street towards Place el Attarin, flanked by a covered market (kissaria) and a grand fondouk. Further afield it is worth looking out for the old French Cathedrale St Louis with its beautiful chapel.
About 6km south of Oujda lies a little oasis town of Sidi Yahia, a place of veneration, housing the tomb of the marabout Sidi Yahia, a holy man identified with John the Baptist. At the moussems held here in August and September, almost every shrub and tree in the oasis is festooned with little pieces of cloth, presenting a lavish and extraordinary sight.

The Zegzel Gorge is a spectacular, dark limestone fault in the Beni Snassen mountains - the last outcrops of the Rif.
The Gorge Route: The Oued Zegzel is a tributary of the Moulouya, which has carved out a fertile shaft of mountain valleys. The route, although forbiddingly steep, is accessible by car. Virtually all traffic goes anti-clockwise (down) from Berkane to Taforalt, taking the N2 out of town and after 10 km turning south onto the S403, climbing up to Taforalt, 10 km after the turn off.
Taforalt (Tafoughalt) is a quiet mountain village, active only for the Wednesday souk. The Grotte du Chameau is 10 km beyond, a cavern of vast stalagtites (of which one is camel like in shape!). The caves are not always open - you may have to find the gardien to open them up- are totally uncommercialised, and you will need to bring a torch! Near the entrance of the cave is a hot stream, used by locals for bathing, and a wonderful picnic area by the car park, from where you can walk along the footpath into the gorge underneath the towering stone buttresses.
The Zegzel Gorges begin about 1km beyond the cave. A rough track branches off the main road, only suitable for 4x4 vehicles and always subject to rock avalanches and flash floods. The gorges are cultivated with all kinds of citrus and fruit trees. As the track criss-crosses the riverbed, you eventually emerge 22 km from Taforalt onto the Berkane Plain.

Berkane is a strategic little market town, french built and prosperous, set in a region of orchards and vineyards. The town's main square is on the N2 road; with good restaurants on the long street running uphill from the Boulevard Hassan II, along with lots of very dark, tented souks.The disused church, just north of the main road and 50 m east of the main square, is worth a look, painted in red ochre with a row of grimmacing faces picked out in yellow along its facade.

Melilla is a Spanish occupied port, about 1.5 hours drive west of Saidia, and one of the entry points to Saidia. Although the crossing into Melilla is appalling (see Getting to Saidia) it is worth while as a tourist and shopping destination for European wares (at good prices, as it is duty free). It is a friendly town, with interesting architecture, modern and old. The old town of Medina Sidonia, wedged in above the port, was the site of the original Phoenician colony of Rusadir around the 10th century. Steps near the fishing port lead up to the quarter's main square, Plaza Maestranza, entered by the Gothic Puerta de Santiago. From the square, you will find the old barracks and armoury, then the old fort, below which is the baroque decorated church of La Conception.
In the new town, many buildings around the Plaza de Espana were designed in the art nouveau style of Gaudi.

Although Fes is far from being a local attraction - it is about 5 hours drive from Saidia - if you are feeling adventurous and have rented a car, it is certainly worth making the enjoyable drive there and perhaps spending the night. It is simply an unmissable experience, being the most ancient of the Moroccan Imperial capitals and the most complete living medieval city of the Arab world.

The coast from Nador to Saidia is a must for birdwatching, but the best area is just a few kilometres to the east of Saidia, at the Oued Moulouya, in the freshwater lagoon system. A small parcel of wetland here has been delared a protected area, and bird hides and information signboards have been erected along a marked walking path. Secluded amongst the reedbeds you can see grey heron, white stork and little egret; also black terns and kingsishers. Wading in the shallows, you will find redshank, spotted redshank and blacktailed godwit.