Saidia is a beach resort at the northeastern corner of Morocco, on the Mediterranean, right beside the Algerian border. Its claim to fame is a beach of fine sand about 14 kilometers long, backed by a modern marina and resort area. It is very lively in summer and very quiet the rest of the year. This Saidia travel guide explains what to expect and what to see nearby.
Saidia at a Glance
- Best for: a classic beach holiday, families, golf.
- How long: three days to a week.
- Best time: June and September; July and August are the busiest.
- Good to know: many businesses close from autumn to late spring.
The Beach
The sand is pale and soft, the slope into the water is gentle and the sea is usually calm and warm in summer, which makes Saidia well suited to children. The beach is wide enough that even in high season you can find space by walking a little away from the main access points. Sunbeds, pedal boats, jet skis and beach cafés are available along the central section.
The Old Town and the Resort
Saidia has two distinct parts. The original town, at the eastern end, grew around a small 19th-century kasbah and has a market, simple restaurants and a seafront avenue that fills with strollers on summer nights. To the west, a planned resort built since the 2000s includes a marina with restaurants and shops, large hotels, residential complexes and golf courses.
Nature Nearby
The Moulouya Estuary
West of the resort, the Moulouya River reaches the sea through a protected wetland of reeds, dunes and lagoons. It is an important site for migratory birds, with flamingos, herons and many waders. Paths and observation points allow a quiet walk, best in the early morning.
The Beni Snassen Mountains and Zegzel Gorge
Inland, beyond the town of Berkane and its orange groves, a range of green limestone hills offers a complete change of scene. A narrow road follows the Zegzel gorge between cliffs, terraced orchards and springs, passing caves, one of which is named for a rock formation shaped like a camel. The village of Tafoughalt, at the top, is known for grilled meat restaurants and for a prehistoric cave site of major archaeological importance. Allow a full day by car.
Food
Grilled fish and seafood are the staples on the coast. The region around Berkane is famous across Morocco for its clementines and oranges, in season from late autumn through winter.
How to Get There
The nearest airport is Oujda-Angads, about an hour away by road, with domestic flights and services from Europe. Nador, with its airport and ferry port, is about an hour and a half to the west along the coastal highway. Buses and shared taxis link Saidia with Berkane and Oujda. Oujda is also the eastern end of the railway line from Fes.
The land border with Algeria, which lies just east of town, has been closed for many years. You can see across the river that marks it, but you cannot cross.
Where to Stay
The resort area has large beachfront hotels, many all-inclusive, and a great number of apartments for rent. The old town has smaller, cheaper hotels closer to local life. Book well ahead for July and August.
Practical Tips
- Outside summer, check that your hotel and its restaurant are open before booking.
- A rental car makes the mountain excursions and the estuary much easier.
- Bring insect repellent in summer, especially near the wetlands.
- Evenings start late in high season; restaurants and the promenade are busiest after sunset.
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