Oriental: Coastline, Oases and Cultural Heritage

Oriental brings together coastal landscapes, estuary nature, mountains, historic cities and oasis culture. In the wider regional context, eastern Morocco stretches from the Mediterranean coast at Saïdia to the Saharan oasis of Figuig. Saïdia Beach, the Zegzel gorges, the Beni-Snassen Massif, the medina of Oujda and Figuig’s palm grove each offer a different experience. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, you can first consider whether you want your holiday to focus on the coast and nature, active days in the mountains, or culture and crafts.

Coast and nature along the Moulouya

Saïdia Beach stretches for 14 kilometres from the mouth of the Moulouya to the mouth of the Kiss. The Moulouya estuary offers a different natural setting: various plant species grow there, and numerous birds stop there. The Oriental region has a total of eleven areas of biological and ecological importance. One of them is the Moulouya Ramsar Site. A long stretch of coast and an ecologically significant estuary landscape thus offer two distinct ways to enjoy nature.

The Beni-Snassen Massif and Zegzel

The Beni-Snassen Massif is recommended for excursions, hiking, climbing and hunting. At the Zegzel gorges, trails run along the gorge and its various banks. The landscape includes terraced orchards with fig, pomegranate, orange and medlar trees; wild roses and oleanders also grow there. The variety of plants and terraces gives the gorge its distinctive landscape. The Cave of the Camel takes its name from a stalagmite shaped like a camel.

Medina and culture in Oujda

Oujda’s medina has two main gates: Bab Al Gharbi lies to the west, and Bab Sidi Abdelouahab to the east. The medina also contains a Quranic school, a Marinid madrasa dating from the 14th century. The old town thus brings together a clear west–east orientation and a connection to historic learning.

Dar Sebti Palace is devoted to Arab-Andalusian music, known as Gharnata. Sidi Maafa offers a different perspective on the city, with walking trails and panoramic views of Oujda and its surroundings. When planning a trip, you can choose between different cultural interests and views of the urban landscape.

Palm grove and cultural heritage in Figuig

Figuig’s palm grove contains more than 100,000 date palms and around a dozen varieties, including the well-known “Aziza” variety. Figuig and its surroundings also encompass seven ksour. Characteristic historic buildings in Figuig and its surroundings are classified as national heritage. A mosque in Figuig dates back to the fifth century of the Hijra. The palm grove, historic buildings and the mosque’s date offer different starting points for a stay focused on landscapes and history.

Crafts and regional cuisine

Artisans in Oriental make pottery, woollen blankets, carpets and djellabas from camel or goat hair, among other things. Weaving is widespread on the high plateaus of Figuig and Taourirt, as well as in the Beni Snassen mountains. Dishes from the Moroccan East include makrout filled with dates and kaak flavoured with anise, cardamom and sesame seeds. These examples combine regional designs and materials with characteristic flavours.

When looking for a holiday rental, it’s worth deciding first what you want to focus on. If you’re most interested in beaches and estuary landscapes, Saïdia and the Moulouya offer specific natural attractions. For mountain and gorge landscapes, choose Beni-Snassen and Zegzel; for history and culture, Oujda and Figuig.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Oujda, Nador, Berkane, Afra, Zeghanghane, Nador, Figuig, Oulad Driss, Ain Bni Mathar, Naima, Taourirt, Taghzoute, El Hemmal and Selouane.

For the overview of all destinations: Morocco.