Region
Oriental
الشرق
Steppe khaki and a turquoise coast
At a glance
- Recommended stay
- 2 to 4 days
- Best season
- April to June and September to October
- Population
- 2,269,378 (2024)
- Best for
- Mediterranean beaches at Saïdia · Marchica lagoon birdlife · Figuig oasis palm groves
- Key landmarks
- Oujda medina and Bab Sidi AbdelouahabSidi Yahya oasis near OujdaSaïdia beach and the Moulouya estuaryZegzel gorges and the Camel Cave in the Beni Snassen mountainsMarchica lagoon at NadorFiguig palm groves and ksour
The quiet east: Saïdia's long beach, Oujda, and wide steppe running down to Figuig.
Getting there
Oujda Angads (OUD) & Nador (NDR) airports and ONCF rail from Fès to Oujda
Eastern Horizons and Mediterranean Shores
The Oriental region forms Morocco’s eastern gateway, stretching from the sandy Mediterranean beaches of Saïdia and the tranquil Marchica lagoon in Nador south through high steppe plateaus to the desert dunes of Figuig. Oujda, the historic regional capital, preserves an authentic 10th-century medina, fragrant spice markets, and rich Gharnati musical traditions.
Coastal Lagoons and High Steppes
Ecotourism flourishes along the Mediterranean shoreline, where the protected Marchica lagoon welcomes flamingos and migratory birds. Further south, the dramatic gorges of Zegzel and the pristine Beni Snassen mountain range offer shaded hiking trails among fruit orchards and ancient limestone caverns.
Weather and climate
Climate by month
Average low and highRainy days
| Month | Average low and high | Rainy days | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4°C – 17°C40°F – 62°F | 5 | — |
| Feb | 5°C – 18°C41°F – 64°F | 4 | — |
| Mar | 7°C – 20°C44°F – 68°F | 5 | — |
| Apr | 9°C – 22°C48°F – 72°F | 5 | — |
| May | 12°C – 26°C53°F – 79°F | 3 | — |
| Jun | 15°C – 31°C60°F – 87°F | 1 | — |
| Jul | 19°C – 35°C66°F – 94°F | 0 | — |
| Aug | 19°C – 35°C67°F – 95°F | 1 | — |
| Sep | 16°C – 30°C61°F – 86°F | 2 | — |
| Oct | 13°C – 26°C55°F – 79°F | 4 | — |
| Nov | 9°C – 21°C47°F – 69°F | 5 | — |
| Dec | 6°C – 18°C42°F – 64°F | 4 | — |
Source: WMO 1991-2020 normals for Oujda Airport (regional capital), via Wikipedia. Updated November 7, 2026. en.wikipedia.org
Suggested itinerary
Checked by Morocco Insider Tips on November 7, 2026
Day 1 Oujda, the eastern capital
- Morning
- Enter the medina by Bab Sidi Abdelouahab and walk the covered souks and the Grand Mosque quarter.
- Afternoon
- Petit taxi to the Sidi Yahya oasis on the edge of town, a shaded palm grove popular with local families.
- Evening
- Look for a reggada or gasba music night if one is on, and try karantika, Oujda's chickpea street snack.
Day 2 Beni Snassen mountains and Saïdia
- Morning
- Drive or take a taxi via Berkane into the Zegzel gorges and visit the Camel Cave (Grotte du Chameau) near Tafoughalt.
- Afternoon
- Continue to Saïdia for its long sand beach; birders can walk to the Moulouya estuary nature reserve just west.
- Evening
- Seafood dinner on the Saïdia promenade, or sleep in Berkane, the town of clementines.
Day 3 Nador and the Marchica lagoon
- Morning
- Grand taxi west to Nador and walk the corniche along the Marchica lagoon, where flamingos and wading birds winter.
- Afternoon
- Head out to the sandbar beaches of Boukana, or stop at the cape of Ras el Ma (Cap de l'Eau) on the way back east.
- Evening
- Fly out from Nador (NDR), or take the evening train toward Fès from Nador or Oujda.
Tips
- The land border with Algeria has been closed since 1994. You cannot cross at Oujda or Figuig, and you should not go near the border line.
- Saïdia is packed in July and August and very quiet out of season, when many beach hotels close. May, June and September are the sweet spot.
- Few foreign visitors come here, so expect more French and Darija than English, and fewer hustlers than in the imperial cities.
Getting around
- ONCF trains run from Fès to Oujda (around six hours) and from Taourirt up to Nador; overnight trains also link Oujda with Casablanca and Tangier.
- Oujda Angads (OUD) and Nador Al Aroui (NDR) airports have domestic flights and flights to Europe.
- Grand taxis link Oujda, Berkane, Saïdia and Nador. The Beni Snassen gorges are easiest with a rental car or a taxi hired for the day.
- Figuig is roughly 370 km south of Oujda: count about seven hours by bus each way and give it at least two nights.
Etiquette
- Outside beach resorts the east is conservative; dress modestly in Oujda, Berkane and the villages.
- Figuig's ksour are lived-in villages: ask before entering lanes or gardens and before photographing residents.
- During Ramadan, next starting in February 2027, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public by day.