Oriental offers several distinct ways to experience a trip: Saïdia’s beach, the Zegzel Gorges, Oujda’s cultural heritage and the Figuig oasis represent the coast, landscape and culture. These highlights help you tailor your search to what you’d like to discover in Oriental.

Coast and nature

Saïdia’s beach stretches for 14 km from the mouth of the Moulouya to the mouth of the Kiss. The two endpoints define the clear geographic span of this stretch of coastline. Oriental also has eleven sites of biological and ecological importance; one of them is the Moulouya Ramsar site. Various plant species grow at the mouth of the Moulouya, and many birds spend time there. The region thus offers both a clearly defined stretch of coastline and a range of nature-related highlights.

Gorges and the Beni-Snassen

The Beni-Snassen Massif is recommended for excursions, hiking, climbing and hunting. In the Zegzel Gorges, paths run along the gorge and its various banks. The landscape there includes terraced orchards with fig, pomegranate, orange and medlar trees, as well as wild roses and oleanders. Cultivated fruit trees and wild-growing plants are distinct features of the landscape described here. Camel Cave owes its name to a stalagmite whose shape resembles a camel.

Oujda: medina, music and views

Two main gates provide clear orientation in Oujda’s medina: Bab Al Gharbi lies to the west, and Bab Sidi Abdelouahab to the east. The medina also includes a Quranic school, a 14th-century Marinid madrasa. The gates locate two sides of the medina; the madrasa offers a point of reference in its history. Another cultural highlight is Dar Sebti Palace, dedicated to Arab-Andalusian music known as Gharnata. Sidi Maafa offers walking paths and panoramic views of Oujda and the area around the city. Oujda’s highlights thus include both architectural and musical history, as well as scenic walking paths.

Figuig: oasis, architecture and crafts

Figuig’s palm grove contains more than 100,000 date palms and around a dozen varieties, including the well-known “Aziza” variety. The number of palms and the approximate number of varieties offer two different insights: into the size of the palm grove and the diversity of its dates. Figuig and its surroundings include seven ksour; characteristic historic buildings are classified as national cultural heritage. A mosque in Figuig dates back to the fifth century of the Hijri calendar.

Crafts are also part of the region’s character. Artisans in Oriental make, among other things, pottery, wool blankets, carpets, and djellabas made from camel or goat hair. Weaving is widespread on the high plateaus of Figuig and Taourirt, as well as in the Beni-Snassen mountains. This topic encompasses both specific regional craft products and a textile tradition found across several named landscapes.

Flavours of the Moroccan Orient

The cuisine of Morocco’s Orient includes makrout filled with dates, as well as kaak flavoured with anise, cardamom and sesame seeds. The examples can be distinguished by their ingredients: the date filling is the defining feature of makrout, while kaak combines the spices and seeds listed above. For travellers who want to experience culture through more than architecture and crafts, these regional dishes offer a distinct culinary perspective.

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

For the broader travel overview: Morocco.