The Alluring Oriental Region: Morocco's Hidden Tourism Gem

Monday 22 January 2024 - 15:42

Tucked away in the northeast corner of Morocco lies a region brimming with culture, history, and natural beauty, ready to captivate curious travelers. Welcome to the oriental region an underrated vacationland begging to be explored.

Gateway to Africa

Strategically positioned along the Mediterranean Sea, the oriental region has long served as the gateway between Morocco and Europe. Encompassing a sprawling 90,000 sq km area with a population exceeding 2.3 million, this corner of the kingdom packs a significant punch. Its diverse landscape stretches from the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert to the rugged Rif Mountains, with vibrant port cities and quaint artist colonies dotted in between.

From the port city of Nador to the up-and-coming resort town of Saïdia, the oriental region seamlessly blends old and new. Ancient medinas bustling with traders and artisans sit alongside new developments aimed at boosting tourism. Pristine beaches, nature reserves teeming with exotic birdlife, and vestiges of bygone civilizations beckon outdoor enthusiasts. Thanks to recent infrastructure projects, access to attractions across the region has vastly improved.

A Melting Pot of Cultures

The crossroads location of the oriental region has led to remarkable cultural fusion throughout the ages. Berber, Arab, Andalusian, and Mediterranean influences beautifully intermingle here through architecture, music, cuisine, and art.

The regional capital, Oujda, embodies this blended heritage. Its atmospheric medina and towering 5th-century Great Mosque form the historic core, while traces of a once-prominent Jewish community persist in sites like the Mellah district. Along the bustling main avenues, Oujda's nearly 400 mosques and churches stand side by side as testaments to cross-cultural harmony.

Festivals celebrating the Andalusian legacy through song and dance take place annually. Nearby towns like Selouane host vibrant traditional markets where shoppers can scoop up locally made wares showcasing unique regional style. And no visit to Oujda is complete without sampling its famed almond cookies sprinkled with sesame seeds—a sweet symbol of the diverse cultures uniting here.

Adventure Awaits

Beyond the cities, the oriental region's wilderness seduces outdoor enthusiasts. The Robin Hood-like forests blanketing the slopes of Mount Gourougou offer superb hiking and bird watching. At Cape Three Forks, breathtaking views of the Mediterranean reward those who make the steep trek. Sand dunes ripple across the landscape outside towns like Berkane and are ripe for sunset camel rides. And, of course, the region's beaches with their crystalline waters and shorelines that seem to stretch endlessly are ideal for sunbathing, sailing, and even flamingo spotting.