Morocco covers a vast area of land consisting of deserts, beaches, bustling cities and breathtaking mountains. With the inland cities being the main point of interest for many tourists, many of the coastline cities usually go remain unvisited. Aside from the refreshing port city of Essaouira, Morocco is home to several other coastline cities, all promising to be the perfect place to relax, unwind and explore.
Essaouira
This port city which rests on the coast of Morocco provides some of the best views of the Atlantic Ocean. The local town has a very authentic feel to it and has fewer crowds in comparison to Marrakech. It really is a refreshing place to start or end your trip to Morocco and interestingly has a lot to see for a small city. The city has a serene atmosphere all thanks to Theodore Cornut, the Frenchman who designed the city.
Be sure to visit the spacious beach and meander through the narrow streets of the Medina, where you’ll also see whitewashed houses all surrounded by a fortified wall. To get striking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the town, head over to the Portuguese Fort.
hʌnzife, Unsplash
Safi
Safi is another port city that deserves a lot more attention than it gets. Whilst it can be somewhat difficult to drive here because of the unstable roads, it’s all worth it in the end when you lay your eyes upon the quiet beaches and the quaint charm of the city. The city has fewer tourists in comparison to Essaouira, but that only makes things better as you’ll witness locals going about their daily routine.
One thing Safi is well-known for is its giant pottery works. Most pottery you find around Morocco is produced here and even has the word ‘Safi’ on the back of the pottery. It’s definitely worth coming to see workers in action producing fine pottery works.
Al Hoceima
Perched on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll find the beautiful coastal city of El Hoceima. Lying strategically at the northern edge of the Rif Mountains, the city is home to several unspoilt beaches all within walking distance from each other.
If you’re looking to explore something different, Al Hoceima National Park is close by. A great place for walking, running, hiking and biking, the park covers an area of 285 square kilometres, and is home to pine forest harbours, wild boar, various species of birds and rock canyons. Be sure to spot some of the Berber settlements to witness live pottery.
Tangier
Known as the birthplace of the well-known Muslim traveller, Ibn Batutta, Tangier is steeped in history. Located across the sea from Gibraltar, Tangier is probably one of the best cities to enter Morocco from if you’re coming from the north of Spain. Whilst Tangier falls within Africa, it has an extremely European feel to it, which could be because it was not governed by Morocco for much of its history.
Aside from laying by the beach, going for a swim, and eating delicious seafood, it’s highly recommended to wander through the Kasbah. Make your way to the top to get some breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea.
Nador
Located approximately 80 miles from El Hoceima, Nador is a small, cosy and humble city located on the northeastern side of Morocco. Nador is not currently a popular tourist destination, but with redevelopments in the pipeline, it has the potential to attract the masses.
The best areas to visit when in Nador are the Corniche and Mar Chica. Mar Chica is a beautiful lagoon which is surrounded by greenery and palm trees whilst the Corniche faces the Mediterranean and is a relaxing place to walk. As with every other city in Morocco, be sure to visit the Souk for souvenirs, spices and fresh Argan oil.
As Nador can be explored within a day, we recommend venturing out a little to Melilla and Mount Curco. Melilla, which is 17km from Nador, is a small autonomous Spanish city which is located in mainland Africa. Mount Curco, on the other hand, is a National Forest and is a great place to get away from the city to catch some fresh air and be one with nature.
Main image 📷 by @iaamkb
The adventurous spirit behind the pages of British Muslim magazine. As the Editor-in-Chief, Natasha leads with a passion for exploration and a pen dipped in wanderlust. With a keen eye for halal travel experiences and an insatiable curiosity for new experiences, she brings readers along on captivating journeys to far-flung destinations. Through her vibrant storytelling, Natasha invites readers on enriching adventures, where every experience is a window into the muslim world.
