Oriental Travel Guide
The beach at Saïdia on the Mediterranean. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
The Oriental is Morocco's far east, pressed against the Algerian border. Oujda, founded in 994, is the regional capital: a working city famous for its gharnati music and its medina. Most visitors come for the Mediterranean instead: Saïdia, the 'Blue Pearl', with 14 km of sandy beach, is Morocco's big domestic resort.
The Beni Snassen mountains and the oasis town of Figuig, near the Algerian frontier, are for travelers who like their destinations quiet.
Key destinations in Oriental
Figuig oasisThe seven-ksar oasis near the Algerian border.
Saïdia beach14 km of Mediterranean sand, Morocco's 'Blue Pearl'.
Oujda medinaThe eastern capital's old town and its gharnati music scene.
Beni SnassenThe mountain range behind Berkane, good for spring hiking.
BerkaneThe clementine capital of the east.
Hover a region to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Oriental
Regional food
- Berkane clementines (in season, winter)
- Harira and msemen
- Grilled fish in Saïdia
Getting there
Oujda Angads (OUD) is the air gateway. ONCF trains run Oujda to Fès and Casablanca. Saïdia is about an hour north of Oujda by road.