Oualidia is a coastal town in Morocco situated about three hours northwest of Marrakesh and just over two hours southwest of Casablanca.
Its wide, sandy beaches, natural saltwater lagoon, laid-back vibe, lovely whitewashed houses, and mild climate make it a favorite vacation destination.
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What to Do in Oualidia
Swimming, Surfing and More
The wide beaches and calm waters of the lagoon are perfect for sunbathing and swimming, and the waves on the ocean side of the sandbar are great for surfing and kiteboarding.
Other fun beach activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking.
Bird watching
The lagoon attracts a range of birds year-round, including flamingoes, storks, raptors, warblers, and more.
Spring and fall are best for birding, as you will see a broader range of species and larger groups migrating through the area.
Sidi Moussa beach is a particularly good location.
Explore the Town
Oualidia is quite small, so you can easily explore the old city in an afternoon.
Visit the weekend fresh market, see the Kasbah with buildings dating back to the early 1600’s, and peek at the aging but grand palace resort favored by King Mohammed V (the grandfather of the current king).
Relax and Rejuvenate
Several hotels in Oualidia (see La Sultana and Chateau Eden El Rouh below) specialize in spa retreat stays, offering hammams, massage services, and more.
The laid-back vibe of Oualidia and the beautiful natural scenery makes it a perfect place for unwinding on a honeymoon or spa vacation.
Where to Eat
Issa Blanca
This restaurant serves outstanding seafood with a lovely view of the dunes and a pleasant, romantic atmosphere.
They serve generous quantities of grilled and sautéed fish, shrimp, oysters, mussels, sea urchin, squid, clams, crab, and lobster, as well as excellent paella and good grilled steak and chicken brochettes.
It’s a little bit out of the way at the end of the beach road, so it’s more convenient if you have a car. Issa Blanca has nice guest rooms as well.
L’Araignée Gourmande
Specializing in fish and seafood, L’Araignée Gourmande had a large, simply decorated dining room with sweeping views of the lagoon.
The menu is a selection of the freshest daily catch, including crab, lobster, clams, shrimp, sea urchin, fish, and more!
They also offer a delicious orange tart for dessert.
The seafood is fresh and well prepared, the service is good, and the location is conveniently close to town.
La Plage de la Sultana Oualidia
The restaurant of La Sultana Hotel offers some of the best seafood in town – fish, crab, lobster, mussels, and more – as well as pizza, bruschetta, Moroccan tea and cookies, and gelato!
Careful attention is given to service and presentation, and beautiful, nature-inspired decor and stunning views over the lagoon create an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere.
It’s perfect for a fancy lunch or a romantic evening. You do not have to be a guest at the hotel to dine here.
Ostrea II
Ostrea is a popular spot for oysters, fried seafood platters, paella, salads, and Moroccan tea.
The oysters can’t get much fresher as there are oyster beds literally in front of the restaurant! It is casual and simple, but the seafood is fresh and well prepared.
Where to Stay in Oualidia
La Sultana Oualidia
La Sultana is a small, upscale hotel situated right on the beautiful lagoon of Oualidia.
Suites and cabins are sparkling clean and decorated with wood and stone to create a nature-oriented vibe and a deeply calming atmosphere.
It offers many luxury services including massages, a hammam, and in-room Jacuzzis, and the concierge staff go above and beyond to make your stay comfortable and assist you in planning activities such as fishing, horseback riding, and paddle boarding.
La Sultana has received multiple Moroccan and International hospitality industry awards in recent years, so you can be sure your stay there will be unforgettably wonderful.
There is an excellent restaurant on site, and you don’t have to stay at the hotel to eat there (though reservations are strongly recommended).
Dar Beldi
Dar Beldi is a charming family-run hotel located in the Medina of Oualidia. It is made up of three old traditional houses situated around a lush garden.
Every room is full of color and personality, and the garden is bursting with pink, purple, orange, and yellow flowers and luxuriant green foliage.
Terraces and patios provide the perfect setting for enjoying your traditional Moroccan breakfast of fresh bread, eggs, cheese, jam, coffee, and tea, and large French doors and windows fill every room with light.
The owners are very nice and make every effort to ensure that your stay is comfortable and fun. It is reasonably priced and located just a few minutes walking from the lagoon.
Chateau Eden El Rouh
This beautiful beachfront hotel offers a lovely relaxing experience with rooms beautifully furnished in a natural style, sweeping ocean views, a pool, large patio, hammam and massage services, and a restaurant on site.
You can choose from large, comfortable rooms, luxuriant suites, and charming cozy bungalows. It is conveniently located, and staff are friendly and helpful.
Hotel L’Hippocampe
This comfortable hotel sits right on the lagoon, offering great views of the ocean and the coast, plus easy access to the beach and lovely sunsets.
Lush greenery and flowering plants fill the garden and accent the patio, where you can enjoy your meals from the restaurant – a simple Moroccan breakfast of bread, pastries, coffee, and juice is included, and traditional dishes like tajines and grilled fish are available for lunch and dinner.
Rooms are nicely decorated in a colorful modern style and are very clean and comfortable – choose from rooms, suites, or apartments. The service is warm and attentive.
How to Get to Oualidia
Oualidia is a little bit out of the way – just over two hours from Casablanca and about three and a half from Marrakech by car. There are several ways to get there.
You can take a grand taxi or hire a private transfer from Casablanca to Oualidia; ask your hotel manager in Casablanca about how to arrange this. It will be pricey.
You can also rent a car in Casablanca or Marrakech and drive.
A much more affordable way is to take buses and/or grand taxis.
Oualidia is located on the main road from El Jadida to Safi (just over an hour away from each), so you can find buses and grand taxis from either of these cities to Oualidia for around 30-50 dirhams ($3-5).
Even if a bus does not have a stop listed in Oualidia, you may be able to ask the driver to drop you off there.
It is fairly easy to get to Safi and El Jadida from major transportation hubs: you can take a bus, train, or grand taxi to El Jadida from Casablanca, or to Safi (Asfi) from Marrakech.
Once you get to Oualidia, getting around is easy – you can walk or bike everywhere within the small town, save for a few restaurants that are a little out of the way.
When to Go to Oualidia
Oualidia has a mild coastal climate year-round. The summer months from June to September are hot and ideal for beach activities, but the rest of the year is still pleasant for hiking and beach walking, spa stays, and enjoying fantastic seafood.