Between wild coves, Spanish enclaves, endless fine-sand beaches and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, this Northern Morocco road trip holds many wonderful discoveries. Here, tourism is mostly local, which also lets you immerse yourself in Moroccan customs.

This itinerary along Morocco’s Mediterranean coast is a 4-day road trip by car, taken in July 2020 starting from Rabat. Overall, the roads are in good condition, although some beaches require an SUV to access.

Itinerary overview

Day by day

DAY 0 – RABAT to TAZA

To start this Northern Morocco road trip along the Mediterranean coast, we first had to get closer to the starting point. So we left after work and headed toward Taza.

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DAY 1 – TAZA to NADOR

We drove the final kilometers to the far north-east of Morocco. There, the border between Morocco and Algeria meets the Mediterranean coast, and our road trip could finally begin!

We gradually visited the following sites along the coast:

• Algerian border: two roads lined with flags run along the border on either side. Tourists greet each other there, a rather amusing scene given the political situation between the two countries.
• Saïdia Beach: a huge fine-sand beach, very busy in summer. We stopped for a quick dip.
• Saïdia Marina: the place is not very interesting and seemed quite deserted, perhaps because of Covid-19 restrictions. We still stopped there to eat.
• Qmqom Baz: this restaurant on the coastal road offers a panoramic view of the beach and the Zaffarines Islands. We regretted not waiting until there to eat.
• Sidi El Bachir Beach: a beautiful developed beach, where a rocky outcrop forms two bays.
• Mar Chica Lagoon: a huge, peaceful lagoon to explore at sunset.

Accommodation: Appart hotel excellent in Nador. The property is simple and clean, with Moroccan-style decor, but without much charm, just like the city. It cost us €40 (400 MAD) for three people.

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DAY 2 – NADOR to AL HOCEIMA

After breakfast in town, we headed north along the border with Melilla, one of the main Spanish enclaves, which was closed when we passed. The road then became dizzying and offered plunging views over the Mediterranean. Breathtaking!

Don’t miss the following points of interest:

• Trois Fourches Lighthouse: our first stop offers a beautiful 180-degree view of the Mediterranean. From the road, just before the lighthouse, a small path leads to a pretty cove.
• Tibouda: a tiny fishing village where a coffee break is a must. It is possible to stay there in basic apartments to enjoy the calm of the area.
• Mina Rosita Beach: the beach is accessible via a small path leading down from the parking area. After passing a pile of rubbish at the entrance, we reached a pretty, fairly clean beach, where we stopped to picnic.
• Charrana Beach: larger than Mina Rosita, it is also dirtier and busier.

Cara Blanca Beach, which we did not have time to visit, is also an option to consider for this day. If you want to go there on foot, check the route carefully. The beach is also accessible by boat from Tibouda.

Where to stay: Casa Paca, in Ajdir, near Al Hoceima. This charming property is run by a Spaniard and his Moroccan wife. It was undoubtedly our favourite stay on this Northern Morocco road trip. Call them directly to negotiate the price and ask for a room with a panoramic view. We paid €90 (900 MAD) for three people, breakfast included.

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DAY 3 – AL HOCEIMA to EL JEBHA

Al Hoceima National Park offers several hiking options, which unfortunately we did not have time to enjoy. We headed straight to the western end of the park.

• Badès: the site is accessible by two roads. We probably took the more difficult one, via Torres de Alcalá. Despite its rough condition, this track offers a magnificent view of the Spanish enclave of Badès. After parking the car in the small lot, a path leads to the beach. Spanish soldiers mingle with Moroccans, and only a rope laid on the sand marks the border. Small boats also allow you to go around the enclave.
• Cala Iris: less interesting to us than Badès Beach, it has the advantage of a spacious, clean restaurant, but without much charm.
• El Jebha: by taking a small winding road east of the port, you can reach some ruins that offer a beautiful view at sunset.

Lodging: there are several options for finding cheap apartments in El Jebha. Just ask around. We found a basic apartment for three people, behind the port, for 200 MAD.

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• El Jebha beaches: Marsdar and Monica beaches are accessible on foot or by boat from El Jebha.
• Route to Tétouan: this road offers beautiful panoramas and many opportunities to stop at beaches. However, the closer you get to Tétouan, the busier the beaches become.

Before reaching Tétouan, you can also branch off toward Cabo Negro, which offers walking opportunities, or make a detour via M’diq and Marina Smir, seaside resorts popular with Moroccans. Belyounech is another option.

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Continue exploring Morocco

If you’d like to continue your road trip in northern Morocco, don’t miss my article about Tangier and Chefchaouen!

If you have time to explore other regions, check out my other Morocco travel guides. Having lived here for six years, I share all my tips to help you discover more of the kingdom, from road trips and mountain hikes to beautiful beaches and city visits.

Find the complete list of my Morocco travel guides on this page: Morocco.