Oualidia: Morocco’s Hidden Coastal Gem Rivals Marrakech for Luxury and Tranquility

Located 2.5 hours drive from Marrakech and Casablanca, about 200 kilometers north of Essaouira and a few hours by plane from the United Kingdom, the city of Oualidia remains off the beaten track for tourists. "The city is a maze of sleepy streets that descend towards seafood cafes and a beachfront surf shack that rents out boards," describes National Geographic. Oualidia fascinates with its beauty: it overlooks a magnificent tidal lagoon, which makes it a safe place for families wishing to swim with young children. The city even houses the first royal beach of Morocco, designated by King Mohammed V in the 1940s.

Where can one stay in Oualidia? The city has a luxury hotel: La Sultana Oualidia. The establishment has 12 rooms, including a "pirate" suite and a tree house. Guests can enjoy the heated outdoor pool and the new on-site restaurant. The price of a night’s stay is £575. Celebrities, such as Canadian actress Shay Mitchell or British actor and producer Ben Fogle, have already stayed in this magnificent hotel. British tourists wishing to go there can opt for Royal Air Maroc flights to Casablanca, which last about three hours, or flights to Marrakech with Ryanair, where Oualidia is then about a three-hour drive away.

In addition to Oualidia, Morocco is home to other superb seaside resorts that are both affordable and warm in the fall. One of them is Agadir. It is the largest resort in the kingdom. It has vast stretches of beaches, 300 days of sunshine and winters at 25°C. It has been named a trending destination in British Airways’ 2025 Travel Trends report.