Saïdia, known as the "Blue Pearl", is a town and beach in Oujda

Oujda

Oujda is a city in eastern Morocco with an estimated population of 1 million. The city is located about 15 kilometers west of Algeria and about 60 kilometers south of the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the Oriental Region of Morocco and the birthplace of the current Algerian president,...

. It is located in the extreme northeast Moroccan province of Berkane, near the Mediterranean Sea and at the Moroccan-Algierian border. Its 14 km coastline is one of the longest beaches of Morocco and is characterized by its golden sand and Mediterranean climate, making it a popular international tourist destination. It hosts numerous resorts and attractions, including private beach resorts, shopping malls, golf courses, and other sports centers.

Saïdia's marina covers an area of 290,000 square meters, with 740 berths and modern marina facilities. (Berthing fees begin at €375 per year.) Tourists are attracted by its traditional folk music festival every August. It is surrounded by a natural bird preserve of marsh and woodland. Access to the main beach is through a eucalyptus forest.

Climate

Saïdia is a city and resort area near Oujda. Saïdia's weather is mild virtually all year round, with average summer temperatures of 35°C and winter temperatures as high as 22°C. The months between October and April are cooler while providing welcome winter sun.

History

The nucleus of Saïdia dates from 1883 and was the work of Sultan Hassan I, who built a 15,600-square-meter casbah (fortress) on the left bank of the mouth of the river Kiss. Its purpose was to monitor and regulate the movement of people to and from Algeria, which was then under French sovereignty. After Morocco became a French protectorate in 1913, Saïdia proved popular with French settlers and became a resort. After Moroccan independence, Saïdia continued to attract visitors and has become one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.