Choose from our romantic and charming Oualidia and Aal JAdida hotels and riads by clicking on the map or list on the right. These will highlight a wide selection of Oualidia and Al Jadida riads, including romantic hotels, bed & breakfasts, amongst others. Whatever your taste, we’ll help you find that perfect getaway.

In the Casablanca - Settat region, activities are rich with local culture, outdoor beauty, and a chance to immerse in traditions unique to Morocco.

On the Southern tip, the small town of Oualidia, with its famous lagoon, which is protected from the ocean and abounds in fish and shellfish. In fact, the town was founded in the 17th century to protect the natural harbour and today it is used as a centre for cultivating world-famous oysters. Indeed, this is one of Oualidia's main attractions. The possibility of eating fresh fish and seafood, freshly caught in the waters of its lagoon or the ocean and at very reasonable prices.
It is a quiet place where you can relax and enjoy a magnificent beach. Although the waves are generally strong, it is relatively easy to follow its coastline and find a more sheltered cove that may disappear overnight due to the play of the tides. It is also a splendid area for watching seabirds, such as cormorants and spoonbills.

Oualidia’s surfing scene has grown steadily, and it’s now known for its accessible waves and small surf schools that cater to beginners. For seasoned surfers, nearby Sidi Moussa offers more challenging waves in a secluded setting. Paddle boarding in Oualidia’s lagoon, meanwhile, is a serene way to explore the coast and get close to the birdlife that thrives there. If you’d rather stay on land, hiking around the coastal cliffs or the surrounding dunes is a beautiful way to connect with nature, with views over the Atlantic stretching as far as the eye can see.
Each August, Oualidia’s Oyster Festival celebrates the town’s most famous export, with market stalls, oyster tastings, and evening gatherings that fill the town square. Here, you’ll find live music, traditional Moroccan dancing, and food vendors offering everything from grilled seafood to traditional pastries. The festival is a rare chance to join in the local culture, savouring oysters fresh from the lagoon as locals and visitors come together to celebrate.

Al Jadida is an exception to typical Maghrebi architecture: it does not look like a Moroccan town. Instead, it has sturdy, ancient, European-looking carved stone walls, specifically built by the Portuguese, who occupied it from the 16th to the 18th century. The ruins of the period are some of the city's most important buildings, recognised by UNESCO, and tourist attractions such as the fortification, the cistern, and the Church of the Assumption. The city is also home to some of the oldest remains of Phoenician settlements in Morocco.
In El Jadida, the long beach outside the city walls is perfect for a casual swim or a relaxed day by the sea. The coast is also known for its traditional fishing spots, where you’ll often see local fishermen mending nets or preparing their boats for the day. You can join them for a fishing excursion or simply watch the activity unfold.

The markets in El Jadida offer an equally immersive experience. The main souk is a lively maze where vendors sell spices, olives, handmade crafts, and local produce. It’s an ideal spot to pick up ingredients for a picnic, especially if you’re headed to the beach later in the day. Nearby, Azemmour’s markets are smaller but no less vibrant, with a strong focus on locally crafted goods and Moroccan artwork.

During the summer, El Jadida hosts the Moussem of Moulay Abdellah Amghar, a vibrant cultural festival that centers around the traditional Moroccan sport of fantasia, where teams of riders charge forward on horseback, dressed in colorful traditional attire and firing rifles into the sky. The event draws crowds from all over Morocco and offers a unique glimpse into Morocco’s equestrian traditions. Surrounded by the sounds of traditional music and lively celebrations, it’s a thrilling spectacle for visitors.

Oualidia’s lagoon is an oyster lover’s paradise. Stop by one of the open-air stalls by the water, where vendors shuck fresh oysters on the spot. Pair them with a bit of lemon or harissa, a local hot chili paste, to bring out the ocean flavour. Another idea to savour the local seafood is to buy it directly from the fishermen on the beach - you can negotiate the price - and they will grill it for you. The most common seafood consumed here is shellfish - such as spider crabs, oysters, razor clams or sea urchins - and with regard to fish, you can find very different types due to the different seabed of the coastline. That is to say, both gilthead bream or redfish - rocky - and red mullet or sole - sandy bottom. Beyond oysters and fish, seafood tagines are a specialty here, particularly those with sardines or white fish, cooked slowly with olives, preserved lemon, and Moroccan spices.

El Jadida’s food scene combines coastal flavours with Moroccan classics. Grilled sardines, marinated with chermoula (a flavourful mix of herbs and spices), are a must-try, often served at small beachside restaurants. The markets are also great for a taste of local street food: freshly baked batbout (soft, thick flatbread) stuffed with grilled meats, spiced lentils, or tangy tomato salsa.

Throughout the Casablanca region, dessert is an art. Stop by a local café for kaab el ghazal (gazelle horns), an almond-filled pastry delicately flavoured with orange blossom, and enjoy it with a cup of Moroccan mint tea. Another local specialty is msemmen, a flaky Moroccan pancake served warm with honey—a sweet yet simple treat that makes for a perfect breakfast or afternoon snack.