OUALIDIA, A PERFECT DAY TRIP
- Adam Peter
- Mar 20, 2021
- 3 min read
A day at the beach, with a touch of gastronomy.
There are 2. things that, I remarked, have changed in recent years with ageing.
I get up earlier and do not drive as fast as some years ago.
The advantage less budget for traffic fines and more money to invest in lunch.
Oualidia is a popular small seaside resort with a beach protected from the Atlantic Ocean by dunes and a natural rock formation. This goes accompanied by an exceptional climate, with temperatures between 12° and 26°.
From Marrakech, it is just over 3 hours (220km) drive. I prefer to take the road via Yousouffia to get there.
For all those who do not like to take the same road back as I do, you can take the way back via Safi. You will pass through a stunning landscape of striking contrasts! From the fields to the salt marshes or a constant fight between a desert feeling and the imposing Atlantic Ocean. The extra time and the few extra km are a good investment.
Going There.
After the first hour on the road, we decided on a stop. Let me call it a personal vice but each trip I love to stop in one of these small establishments and eat some freshly made msemen, prepared by the lady of the house with a Vache Qui rit cheese, a little honey and fresh olive oil. Accompanied by a sugared mint tea and a Coke as dessert.
After a 2 hour drive, the colours on the horizon change, betraying the proximity of the ocean.
A 15 minutes later we are on the approach road to Oualida and descend to the lagoon and the beach stretch which is protected from the influences of the Atlantic Ocean by a natural rock formation and dunes.
Tip. There are a lot of speed traps on this road.
I look for a parking space not too far from to restaurant and which should be easy to find off-season and reserve our table before descending further down to the lagoon. I order
Oyster Mesheften and a few sea urchins together with a nice grilled catch of the day. ( I apologise in advance to the purists but for a few years, I grill everything that comes out of the ocean.)
Once I settled on this detail, we went to the lagoon where we submit to the elements and enjoyed a few hours of beach life with a nice stroll, to evoke the appetite.
Tip. What we liked with the children.
A trip to the lagoon will certainly enchant your stay in Oualidia and will remain a beautiful memory!
After the late and delicious lunch, we prepared ourselves for the way back and took the coastal road via Safi ( capital of pottery )where we enjoyed our last tea of the day and did some shopping before arriving back in Marrakech late in the evening.
If you want to stay the night, you should book before arrival during the season, the choice is limited and ranges from 25 euros to 650 euros per room per night. ( prices can go even higher in peak season)
You have the choice between only "four" hotels. The rest of the accommodation exists out, apartments, villas, bungalows and rooms. Most non-hotel products can be found on Airbnb.
A pinch of history.
Al-Walid is the eleventh Saadian Sultan. He reigned from 1631 to 1636, succeeding his brother Abd al-Malik II. He was the grandson of Mohamed Each Sheikh II. In 1631, the year of his accession to the throne, he signed a peace treaty with the Kingdom of France, with Priam-Pierre du Chalard, the ambassador sent to Morocco by Louis XIII. He gave the name to the village
Tip
In summer it can be really busy!
See you there!
Adam Peter
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