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Beach Guide
8 Best Beaches Near Fes
From imperial city to ocean — Mediterranean turquoise coves, Atlantic lagoons, and mountain springs within reach of Morocco's cultural capital.
Beach Essentials
Nearest coast: Moulay Bousselham (2.5h)
Best Mediterranean: Al Hoceima (4.5h)
Best lagoon: Moulay Bousselham
Best combo trip: Chefchaouen + Oued Laou
1
Moulay Bousselham Beach & Lagoon
Lagoon & Atlantic Free / Boat tour: 50 MAD 2.5h from Fes
The closest coastal escape from Fes — Moulay Bousselham is a small fishing village where a UNESCO-protected lagoon (Merja Zerga) meets the Atlantic Ocean. The village has two water experiences: the Atlantic beach on the ocean side (wide sand, big waves, swimmable with caution) and the calm lagoon behind (shallow warm water, flamingos, boat tours). The Merja Zerga lagoon is one of Morocco's finest birdwatching sites — thousands of flamingos, herons, spoonbills, and migratory birds gather here, especially in winter. Lagoon boat tours (50 MAD, 1 hour) are a highlight — gliding through shallow channels surrounded by birdlife and dunes. The village is authentic and undeveloped: a small medina, a hilltop marabout shrine, and fresh-fish restaurants (whole grilled fish from 30 MAD). Accommodation: simple guesthouses and hotels from 200 MAD/night. The drive from Fes (2.5 hours via Meknes and Kenitra) is easy on good roads. The Atlantic beach is wide and uncrowded, with dramatic sunsets. Summers are busy with Moroccan families; spring and autumn are best for birdwatching and tranquility.
Insider tip: Take a lagoon boat tour in the early morning — the birds are most active at dawn, the light is golden, and the silence of the lagoon is extraordinary. Then spend the afternoon on the Atlantic beach
2
Mehdia Beach (Kenitra)
Atlantic Day Trip Free 2.5h from Fes
A wide Atlantic beach near the city of Kenitra — Mehdia is one of the closest ocean options from Fes. The beach is long and sandy with Atlantic waves, backed by a forest of eucalyptus and pine (Forêt de la Maâmora). The beach is popular with Kenitra and Rabat families in summer, with seasonal restaurants, sunbed rental, and lifeguards. The water is Atlantic standard: cool (17–21°C) and wavy. The nearby Mehdia Kasbah, a 17th-century fortress overlooking the Sebou river mouth, is worth a visit. The beach is large enough that crowding is rarely an issue. Facilities: seasonal restaurants, parking, basic amenities. The drive from Fes passes through the fertile Gharb plain and takes about 2.5 hours. Mehdia works as a day trip from Fes if you depart early (by 8 AM). The beach is less scenic than the Mediterranean options but far more accessible. The Forêt de la Maâmora, one of the world's largest cork oak forests, stretches behind the beach and offers pleasant walking.
Insider tip: Combine Mehdia with a stop at the cork oak forest (Forêt de la Maâmora) — walk among ancient oaks, then hit the beach. It's the most nature you can pack into a day trip from Fes without the long Rif Mountain drive
3
Al Hoceima Beaches
Mediterranean Paradise Free 4.5h from Fes
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Morocco — Al Hoceima sits on the Mediterranean coast surrounded by the Rif Mountains, with turquoise coves, warm water (22–26°C in summer), and a dramatic coastline that rivals the Greek islands. The main beaches: Plage Quemado (the city beach, sheltered and swimmable), Cala Bonita (a stunning cove accessible by boat or hike), and Calabonita (a cliff-backed paradise). The Mediterranean water is calmer and warmer than the Atlantic — swimming is excellent. The Al Hoceima National Park protects the coastline: cliffs, caves, and marine life including dolphins and ospreys. The drive from Fes through the Rif Mountains is 4.5 hours and spectacular — terraced hillsides, cedar forests, and mountain villages. The road is winding but paved. Al Hoceima has a Spanish influence (it was part of the Spanish protectorate) — the architecture, cafés, and atmosphere have a Mediterranean feel. Hotels from 400 MAD/night. Plan for 2–3 nights minimum to justify the drive. This is Morocco's hidden coast.
Insider tip: The drive through the Rif from Fes to Al Hoceima is one of Morocco's great road trips — leave early, stop in Taza for lunch, and arrive at the Mediterranean by late afternoon. The first glimpse of turquoise water after hours of mountains is breathtaking
4
Saïdia Beach
Resort Beach Free (resort areas: varies) 4.5h from Fes
Morocco's largest beach resort — Saïdia has 14 km of unbroken golden sand on the Mediterranean coast, near the Algerian border. The beach is spectacular: wide, clean, and stretching to the horizon in both directions. The water is Mediterranean — warm (22–25°C in summer), calm, and crystal-clear. The Mediterrania Saïdia resort complex has hotels, golf courses, a marina, and water sports. The public beach is free and vast — you can always find empty space. Saïdia is known as the "Blue Pearl" for its water color. The town itself is small: a border town atmosphere with a lively summer season when Moroccan families descend en masse (July–August). Outside summer, it's quiet. The Moulouya river estuary nearby is a nature reserve with excellent birdwatching. The drive from Fes (4.5 hours via Taza and Oujda) is long but on good roads. Saïdia is best as a 2–3 night beach vacation — the resort amenities and beach quality justify the journey.
Insider tip: Visit in June or September — the water is warm, the beach is wide, and the summer crowds haven't arrived or have left. July–August is packed with Moroccan families and accommodation prices double
5
Cala Iris
Hidden Mediterranean Free 5h from Fes
A hidden gem on the Mediterranean coast east of Al Hoceima — Cala Iris is a tiny fishing village with a sheltered cove of turquoise water surrounded by dramatic cliffs. The village is part of Al Hoceima National Park and the coastline is protected. The cove has a small sandy beach, a fishing harbor, and boats that take visitors to offshore islands and hidden beaches (100–150 MAD). The water is crystal-clear and warm — excellent snorkeling with marine life and underwater rocks. The village has a few simple restaurants serving the morning's catch (grilled fish from 40 MAD) and basic guesthouses. The drive from Fes is long (5 hours via Al Hoceima) on winding Rif Mountain roads, but the destination justifies the journey. Cala Iris is one of the least touristy coastal spots in Morocco — a genuine fishing village with extraordinary natural beauty. The Peñón de Alhucemas (a Spanish-owned island fortress) is visible from the coast. Plan for 2+ nights.
Insider tip: Hire a fisherman's boat from the harbor (100 MAD for 2 hours) to explore the coves and islands along the coast — the hidden beaches accessible only by boat are among the most beautiful in Morocco
6
Oued Laou Beach
Rif Coast Free 4h from Fes (via Chefchaouen)
A Mediterranean beach town on the Rif coast — Oued Laou is a small fishing village with a wide sandy beach where the Laou River meets the sea. The beach is backed by the Rif Mountains and surrounded by lush green valleys. The water is Mediterranean — warmer and calmer than the Atlantic (21–24°C in summer). The village comes alive in summer when Moroccan families set up camp on the beach, but it remains far less developed than Saïdia. The Saturday market in Oued Laou is one of the most colorful in the Rif region — produce, fish, spices, and Rif mountain cheeses. Simple restaurants serve fresh fish (30–50 MAD). Accommodation: basic guesthouses from 200 MAD/night. The drive from Fes goes via Chefchaouen (3 hours to Chefchaouen, then 1 hour down to the coast) — a scenic route through the Blue City and down the Rif slopes. Combining Oued Laou with Chefchaouen makes an excellent 2–3 night trip from Fes.
Insider tip: Route via Chefchaouen — spend the morning in the Blue City, then drive down to the Mediterranean for an afternoon beach session. The descent from the Rif Mountains to the sea is spectacularly scenic
7
Plage Sfiha (Asilah)
Art Town Beach Free 3.5h from Fes
A beautiful beach south of the artistic town of Asilah — Plage Sfiha is a long stretch of Atlantic sand backed by dunes, accessible from one of Morocco's most charming coastal towns. Asilah is famous for its whitewashed medina with colorful murals, annual arts festival (August), Portuguese ramparts, and a gallery scene. The beach stretches south from town for several kilometers — wide, sandy, and increasingly empty the farther you walk. The water is Atlantic: cool (17–20°C) with moderate waves. Swimming is possible in the calmer sections near town. Asilah itself is a delightful town: boutique guesthouses (from 400 MAD), excellent seafood restaurants (grilled fish from 40 MAD), and an atmosphere that blends Moroccan, Portuguese, and artistic influences. The drive from Fes (3.5 hours via Meknes and Larache) is on good roads. Asilah works as an overnight trip from Fes — arrive in the afternoon, explore the medina at sunset, beach the next morning.
Insider tip: Walk south along Plage Sfiha from town — within 20 minutes, you'll have kilometers of empty Atlantic beach to yourself. The medina murals change every year during the August arts festival, so each visit reveals new art
8
Ras el-Ma (Chefchaouen)
Mountain Springs Free 3.5h from Fes (then 1h to coast)
Not a beach but Fes's most refreshing water escape — the Ras el-Ma spring on the edge of Chefchaouen's medina cascades into natural pools where locals and visitors wade and cool off. The ice-cold mountain water tumbles over rocks into a series of small pools at the eastern edge of the Blue City. It's not swimming — it's wading and splashing — but on a hot day after the drive from Fes, the cold mountain water is exhilarating. The setting is magical: the blue-painted buildings of Chefchaouen above, the Rif Mountains behind, and women washing clothes at the spring as they have for centuries. Chefchaouen is 3.5 hours from Fes on a scenic mountain road. The spring is a 10-minute walk from the medina center. For actual beach swimming, continue from Chefchaouen to the Mediterranean coast (Oued Laou, 1 hour) — the combination of the Blue City and a coastal beach makes a perfect 2-night trip from Fes. Chefchaouen guesthouses from 250 MAD/night.
Insider tip: Visit Ras el-Ma in the late afternoon when the light is golden on the blue walls — bring a towel and wade in the cold pools, then walk back through the medina as the sunset paints the mountains pink
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the nearest beach from Fes?
Fes is an inland city in the center of Morocco, and the nearest beaches require significant travel. The closest option is Moulay Bousselham on the Atlantic coast (about 2.5 hours, 180 km). The Mediterranean coast (Al Hoceima, Saïdia) is 4–5 hours north through the Rif Mountains. Mehdia Beach near Kenitra is about 2.5 hours west. Unlike Marrakech (which has Essaouira as a clear closest beach), Fes has multiple equidistant coastal options in different directions — Atlantic west, Mediterranean north. Most beach trips from Fes are overnight rather than day trips. The Rif Mountain drive to the Mediterranean is spectacular but slow (winding mountain roads). For a quick ocean fix from Fes, Moulay Bousselham or Mehdia/Kenitra are the most time-efficient options.
Is the Mediterranean coast worth visiting from Fes?
The Mediterranean coast of Morocco is stunningly beautiful and very different from the Atlantic side. Al Hoceima (4–5 hours from Fes through the Rif Mountains) has some of the most beautiful beaches in Morocco — turquoise coves, warm calm water (22–26°C in summer), and a dramatic coastline. The drive through the Rif is one of Morocco's great road trips: terraced hillsides, cedar forests, and mountain villages. Saïdia (4.5 hours northeast from Fes) is Morocco's largest beach resort with 14 km of sand and a Mediterranean climate. The Mediterranean side has warmer, calmer water than the Atlantic — better for swimming. The drive is long, so plan for 2–3 nights minimum. The Mediterranean coast is less visited by international tourists than the Atlantic, giving it a more authentic, local character.
What is Moulay Bousselham like?
Moulay Bousselham is a small fishing village on the Atlantic coast, about 2.5 hours from Fes. It's known for its lagoon (Merja Zerga), which is a UNESCO Ramsar wetland site and one of Morocco's best birdwatching locations — flamingos, herons, and migratory birds in huge numbers. The village has an ocean-facing beach with Atlantic waves (swimmable with caution) and the calm lagoon behind. The atmosphere is quiet and authentic: fishing boats, a small medina, fresh seafood restaurants (grilled fish from 30 MAD), and a marabout shrine on the hill. It's the opposite of a resort — simple, genuine, and beautiful. Accommodation is basic: small hotels and guesthouses from 200 MAD/night. The lagoon boat tours (50 MAD) are the highlight — flamingos feeding in shallow water surrounded by dunes and silence. Moulay Bousselham is best as an overnight trip from Fes.