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Discover the best hotel in Berkane

Allow yourself be seduced by Berkane, one of the greatest surprises on offer in Morocco. Located in the northeast of the country, on the shores of the Mediterranean, 22 km from Ahfir (on the border with Algeria), 60 km from Oujda and 80 km from Nador, this city is known for its long sandy beaches and beautiful architecture, with picturesque buildings with blue facades. To help you to enjoy everything that this magical enclave has to offer, there is nothing better than the 5-star luxury hotel Iberostar Saïdia, one of the best hotels in Morocco.

The strategic location of Berkane, in the heart of a prosperous agricultural area, has long attracted immigrants from the Moroccan west and the Sahara. This town is known as the citrus capital due to its high production of oranges and lemons, which compete in popularity with the wines produced at local vineyards. This means Berkane is an excellent choice for lovers of wine tourism as well as those looking for Moroccan beach holidays.

Berkane, whose name derives from the local saint Sidi Ahmed Aberkane (Aberkane means 'black' in the Berber language), was founded in the 20th century on the ruins of an ancient village. However, despite being a relatively new city, there is plenty here to fall in love with - Starting with the pleasant Mediterranean climate, with average annual temperatures of between 18 °C and 21 °C.

Below we have prepared a summary of the places that make Berkane an ideal option for your next holiday in Morocco.

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Book your hotel in Berkane

At Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, we want to help you get the most out of your time in Berkane. For this reason, we welcome you to the Iberostar Saïdia, a luxury spa hotel, on the seafront and with activities for children and teenagers.

During your stay, you can relax beside the outdoor swimming pool, or taking a nap on its extensive 14 km-long, beach. Its modern facilities and excellent leisure and gastronomy services make this luxury hotel accommodation perfect for an unforgettable holiday in Berkane.

So that you don't have to worry about a thing during your trip to Morocco, you will be pleased to know that we offer All-Inclusive holidays. You can enjoy a refreshing cocktail or savour the specialties of Moroccan cuisine in one of the best restaurants in Morocco. Taste the difference: the work of these master chefs will leave you speechless.

However, if you are travelling to the Alawite Kingdom for professional reasons, this hotel offers you everything you need for a business trip in Morocco. The hotel has a choice of meeting rooms, where you can organize conferences, talks, team building and all kinds of corporate events. Get in touch with the Iberostar team, who will take care of organizing all the details.

And if you want to travel around we have a host of other accommodation on offer around North Africa. Don't think twice about it: check out our Morocco holiday offers today, book one of our comfortable rooms here or at any of our other resorts and get ready to discover a hospitable country full of contrasts to which, without a doubt, you will want to return very soon.

a group of lawn chairs sitting on top of a sandy beach

Main beaches in Berkane

The beaches in Berkane are tranquil sands caressed by the Mediterranean Sea, ideal to unwind and relax in the sun in this beautiful city on northeast coast of Morocco. The longest stretches of sand in the country lie in Saïdia, a charming coastal town where visitors will find all the services and facilities they can expect from a genuine Moroccan holiday.

Main beaches in Berkane

  • Saïdia beach: Saïdia extends over 14km along the coastline of the fishing village of the same name. It is a fine white-sand beach within walking distance of the centre of town. However, it retains its idyllic, natural atmosphere, as it is gently wrapped by dunes and native vegetation. The water is shallow, with mild temperatures and a low swell. Great for kids.
  • Ras El Ma beach: Close to Saïdia and the centre of Berkane, Ras El Ma affords stunning views of the Chafarinas Islands and is crowned by Cap de l’eau. The 10km-long beach, next to the village of Ras El Ma, is framed by eucalypts. Families with kids can enjoy all kinds of services and facilities in the village.
  • Rouge beach: Tranquil and quite unspoilt, this is a nice beach located in a protected area of great ecological interest. It is surrounded by vegetation and dunes. It lies at the end of Ras El Ma, where the river Moulouya empties into the sea.
  • Arkmane beach: It is to the north of Berkane, only a few kilometres from Saïdia beach. It has everything beachgoers may need and is easily accessible by car. Arkmane is a 7km-long stretch of sand licked by the Mediterranean Sea. The waters are calm and the temperature, moderate, which caters well for the holiday bather.
  • Bocana beach: Bocana is in the northern town of Beni Ansar, on the way to Melilla. It is a 7km-long stretch of fine sand bordered by the marvellous Mediterranean Sea and inviting to spend a peaceful day on the beach with your partner. It is not easy to reach, as most uncrowded beaches are.
  • Nador beaches: To the north of Berkane are the extensive beaches of Nador, reaching close to Melilla. They are rather wild beaches with difficult access, located in protected areas of great environmental value. Worth mentioning are those in Bou Areg, Djazira and Ichtraine.
a sandy beach next to the ocean

What to see in Berkane

If you love to admire the typical architecture of the places you visit, Berkane will certainly bring you closer to the most authentic essence of Morocco. While wandering its streets you will stumble across charming adobe houses, low ceilings and captivating rectangular floor plans.

As for the main monuments of Berkane, its beautiful 13th century mosque which is currently the oldest building in the medina is worth mentioning. Another religious building of interest is the local Catholic Church built by French settlers in 1912 and consecrated to Saint Inés, as well as the several curious paintings to be found inside.

Take a moment to contemplate the Palace of Dar Sebti. Founded in 1938, it houses a centre for studies of Andalusian music, while hosting exhibitions and other cultural events.

Nor should you miss Berkane's lively markets where traders from all corners of Morocco, meet to offer a host of handicrafts and fresh fruit.

Three other tourist attractions nearby are the Hiking Routes, the Zegzel Gorge - an imposing 14 km long valley studded with fruit trees - and the Camel Cave, located in the Beni-Snassen Mountains, southwest of the city. This cave owes its name to the capricious shape of one of its stalactites and is often frequented by caving enthusiasts.

However, if you are a fan of traditional music, then you are in the right place, since Berkane is the capital of Reggada Music. Famous in both the Oriental region of eastern Morocco and in Europe, the biggest quarry of artists of this genre can be found here. Of Berber origin, it is a war dance used in the past to celebrate victories over enemies. At performances, shotguns or canes are used, with lots of shoulder moves and stamping on the ground to the rhythm of the music, which symbolizes belonging to the earth. La Reggada owes its name to the village of the same name, barely 9 km from Berkane.

If you like to visit festivals in Berkane, the Mechoui International Festival, whose star dish is freshly grilled lamb, and the Festival of Popular Arts of the eastern region, dedicated to eastern music and dances are worth mentioning.

Finally, foodies will find Berkane stuffed full of bars and restaurants perfect to try the delicious Moroccan food. Among the typical dishes that you can't miss, are the tajines made of beef, chicken or vegetables, an exquisite soup called harira, the Berber omelette (with tomato sauce) and of course, couscous, the national dish of Morocco par excellence.

Activities in Berkane

The activities in Berkane invite you to learn about Moroccan culture, history and traditions watching centuries-old monuments, museums and art galleries, the popular architecture in the maze-like streets and exploring this rural province in Morocco, next to the border with Algeria. The Old Town of Saïdia, the huge Avenue Mohammed V and Oujda’s kasbah are must-see sites in Berkane.

What to do and what to see in Berkane

  • Saïdia Kasbah: The Kasbah is one of the most interesting forts on the northeastern coast of Morocco. Erected in the nineteenth century by Hassan I, the Kasbah is a good example of Moroccan architecture: a huge adobe by the point where the river Oued Kiss issues into the Mediterranean Sea. It was used to watch over the border between Morocco and Algeria.
  • Catholic Church of Berkane: This building is amongst the most beautiful in the centre of Berkane. The church was built by the French in 1909. In its interior there is an interesting collection of paintings.
  • La Corniche in Saïdia: The Corniche is Avenue Mohammed V, which runs along the beach and makes a long seaside promenade in Berkane Province. The thoroughfare serves as a meeting point where locals and tourists contribute to the lively ambience in the afternoon.
  • Taforalt Caves: A few kilometres from the charming village of Taforalt in Berkane, in the middle of a fruit orchard, are some of the most outstanding archaeological sites and caves in Morocco. In the Cave of Pigeons or Cave of Camels, tools and adornments dated as being almost 100,000 years old have been found.
  • Oujda Medina: Oujda has an almost intact medina whose three entrances are gateways to the past of this Mediterranean city. Inside are the kasbah, the souk and the thirteenth-century mosque, the oldest building in town.
  • Berkane Royal Palace: The King of Morocco’s palace in Berkane is a beautiful building in which the King enjoys peaceful holidays by the sea during the summer months. The palace stands in one of the best districts in Oujda.
  • Oujda Centre of Music: The former palace of Dar Sebti now serves as the head office of the research centre for Gharnati music, a variety of Arab music originating in Al-Andalus. The place is also public venue for song recitals.
  • Oujda Madrasah: Oujda’s residents consider the Madrasah to be the town’s main landmark. It was built in the fourteenth century and serves as a renowned Qur’an school. A nice example of local architecture, the Madrasah rises close to the big mosque in this major city in eastern Morocco.

Experiences in Berkane

Berkane offers experiences marked by the natural, rural character of this Moroccan province blessed by the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can gaze at the sun going down while you walk along La Corniche in Saïdia, climb the impressive Béni-Snassen mountains or get into the busy souk… There are a thousand amazing things to do in Berkane, a great place for an unforgettable holiday.

Experiences in Berkane: What to do

  • Shopping in Saïdia Souk: The legendary resort of Berkane has one of the best traditional markets or souks in northeast Morocco. Discover what you can buy here: Moroccan arts and crafts, jewellery, spices, fresh fruit from neighbouring orchards, curious objects, carpets, gifts and more. Open on Sunday, between the Kasbah and the market.
  • Having breakfast in the medina: The seaside medina in Saïdia has nice cafes and terrace bars for breakfast. You can visit the medina’s squares or choose a people-watching bar: a genuinely Moroccan morning for a nice early experience in Saïdia.
  • Discovering the baths in Oujda: A tour to the capital, Oujda, will get you to the baths and their healing waters. In the city there are Bekanchour and the oasis of Sidi Yahya, and to the north is Fezouane, whose waters are said to heal liver and kidney conditions.
  • Trying Berkane’s kefta tagine: Kefta tagine is a Berber dish from this Moroccan region. Kefta is a meatball with onion, cumin, paprika and parsley, served with a tomato tagine sauce. There are dozens of typical taverns in the streets of Berkane where you can taste this and other typical foods.
  • Climbing the Béni-Snassen mountains: An extension of the Rif range, these mountains contrast with the surrounding desert landscape, as the slopes are covered with leafy vegetation. A hike along the mountain trails will take you amidst oaks and vines. There is a nice route that departs from Taforalt toward the mountains and ends in Berkane.
  • Listening to Gharnati music: In the capital of the province of Berkane, Oujda, you can listen to Gharnati music. The best shows in Morocco are run at the Centre of Music, in the centre of town.

Major events in Berkane

The popular feasts and festivals in Berkane show how much the people in this province love traditional music in all its genres and styles, from Reggada, Raï or Gharnati to more modern pop and electronic music. The Mediterranean roots and the French and Spanish influences can be traced in the popular festivals, filled with rhythm and joy.

Major events in Berkane

  • March – Gharnati Festival: Oujda, the capital of the province, runs a concert season every two years featuring renowned bands and artists playing Gharnati music, a genre that draws inspiration from the Spanish music brought by the Arabs from the south of the Iberian Peninsula.
  • May – Marina Saïdia Nautical Festival: Marina Saïdia celebrates the arrival of spring with a show of vessels and yacht accessories and equipment. Side activities include cruise trips along the coast of the province of Berkane.
  • July – Raï Festival: Raï is a melancholy variety of Moroccan traditional music whose festival is held in the summer in Oujda, the capital of the province of Berkane. Moroccan music has crossed borders to reach France, for instance, and Raï has evolved into a fusion with rap, rock or reggae.
  • 15 July – Electro Nautika Festival: Sports and electronic music get together in a summer festival in Saïdia that combines regattas or beach volley competitions with electronic and pop music shows. The venue? The largest marina in Berkane.
  • Early August – Popular Arts Festival: A big festival is held in Saïdia in August to celebrate Reggada, traditional music from the tribes in this part of Béni-Snassen. Reggada music has reached a number of European countries.
  • August – Clementine Festival: Berkane is a rural province that is known for the citrus fruit that grows here. It is no surprise that the biggest festival in this area in Morocco has a citrus fruit – clementine – as its main star. This popular festival makes a good chance to try all kinds of dishes and desserts made with this local staple.

Sports in Berkane

Berkane is a Moroccan province where you can do a variety of sports, from hiking to golf, just by the Mediterranean Sea. With modern facilities to play tennis or squash a short drive from the desert, in a natural setting that invites to explore the coastal area, Berkane, Saïdia and Oujda offer an ideal area for active travellers and lovers of outdoor sports.

Sports in Berkane

  • Sailing in Saïdia: Marina Saïdia is one of the main mooring spots on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. It has a world-class sailing school that offers lessons for beginners of all ages. The marina has more than 800 berths.
  • Diving in Morocco’s Mediterranean Sea: With a diverse sea life and an attractive rock and sand seabed, the coast of Berkane from Saïdia and Ras El Ma to Nador offers great diving spots in calm waters. The area has authorised diving schools with everything divers need in Marina Saïdia.
  • Golf in coastal Berkane: One of the best golf courses in northeastern Morocco is in the coastal town of Saïdia. It is an 18-hole course that can be used by golfers of all levels, from beginners to pros; the golf club offers all kinds of facilities and services.
  • Hiking in Béni-Snassen: In the towering Béni-Snassen mountains, on the border with Algeria, active travel enthusiasts will find great hikes offering spectacular views of the vast desert, small villages and the bright blue of the Mediterranean Sea.
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