Oujda, Morocco

Oujda is the principal city of Morocco's Oriental Region, located approximately 230 km southwest of Melilla by road and rail, just 14 km from the Algerian border. The journey from Melilla begins with the Beni Enzar border crossing, followed by a CTM bus or ONCF train from Nador to Oujda — a four-hour transit costing approximately 90 MAD (around €8) by bus. The ONCF train from Nador's station connects to the national rail network at Taourirt junction, from where services continue west to Oujda. Oujda's Old Medina is one of the most intact and least-touristed in northern Morocco: the historic city walls, the Bab Sidi Abdelouahab gateway, and the working mosque quarter can be explored on foot in two to three hours. The medina functions primarily as a commercial and residential district rather than a tourist zone, giving it an authentic texture absent from more heavily visited Moroccan cities. The Place du 16 Août is the main social square, surrounded by cafés serving traditional Moroccan coffee, almond pastries, and fresh-pressed orange juice. The Sidi Yahia Oasis, a small palm-shaded spring on the western edge of the city, provides a green respite from the urban streets and is a popular local gathering spot. Oujda's cuisine reflects a distinctive Algerian border influence, expressed in dishes such as zlabia pastries, karantika chickpea flour cake, and a local couscous style that differs from Moroccan coastal variants. Given the eight to ten hours of transit time involved in a same-day return, Oujda is best approached as a destination for those who enjoy long train journeys, or paired with an overnight stay in Oujda or Nador. October through April is the recommended season; Oujda's inland location means summer temperatures regularly reach 40 °C or above.