Nador is one the northeastern coast of Morocco, and reachable via an 8-hour ferry from Spain to Morroco. Nador was founded in the 19th century and was under Spanish rule until Morocco’s independence in 1956. Next to this city is the Spanish enclave, Melilla. It’s quite exotic to realize that while you are in Morocco, one of Spain’s city, is only some kilometers away and these two cities are separated by one of the world’s most fortified borders.
Nador is such a small city and everything can be reached on foot. The things to see are modest places, not very interesting to trigger the tourist adrenaline but it makes for a good local experience.
First impression of Nador City Center: Dirty. Heaps of trashes everywhere and you see locals walking past, gladly unwrapping a popsicle, and mindlessly tosses away the wrapper on the street to join the rest of the garbage. You see women kicking plastic bag sticking to the seams of their long dresses- such a disheartening sight.
Looking past that, Nador is a plain city with Moroccan culture seeping in every corner. Moroccan music is playing everywhere from small shops to cafes, women dressed conservatively, local men are sitting outside the restaurants, all facing to the street (not towards each other) quietly drinking Berber tea as they watch people. There’s nothing much to do in Nador right now but this city is actually on full renovation and eyed to become the next prime destinations in Morocco.
So here are some things to do, we haven’t done all of them as we only had two days and didn’t have a car.
1. Walk along the Corniche
La Corniche in Nador
Nador is currently going through a lot of renovations. After all, the area represents the largest economic zone in Northeastern Morocco. It has its own airport, and its port is one of the major gateways to Europe. The corniche is one of the recent developments and it makes for a nice leisure walk or meditation.
2. Hang out at Mar Chica
Mar Chica
It’s a lagoon, and it is one of the most important around the Mediterranean. Mar Chica is currently undergoing developments to be the largest resort in Morocco. The first of seven cities promised in the redevelopment of the Marchica Lagoon in Nador province is almost fully completed. Meanwhile, you can still visit and enjoy it before the tides of tourism take over.
3. Visit the Souk for local produce and items
Souk (Market)
You can admire piles of olives and colorful spices, and buy them too! This is probably the best place to buy fruits and vegetables as well as souvenirs as there is a big area for clothes and trinkets too.
4. Eat chicken for lunch
Grilled Chicken in Nador
It seems grilled chicken is big here. After traveling to other cities of Morocco, we can conclude that this is unique to Nador. Avenue Hassan II, just across the bus station, is piled with restaurants that all sell the same thing so we went ahead and tried it and came home stuffed, it’s quite tasty!
5. Wander around the streets stopping for tea and ice cream
Nador City Center
Just walk around along the coast and inland to snoop around the locals and their houses. Along the way, you would probably see the mosque too. In the small roads near the corniche, you’ll find tea shops set-up in the middle of the road under the trees, which was quite unique. During the day, it can get too hot (depends on the time of your visit, of course). In this case, we found a few ice cream shops with a decent AC so that’s why we’re recommending it.
6. Order a Moroccan breakfast and eat Moroccan style
Moroccan breakfast
The photo says it all but unlike us, order it with the usual Moroccan tea. If you want to go all the way, drink it with a lot of sugar like locals do. They eat everything with hands so don’t be surprised when they serve it without utensils. you’re supposed to break the bread with your hands and use that piece to scoop a chunk of the egg and unto your mouth, easy breezy.
7. Have a photo at I (heart) Nador
I love Nador sign
Give in to the tourist in you and pose for a shot. Take one from all directions to document the developments underway so that one day, you can show it to others and claim that you’ve been to Nador back when it’s still a quaint city with fewer tourists.
8. Hit the beach
Plage-Charrana
We’ve heard that Nador has some nice beaches and if we had a car, we would have checked it out especially as it got too hot during the day (July). If you get the chance, here are some options mentioned to us and their distance from the city center of Nador. Let us know if they’re worth the trip!
9. Visit other places outside the city
Plage cap de l’eau or Ras El Ma (85 km)- a fishing village with long beach and cliffs. It has mixed reviews though.
Monte Gurugu or “Mont Gourougou” (30 km)- also known as “Mont Gourougou” – one of the Rif mountains, located in front of the lagoon of Nador. There’s an old Spanish fort at its summit, beautiful forest and waterfalls with amazing landscapes. Know that in some areas, there are African migrants almost living there, waiting for the chance to cross Europe, another story.
10. If you have a valid visa to Spain, hop over to Melilla for a day trip or more
Melilla is a Spanish enclave (17 km from the city center of Nador). To break it down, Melilla is a city that belongs to the country of Spain and, weirdly, it’s geographically located in Africa, right next to Morocco. There’s another city called Ceuta that is also located in the African continent that also belongs to Spain. If this is news to you, don’t worry because we didn’t know either until a few months before our trip to Morocco We haven’t been to either of them but we heard that it looks very much like Spain, which makes almost a laughable contrast to its neighbor, Morocco.
Clothing
You can wear shorts but be prepared to be stared at. It’s not illegal but I guess citizens in this area are more conservative.
ATM and paying by card
Most shops only accept cards. There are a few ATMs in the center.
Alcohol
Drinking is permitted in Morocco (not in public and some restaurants with special permits) but you can only buy them in very few shops. I don’t think shops or restaurants serving alcohol exists in Nador as of this writing.
Wifi and Data
When we arrived in Nador, we bought a sim card right away in Maroc telecom, which you can find in the center. We bought 10 GB for 10 euros. Be ready to hang out there as there are a bunch of people waiting and customer service is slow.
Taking Photos
Our Airbnb host told us they are strict with taking photos here. Be careful not to take pictures of random buildings. If an officer sees you, you can go to jail for it.
Language
Being close to Melilla, a lot of locals speak and/or understand Spanish here so we got by okay. Otherwise, the primary languages spoken are French and Arabic.
Where to Stay in Nador
Airbnb Room in Nador City Center
Nador is a very small city and there’s nothing much to do in the city itself. We booked via Airbnb for 19€ a night for a double room in a shared apartment. There are hotels too, which you can easily book online but note that the accommodation here is quite pricey than in other parts of Morocco and this is because there are not many options. Taxis are everywhere but you don’t need it within the city.
M moroccan and not gonna lie, i felt offended when u talked about short. Lol well they could maybe stare at women but it ain’t as bad as other african countries. I mean 80% of the population swims in bikinis i just think you were unlucky haha.
I guess so. Just speaking from experience 🙂