Skip to content
Morocco Plans
Rocky cliff and turquoise water on the Al Hoceima coast

Al Hoceima

Mediterranean coves, Rif cliffs and a national park

© Unsplash

Al Hoceima sits on a bay ringed by cliffs at the foot of the Rif mountains. Its strengths are clear water and a variety of beaches, from pebble coves to sandy bays. West of town, Al Hoceima National Park protects a wild coastline you can explore on foot or by boat. The town is busiest in summer; spring and September are quieter and still pleasant.

Ideal stay
3 to 5 days
Best season
May – Oct
Budget per day
from 350 MAD
Region
Mediterranean coast
Travel style
Nature, Family, Summer, Couple
Best for
A quiet beach stay, coastal hiking and northern road trips

Why go

  • Clear water and varied beaches, often calmer than on the Atlantic coast
  • A coastal national park for hiking between cliffs and fishing villages
  • A logical stop on a road trip between Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Nador

Best beaches

  • Quemado beach

    The town beach, in a small sheltered bay.

  • Cala Bonita

    A cove below the cliffs, popular with families.

  • Sfiha

    A long sandy beach east of town, facing small islands.

  • Tala Youssef

    A wilder beach to the west, reached by car.

Nature & hiking

The national park covers the coast and hinterland west of town.

  • Al Hoceima National Park

    Cliffs, scrubland and small coastal villages; go with a local guide on less marked trails.

  • Bades bay

    A fishing village at the head of a bay, facing the rock of Vélez de la Gomera.

  • Boat trips

    In summer, fishermen at the harbour offer trips along the coast.

On the map

Experiences

A rocky beach and waves near Al Hoceima

Nature · Half to full day

Hiking in Al Hoceima National Park

Food

Fish and seafood of the day, grilled at the harbour or served as a tagine. Harbour restaurants often sell fish by weight.

Where to stay

  • Town centre

    Hotels within walking distance of Quemado beach.

  • Seafront and surroundings

    Hotels and residences overlooking the coves.

Evenings

Quiet evenings: strolling the square, cafés and ice-cream shops open late in summer.

Getting around

Cherif Al Idrissi airport has seasonal flights. By road, the Mediterranean coast road runs from Tetouan and on toward Nador: slow but very scenic. CTM buses from major cities.

Budget

Budget
350 MAD≈ 30 €
Mid-range
850 MAD≈ 80 €
Premium
2,000 MAD≈ 190 €

Per person per day, excluding flights. Includes accommodation, food, local transport and visits.

When to go

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May ✓
  6. Jun ✓
  7. Jul ✓
  8. Aug ✓
  9. Sep ✓
  10. Oct ✓
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

June to September for swimming; May and October for hiking and peace.

Water and mountains around Nador

Nador

The Marchica lagoon and the gateway to eastern Morocco

A blue courtyard with plants in Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen

The small blue town of the Rif, a good base for hiking

Tetouan at night, seen from the hills

Tetouan

A UNESCO-listed Andalusian medina between the Rif and the Mediterranean

Plans that stop here

The M'diq seafront on the Mediterranean
7Mid-range · Moderate

The Mediterranean coast

From Tangier to Saïdia: Andalusian medinas, Rif coves and the Marchica lagoon.

  1. Tangier
  2. Tetouan
  3. Al Hoceima
  4. Nador
  5. Saïdia

from 5,000 MAD
per person

View plan

Tips

  • In July and August, book accommodation several weeks ahead.
  • A car makes it easy to reach beaches and trails outside town.

Where next?

Build my tripDiscover plans

Updated October 5, 2026