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Illustration: a wide estuary with a bridge, a walled town on a hill and the ocean on the horizon

Kenitra

Mehdia beach, its kasbah and Sidi Boughaba lake, forty minutes from Rabat

AI-generated illustration

Kenitra is a modern city on the Sebou river, well connected to Rabat and Casablanca by high-speed train and motorway. People come not for the city itself but for its surroundings: Mehdia beach, one of the cradles of surfing in Morocco, the kasbah overlooking the mouth of the Sebou, and the Sidi Boughaba reserve, a lake surrounded by forest where many birds spend the winter. It is an easy, inexpensive day trip from Rabat, or a stop on the way to Tangier.

Ideal stay
1 to 2 days
Best season
May – Oct
Budget per day
from 300 MAD
Region
Atlantic coast
Travel style
Family, Nature, Budget, Summer
Best for
Families and Rabat–Casablanca residents for a beach and nature outing, beginner surfers

Why go

  • Mehdia beach, for swimming or learning to surf
  • Sidi Boughaba lake and forest, a bird haven
  • An easy train trip from Rabat or Casablanca

Beach and nature

  • Mehdia beach

    A large sandy beach, very busy in summer, with surf schools. Stay in supervised areas.

  • Sidi Boughaba reserve

    A freshwater lake fringed by forest south of Mehdia: walks and birdwatching, especially in winter.

Things to see

  • Mehdia kasbah

    A historic fortress above the mouth of the Sebou, shaped by several eras, with wide ocean views.

On the map

Things to do

  • Surf lessons in Mehdia

    Several schools offer lessons and board hire all year round.

Food

Grilled fish and seafood in Mehdia's restaurants, simple local food in town.

Where to stay

  • Mehdia

    Hotels and apartments near the beach, handy in summer.

  • Central Kenitra

    City hotels near the stations.

Book a place to stay in Kenitra

Riads, hotels and guesthouses: compare current prices and availability on Booking.com.

See places to stay

Prices and availability change: check them before you book. Booking.com links are affiliate links: if you book, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Day trips

  • Rabat

    Day trip

    The capital, with its Oudayas kasbah and museums, about forty minutes away.

Getting around

Station served by the Al Boraq high-speed train (Tangier–Rabat–Casablanca) and regular trains; motorway to Rabat and Tangier. Mehdia is about ten kilometres from the centre by taxi.

Book your transport

Official operator websites and coach station timetables: check your journey and book.

Train
ONCF VoyagesONCF
Coach
CTMSupratours
Coach station
Mosafir· coach timetables
Flight
Royal Air MarocONDA
Taxi / car
inDrive

Budget

Budget
300 MAD≈ 30 €
Mid-range
750 MAD≈ 70 €
Premium
1,800 MAD≈ 170 €

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

May to October for the beach; winter is the best season for Sidi Boughaba's birds.

White arch in the Kasbah of the Udayas

Rabat

A relaxed capital: the Kasbah of the Udayas, museums and seafront

The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

Casablanca

The economic capital: Art Deco architecture and an ocean seafront

Plans that stop here

Illustration: a wide estuary with a bridge, a walled town on a hill and the ocean on the horizon
4Budget · Relaxed

Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca in 4 days

From Kenitra: 4 days to discover Rabat and Casablanca, with short drives.

  1. Kenitra
  2. Rabat
  3. Casablanca

from 1,400 MAD
per person

View plan

Tips

  • The high-speed train puts Kenitra under an hour from Casablanca.
  • On summer weekends, arrive early in Mehdia to park easily.

Where next?

Plan my tripDiscover itineraries

Updated October 25, 2026