.jpg){kind=link}
Oued Laou
Africa · Morocco
See also
Tétouan
Morocco35.57°N 5.37°W · 90 m
Chefchaouen
Morocco35.17°N 5.27°W · 564 m
Tangier
Morocco35.80°N 5.83°W · 56 m
Tarifa
Spain36.02°N 5.60°W · 7 m
Overview
Oued Laou is a small Mediterranean coastal town that grew from a fishing village into a quiet summer beach destination. The main draw is the clean, wide sand beach and relaxed atmosphere, which feels calm and peaceful outside the summer season.
Languages: Arabic, Berber
Why go?
Oued Laou is a small Mediterranean coastal town that grew from a fishing village into a quiet summer beach destination. The main draw is the clean, wide sand beach and relaxed atmosphere, which feels calm and peaceful outside the summer season. Development for tourists is ongoing, but the town has not yet become overly commercialized. It works well as an overnight stop between Tetouan and the mountain town of Chefchaouen.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
Grand taxis run frequently from Tetouan (25 dirham, about 1 hour). There are also a couple of buses available. For Chefchaouen, taxis are rare in either direction, costing 35 dirham per seat or 200 dirham for a private car as of January 2023, with approximately 1 hour travel time.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
The city center is easily walkable. Petite taxis are occasionally available for getting around if needed.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Summer months bring the most visitors as the beach is the main attraction. Outside of summer (June-August), the town feels calm and quiet. New development aimed at summer tourists suggests the high season is the primary time to visit for beach activities.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Touts can arrange flats for approximately 150 dirham per night, doubling during peak summer months. Always check for clean bathroom and kitchen facilities and ask about blankets. There are a couple of seedy hotels in the center along the road to the corniche. One option is a hotel run by friendly and relaxed reggae staff that reportedly has a good restaurant—try to find it without touts as they are not welcomed by the staff.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Options are limited, but the fish tajine (30-50 dirham) served in the town center is worth trying. Café Picasso at Picasso Beach in the northernmost corner of the beach is an old hippie establishment built into the rocks with wild decor and a friendly owner; dinner costs around 50 dirham.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
The main attraction is Picasso Beach on the north side of town, which has rocks on its northern end and a sandy beach towards town center. This is a relaxed spot perfect for unwinding. Fishing boats in the harbor provide a glimpse of the town's traditional livelihood.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
Souk Centrale is a daily market offering a big variety of fruits and vegetables. There is at least one ATM of Al Barid Bank located close to the taxi stand for cash withdrawals.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
The main onward destinations are Tetouan (frequent grand taxis, 25 dirham, 1 hour) and Chefchaouen (rare taxis, 35-200 dirham, 1 hour). The Grand Taxi stand also serves as the bus stop for Tetouan.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Budget flats via touts
Basic private flats arranged by touts, the most budget-friendly option for overnight stays.
Recorded price: 150 dirham/night
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel with reggae staff
A character hotel in the center run by friendly, relaxed reggae staff with an apparently good restaurant.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Café Picasso
Old hippie place, built into the rocks and wildly decorated, with a friendly owner.
Recorded price: dinner around 50 dirham
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Fish tajine (town center)
Local fish tajine specialty served in the town center, highly recommended.
Recorded price: 30-50 dirham
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Fishing boats at the harbor
Traditional fishing boats in the harbor reflect the town's origins as a fishing village.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- see
Picasso Beach
Clean sand beach on the north side of town with rocks at the northern end and sandy areas toward town. A relaxed, peaceful spot.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- do
Grand Taxi stand
The bus stop for Tetouan is right next to it.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- buy
Souk Centrale
Daily market offering big variety of fruits, vegetables.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Budget flats run about 150 dirham per night through touts, higher in summer. Basic hotels available in the center. Peak season is summer months.
Food
Limited dining options; fish tajine in town center costs 30-50 dirham. Café Picasso on the beach offers dinners around 50 dirham.
Money
Moroccan dirham is the local currency. Al Barid Bank ATM is available near the taxi stand. Cash is preferred for most transactions in this small town.
Transport
Grand taxis connect Oued Laou to Tetouan (25 dirham, 1 hour, frequent) and Chefchaouen (35-200 dirham, 1 hour, rare). The town center is walkable.
Weather
Best visited during summer for beach activities. Town is calm and quiet outside the summer season.