Oujda is the capital of Eastern Morocco; it is approximately situated 15 km from the west side of Algeria. It is a hub for Maghreb tourism due to its advantageous geographical location. Oujda is a juncture between North African Countries and Morocco.

Contrary to popular belief, Oujda was founded by the Berbers instead of the Moors. Ziri Ben Attia founded Oujda during the 10th century, and it remained the house of his kingdom until his death some 80 years later. After Ziri Ben Attia, the Ziyanids lorded over Oujda for a hundred years when the Turkish began presiding over the city. Skirmishes, which are near the Algerian boundary, were very common until the 1960’s.

During one of these riots, students and other groups fought for their beliefs in what is now called the Algerian Border War. Interaction with the Algerians calmed down a bit during the 1980’s and Morocco and Algeria began practicing an open border policy to allow the enjoyment of what both countries had to offer. Unfortunately when civil war broke in Algeria, the border was once again closed.

Oujda is the seat of government for both the Almohade and Almoravide Dynasties. The dynasties effectively fortified Oujda. In 1297 King Merinide Abou Youssef rebuilt Oujda by building a Mosque, Palace, a Kasbah and New Walls. The megalomaniac Moulay Ismail, who built a sprawling palace in Meknes, also commissioned massive developments to improve the city. The city is situated on Angad’s, which is enclosed by the unsurpassed breathtaking mountains of Beni-Snassen. Numerous streams flow from the northern hills to irrigate the well attended orchards and gardens.

Oujda is the learning center of Morocco. It is historically well noted for decisive university students who never hesitate to speak their minds and fight for their causes. It is the most inhabited city in the Northern Territory of Morocco. In comparison to other cities in the south Oujda has a liberated and open air analogous to that of Rabat. In the last centuries several governments and empire had control of Oujda due to its proximity to Rabat.

France was able to put into sections some parts of the country that was subject to their protectorate so Spain gave up their control over Oujda; but it was not a lost for Oujda flourished and infrastructure development was more prominent during the French era. The French constructed roads, railways and Ville Nouvelle. After the French relinquished its hold on Morocco Oujda fell back under Moroccan rule and remains so up until today. Fascinatingly before either France or Spain rivaled for segments of Morocco, the Ottoman Empire held Oujda in its power, and treated the city as their North African Capital.

A Journey worth Your While

As long as you are visiting Morocco, take a side trip to Oujda and you will find out that the travel is really worthwhile. Not only will you be near Algeria, but you’ll also be able to match Oujda up with other cities within the country, such as Marrakech, Rabat, Fez, and Meknes. Identical to other cities that were once part of the French Territory, Oujda has a Ville Nouvelle and an Old Town called Medina. Both parts of the city hold their own charm. Much more up to date hotels and accommodations can be found in the New City. Ville Nouvelle’s main entry way is called the Bab El Ouabab. This is where the yearly Fall Festival which commemorates the bountiful harvest of olives occurs. The Medina has an old world charisma, but is well maintained due to the rebuilding the French ordered during their rule.

Begin your exploration at Souk El Ma (water market). The area around the water souk and Place Attarin are all beautiful. Getting to, and around Oujda is not difficult as Oujda is accessible by air, taxi, or train. It is strategically located apart from other major Moroccan Cities, and this seems to have worked for Oujda’s advantage.  

Oujda Real Estate Boom

A couple of years ago, real estate agents did not recognize where Oujda was or that if it even existed. Yet today, British estate agents are clamoring for every available property being sold and peddling them in England.

If you expect British and European investors to be enthralled with old world medina, old riads, or the palatial villas of Marrakech or Fez, well they are but their not interested in owning property there. They are more interested on properties up north.
Despite being situated up north, near the Algerian border and farther away from the prominent cities, Oujda is getting the attention of the government. Highways are being repaired and built, airports are undergoing massive expansion and soon Oujda will be at par with other Moroccan cities.

Ryanair is currently servicing flights from London to Oujda, while Monarch and Easy Jet just initiated flights to Tangier. Real Estate Agents are saying that Morocco is to become the New Spain with 2 bedroom flats being sold at a starting price of £45,000 and 3 bedroom sprawling villas priced at £180,000.

However, Oujda’s government does not want to end up like Spain, and become an overcrowded city. Instead, they wish Oujda to appeal both aesthetically and practically. They are setting a 60% cap on developments, and want no trees falling.

Aside from well experience financiers, it seems that Oujda is also attracting punter who are a novice at investing on overseas property. Agents do all the legwork, so it is not at all crucial if you have never visited Oujda.  Although it is important to see the property before you sign any papers at all.

Never sign papers regarding properties when it is not translated in English. Always ask for retraction clause when you are signing on for a development plan.  This is so that, in case the development is not what it was proposed to be, you won’t be at the losing end.  Most agents and developers will even provide you with all the necessary information pertaining to the acquisition of property in Oujda. Thus, it is still important to visit the place just right before and after the purchase of the property. After all, no matter how great the city is, nothing still beats experiencing personally.