Day trip from Chefchaouen · Mountains to the sea
Oued Laou day trip from Chefchaouen
A drive down the Laou river valley from the Rif to the Mediterranean, then a slow day by the sea. Oued Laou is a small town where the Laou river meets the sea. Come for the road, the beach and a slow lunch.
The coast at Oued Laou. Photo: Goodgirll at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How long is the Oued Laou day trip?
- How long
- Full day, about 8 to 9 hours
- Getting there
- About 55 km, 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 each way on a winding road
- Your quote
- Free, in writingPrivate and custom, shaped to your dates, group and budget. You pay nothing until you agree it.
How hard is the Oued Laou day trip?
Easy. No set walk. Beach time and short strolls, as much or as little as you like.
Oued Laou and the coast photos
Photo: Othmane.elam, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Imane aragon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
Photo: Zakaria Hasim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Who is the Oued Laou day trip for?
Good for
- A rest day after hiking
- Families in summer
- Travellers who want to see the Rif meet the sea
Not ideal for
- People who get car-sick on mountain bends
- Anyone expecting a resort with sunbeds and bars
Oued Laou day trip itinerary
A typical day. Times move with the season, the weather and your pace.
The valley road between Chefchaouen and Oued Laou. Photo: Othmane.elam, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 09:00
The Laou valley road
The road leaves Chefchaouen and follows the Laou river north through the hills. There are fields, orchards and villages along the way, with stops wherever you want a photo.
The coast at Oued Laou. Photo: Goodgirll at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Late morning
Oued Laou on the Mediterranean
The valley opens at the river mouth and the town of Oued Laou. Green hills come right down to a long beach. Outside the summer holidays it is much calmer.
Afternoon
Lunch and the afternoon
Lunch at a simple place in town, then a swim in season or a walk on the sand. Your driver waits until you are ready to go back.
What's included
- Private to your group: your own guide and vehicle
- Driver who waits for you all day
- Pickup and drop-off at your Chefchaouen riad or hotel
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch
- Tips
- A guide (available on request)
What to bring
- Swimsuit and towel from June to September
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Motion-sickness tablets if you need them
- Cash in dirhams for lunch
Best time to go
- June to September
- Swimming season. July and August bring Moroccan holiday crowds.
- April, May and October
- Quiet beach, mild air, the sea still cool.
- November to March
- A drive for the views. Too cool for most swimmers.
Oued Laou day trip: questions
How far is Oued Laou from Chefchaouen?
About 55 km by road. The drive takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes each way, on a winding road through the hills.
Can you swim at Oued Laou?
Yes, in summer. It is a public Mediterranean beach with no lifeguard promise from us, so check the sea on the day and swim only where locals do.
How much does the Oued Laou day trip cost?
We do not publish a fixed price for this trip. It depends on group size and vehicle, so we send a written quote for your date.
Can I combine Oued Laou and Tetouan?
Yes, as a long day or on your way out of Chefchaouen to Tetouan or Tangier. Tell us your route and we quote it.
Oued Laou day trip: get a free quote
The form already names this trip. Add your date and how many of you there are, and a person in our team replies with a written quote. You pay nothing until you have agreed it.
Private and custom: a free written quote for your dates, group and budget
More day trips from Chefchaouen
Photos on this page are from Wikimedia Commons and used under their Creative Commons licences; they were resized for the web.
- The coast at Oued Laou: Photo: Goodgirll at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- The valley road between Chefchaouen and Oued Laou: Photo: Othmane.elam, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Three women in striped skirts and wide straw hats on the seafront at Oued Laou: Photo: Imane aragon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- A village of terraced fields on a green Rif hillside near Chefchaouen: Photo: Zakaria Hasim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Blue-washed steps in a Chefchaouen lane, lined with potted plants: Photo: Buiobuione, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons