Where to Summer in North Africa
The Mediterranean is one of the most enchanting places one can visit in this world. Its waves roll in all shades of blue, its cuisines are considered the healthiest diet, and its cultures have allured travelers throughout the centuries.
Most known Mediterranean holiday destinations are in Europe; in the summer months, travelers crowd the Amalfi Coast, Crete, Corsica, or Mallorca. Meanwhile, North Africans are fleeing the big cities of Cairo or Marrakech to enjoy hundreds of kilometers along the stunning Mediterranean coastline that the world has mostly forgotten about.
Whether in Alexandria, Tangier, or La Marsa, North African societies have merged with their European and West Asian Mediterranean counterparts, bringing to life a unique blend of architecture, food and customs that are best explored away from mass tourism sites.
If you are looking for a less touristy Mediterranean destination to visit this summer, check out the travel tips below.
Morocco
Once you scroll down Abari Abbassi’s Instagram account, you will know Morocco is where you need to visit next. The photographer and professed “Mediterranean storyteller” dedicates his art to the picturesque beaches, architecture and flora of his hometown Tangier.
Located at the northern tip of Morocco, Tangier is a port city on the Strait of Gibraltar, built on the slopes of a chalky limestone hill. With its hillside medina, Cap Spartel scenic viewpoint, parks and museums, it has inspired artists for centuries and acted as an important center of trade, cultural exchange and summer holidays since Phoenician times.
“Tangier feels like a mix of the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America all at once,” he tells OkayAfrica. “It’s as if you’re standing at the center of the world. Sitting on top of hills overlooking Spain and the Mediterranean, the city offers stunning views and beautiful weather throughout the year.”
According to him, “a house/hotel by the beach in Northern Morocco is the ideal summer vacation.” Other Moroccans agree, recommending the coastal towns of Martil, M’diq and Nador.
Tunisia
Small, stunning Tunisia is no secret holiday recommendation across the Arab World. When we asked North Africans about the stories they grew up hearing about one another, Tunisia’s holiday spots with their famous parties and music festivals, clean beaches and open-minded people were frequently mentioned.
Many, however, make the mistake of booking an all-inclusive resort vacation when they could be exploring remote coastlines. Mass tourism used to be the only way one could visit Tunisia in the past, but the country has recently begun tapping into individualized tourism, with beautiful villas being renovated for rent.
If you would like to stay close to the more traditional holiday areas around Hammamet, Bizerte, or Cape Bon, check out these uniqueholiday homes. If you are ready to venture off the beaten track, consider traveling southeast to Djerba, North Africa’s largest island, or Zarzis, a coastal commune by the Libyan border with the nickname dorrat al-janoub (Arabic for "The Pearl of the South").Egypt
Perhaps the least internationally known Mediterranean coastline is in Egypt which is typically associated with the Nile River and the Red Sea. Locally referred to as Sahel (Arabic for “coast”), Egypt’s Mediterranean holiday spots are divided into two categories: tayyeb (Arabic for “kind”) and shireer (Arabic for “evil”).
The kind part is where extended families come together and spend months by the sea, eating mango and figs, playing racket and board games. “My first memories of going on summer holiday are of the white beach in Sahel, swimming with my cousins, digging holes in the sand with my sister, and walking along the corniche with my grandparents at sunset,” shares Egyptian poet and visual artist Mai Hendawi. “Being here now as an adult, I have a greater appreciation for what is beyond the sea: the unique conifer trees, the Gohanamiya and Hibiscus flowers, the birds that wake me up in the morning. For me, Sahel is all about reconnecting to nature after a year spent in a bustling city and enjoying the company of the people you travel with.”
Photo by Amuna Wagner.
Bougainvillea grow all over the North African Mediterranean coast.
The “evil” part is where wealthy Cairene and Alexandrian socialites meet in fancy beach clubs, gathering for exclusive concerts by international musicians, summer designer pop-up shops, and specialty restaurants. In those Sahel resorts, most famously Marassi and Hacienda White, you may bump into Saint Levant, Jason Derulo, Russ, Jennifer Lopez and everyone else you would not expect to see after driving through a desert wasteland. But when you make it to the glistening sea, everything is possible. It might be by invitation only though.
As a general rule of thumb, Sahel’s most otherworldly beaches stretch along the coastline bordering Libya, as the evil part of Sahel has not yet engulfed nature with capitalistic distractions, and Alexandrian weekend holidayers do not bother driving all the way there.
For music inspiration, check out this Spotify playlist with the best Sahel sounds.
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