Car rental in Nador

Renting a car in Nador

Nador is the main city on Morocco’s eastern Mediterranean coast, set on the shore of the Marchica lagoon and right next to Melilla. Its port at Beni Ensar links Morocco with Spain, and every summer the city fills up with Moroccans living abroad who come home for the holidays.

The region is best explored by car: the lagoon promenade, Cape Three Forks, the beaches of Saïdia to the east and the coast road towards Al Hoceima to the west. On Cardnd you pick a model and your dates, the request goes to verified local agencies, and the first one to confirm takes the booking. The total price, service fees included, is shown before you book.

At Nador-Al Aroui airport

Nador-Al Aroui airport (NDR) lies south of the city, near Al Aroui, and handles flights from Europe in particular, especially in summer. Picking up the car when you land saves hunting for a taxi with your suitcases.

When booking, choose delivery and give the airport as the address, with a pickup time that leaves room for passport control and luggage. The agency sees that time before accepting. Any delivery fee is shown before payment, and some agencies deliver for free.

Driving and parking in Nador

Central Nador is built around the main boulevard and the seafront, and is fairly easy to drive. Summer changes everything: the city fills up, the promenade is jammed in the evenings, and the approaches to Beni Ensar port and the Melilla border can be very congested. Avoid those areas when ferries are arriving.

You park on the street, often with an attendant; near the souks and the seafront, it pays to arrive early. Grand taxis and plenty of pedestrians call for care. On Rif roads the bends are tight and you will meet lorries, so leave plenty of room when overtaking.

Where to go from Nador

The Marchica lagoon, one of the largest on the Mediterranean, can be followed along its promenade to the beaches of Kariat Arekmane. To the north, the Cape Three Forks peninsula offers cliffs and coves. Mount Gourougou and its forest rise above the city.

To the east, Saïdia and its long sandy beach sit on the Algerian border, next to the mouth of the Moulouya, a nature reserve popular with birdwatchers. Further south, Berkane and the Zegzel gorges lead on towards Oujda. Westwards, the Mediterranean coast road follows the Rif all the way to Al Hoceima and its national park.

Road-trip ideas from Nador

A lagoon-and-cape day: Nador, the Marchica promenade, Kariat Arekmane for a swim, then up to Cape Three Forks and its coves, returning via Beni Ensar.

East over two days: drive along the coast to Saïdia for the beach and marina, visit the mouth of the Moulouya and stay the night. Next day, take in the Zegzel gorges and the Beni Snassen mountains, then Berkane before heading back, or carry on to Oujda.

The Rif coast over three days: follow the Mediterranean coast road to Al Hoceima, its beaches and national park, then return inland. For tracks to secluded coves, ask the agency whether the car and the tracks are allowed. On Cardnd, the car is returned where it was picked up.

Good to know in Nador

Summer is hot, often windy and very lively: it is high season, with lots of families. Book early if you arrive in July or August. Spring and autumn are calmer for the coast and the Rif.

A city car is fine for town and the promenade; for a family with luggage or the Rif roads, a saloon, people carrier or SUV is more comfortable. Fill up before setting off along the coast, where petrol stations are further apart. The mileage included is shown on each car. Note that a rental car generally cannot be taken into Melilla, so don’t plan on driving there.