Car Rental in Nador

Why rent a car in Nador?

Nador is a great place to visit. Although it may lack some of the historic attractions that more famous Moroccan cities like Marrakesh or Fez have, there’s plenty to enjoy here from some of the country’s finest Mediterranean beaches to little Berber fishing villages that dot the coastline. And if you get a rental car, you really don’t have to choose - enjoy Nador’s beaches first, then drive to see the rest of the country later.

Top ways to enter Nador

• Nador Airport: Also known as Nador-Arwi, this small international airport serves about 700,000 travelers every year. Popular with low-cost carriers like Ryanair, it is especially active during the summer months when more than ten airlines fly to and from Nador. Located about 25km (15.5 miles) south of Nador city center, the airport can be reached in 35-40 minutes.
• Oujda Airport: Also known as Angads Airport, it is located near Morocco’s border with Algeria. The airport hosts a number of domestic flights, as well as flights to and from destinations in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Located 127km (79 miles) east of Nador, the airport can be reached in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
• Fez Airport: Serving one of the most famous historic cities of Morocco, Fez Airport is a large base for Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc and the low-cost company Ryanair. Located 320km (199 miles) southwest of Nador, Fez Airport is about 3 hours and 40 minutes away.
• Tangier Airport: Also known as Tangier-Ibn Battouta after the famous traveler who hailed from the city, this airport is located in the northwestern corner of the country. It offers flights to and from Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other European countries. Located 600km (372 miles) west, Tangier is a nearly seven hour drive from Nador, but there are plenty of opportunities for interesting stops along the way. 
• Casablanca Mohammed V Airport: Named after Morocco’s former monarch, Casablanca Airport is not only the busiest in the country, but also among the ten busiest airports in Africa. A primary hub for Royal Air Maroc, and also served by many other airlines, it offers countless flights to North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Casablanca Airport is 625km (388 miles) southwest of Nador and can be reached in 6 hours and 30 minutes.

City facts

• Located near the Mediterranean coast, Nador has a hot semi-arid climate with warm summers and mild, pleasant winters. The average high temperature is 30°C  (86.°F) in August, the warmest month, and 17°C  (62°F) in January. Falls and winters are quite rainy, but there is practically no precipitation from June to mid-September.
• Although Nador is quite close with Morocco’s border with Algeria, it’s not possible to visit the neighboring country. The border, more than 1,500km (930 miles) long, has been closed since 1994. The relations between the two countries are complicated and while there is an active campaign by citizens of both countries to reopen the border, as of August 2019 it remains closed.

Top sights and activities

• Charrana Beach. Located on the Mediterranean sea, Nador is near a number of great beaches. None of them, however, are as stunning as Charrana Beach. Located near the tip of a large peninsula, it is a serene bay where travelers can not only enjoy the sun, the sea, and the beautiful view but also explore the underwater world while snorkeling. Located 36km (22.3 miles) north of Nador, Charrana Beach can be reached in 50-60 minutes.
• Mount Gourougou. The tallest point in the area, Mount Gourougou is surrounded by a nature park of the same name. In addition to providing wonderful views of the nearby city and the sea, the park is also home to a number of unique mammal, bird, and plant species. Also known as Mount Curco, it is located just 22km (13.6 miles) northwest of Nador and can be reached in about 35 minutes.
• Melilla. A small, but fascinating city, Melilla is a Spanish exclave surrounded by Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea. The city offers a blend of Castilian, Berber, and Arab architecture, lifestyle, and cuisine. Highlights include the Melilla Harbour, the old town, the España Square, as well as a synagogue and a Hindu temple. Just 16km (10 miles) north of Nador, Melilla can be reached in 30 minutes. You’ll be crossing an international border, so make sure your rental car provider permits it and that you don’t need a visa to visit Melilla (unlike Morocco, Melilla is part of the EU and the Schengen Area). Melilla also has a different time zone than Morocco, so remember to turn your watch one hour forward.
• Mohammed V Boulevard. Named after the former king of Morocco, Mohammed V Boulevard is the beating heart of the city. Lined with impressive colonial buildings, mosques, churches, and shops, it is equally pleasant if enjoyed on a walk or by car. One end of the street is at the city marina, a fabulous place to enjoy the sunset over the Mediterranean.

Traffic and parking

• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120km/h on highways (autoroutes), 100km/h on roads outside urban cities that are not highways, and 60km/h within populated areas.
• Even inside some big cities, and in most of the smaller towns and villages, there are no special lanes for cyclists or sometimes even sidewalks for pedestrians. In those cases, you’ll be sharing the road with them, so be extra careful.
• If you only plan to drive in cities like Nador, getting a smaller vehicle is a good idea and might even be preferable to a big car because of the many small and narrow streets that you’ll encounter. On the other hand, if you plan to drive in the mountains, the desert, or other rural areas, getting a 4x4 car is an absolute necessity.
• It’s a good idea to get a vehicle with a GPS system, but keep in mind that it might still lack some information, especially when it comes to rural areas of the country (sometimes the information is available, but only in Arabic). It’s important to plan out the route in advance before you go on any longer trip.
• Road signs are written in both Arabic and French. If you don’t know either of these languages, it’s good to learn at least the main terms in one of them before renting a car.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.00% for both experienced and novice drivers. Drunk driving can lead to large fines and even jail time or deportation.
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The nation-wide emergency police number is 19 and the nation-wide ambulance and fire safety department number is 15.

Toll roads

A toll needs to be paid for using most of Morocco’s highways or autoroutes. All of the toll roads in Morocco are administered by the state-owned company Autoroutes du Maroc (ADM). 

Morocco uses a closed system for its toll roads, meaning that there is a toll booth both at the entrance and the exit of the toll road. You pay either by cash or credit card (although some toll points might only accept cash, so it’s good to have some available at all times). Make sure to keep any proof that you have paid for the toll road as police checks are frequent and fines can be hefty. The prices for using the toll roads are generally quite low.

Most of the toll roads connect the largest cities of the country. Oftentimes you can opt to use regional roads instead - while traveling along those will be much slower, the views are usually much more scenic.

Ideas for day trips

• Oujda. A large and interesting city on the border with Algeria, Oujda has been attracting more and more travelers in recent years. Like Nador, it has a wealth of nearby nature, but the city also boasts the Oujda Old Town and the nearby Roman ruins of Bled el Gaada, two places that are a history lover’s dream. Located 140km (87 miles) southeast of Nador, the city can be reached in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• Al Hoceima National Park. Made up of a rugged coastline, cliffs, and arid mountains, Al Hoceima National Park has a landscape that’s typical of Northern Morocco. The climate seems unforgiving, but many flora and fauna species have found their home here, from wild olives and pines to ospreys and lizards. In the park’s waters, it’s possible to spot different types of dolphins, Mediterranean monk seals, and loggerhead turtles. Located 140km (87 miles) west of Nador, Al Hoceima national park can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes, with most of the road taking you right along the Mediterranean coast.
• Al Hoceima. If you’ve made your way to the aforementioned national park, the coastal city that gives it its name is also worth a look. In many ways a typical Mediterranean resort town, but with a distinctly Moroccan touch, Al Hoceima draws both local and foreign visitors with its many sandy beaches. History lovers will also be interested in the fact that Al Hoceima was the capital of the short-lived Riff Republic that existed in the 1920s before being absorbed back into the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco and gaining independence along the rest of the country in 1956.
• Taza. A small, but beautiful city roughly halfway between Nador and Fez, Taza is famous for its many markets (or souks), a walking path along its high medina walls, and the 16th-century kasbah  (or citadel). Unlike many other historic cities in Morocco, Taza has yet to be discovered by foreign tourists, so the atmosphere is more relaxed and authentic. The city is located next to a beautiful valley and on the edge of the vast Tazekka National Park. Located about 200km (125 miles) southwest of Nador, the city can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Saïdia. Located some 75km (46 miles) Saïdia is one of the most famous coastal towns in Eastern Morocco. All-inclusive resorts can be found in the area, but it’s possible to also visit the town on a day trip for swimming, working on your tan, enjoying a beach bar, or to enjoy water sports. Saïdia is only a couple of kilometers from Algeria, but the border between the two countries is closed.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental vehicle in Nador is the Peugeot 108, closely followed by the Citroen C3 and the Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are mini, economy, and compact.

Further destinations

• Fez. Located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Fez is one of the fabled old cities of the Arab world. Famous for its labyrinthine medina, unique tanneries quarter, and the world’s oldest university and library, there’s a truly timeless feeling about it. Its many mosques, madrassas, and shrines are fascinating to visit, and you can top off a great day by relaxing in one of the medina's rooftop restaurants. Located 310km (192 miles) southwest of Nador, Fez can be reached in three to four hours by car.
• The High Atlas Mountains. The most impressive mountain chain in North Africa, the High Atlas Mountains are known for steep summits, otherworldly gorges, and little villages that dot its valleys. The region is the perfect place for hikers and skiers, as well as for those travelers who simply wish to learn more about the Berber culture. Marrakesh, the most famous city near the mountains and a stunning destination in its own right, is 840km (521 miles) southwest of Nador and can be reached in eight to nine hours.
• Moroccan Sahara. It might be cliche, but visiting the Sahara is an experience of a lifetime. It is only safely explored with a 4x4 vehicle and you need to be well-prepared (getting a local driver/guide might be a good idea), but nothing beats spending the night in the desert or driving through sand dunes for hours before you reach an oasis town in the middle of nowhere. Errachidia, the first large desert town if you’re coming from Nador, is 535km (332 miles) south and can be reached in about seven hours.
• Chefchaouen. Located in the northwestern part of the country and famous for its distinctly blue buildings, Chefchaouen is a charming place to visit. Like any proper Moroccan city, it has an impressive medina, kasbah, and a number of mosques. The city is surrounded by impressive mountains and waterfalls but is also near both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean as well as the famous cities of Tangier and Tetouan. Located 350km (217 miles) west of Nador, a trip to Chefchaouen takes about six hours.
• Tangier. Located at the other end of Mediterranean Morocco, Tangier is some 400 km (250 miles) from Nador, a drive that can take about seven years. Those who brave the long road, however, will be rewarded with a fascinating port city that’s one of the most interesting in North Africa — and, being located right on the Strait of Gibraltar, also has more than a dash of Spanishness about it.
• Marrakesh. Another urban destination that’s in another corner of the country, timeless Marrakesh is the favorite place in Morocco for countless travelers. A source of almost inexhaustible joy, it can also serve as a base for exploring the nearby Atlas mountains. The drive from Nador will take about nine hours, and naturally can be done in more than one go; alternatively, you can drop off your rental car, take a domestic flight, and pick up a new one after you get to Marrakesh.

Car rental prices in Nador

• Medium cars - from $32 per day
• Small cars - from $18 per day
• Vans - from $53 per day
• SUVs - from $37 per day
• Station wagons - from $37 per day
• Large cars - from $19 per day
• Premium cars - from $52 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Use these tips to reserve a great rental car in Morocco:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Nador is the cheapest in May when renting a car is about 42% cheaper than the yearly average.