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TODAY Today, Oujda remains a bustling market town, a trading and smuggling centre that isn’t overtly touristic. Its main characteristic is the old city, with typical narrow lanes that inevitably lead to the souk, filled with local produce and crafts. The 13th-century Great Mosque is an unmissable feature, decorated with intricate carved wood and mosaic tiling. Oujda’s market is more authentic than in most Moroccan cities, with fewer hustlers and authentic bargains. If you enjoy eating dates, this is the place to buy good quality imported Algerian varieties.
Oujda also has a strong musical culture, with ‘gharnati’ music played everywhere. Gharnati has its roots in Andalusia and is named after the Arabic name for the city of Granada.