Africa

Guelmim

Modernity and tradition

Also known as Egleimín, this city is the capital of the province of the same name and of the region of Guelmim-Rio Noun, located in southwestern Morocco in a valley south of the Anti-Atlas. As a gateway to the Sahara desert and an oasis of refuge for Tuareg people, Guelmin has long been renowned for its distinct atmosphere. Recent years of growth have seen this characteristic remain intact despite changing times.

Its location makes it an ideal place for tourism. The hot springs of Abaynou; the kilometre-long White Beach; the amazing beach of Legzira, just 60 kilometres away; the oasis of Ait Bekkou or the Sahara itself. The possibilities are many and varied, which has made this location an increasingly attractive place for tourism.

If you visit Guelmim and you like the sea, Tan-Tan Beach and White Beach is a must-see. White Beach is covered by white sand dunes and has become an ideal destination for water sports such as kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Although it has now become the administrative and military capital, there are still some must-see sites and villages, such as the Bou Jerif Fort and the Berber village of Amtoudi.

On Saturdays, the souk is an obligatory stop, where you can buy all kinds of typical products and even watch the camel market, so common in this region.

Pastela: If you want to taste an authentic explosion of flavour, pastela or pastilla is a dish that you will undoubtedly remember. Its combination of sweet and savoury through this filo dough pastry, shredded meat (we recommend the pigeon), sultanas, walnuts and pistachios and its icing sugar and cinnamon topping will surprise you. In a good way, of course.

Harira: Soup made with the broth from cooking meat, vegetables and pulses. It is accompanied by tomato and some aromatic herbs such as mint or coriander. Its high nutritional value makes it a popular fast-breaking dish.

Bissara: This version of hummus uses broad beans and dried peas instead of chickpeas. This is dressed with a little olive oil, paprika, cumin and salt.

Chebakia: You may also recognise it as shebakiah or sh'bakia or even griwesh in countries like Algeria. It is popular for breaking the fast because of its high nutritional value. It is dough cut into strips and shaped into the form of a flower. It is then fried in oil and dipped in hot honey.

Couscous with vegetables: A staple in the diet of the inhabitants of any Maghreb country. Its fame has reached the countries on the other side of the Mediterranean, where it has also become more and more widespread in recent years. You may have seen it written in different ways, but its essence is the same: wheat semolina with the cooking broth from stewing the rest of the ingredients, meat and vegetables. To this, we have to add a good amount of chickpeas to finish it off.

Official currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

Official language: Arabic

Documents required: Spanish citizens will not need a visa if travelling for tourism. A valid passport, valid for at least 6 months, is required.

Climate: Summers in Guelmim are short, hot, arid and clear. Winters are short, cool, dry and mostly clear. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges between 10 and 30 degrees.

Vaccinations: No vaccinations are compulsory, but tuberculosis and hepatitis A vaccinations are recommended.

Be careful when eating fresh produce (salads, juices, etc.) from street stalls. It is also advisable to drink bottled water and avoid ice, as it is difficult to tell what water it was made from. It's not that anything serious will happen to you, it's just that our stomachs are not used to it and may suffer some “mishaps”. If you get ill, there are private clinics with specialists.

Be wary of people who offer to take you somewhere (shops, restaurants, etc.) without asking for anything in return. They will take you somewhere where they are likely to take a commission. It’s also important to make sure that taxi drivers have their meter running. Some of them “forget”. If you go shopping, haggling is almost a must. The seller's first offer will be exaggerated. Offer much less and, from then on, you have to follow the rules of the game. Never pay more than half the initial price.

Finally, remember to ask permission when taking photographs. Some people don't like it, especially Muslim women. Others, on the other hand, will want to ask you for some money in exchange for having “posed”.