Visiting Al Hoceima by Rental Car: National Park, Coves and Rif Roads

A rental car is the easiest way to see Al Hoceima beyond Quemado beach: no public transport serves the national park, and Cala Iris is realistically only reachable in your own vehicle. Loccor lists 54 cars in the city, from 300 to 1,600 MAD a day, manual or automatic, with unlimited mileage. Allow at least three days for the town, its beaches and a full day in the park.

Photo: Houssain tork — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

What to see in and around Al Hoceima in one day
How to reach Cala Iris and Al Hoceima National Park
Where to park in Al Hoceima
Which road to take from Chefchaouen, Nador or Tangier
When is the best time to visit Al Hoceima by car?
Which car to rent in Al Hoceima

What to see in and around Al Hoceima in one day

Your first day can be spent almost without the car. Quemado beach, the emblematic bay at the foot of the town, is a few minutes' walk from the main square. The other town beaches, Matadero, Cala Bonita and Isly, are close to the centre and fit easily into the same morning.

The car comes into its own in the afternoon, for the beaches east of town. From Sfiha beach you can see the Peñón de Alhucemas, a rocky islet crowned by a white fortress, under Spanish sovereignty with restricted access: you look at it from the shore, you cannot visit it. Further south-east, Souani beach rounds off the loop before you head back.

This plan leaves time for sunset over the bay, and it sets you up for the real highlight of the trip: a day in the national park, which calls for an early start and a car in good shape.

How to reach Cala Iris and Al Hoceima National Park

Created in 2004, Al Hoceima National Park covers nearly 48,000 hectares, 19,600 of them at sea. It protects some of the best-preserved stretches of Morocco's northern coast, with cliffs rising more than 300 metres in places. No public transport goes there: you either take a grand taxi or drive yourself, and for Cala Iris a car is practically the only option.

The most direct route heads west on national road 16 to the Beni Boufrah roundabout, about 51 kilometres out, then turns off towards Cala Iris. In total, allow 59 kilometres from Al Hoceima. Torres de Alcala lies a few kilometres from Cala Iris; between the two, a coastal trail of about 12 kilometres runs through pine woods and meadows with sea views, a good option if a passenger is happy to bring the car round.

Other spots in the park take more effort. Bades beach and Taoussarte beach, reached by some 700 stone steps, are among the most talked-about stops. Cala Iris is not really a village: there is nowhere to go out for dinner and nowhere to buy groceries. Bring water and food for the day.

Where to park in Al Hoceima

Central Al Hoceima is compact: the Quemado beach area, the port and part of the coast roads can be explored on foot or by petit taxi. There is little point keeping the car in town all day.

The easiest landmark is the large open-air car park at the port, which is supervised and sits right by the ferry terminal and plenty of restaurants. The port is 15 to 20 minutes' walk from most places in the centre. If your hotel has parking, leave the car there in the evening and only take it out for day trips.

Which road to take from Chefchaouen, Nador or Tangier

Al Hoceima is linked to Tangier and Saidia by national road 16, known as the Mediterranean ring road: 507 kilometres along the coast, the last section of which opened in August 2012. It cut the full Tangier to Saidia drive from 11 to 7 hours. Tangier is about 290 kilometres from Al Hoceima.

Towards Chefchaouen, the route runs inland on national road 2: just over 220 kilometres, which route planners put at three to four hours' driving. It crosses the Rif, with all the bends and lorry overtaking that implies; our guide to Chefchaouen and Akchour covers mountain driving in detail.

To the east, Nador is about 126 kilometres away, a little over two hours. If you are flying in, Cherif Al Idrissi airport is 12 to 17 kilometres from the centre depending on the reference point, around twenty minutes by road. It has few flights outside the summer holidays, so check your flights before fixing the key handover date.

When is the best time to visit Al Hoceima by car?

In summer, average temperatures range from 17°C at night to 35°C in the afternoon; in winter, from 5 to 15°C. July and August bring the most heat, the biggest crowds and the highest prices.

Local guides recommend spring, from April to June, and autumn, in September and October. June and September are often named as the best balance: warm weather without the July and August crowds or prices, which makes stopping at viewpoints and park beaches far more pleasant.

Which car to rent in Al Hoceima

On 23 September 2026, Loccor's Al Hoceima catalogue listed 54 cars, mostly Opel Corsa, Opel Mokka and Opel Grandland, from 300 to 1,600 MAD a day, manual or automatic. Mileage is unlimited, which matters for round trips to Cala Iris or Chefchaouen.

For the town and nearby beaches, a Corsa is enough and parks anywhere. For the national park, travellers report that some roads are in poor condition: an SUV such as the Mokka or the Grandland will be more comfortable there.

As for terms, you pay a deposit online and the balance at the agency when you collect the car. The security deposit depends on the agency: some cars come with one, others without, and each listing says which. A national driving licence in Latin script is enough. For long stays, rates start at 250 MAD a day from 30 days' rental.

Frequently asked questions

How much does renting a car in Al Hoceima cost on Loccor?

On 23 September 2026, the 54 cars listed in Al Hoceima ranged from 300 to 1,600 MAD a day, with unlimited mileage. From 30 days' rental, rates start at 250 MAD a day.

Do I need an SUV to visit Al Hoceima National Park?

It is recommended if you plan to drive inside the park, as some roads there are in poor condition. The Al Hoceima catalogue includes Opel Mokka and Opel Grandland models, which are more comfortable than a small city car on those stretches.

How far is Cala Iris from Al Hoceima?

About 59 kilometres via national road 16 heading west, turning off at the Beni Boufrah roundabout. There is no restaurant or grocery shop on site, so bring water and food.

Do I need an international driving permit to rent in Al Hoceima?

No, as long as your national licence is written in Latin script: that is enough to rent on Loccor. You pay a deposit online and the balance at the agency on collection.