If you like to combine travel and relaxation, you may wonder what the main destination for thermal tourism is in Morocco. It should be said that in 2019, the country was named the best spa destination in Africa. And this is, of course, due to its enormous variety and tradition in terms of hammams and spas. But it can also be attributed to the presence of locations with thermal waters, that is, springs where water flows from the subsoil at an elevated temperature. In this post we talk about the main one.
Moulay Yacoub: Thermal Tourism Destination in Morocco
If we had to highlight a great destination for thermal tourism in Morocco, that would be Moulay Yacoub. It is a small town of about 5,000 inhabitants, about 20 km from Fez, in the Fez-Meknes region.
The water that springs here does so at a temperature above 50ºC, and its mineral-rich composition means that it is used for therapeutic purposes. Specifically, to treat problems of rheumatism, dermatological conditions, diseases of the respiratory system and other types of infections.
Specifically, according to data from those in charge of the site, its pH is 6.2 (acidic) and increases to 7.2 in one minute upon contact with the air. The minerals present in its composition are sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chlorine, bicarbonate, silicate and sulfate.
These thermal waters have been known since ancient times, and it is popular belief that the Almohad caliph Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur (who gives his name to the town) was cured of an illness after washing in them, at the end of the 12th century.
What to Do in Moulay Yacoub
Next to the historic Moulay Yacoub spring, spa facilities have been built to exploit the benefits of its waters and promote a tourist activity of a national nature, but increasingly well-known among foreign travelers.
The complex is called Vichy Thermalia, and includes a 4-star hotel and a large spa with thermal baths. The complex has facilities for children, gastronomy and leisure, including a heated pool in operation during the winter.
The architecture of the complex is inspired by the traditional architecture of the region, such as that of nearby Moulay Idriss, where white walls and bright green tiled roofs predominate. Its location, at the foot of the urban center with steep streets, is in the depths of a rugged valley that turns green in spring, which gives the complex a characteristic touch.
How to Organize a Thermal Experience in Moulay Yacoub
Beyond the thermal complex, Moulay Yacoub does not have other similar tourist attractions, such as museums, archaeological sites, visitable mosques, large monuments or natural landscapes worth exploring: the town is a small town that lives off these thermal baths and the agricultural activity of the environment, mainly.
Therefore, to organize a day of enjoyment in the main destination for thermal tourism in Morocco, there are two main options:
- Spend the night in its hotel-thermal complex, classified as 4-star and with modern facilities, due to its recent construction (it was inaugurated in July 2018). This is the ideal option for those who have enough time and want to enjoy a relaxing bath without rushing
- Conceive it as a day trip, departing from one of the nearby tourist destinations, returning to it at the end of the day or continuing to another in the area, within a wider circuit. The main city to take into account for this excursion is Fez (21 km away), this being one of the most popular wellness proposals among its tourists. This possibility can also be considered from Meknes (60 km) or even Chaouen (about 180 km to the north)
