El Jadida Guide
A former Portuguese city on the Moroccan coast, El Jadida was built around a magnificent citadel, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Presentation
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , El Jadida is a unique tourist destination in Morocco . A coastal and historic city par excellence, it is located approximately 96 km from Casablanca , on the seafront. This place is home to beautiful beaches suited to the expectations of lovers of relaxation and water sports. Every year, the region welcomes a crowd of vacationers in search of authentic places for an exceptional seaside stay.
El Jadida , or ” The New ” in Arabic, was restored during the time of Moulay Abd ar-Rahman, a descendant of the Alaouite dynasty who, in 1822 , was proclaimed sultan. Since that year, a large number of European traders (English from Gibraltar) and Jews decided to settle there. El Jadida then became one of the most touristic and famous destinations in Morocco .
El Jadida stands out above all for its incredible ” fortifications ” erected over the centuries. The city is, in fact, renowned for its fortified city, built by the Portuguese at the beginning of the 16th century. Its ancient ramparts, its bastions, and its Portuguese military architecture dating from the Renaissance , are all vestiges that allow you to immerse yourself in wonderful stories. To discover this historical jewel of Morocco , a stay in El Jadida or in the neighboring towns is essential.
Why visit El Jadida?
With its thousand and one wonders, El Jadida is sure to seduce all types of visitors.
Admire its incomparable heritage wealth
For those passionate about architectural discoveries, El Jadida is undoubtedly a world apart with its unique heritage and beauty. It is, in fact, the Portuguese city, a huge site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. In the fortifications of El Jadida , the bastions of Saint Sebastian , Saint Anthony, and the Angel and the Holy Spirit are still intact. The old fort has also preserved its walls to impress its visitors who will surely be delighted to take the patrol path. The latter is carefully preserved. It leads to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the sea and the landscapes of the city. To not miss anything during a hike in the Portuguese city, a visit to the Church of the Assumption is a must. This religious building is characterized by Manueline-style architecture, which will certainly fascinate hikers.
Enjoy a good time on its attractive and sunny beach
This Moroccan city isn’t just about its authentic architectural attractions. In addition to its impressive fortifications, it also boasts a magnificent beach with sandy stretches. A place of unparalleled relaxation, this seaside resort in El Jadida faces the Atlantic Ocean. It is accessible from both the north and south of the city. This tourist area is ideal for a variety of activities, including fishing , sailing, and other interesting water sports.
Many vacationers also head to El Jadida Beach to play golf in a vast, perfectly preserved area. It’s worth noting that the oceanic climate of this part of Morocco is ideal for all these fun experiences. In winter, the city is particularly pleasant with its mild and humid climate.
Stroll around the port of El Jadida for a change of scenery
Open to El Jadida, the city’s port is another tourist site that is absolutely worth discovering during a tour of Morocco. In the morning, the place is imbued with a remarkably warm atmosphere that will surprise foreigners. In order to fully appreciate this exotic atmosphere of the port of El Jadida , the best is to stroll there at dawn. This is the ideal time to observe all kinds of marine activities. While the fishermen are busy selling their baskets of deep-sea fish ( sardines, smelts, tuna, herring, etc.), tourists can take the opportunity to enjoy a good fried fish. Witnessing this captivating spectacle will mark their stay in El Jadida , before joining the other popular cities of Morocco .
The town’s port is also a perfect place to learn or practice water sports. Those looking to indulge in aquatic leisure activities will find a Nautical Club for beginners and professionals. Finally, the port is home to a large square dedicated to the city’s best festivals.
What to see in El Jadida?
The city of El Jadida is dotted with fascinating places that are definitely worth a visit.
The “Mellah” district
Just like in the tourist and popular cities of Morocco , El Jadida has a district also called Mellah . This address designates the place where Jews, Muslims and Europeans reside since their arrival in the territory, and until today. The Mellah district of El Jadida is framed by walls. These were built in order to delimit the district from the rest of the city. A tourist stroll in this part of El Jadida is an opportunity to learn all about the old Mazagan , its glorious past and its inexhaustible cultural gems.
The Portuguese Cistern
El Jadida is full of historical wonders, but the Portuguese Cistern is a particularly unique site. Located in the heart of the city, right on the main thoroughfare, this landmark welcomes you into a completely exotic atmosphere with its underground space marked by medieval vaults.
The Portuguese Cistern of El Jadida is steeped in history. It was built in 1541 and served as a weapons room. In 1717, a Jewish merchant, while tearing down the wall of his shop, discovered this underground reservoir for the first time. Since then, the Portuguese Cistern has become one of El Jadida ‘s must-see attractions . In addition to being an unrivaled tourist attraction, it is also very popular with local and international directors.
The fascinating Portuguese Cistern features a Gothic vault, imposing stone columns, and a circular opening measuring 3.5 meters in diameter. Once inside, travelers will discover breathtaking natural lighting. Like diamonds , the rays reflecting off the ground create a spectacular effect.
Tazotas
In the hinterland of El Jadida, about 90 km from Casablanca, are several dry-stone huts known as ” tazotas .” Unique in their kind, these buildings are devoid of mortar and demarcated within a well-defined area. They belong to the population of the Doukkala-Abda region and are marked by lithic landscapes. The tazotas of El Jadida bear witness to the great know-how of the farmers of this region of Morocco. According to history, these small constructions with their original architecture were built during the off-season of agricultural activities in this countryside. These traditional shelters protected the inhabitants from the heat or wild animals. Other tazotas were also used as granaries or warehouses for hay, straw, or fattening cattle. A visit to this part of El Jadida will allow backpackers to better understand the city’s past and the cultural riches of its former residents.
The Sidi Moussa lagoon
Listed as a Ramsar site since 2005, the Sidi Moussa lagoon is a must-see in the El Jadida region . This coastal wetland is the natural home of various marine species, such as fish , crustaceans and molluscs . It is also the habitat of many migratory and sedentary water birds , which makes this place a protected site.
The Sidi Moussa Lagoon is one of Morocco ‘s most popular nature reserves . Open to all tourists, this conservation area can be visited year-round. To get there, simply take the El Jadida-Safi highway. Furthermore, this holiday resort is a prime camping destination in Morocco . It is home to places suitable for nature camping, which will undoubtedly delight vacationers come spring and summer.
To enhance any family or couple’s trip to this area, the Sidi Moussa lagoon offers access to idyllic beaches that are well worth exploring. In addition, there’s a vast lagoon complex stretching for some forty kilometers. Sun-loving visitors will find this a fine-sand cove ideal for fully recharging their batteries during the summer.
How to visit El Jadida?
To better admire the beauty of El Jadida’s tourist sites, backpackers can choose one of the following transport options:
The train
El Jadida is an easily accessible Moroccan city. In fact, only a hundred kilometers separate this wonderful destination from the city of Casablanca . From the latter, backpackers can then take the train and reach the most beautiful destinations of El Jadida in the same day. This transport is available every day and the journey generally lasts 1 hour 20 minutes.
Car rental at the best price
Travelers planning a long stay in Morocco can rent a car that is suitable for their type of trip. They will then enjoy maximum comfort on every trip. In addition, this means of transport is the best option for a road trip in Morocco . From Casablanca, it is very easy to get to El Jadida , as these two destinations are connected by a highway.
Small or large taxis to explore the city
Compared to other Moroccan cities, El Jadida is less popular with mass tourism. It’s therefore easier to discover its historical attractions during a stay in the city. To do so, simply take one of the small or large taxis that are available throughout the city. However, it’s always a good idea to be accompanied by a guide or to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood you’re visiting before taking these forms of transport.
The coach or bus to visit El Jadida and its surroundings
To better admire the landscapes of El Jadida , it is also possible to take a bus or coach tour. These are very popular modes of transport in this locality. That said, backpackers can go by bus if they want to reach places like Azemmour or Sidi Bouzid . It should be noted that buses from El Jadida serve destinations that are a little inaccessible or distant.
When to travel to El Jadida?
El Jadida is a tourist destination that can be visited all year round, as the weather is pleasant almost in all seasons. In reality, this is due to its excellent geographical location (on the Atlantic coast) which gives it a pleasant oceanic climate. Before going to El Jadida , it is still preferable to carefully study your travel plan, your type of stay, but especially the sites to discover in the territory. For example, for a successful summer vacation in El Jadida , the ideal would be to go there during the hottest months of the year ( July, August, September and October ). Moreover, the summers of El Jadida are not marked by extreme temperatures, which will surely satisfy backpackers.
As for the winters in the city of El Jadida , they are rather mild, and are almost similar to the winters in the Canary Islands . During the winter seasons, El Jadida enjoys a warm morning atmosphere and more or less hot afternoons. Tourists will easily find accommodations there that suit their holiday needs.
It should be noted that the city of El Jadida experiences periods of drought during the months of June, July, August, and September. The beaches and seaside resorts of El Jadida are therefore not recommended for swimming between June and October. However, travelers can still plan a tour or road trip there if they wish to go on an adventure or discover the destination’s iconic sites.
