Things to do in El Jadida Morocco

The former Mazagan, today known as El Jadida, was one of the most important colonies of Portugal due to its strategic position for maritime trade. In 1769 it was taken by Mohammed III of Morocco, who gave it the name of El Jadida, the city we know today. An impressive walled fortress, protected by Unesco since 2004, still remains from the Portuguese legacy, but that’s not all there is to see in El Jadida.

The city also has important temples such as the Great Mosque, and other tourist attractions such as the beach and the port. If you want to know more about El Jadida, we invite you to read this article where we tell you the essential things to see and give you other travel tips to make the most of your stay. Don’t think twice and start organising your trip with Passporter.

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What are the best things to see in El Jadida Morocco?

1. The Wall and its views over El Jadida

The two and a half centuries of Portuguese occupation left in El Jadida one of the most beautiful places to see in Morocco: the Portuguese City, a citadel which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The wall that encloses it, like its streets and corners, is a real beauty, built over the sea with its imposing bastions. The Bastion of the Angel and the Bastion of the Holy Spirit, from which the best views of El Jadida can be seen, and the mosque, stand out.

2. Great Mosque of El Jadida

In the Portuguese City, the Medina of El Jadida, is located one of the emblems of the city: the Great Mosque of El Jadida. Compared to other mosques in Morocco, such as those in Marrakesh or Casablanca, it is a sober and unspectacular mosque. However, it is located in one of the most beautiful spots to be seen in El Jadida, a former tower of the military citadel that served as a lighthouse. It is also notable for its five-sided minaret instead of the usual four.

Entry is forbidden to the non-faithful, but it is well worth seeing from the outside.

3. Portuguese Cistern, the must-see place in El Jadida

On Hachmi Bahbah Street is the most visited place in the Portuguese City and in El Jadida: the Portuguese Cistern. It is a Gothic-style building dating from the 16th century and is in a perfect state of preservation. Over the years it has had multiple uses, such as storage and cistern, but nowadays, it is used for tourism. It is undoubtedly the city’s greatest jewel. Its pilasters and vaulted ceilings into which the light floods create a magical atmosphere.

The Portuguese Cistern is currently closed for renovation work but is expected to reopen soon. We recommend that you enquire when making your travel arrangements.

Hours: M, T, Th, F: 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00; X, S, Sun: 9:00-18:00

Price: guided tour 10 dirham (€1) adults, 3 dirham (€0.30) children.

4. Port of El Jadida

The port of El Jadida is a good place to immerse yourself in the real life of the city. Don’t let it escape when you travel between souvenir shops and free tours. Here, as well as seeing the wooden boats, all the same, green and red, that supply the city with fish in the mornings, you can see one of the main engines of El Jadida’s economic activity at work. At lunchtime, some grills are improvised. And for a few dirhams you can eat the fresh fish you buy on the spot. It’s a unique experience.

5. Beach of El Jadida

The coastal destination of El Jadida is often visited for its beach. With Morocco’s climate, any day of the year is a good time to take a stroll along the beach or just sit and gaze at the sea and let the sun beat down on your face. But of course, the best time to visit is in summer, when you can swim in the Atlantic waters and enjoy a day at the beach. It’s very pleasant to get away from the heat, which can sometimes be very annoying, but El Jadida Beach is not one of the most well-kept beaches in Morocco and is often noted for the rubbish that many careless people have left uncollected, or the rubbish generated by the port.

If you’re in El Jadida, fancy a day at the beach and don’t mind a little distance from the city centre, we recommend you head to Sidi Bouzid Beach instead. It is located 8 km from the city centre, about 17 minutes by car. It’s a much bigger beach than El Jadida and also cleaner.

6. Picnic at Spini Park

Spini Park is one of the most beautiful and peaceful parks in El Jadida, the perfect place to relax in the sun, have a picnic or just enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the park. The official name of the park is Parc Hassan II, however, if you ask locals in El Jadida by that name they won’t know you mean the one they call Parc Spini. Open daily from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around El Jadida, Morocco?

1. Casablanca, a beautiful city to see near El Jadida

Casablanca is not just a film city. With almost 5 million inhabitants, Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco and one of the most modern cities in Africa. But don’t be fooled, the city still retains its charm and a style all of its own, combining Arab heritage with colonial influence, as it was a former French protectorate.

The Clock Tower, designed by the French captain Dessigny in 1911 and rebuilt in 1993, is probably the most characteristic place in the city and the must-see photo for tourists. It is located at the entrance to the medina, in the United Nations Square. Another place you should not miss on your trip to Morocco is the Hassan II Mosque, as it is a unique experience, literally. This mosque, along with the Timnel Mosque, is the only one open to non-believers, so if you travel to Casablanca you can’t miss the opportunity to see a Muslim temple inside.

The boulevard de Corniche is Casablanca’s seafront promenade and a must-visit area if you’re visiting the city. It’s the street where you’ll find the most exclusive hotels and shops. At the end of the promenade is the Marocco Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in Africa.

From El Jadida you can get there by private vehicle or with an organised excursion in less than 1.5 hours. If you want to know more about Casablanca, we invite you to read this article: What to see and do on a trip to Casablanca, Morocco?

Casablanca is a city full of interesting places. Check them all out at Things to do in Casablanca Morocco

2. Oualidia

Oualidia, 76 km from El Jadida, is a town famous for its lagoons and for being a popular holiday destination in Morocco. It has a wonderful beach on the shores of the lagoon, where tourists and locals alike bathe in the Atlantic waters and sunbathe while watching flamingos and other birds. And for animal and nature lovers, another place in Oualidia worth a visit is The Souss-Massa National Park. But this is not the only thing, as in the city centre you can still enjoy the remains of its Kabash from the 17th century and other interesting visits.

A bus ride from El Jadida will cost about 20 dirhams (€2).

What to see in El Jadida in one day?

If you organise your day well, one day is enough to get to know El Jadida. Your itinerary should include the Portuguese Citadel, the Great Mosque and the Cistern. We also recommend a visit to the port and a stroll along the beach.

If you decide to stay longer, you can visit other beautiful coastal towns such as Oualidia, Casalanca, Essaouira or Rabat. However, if you’re going to move around a lot, we think it’s best to stay in the main cities. There you’ll find it easier to get around, and you’ll have more accommodation options.

How to get to El Jadida in Morocco?

The city of El Jadida does not have its own airport, the nearest being the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, 114 kilometres away, or 1 hour and 20 minutes. There is a train station with direct connections only to Casablanca, although it’s quite a distance from the city centre, so once you’re here you’ll need to take a taxi. There is also a bus station much closer to the centre.

From Casablanca

• Train: Frequency 2h in the morning and 1h in the evening until 20:44. Journey time 1h 30 min. Price from €3.5
• Bus: Every half hour, duration 1h30, for €6.

From Essaouira

• Bus: 4 daily direct buses throughout the day (10:00, 11:45, 15:15, 17:15). The journey takes between 4 and 4h 30 min and the price is €15-20.

From Marrakesh

• Train: 4 trains daily connecting to Casablanca, where you stop for 34 minutes, and take the next train to El Jadida. Total duration 4h 18 min. Price: 16€.
• Bus: There are no direct buses, you have to change in Casablanca. There are several buses a day with different frequencies. Journey time depends on the waiting time at the bus stop, but is around 7-8 hours. Price: €16-20.

Where to eat in El Jadida?

In El Jadida you can enjoy typical Moroccan cuisine and local dishes based on Atlantic fish. The best place to try the fish is at the port, at lunchtime when the grills are set up, but you can also eat very well in some of the restaurants listed below.

• Ali Baba (au clair de lune): A magnificent restaurant overlooking the sea where quality and respect for the product are paramount. At Ali Baba you can enjoy delicious fish and seafood dishes such as oysters, fish kebabs, crab salad… Price range: €30-45
• La Capitainerie: A restaurant located in the heart of the fortress in a quiet and pleasant square. The menu is not very varied, but that’s explained when you try the dishes on offer: you don’t need any more. Menu with first course, main course and dessert for €25
• Le Lokal: The best place for breakfast you’ll see in El Jadida. It has a pleasant terrace where you can enjoy a cup of tea in the sun with wonderful views, as well as hearty and very tasty food. Breakfast for €3.5, lunch for €8.

Where to sleep in El Jadida, Morocco?

El Jadida is a city that has grown a lot outside the fortress. However, we recommend looking for accommodation in the Medina, from where you can easily reach the main points of interest. Here are some of our favourite places to stay in the city.

• Riad Dar El Malaika: A dreamy riad in the heart of the Medina. It has a beautiful central courtyard with a garden where you can have breakfast and enjoy the peace and quiet. The décor is traditional and luxurious, and the rooms are equipped with every comfort. You will feel like you are in a thousand and one nights. Breakfast included. Price per night: €185
• Hotel Centre Ville: A good three-star hotel very close to the Medina. Comfortable rooms with sea views. Breakfast included. Price per night: €43

Tips for your trip to El Jadida Morocco

• The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (1 MAD = 0.096€)
• Carry cash, not all shops have credit card facilities.
• Bring your money with you in advance, currency exchanges at airports are very expensive.
• The dirham is a restricted currency, so you should exchange it before leaving the country.
• If you decide to visit El Jadida in summer, always take water, a hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen. Avoid going out during the hottest hours.
• Always drink bottled water and don’t put ice cubes in your drink.
• Bargaining is almost institutional in Fez and throughout Morocco, so don’t be afraid to always negotiate for the best price.
• A large proportion of the population speaks French in Morocco.
• Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
• Wear light, but discreet clothing, preferably long and loose-fitting, and warm clothes for the evening.

How to organise what things to do in El Jadida?

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• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in El Jadida, Morocco.

If you have any doubts about how to do this, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to El Jadida