Top 15 Must-Do Activities in El Jadida, Morocco

Protruding into the Atlantic at Cap de Mazagan, El Jadida is a port city that exhibits an unexpected European Renaissance flair.

On the water, you will find the ramparts of a Portuguese fortified city, constructed in the early 16th century and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visitors can traverse these walls and explore an enchanting cistern embodying the Portuguese Manueline style.

After engaging with the bustling quayside activity at the port and admiring the Portuguese City from the pier, you may wish to venture towards one of the numerous expansive Atlantic beaches situated just minutes from the city.

Below is a comprehensive exploration of the premier activities to enjoy in El Jadida:

1. Portuguese City (Cité Portugaise)

Originally known as Mazagan, this Portuguese fortified city was established in the early 16th century and later annexed by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah in 1769. The Portuguese City was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 2004, for its well-preserved Renaissance layout, bastions, ramparts, and a captivating cistern, all awaiting exploration.

This site is also notable for its integration as a Moroccan town, featuring a minaret repurposed from its former watchtower.

While we will cover some of the remarkable features below, one landmark to seek out is the Church of the Assumption, which retains elements of its Manueline Gothic adornments.

2. Portuguese Cistern

Among the most significant sights in El Jadida is the remarkable underground water reservoir located within the Portuguese City.

This structure, measuring 34 by 34 meters, initially served as a warehouse or armory before its conversion to a cistern.

The cistern boasts five rows of five pillars supporting graceful Manueline vaults.

A thin layer of water reflects a shaft of light from a circular opening above, creating diamond patterns on the ceiling.

By the 18th century, the reservoir had been forgotten until its rediscovery in 1717, when a Jewish shopkeeper dismantled a wall in his store.

In 1951, Orson Welles selected the Portuguese Cistern as a filming location for his movie adaptation of Othello.

3. Mosquée De La Cité Portugaise

One of the most enchanting landmarks in the city is the mosque located at the entrance, dating back to El Jadida’s resettlement in the early 19th century.

Commissioned by Sultan Hassan I in 1879, the former pentagonal watchtower of the city was transformed into an extraordinary minaret.

This unique construction, characterized by rounded edges, presents a sought-after photo opportunity and is particularly impressive when viewed against the sky and through the arches of the citadel.

However, as this is an active mosque, non-Muslims are not permitted entry.

Reflecting the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Cité Portugaise in the 19th century, there are three churches, a Masonic hall, and a temple all within a short distance of the mosque.

4. Plage El Haouzia

Located in the El Jadida Province, this dune-fringed beach lies 15 kilometers away, near the town of Azemmour.

In 2019, Plage El Haouzia was the sole Blue Flag beach in the region.

Beyond the lifeguard service, facilities, and meticulous hygiene levels, the primary motivation for visiting is the breathtaking natural beauty of this stretch of sandy Atlantic coastline.

The ocean at El Haouzia is vibrant, making it one of the finest beaches in the province for surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and bodyboarding.

Visible just offshore is the deteriorating bow of a Korean container ship that ran aground in the 1980s.

Due to the ocean’s robust nature, it is advisable to avoid casual swimming unless one remains in the shallows.

During the off-peak tourist season, horseback riding along the shore is available.

5. Sidi Bouafi Lighthouse

Constructed in 1916, the Sidi Bouafi Lighthouse is positioned some distance from the shoreline at an elevation of 65 meters above sea level.

This lighthouse continues to serve as a crucial navigational landmark for vessels traversing the route between Madeira, the Azores, and mainland Africa or Europe.

The beacon emits a rotating white beam, flashing three times every five seconds, facilitating three revolutions per minute and reaching visibility for 30 nautical miles.

At the base of the lighthouse, there is a taxi rank servicing the town of Moulay Abdellah Amghar, which will be discussed later.

The lighthouse does not have officially posted hours, however, if the doors are open, visitors are welcome to ascend the 248 steps to the pinnacle for a panoramic view of the city and coastline.

6. Marché Central d’El Jadida

Tucked between Avenue Hassan II and Avenue Mohammed Errafi, El Jadida’s central market is housed in a two-story edifice from the French Protectorate era that has perhaps seen better days.

Do not allow peeling paint and missing tiles to deter you, as the market offers a memorable experience for newcomers, with stalls for fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables, including some products that are rare in other markets.

The spirited haggling persists well into the evening, and this market represents one of the few locations to acquire alcohol in El Jadida.

There are small dining establishments connected to stalls, allowing you to select the fish you would prefer for your meal.

7. Deauville Plage

El Jadida’s municipal beach stretches from the port in the west to the hippodrome in the east, named for the sophisticated resort in Normandy.

The designation is appropriate, as much like Deauville, this beach is expansive when the tide recedes and is gently caressed by low rolling waves.

Whether one wishes to bathe in proximity to the port is subjective; nevertheless, this vast area of gently sloping sand is ideal for a leisurely stroll.

Camel and horseback rides are available, and there is a small playground for children just off the shore.

A promenade meanders along the bay, with most cafes located towards the western end.

8. Port d’El Jadida

The fishing port adjacent to the City offers a glimpse into the day-to-day business and offers visitors an unfiltered view of working life in a Moroccan city.

Moreover, as with any port, activity begins well before dawn, with shoppers armed with basins, plastic bags, and baskets arriving to negotiate for fish freshly caught by the trawlers.

In the lively waterfront fish market, one can observe fishermen and buyers animatedly discussing prices for sardines, mackerel, whiting, and various deep-sea fish.

If you are a late riser, the port remains busy throughout the day, as new trawlers and traditional boats dock, supplying the city’s restaurants, souks, and supermarkets.

The high season is particularly vibrant at the port when sardines and other catches are grilled over charcoal right by the water, served with salad and bread.

Encircling the northern edge of the port is the Mole of El Jadida, providing a comprehensive view of the port, Portuguese city, beach, and the Sidi Bouafi Lighthouse.

9. Tazotas

In the El Jadida hinterland, often near small rural communities known as douars, you will encounter these distinctive dry-stone constructions, consisting of two cylindrical structures, both broad at the base.

These structures, referred to as Tazotas, number at least 450 in the vicinity.

Many of these limestone constructions are abandoned, while some are still utilized as shelters from the sun for both humans and livestock.

These structures date back to the early 20th century when the nomadic population was compelled to settle during the early days of the French Protectorate.

Maps are available online indicating the locations of these structures, with a couple easily visible four kilometers outside of El Jadida along the R318.

10. Château Rouge (Château Buisson)

This distinctive castle serves as an excellent photo opportunity while traversing Avenue Annassr, which follows the rocky coastline north and west of the Portuguese City and port.

The Château Rouge is unlike any other structure in the city.

Constructed in the late 1920s in the style of a romantic castle, it features towers, battlements, and machicolations, built by a merchant named Monsieur Buisson.

Originally from Auvergne, he presumably desired to create a residence reminiscent of his homeland.

The castle was not painted red until the 1960s upon its sale to a Moroccan family.

While the Château Rouge remains private property, it is worth a photograph, particularly due to its vibrant garden overflowing from the walls.

11. Plage Sidi Bouzid

Situated approximately 15 minutes from the Portuguese City along the route to Moulay Abdellah Amghar, Sidi Bouzid features a splendid golden sandy beach.

This beach sprawls across a gently curving bay, bordered by towering dunes adorned with lush green vegetation.

One of the most captivating aspects of Plage Sidi Bouzid is its westward orientation, presenting mesmerizing sunsets over the bay.

Notably, the beach is subject to the full force of the Atlantic, resulting in strong currents that are briskly cold, even during peak summer.

For refreshment, there are numerous restaurants and coffee shops located at the northern end of the bay.

12. Kasbah Boulaouane

Located further afield, Boulaouane can be found southeast of the El Jadida Province, approximately an hour from the city.

The primary incentive for making the journey is to explore the impressive kasbah, perched high above a bend in the Oum Er-Rbia River, resembling a backdrop from a movie.

This fortification, built by the Alaouite Dynasty in the early 18th century, occupies a strategically significant location.

Featuring an irregular quadrilateral layout, the kasbah is partially ruined but maintains the majority of its outer walls and defensive towers.

Above the main entrance, a frieze indicates the kasbah’s completion date and the name of its chief architect.

Within the kasbah, one can see a mosque, a cistern, stables, warehouses, and a residential tower showcasing signs of opulent decoration.

An intriguing feature is a secret passage leading from the eastern wall, winding down to the river and troughs designed for watering livestock during sieges.

13. Moulay Abdellah Amghar

Located ten kilometers down the coast, remnants of a 12th-century city can be observed, destroyed in the 14th century and home to two of the oldest minarets in Islam.

Remarkably, these two structures still stand, albeit considerably altered, now serving as minarets for the town’s zaouia (religious school). Every August, a grand event takes place, celebrating Moulay Abdellah Amghar, the religious figure for whom the town is named.

This festival attracts up to 500,000 attendees and features mass recitations of the Koran, as well as falconry displays and impressive exhibitions of horsemanship (fantasia).

14. Plage Sidi Abed

Continuing down the coast from Moulay Abdellah Amghar, you will soon arrive at a beach characterized by near-perfect solitude.

The draw of Plage Sidi Abed lies in its tranquil atmosphere, situated a 40-minute drive from El Jadida.

It is important to bring all necessary items for a day of sunbathing on this secluded sandy shore.

While there is no dedicated area with shade, rentals for tents or gazebos are available.

After securing accommodations, you can enjoy an afternoon of bathing in the shallows, constructing sandcastles, or strolling along the beach.

15. Azemmour

The town of Azemmour, located east along the coast, boasts a stunning position above the left bank of the Oum Er-Rbia River, just before it flows into the Atlantic.

For a nominal fee, visitors can embark on a river cruise during the summer months.

Azemmour experienced a brief Portuguese era during the first half of the 16th century when Magellan, who later achieved the first circumnavigation of the globe, was stationed here.

Traces of the old Portuguese ramparts can still be seen in the medina, with the kasbah constructed on the remnants of the Portuguese fort, protected by historic cannons.

One of the most striking remnants from the Portuguese period is the ancient gunpowder magazine, known as the Dar El Baroud tower.

Within the Mellah, the Jewish section of the Medina, lies the shrine of Rabbi Abraham Moul Niss, celebrated for healing the daughter of a French governor during the protectorate.

Although the Jewish community of Azemmour emigrated in the 20th century, the shrine remains a site of veneration, hosting a festival each August.