A day trip to El Jadida from Casablanca

About 100 km down the coast from Casablanca, El Jadida is a relaxed seaside town with a remarkable past. The Portuguese ruled here from 1502 until 1769, and their walled city of Mazagan is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It makes an excellent day trip.

The Portuguese Cistern

The highlight is the underground Portuguese Cistern, a vaulted hall of stone columns reflected in a thin layer of water, with light falling through an opening in the roof. Orson Welles filmed scenes for his Othello here.

The ramparts of Mazagan

Walk along the top of the sea walls, past old cannons and bastions, for views of the port and the Atlantic. Inside, the quiet lanes hold a former church and a mosque whose minaret was once a lighthouse. It is small enough to see in a couple of hours.

Azemmour on the way

Stop at Azemmour, a small town about 15 km to the north-east, where old walls rise above the Oum Er-Rbia river and murals brighten the lanes of the medina. Tours often combine both towns.

Getting there

Trains from Casablanca take about 1½ hours to El Jadida, and the journey by road is similar. A guided tour or a private driver is the easiest way to see both towns in a single day.

Tips

• Wear shoes with good grip for the wet cistern floor and uneven ramparts.
• Go on a weekday, as the town can get busy with Moroccan visitors at weekends and in summer.
• Have a fish lunch in town or at the port.
• Check opening times for the cistern before you go, particularly during holidays.