File:Portuguese_Cistern_01.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
El Jadida
Sign in to saveAlso known as Mazagan, Al-Breyja, Mazagão, al-Mahdouma, El-Jadida, Al-Jadida, Mazighan, Maziɣen
city in Morocco
El Jadida is a historic port city located on Morocco's Atlantic coast that was originally founded by Portuguese colonizers in the 16th century. It remains culturally and historically significant today as a major coastal city that reflects Morocco's complex colonial past and maritime heritage.
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Place details
- Locality
- pachalik d'El Jadida ⵍⵊⴰⴷⵉⴷⴰ الجديدة
- Region
- Casablanca-Settat ⵜⴰⴷⴷⴰⵔⵜ ⵜⵓⵎⵍⵉⵍⵜ-ⵙⵟⵟⴰⵜ الدار البيضاء-سطات
- Country
- Maroc ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ المغرب
- Population
- 0
via OpenStreetMap · GeoNames
Wikidata facts
- Official name
- El Jadida
- Population
- 235681
- Area
- 7.50
- Official website
- www.eljadida.gov.ma
- Image
- Mazagan2-CCBY.jpg
- Households
- 67491
Show 3 more facts
- Commons category
- El Jadida
- native label
- الجديدة
- P12749
- Rivolet
via Wikidata · CC0
Travel guide
Understand
The town is very much the holiday destination for Morocco's more wealthy city dwellers. With long beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere, it makes a welcome relief to the hustle-and-bustle of the larger cities inland. However, the fancy promenade and buildings are crumbling, and it seems the town cannot catch the same fresh development wind like Essaouira. The latter should be preferred, if you have the choice.
The town's other economy is its fishing industry. Also, the town has remains of Portuguese buildings and the Cistern, which however are fairly limited attractions.
Get around
El Jadida is quite spread out along the sea front. It probably takes an hour to walk from one end of the centre to the other.
It has plenty of taxies and several bus lines.
See
thumbnail|The cistern of the fortress
Do
Relax in one of the restaurants or cafes in the town. Especially if this is towards the end of your trip, as it is for many. You'll find this town far more chilled than Marrakech or Fez. Experience true Moroccan city life without the hassle, noise and glaring social inequity of Casablanca. Expect not to be bothered by anyone.
Buy
There are a few souvenir shops in the Citadel.
Eat
A few more 'western-style' restaurants along sea front, north of town centre.
Drink
Mint tea is available at the massive cafe in the centre of town, down the main road from near the entrance to the Medina.
Go next
Casablanca – This modern city by the sea is a starting point for visitors flying into the country. If you have the time, both the historical medina and the contemporary mosque (the second largest in the world) are well worth an afternoon. Rabat – The capital of Morocco; very relaxed and hassle-free, highlights include a 12th-century tower and minaret. Safi – The nearest big town to the south. Essaouira – An ancient sea-side town newly rediscovered by tourists and far more beautiful than El Jadida. From mid Mai to August the beaches are packed (kitesurfers, beach people, etc.) but any other time and you'll be the only person there. Good music and great people.
Travel guide from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0)
~14 min read
Article
El Jadida (Arabic: الجديدة, romanized: al-Jadīda, [alʒadiːda]) is a major port city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, located 96 kilometres (60 mi) south of the city of Casablanca, in the province of El Jadida and the region of Casablanca-Settat. It has a population of 237,564 as of 2024.
The fortified city, built by the Portuguese at the beginning of the 16th century and named Mazagan (Mazagão in Portuguese), was given up by the Portuguese in 1769 and incorporated into Morocco. El Jadida's old city sea walls are one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin in the World. The Portuguese Fortified City of Mazagan was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, on the basis of its status as an "outstanding example of the interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures" and as an "early example of the realisation of the Renaissance ideals integrated with Portuguese construction technology". According to UNESCO, the most important buildings from the Portuguese period are the cistern and the Church of the Assumption, both in a Manueline style.