Introduction
El Jadida: Greetings, readers! My name is Sam, and I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to share with you all an experience I had during one of my recent travels that was intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable. During a trip to Morocco last year, I decided to venture off the usual tourist track in Casablanca and visit the coastal city of El Jadida, located about 100 km south of Casablanca.
I discovered a bounty of history, culture, and architectural gems in El Jadida that transported you back centuries. At the heart of it all was the indelible Portuguese influence that has left an imprint on this charming coastal city unlike anywhere else in Morocco. In this blog post, I want to take you on a virtual tour of El Jadida to unveil some magnificent relics from its Portuguese era that continue to allure history and architecture buffs. I hope you find the unique charms of this historic Moroccan city as fascinating as I did!
El Jadida: A Historical Introduction
Let me give you a brief historical overview of El Jadida to set the stage and provide some necessary context. The city was initially founded in 1513 by the Portuguese named Mazagan. They constructed a walled fortress called the Fortress of Mazagan to protect this vital trading post along the Moroccan coast. Over the following centuries, Mazagan changed hands between the Portuguese and Moroccans before being ceded to Morocco in the late 1940s after Portuguese rule ended in most of their overseas possessions.
The name was then changed to El Jadida, meaning “the new” in Arabic. Despite the name change, the Portuguese imprint on the architecture and culture of El Jadida remained profoundly intact. Walking through the city’s narrow alleyways even today, it’s easy to feel like you’ve returned to the 16th-century Portuguese colonial era. The allure of history and authentic charm is what makes exploring El Jadida such a delightfully unique experience.
El Jadida: Lunch at Casa Péreira
After checking into my hotel in the morning, my first stop was the historic center of the old city within the fortified walls. After the journey, I was hungry and had lunch at a highly recommended restaurant, Casa Péreira. Stepping into Casa Péreira was like traveling back to the Portuguese colonial era. Located in an elegantly restored 350-year-old mansion, the cozy interiors had an old-world sophistication with antique furniture, ornate tilework, and arched doorways. I was seated outside in the charming courtyard under the shade of a giant pepper tree.
The lunch spread was a delightful array of authentic Moroccan and Portuguese specialties with the freshest seasonal ingredients. I enjoyed salted cod fish cakes, shrimp piri-piri, roast chicken with lime, and the famous “pastéis de nata” custard tarts for dessert. The charming ambiance, gracious hospitality, and flavors that blended Morocco with Portugal made lunch at Casa Péreira a truly memorable culinary experience. I could happily have lingered there all afternoon!
El Jadida: Exploring the Fortified Old City
Refueled after the delicious lunch, I explored the highlights within the old walled city. One of the first sights that caught my eye was the imposing Fortress of Mazagan towering over the coastline. Constructed in the 16th century, the fortress is a stellar example of Portuguese military architecture with its thick defensive walls and battlements. What amazed me was seeing how well-preserved it remains even after centuries of prevailing ocean winds and salt air corrosion. Climbing up to the ramparts, I was rewarded with breathtaking views stretching along the coastline.
I could spend hours soaking in the history just wandering the fortress grounds. Another must-see in the old city is the Church of the Assumption. Consecrated in 1520, it’s considered the oldest church in Morocco. Walking through the heavy wooden doors transported me to the heart of the colonial Portuguese era. Intricate carvings, religious statues, and an ornate painted ceiling are just some artistic treasures on its walls. I loved how peaceful the ambiance was within despite being amidst a bustling medina outside.
El Jadida: The Magic of Majorelle Gardens
After spending a good couple of hours soaking in the historic ambiance of the old fortified town, I decided to head to one of El Jadida’s most famous attractions – the Majorelle Gardens. Famous artist Jacques Majorelle spent decades cultivating an oasis of exotic plants and artwork in this botanical garden. Upon entry, the explosion of color amazed me everywhere – from the stunning blue buildings and pathways to more than 200 varieties of plants, trees, and flowers. Majorelle’s attention to artistic details was unparalleled – from tile mosaics and sculptures nestled amongst the greenery to the koi fish swimming in the central pools.
I spent hours just wandering along the pathways, taking in the aromas of herbs mixed with the sea breeze and marveling at the captivating palette of colors. Later in the afternoon, I enjoyed relaxing in the cafe by the lily pond with a glass of fresh juice. In my opinion, Majorelle Gardens is one of Morocco’s most picturesque attractions and a welcoming escape from the heat of the Moroccan summer. It is no wonder icons like Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé fell in love with this magical oasis.
El Jadida: Dinner along the Coast
As evening approached, casting a vibrant orange glow over the ocean, I decided to head down to the seaside Corniche for dinner. Laid out along El Jadida’s 5km stretch of sandy coastline is a beautiful promenade with cafes, restaurants, and relaxation spaces looking out to the ocean. I picked a casual seafood restaurant called La Perle to enjoy the sunset views over dinner. Fresh sea breeze wafting in, and the crashing waves provided the perfect ambiance.
For dinner, I started with a sampling of bread, olives, and seafood pastes, followed by a main course of grilled squid and fish skewers served with citrusy salsa. For dessert, I enjoyed a deliciously smooth chocolate mousse. As I watched the orange sun melt into the ocean horizon, I reflected on all the hidden history, culture, and natural beauty I had discovered in El Jadida that day. It was indeed a memorable experience exploring this charming city’s timeless Portuguese charm.
El Jadida: Discovering the Souk
The following day, I set out to explore more of El Jadida. My first stop was the historic Medina and souk in the old fortified town. Stepping into the maze of winding alleyways was like being transported back centuries. Traditional shops and workshops still operated the way they have for generations – from aromatic perfume stalls and displays of colorful fabrics to alleyways filled with copperware and pottery.
I admired detailed tilework, carvings, and architectural elements on the storefronts and the covered souk walkways. Eclectic finds like antique maps, ceramics, leather slippers, and woven baskets were dotted throughout. Haggling for goods was an entertaining cultural experience, as was sampling local snacks at hole-in-the-wall shops. What struck me was how authentically Medina has retained its old-world character despite the modern world outside the city walls. Wandering for hours without a map was part of the pleasure. The Medina is genuinely the beating cultural heart of El Jadida.
El Jadida: Lunch at Riad Sultan
By mid-day, I was ready for a delicious lunch break. I decided to try another highly recommended riad restaurant in Medina called Riad Sultan. Stepping into the airy courtyard took me to a postcard-like Moroccan oasis with a central fountain, lounging nooks, and greenery. I loved the tranquility of it contrasted against the bustling medina noise right outside.
I savored a tagine of lamb with prunes served alongside couscous for lunch. Warm mint tea and a slice of orange semolina cake completed the meal. The setting and food were divine, but what made the experience memorable was the charming hospitality of the staff at Riad Sultan. I felt thoroughly pampered and relaxed by the time I left to continue exploring more hidden gems of the Medina. Discovering charming restaurants like this makes traveling in Morocco such a delight.
El Jadida: Afternoon at the Beach
With the midday heat easing off, I decided the perfect way to spend my afternoon was by relaxing at the beach. El Jadida has a spectacular coastline of gently sloping sandy beaches and tranquil azure waters extending for miles. I walked the few minutes from the Medina to one of the leading public beaches along the Corniche.
Stripping down to my swimsuit, I spent lazy hours soaking in the sun, wading in the refreshing waters, and walking along the sandy shore, watching kite surfers zip across the waves in the distance. It was such a picturesque scene of natural coastal beauty. Later in the afternoon, I enjoyed fresh juice and a sandwich at one of the beach cafes while watching the spectacular Moroccan sunset paint the ocean in its warm glow.