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Voykit pocket guide · Morocco
El Jadida
Spend 1–2 days in El Jadida: one day for the Portuguese citadel, cistern and beach, plus a half‑day for a relaxed meal or a quick walk.
El Jadida is a small coastal town about 100 km south of Casablanca. Its main attractions – the Portuguese citadel, the historic cistern and a long beach – are close together, so a single full day covers the sights, with a second half‑day for a relaxed meal or extra beach time. Trains and buses connect it to Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech, making it easy as a day‑trip or a brief overnight stay.
- Country
- Morocco
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (peak heat and crowded beaches)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MAD
- Money
- Currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). Hotels, larger restaurants and chain shops take cards; souks, taxis, small cafés, guides and tips are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget MAD 150–250 excl. bed · Mid MAD 300–500 excl. bed · High MAD 600+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi sell tourist SIMs at airports and shops with a passport; 20–50 GB costs about MAD 100–200.
- Emergency
- Police 19 · Gendarmerie 177 · Ambulance / fire 15
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 220 V · 50 Hz · European round-pin plugs; bring an adapter for UK or US devices.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up or leave MAD 2–5.; Restaurant: 5–10%.; Porter or bag carrier: MAD 10–20.; Guide, full day: MAD 100–200.; Desert camp staff and driver: MAD 100–200 per day shared.
- Water
- Tap water is treated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; carry water in the south.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets in older cafés and on the road. Carry tissue and MAD 2–5 for attendants.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mint tea (café) | MAD 10–15 |
| Sea‑food plate at beachfront restaurant | MAD 80–150 |
| Taxi from station to centre | MAD 15 |
| Cistern entry | MAD 60 |
| Beach chair rental | MAD 20–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CMN · Mohammed V International Airport (Casablanca)
- Main international gateway, about 100 km (62 mi) north; shuttle or train to El Jadida.Main international gateway, about 62 mi (100 km) north; shuttle or train to El Jadida.
Typical fares
- Train El Jadida → Casablanca (ONCF)
- about MAD 200, 1½ h (check)
- Taxi station → centre
- about MAD 15 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town centre spreads along the seafront; walking end‑to‑end takes about an hour. Taxis are plentiful; local buses connect the station to the beach and citadel.
See and do
Known for
- Portuguese citadel (World Heritage)
- 16th‑century cistern
- Long sandy beaches
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Casablanca | ONCF train from El Jadida station, about 1½ h | ≈2 h total |
| Safi | ONCF train southbound, about 45 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Budget beach camping
- Sleep on the beach or at the North‑East campsite, 5 min walk from the roundabout.
- Dar El Jadida B&B
- Cheap B&B with private bathroom, terrace and breakfast; 10 min walk to the citadel.
- Riad Harmonie
- Mid‑range guesthouse, 10 min walk to the Portuguese town.
- Mazagan Beach Resort
- 5‑star resort on a 7‑km beach, for a splurge stay.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | سمح ليsmah li |
| Thank you | شكراshukran |
| How much is it? | بشحال؟bshhal? |
| Can I pay by card? | واش نقدر نخلص ببطاقة؟wash nqdr nkhls bbtqa? |
| Where is the toilet? | فين الحمام؟fin l7mam? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Salam alaykum' and a handshake; hand on heart after; avoid: Offering a hand to a woman first unless she does
- Eating: Right hand, bread as your spoon; avoid: Refusing all food at a home
- Bargaining: Smile, take your time, walk away kindly; avoid: Naming a price you will not pay
- Dress: Shoulders and knees covered in medinas and villages; avoid: Beachwear away from the beach
- Photos: Ask and accept no; avoid: Photographing women or children without consent
- Ramadan: Eat discreetly indoors in daytime; avoid: Snacking on the street
Scams and watch-outs
- Train station is 3 km from the centre; a taxi or local bus is needed.
- Taxi fare from the station is about 15 MAD; availability can be limited at peak times.
- Cistern entry costs 60 MAD; opening hours 09:00‑13:00 and 15:00‑18:00.
El Jadida is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of pickpockets on crowded beaches and keep an eye on taxi fares.
One and two days
No timed day plan for El Jadida yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Portuguese citadel (World Heritage)
- 16th‑century cistern
- Long sandy beaches
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: El Jadida, revision 5238952 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5238952
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/el-jadida). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.