Azemmour

Azemmour, in the Casablanca-Settat region, is a small whitewashed medina on the left bank of the Oum Er-Rbia river, roughly 75 km southwest of Casablanca. Once a Portuguese outpost taken in the early sixteenth century, it is quieter than nearby El Jadida and is often paired with it. Buses toward El Jadida from the Ouled Ziane station, or grand taxis, take about 1 to 1.5 hours and cost around MAD 30-50; visitors ask the driver to stop at Azemmour. The town is compact and the medina can be walked in one to two hours. The walls rise above the river, and the Place du Mechouar area provides an orientation point for the old quarter. Portuguese ramparts survive along the riverside, with views across the estuary where fishermen traditionally work. Dar el Baroud, a restored historic house, is among the points of interest, and the narrow lanes with blue and white doors, small craft shops and artists' studios reward slow wandering. A sensible arc is to arrive in the morning, walk the walls and river views while the light is soft, take a mint tea or simple lunch, and then either continue by bus or taxi to El Jadida for a seafood meal and the cistern, or return to Casablanca in the afternoon. Food options inside the medina are limited, so bringing water and snacks is advisable. March to May and September to November give the most comfortable temperatures, while summer afternoons are hot and exposed along the river. The overall cost is around MAD 150-250 per person including transport. Because Azemmour is small, it works best as a half-day stop or as the first leg of a combined day with El Jadida.