Travel Guide Azemmour

Azemmour is located 72 km southwest of Casablanca and 15 km north of El Jadida. One of the most flourishing cities under the Almohads, it was then occupied by the Portuguese from 1513 to 1541 who built the fortress at the mouth of the Oum er-Rbia wadi. It was during this period that the famous Mustapha Zemmoyri, a native of Azemmour, slave of a Portuguese merchant, then of the Spanish explorer Panfilo de Naevaez, was embarked with the latter in expeditions that led them to the discovery of Cuba, the coasts of Florida and the American West. It is said that he was the "first" African to set foot in America. His story inspired the novel Son of the Sun by Hamza Ben Driss Ottmani and you will certainly hear about him when you pass through this large town. The new town has no interest except for the daily services. Nevertheless, its main attraction is its fortress-casbah surrounded by superb ramparts, of which many efforts have been undertaken for its renovation. It is worth a visit if you stay a few days in El Jadida or if you are heading to Casablanca. There is also a beautiful view of the entire fortress from the bridge over the Oum Errebia that you can see when you continue along Avenue Mohammed V towards Casablanca by the coast. In summer, you can also enjoy the large beach of El Haouzia or "Azemmour beach", very lively. It is a place of reference for surfing, bodyboarding and kitesurfing.