Casablanca to Essaouira — Atlantic Pottery & OysterCoast.
Distance
480 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
1,200 m
Casablanca to Essaouira — Atlantic Pottery & Oyster Coast.
Two days down the empty Atlantic coast of central Morocco from the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, past the UNESCO Portuguese fortress of El Jadida, the oyster lagoons of Oualidia, the green-glazed pottery workshops of Safi, and on to the windsurfing UNESCO medina of Essaouira. A flat, easy ride, mostly on the coastal R301 — the alternative to the inland Marrakech route, and quieter. Best done in spring or autumn; summer brings strong Atlantic trade winds (alize) past Safi.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance480 km
Days2
Total climb1,200 m
DifficultyEasy
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2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 8 waypoints to discover along the way.
Casablanca Hassan II MosqueStart · Start beside the Hassan II Mosque — the second-largest mosque in the world, half built over the Atlantic. The 210m minaret is the tallest religious structure on Earth. Head south on the N1 coastal highway.
Sidi Bouzid BeachScenic Point · Wide Atlantic surf beach 3km southwest of El Jadida. Locals favourite weekend escape from Casablanca. Roadside cafes serve grilled sardines straight off the boats.
El Jadida Cite PortugaisePhoto Spot · UNESCO Portuguese fortress city 96km south of Casablanca. The 1514 Cite Portugaise contains a stunning subterranean cistern with vaulted Gothic arches reflected in standing water — one of Moroccos most photographed interiors.
Oualidia Lagoon OystersRestaurant · Lunch in Oualidia. The protected lagoon here produces some of North Africas finest oysters — eaten dockside straight from the beds. Flamingos overwinter in the salt marshes south of town.
Safi Potters HillOvernight · Overnight in Safi — Moroccos pottery capital and Portuguese cazba (1488) above the medina. Watch potters at the Colline des Potiers throwing the famous Safi green-glazed ware. Best fresh sardines on the Moroccan coast at the harbour.
Souira Kedima BeachScenic Point · Wide sand beach 33km south of Safi protected by a natural dike that creates a calm lagoon at low tide. Surreal Atlantic emptiness — kilometres of beach with three or four fishermen.
Essaouira Skala RampartsPhoto Spot · Lunch on a medina rooftop overlooking the 18th-century sea-walls. Bronze Spanish cannons line the bastions facing the Atlantic. Used as Astapor in Game of Thrones and walked by Orson Welles for Othello.
Sidi Kaouki BeachEnd · End at the wind-blasted surf beach 25km south of Essaouira. The marabout shrine of Sidi Kaouki sits on the headland. Camels and horses lined up on the sand for sunset rides. Return 25km to Essaouira for overnight.
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