Mohammedia, a day of sun, sand and history

Located about 25 kilometres to the north of Casablanca, Mohammedia is a city that typifies the wealth and distinctive characteristics of Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Typical summer scenes, such as the sun and beach, combine with historic touches that evoke the distant past, as well as the more recent upheaval of the twentieth century.

Mohammedia is a good place to visit as a complement to Casablanca. A half-day or full-day excursion is perfectly adequate to travel to this picturesque location and enjoy its various attractions, to discover the local gastronomy or simply to enjoy a stroll around its parks and gardens, among other possibilities.  

The city was known until the 1960s as Fedala, and faint echoes of the powerful Almoravid dynasty and the hustle and bustle of the European ships that in the Lower Middle Ages landed here in search of cereals, fruits and nuts can still be heard. 

During the twentieth century, particularly during the period of the French Protectorate, this place witnessed unconstrained European commercial and industrial expansionism, along with the vicissitudes of the Second World War, including the famous North American Operation Torch landing under the command of General Patton. A good proportion of the cityscape, especially in the central area, bears the stamp of that time.

Following the achievement of Moroccan independence, the city was renamed in honour of King Mohammed V in 1960, and today Mohammedia is a major industrial and port hub. It is, for example, home to Morocco’s main oil refinery (Samir), and the country’s largest power station, as well as being a summer beach destination, with golf courses and tennis courts, cafés and restaurants, hotels, villas and apartments of all kinds, all equally popular with locals as with visitors from abroad.

What to see and do in Mohammedia

Mohammedia’s parks and gardens have earned it the nickname of ‘City of Flowers’, and this is just one of the city’s many virtues: it is a very pleasant place to wander peacefully, to enjoy the beach, to live at a more leisurely pace — something we miss more and more in the hectic grind of daily life. 

Whether it’s along the seafront promenade (also called La Corniche, as in Casablanca), or in its neatly set-out neighbourhoods, or even in its old medina, Mohammedia invites you to wander, to follow your nose exploring old mansions and historic sites such as the Kasbah, built by Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah in 1773, or the White Mosque, also dating from the eighteenth century, or indeed the Medina itself. Then there are fascinating buildings from the colonial period, and examples of Art Déco architecture including Saint-Jacques church, built in 1934, and the area around Mohammed V Square, as well as various monuments and green spaces, such as the attractive Parc de Mohammedia, and more besides. 

At the same time, there is also the more modern side of the city: the marina and sailing club, the Royal Golf and Royal Tennis Clubs, and the assorted restaurants and beach clubs to be found on the city’s different beaches all bring a cosmopolitan air to this remarkable tourist destination located a short distance from Casablanca

Mohammedia Beaches

Long beaches, short beaches, wide beaches, narrow beaches, wild beaches, urban beaches… The Mohammedia beaches have a little of everything, and something for everyone.

Miramar Beach. Located in the very heart of the city, this enormous beach has the best facilities, and is the perfect spot for enjoying the sun, the sea and the sand, with various water sports also available. In the far west is the port and the industrial area, which are not the most attractive views, but things are better on the other side. The seafront promenade is a most pleasant place for a walk.

Manesmane beach.- Continuing eastwards from Miramar, this small bay sheltered by an islet offers a very interesting natural view and calm waters, as well as good facilities for enjoying a day on the beach. A perfect place for families with children.

Monica beach.- Leaving behind Manesmane, this extensive stretch of sand running along a good part of the city’s northern side is very popular with the locals. The golden sands are directly exposed to the onslaught of the Atlantic swell, accentuating the place’s beauty.

Des Sablettes and Mimosa.- In the far north of Mohammedia, these two small, almost adjoining bays are flanked by summer villas, cafés and restaurants. These beaches have good services and facilities, and are a great place to spend the day.

Gran Zenata.- In the opposite, southerly direction, between Mohammedia and Casablanca, the Zenata area also boasts huge sandy beaches that are also worth visiting, although they are a little wilder and less hospitable. Paloma beach, Zenata beach, Petite Zenata beach and Nahla beach, among others, form part of the same great corridor that links the two cities.

More getaways near Casablanca

Of course, Casablanca is an excellent base from which to explore the entire surrounding area, whether on fascinating cultural visits or to see the beautiful beaches and scenery to be found along Morocco’s Atlantic coast or, better still, a little of everything. And to show you, here’s a button to click.

Rabat.- Morocco’s capital lies just under 90 km from Casablanca, so makes for a perfect excursion. Steeped in art and culture, this historic, yet at the same time modern, city boasts treasures such as its old Medina, the ancient Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the great Kasbah of the Udayas (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Chellah Necropolis, the Archaeological Museum, and the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, among many others.

The Bouskoura Forest.- For lovers of nature and sport, this is an essential place to visit. It is a huge area of forest, covering around 3,000 hectares; it lies on the outskirts of the city, and is considered to be Casablanca’s green lung. The Bouskoura forest appeals to families, sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, and people simply looking for a change of scene. It is an ideal place for all kinds of outdoor activities: picnics, hiking, mountain biking, and so on. It is not unusual to find oneself face to face with a wild boar.

El Jadida.- The entire shoreline stretching towards the south of Casablanca is full of surprises, from small, picturesque villages to vast beaches, and one of the indisputable highlights is El Jadida. Located just under 100 km from Casablanca, this port and summer resort par excellence was built on the site of the ancient fortified city of Mazagan, founded by the Portuguese during the sixteenth century. Its ancient remains (the old fortress, the cistern, and the Manueline church of the Assumption) are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The beaches of Dar Bouazza and Sidi Rahal, to the south of Casablanca, those at Bouznika, further to the north of Mohammedia, along with spectacular places such as Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes and the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Volubilis are just a few more of the countless places you could visit on a day out from Casablanca.

Where to stay in Casablanca

After exploring the outskirts, there’s nothing better than returning to the ‘White City’ to enjoy a top-class stay, such as that offered by the two Barceló Group hotels in this remarkable destination, the Barceló Casablanca and the Barceló Anfa Casablanca.

Fully-equipped guest rooms, mouthwatering cuisine, a gymnasium, a spa, meeting rooms, a design that reflects the region’s cosmopolitan character, and the city’s main attractions just a stone’s throw away – these are just a few of the advantages offered by these two hotels, with 4 and 5 stars, respectively.