Departing from Marrakech, enjoy a two and a half hour drive through the argan cultures and the breathtaking arid landscapes. You will cross in your path families of goats mounted on the argan trees. And on arrival, you will have the chance to visit a women’s cooperative producing argan oil.
Afterwards, leave to discover the fishing port of Essaouira. Cross the old medina with its souks and traditional shops and discover the art galleries and authentic carpentry workshops. Explore the art of thuja wood marquetry and appreciate the beautiful objects presented by craftsmen through the narrow streets of the medina.
Visit the ramparts and gates of Essaouira, its Borj and military buildings as well as its two main fortifications: the sqala of the kasbah and the sqala of the port. For windsurfing and kit surfing enthusiasts, Essaouira’s particular climate and geographical position have made it a strong point for practicing these two sports, hence its nomination as the “City of the Wind”.
Don’t miss to admire a Souiri tagine or a superb fish dish (Essaouira’s speciality) in one of the restaurants by the sea.
A rich presentation of the city of essaouira
Breathtaking view of the ramparts of Essaouira
Essaouira, the blue and white port city, sits directly on the Atlantic Ocean on a long stretched rock. It looks like a sculpture between sky and water, sun and light. The white houses blend into the mist of the Atlantic surf and the medina with its walls, ramparts and cannons houses rustic restaurants, well-kept alleys with bars and idyllic and welcoming squares.
Essaouira is a jewel of the Atlantic coast with a large medina free of traffic.
Before the independence of Morocco, Essaouira was also called Mogador.
Essaouira is located directly on the Atlantic Ocean and is also called the “City of the Wind” because of the strong wind that blows from the Atlantic all year round.
This prevents it from being as hot in summer as it is in Marrakech, for example. Temperatures are always bearable.
Also in June the great Gnaoua festival takes place.
In addition to typical Moroccan music, modern music styles such as pop, jazz or rock are performed by international artists.
for the entrance to the medina of Essaouira. Here you can enjoy a coffee in the bistros with a view of the harbour.
Visually, Essaouira appears atypical for Morocco. The houses painted in blue and white show the Portuguese influence. The old city, entirely preserved, with a strong Andalusian appearance. the cultural influences of the former rulers of the city, French, Jewish, Portuguese and Berber, are clearly recognizable.
Essaouira’s artist and music scene already attracted pop stars such as the Beatles, Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix with his flair.
Visually, Essaouira seems atypical for Morocco. The houses painted in blue and white show the Jewish and Portuguese influence. The old city, entirely preserved, also has a strong Andalusian appearance.
Many influences from the French, Portuguese and Berber occupation can be recognized. The next major cities are Agadir in the north and Marrakech in the west.
Essaouira’s artist and music scene already attracted pop stars such as the Beatles, Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix with his flair.
Essaouira, the former Magador, has a population of about 100,000 and we call it the pearl of the Atlantic – beautiful sleeping beauties. The historic old town is almost entirely and strongly Andalusian. The old Portuguese port city should in any case be visited during a trip to Morocco.
Essaouira is one of the most beautiful coastal cities in Africa.
The windy city has also become famous for its international windsurfing competitions. The unique charm of Essaouira lies in the old red walls of the city. You can see art galleries and carpentry workshops, fishermen and colourful boats.
Give yourself time to linger.
In Essaouira, the street scene is an electric mix of locals buying their provisions in the souks and foreign visitors strolling through the shops.
In the maze of small streets, you can get lost very quickly. Essaouira is also a centre for local arts and music. The souvenirs on sale here are very different from those you can find in Fez or Marrakech.
The fish in the port is freshly caught and is grilled in the many stalls on the quay.
You should also see the hustle and bustle in the port when the fish auction begins, usually in the early morning. From the fishing port you can go directly to the old Portuguese fortifications. These are impressive, flanked by towers and have beautifully crafted bronze cannons. Here you can stay for hours and let your soul swing.
The port fortifications as we know them today were built by the Portuguese and continuously extended by the dominant sultans.
Thus, the port of Essaouira became in the 18th century the largest and most important seaport in Morocco.The fishing port of Essaouira is very interesting to see. Today, wooden boats are still built and renovated there.
After a walk on the beach, you will arrive at the ruins of an old watchtower. The water washes them only partially. A few steps away, in the direction of Diabet, you will come to a well-preserved pasha ruin. Here it is said that even Jimmy Hendrix played at night.
Fish freshly caught in the port of Essaouira
The freshly grilled fish here is a delight. There are many grill stands and the taste is very good everywhere.
Essaouira is often called a city of artists.
Various artistic movements from all over the world have found their place in Essaouira. Painters, musicians and writers have found Essaouira the ideal place for their creative vein. Throughout the medina, small artists’ studios can be found in the form of open-air museums. The riads have been restored with great taste and aesthetic spirit and, as a guest house or restaurant, they offer quiet comfort in an incomparable atmosphere.
Don’t miss the sunset atmosphere on the beach promenade of Essaouira with a view of the old prison island and the mosque on the island of Mogador.
Essaouira is located west of Marrakech and enjoys a picturesque location on the Atlantic Ocean. In the beautiful old town there are still workshops and shops selling real handicrafts and not mass souvenirs as in Agadir or Marrakech.
Essaouira is an old pirate’s nest and later a craft port. In the meantime, since 2001, the medina of Essaouira is also a World Heritage Site and it is worthwhile to organise a walk there with a guide who knows the area well.
Essaouira’s beach promenade is about 5 km long and starts at the port.
You can swim here almost all year round. In the summer, strong north-easterly winds cool the water and keep the temperature pleasant. This wind also offers favourable surfing conditions. To the south of the beach area there is a large area of sand dunes resembling a desert. About one kilometre off the coast of Essaouira is the purple island. The name comes from the time of the purple factories of the former Mauritanian Empire.
A beautiful trip leads to the fishing village of Sidi Kaouki, 20 km south of Essaouira. There you will find a beautiful and idyllic beach. Ideal for swimming and walking on the beach for families – even with young children.
Between Essauoira and Agadir you will find a unique tree: the argan tree.
The fruit of the argan tree contains up to three stones and is slightly smaller than a walnut. Argan oil is extracted from the almonds of the stone. The seeds are roasted at a temperature not too high and then ground by hand with a stone mill.
This unique argan oil with its nutty taste has now reached the haute cuisine of the world.
Argan oil is also increasingly used in cosmetics.
If you want to take a bottle of this precious argan oil home with you, you should buy it in a cooperation, because here in the country, with this money, women can bring an income to their families, and at the same time the girls of these cooperatives receive school
