Essaouira is one of Morocco’s most popular and laid-back beachside towns on the south-west coast of North Africa. The name of the city is usually spelled Essaouira in Latin script which means “wall (as round a yard, city), rampart”. Essaouira presents itself as a city full of culture: several small art galleries are found all over the town. Essaouira is approximately a 3-hour drive west of Marrakech, located on the south-west coast of Morocco. Essaouira can be reached by bus, plane, or private taxi. Royal Air Maroc which is the country’s largest and most reputable airline that offers daily flights.
Essaouira’s climate is semi-arid with mild temperatures year round. The gap between highs and lows is small and summers are warm while winters are mild. The currency in Morocco is Dirham (MAD) and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = 10 MAD.
The Medina of Essaouira (formerly “Mogador”) is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, an example of a late 18th-century fortified town, as transferred to North Africa by European colonists. The medina is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and ‘thuya’ wood-carving (using roots of the Tetraclinis tree), both of which have been practised in Essaouira for centuries. Getting lost in the rabbit warren of souks inside the medina is one of my favorite things to do in Essaouira! Each small street is filled with handmade garments of sorts, spice shops, souvenir stores, and seafood restaurants. Also, head over to the large open square down by the Essaouira Port when it comes alive during the late afternoons and into the night. Listen to the street buskers and grab something to eat and drink as the sun begins to set over the Atlantic Ocean.
Essaouira is also renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected, almost waveless, bay. Several world-class clubs rent top-notch material on a weekly basis. The township of Sidi Kaouki is located 25 km south of Essaouira and is becoming one of the best locations in Morocco for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.There are several businesses in Sidi Kaouki which offer gear rental. It is also a center of argan oil production. It has become a tourist attraction due to the tree-climbing goats who are unique to the region, as argan trees are the only type the goats climb.
Visit Essaouira Beach. A stroll, swim or surf at Essaouira Beach is one of the best things to do in Essaouira. For non-surfers, Essaouira beach stretches 2km around the bay, so you’re guaranteed to find a secluded spot along the sand to sunbathe and swim. Half a dozen restaurants and cafes are situated along the pristine shoreline at Essaouira Beach – the perfect spot for lunch and to chill in a hammock or beach chair, soaking up some Vitamin-D.
Essaouira Port.
Essaouira is a visit to the traditional blue fishing boats that can be found down by the fort walls, one of Essaouira’s main attractions. A postcard-like setting is a painter’s dream and it’s also one of the best locations to watch the sunset. The bustling port is the best place to finish off a day in Essaouira!
There are only a handful of modern purpose-built hotels within the walls of the old city. Newer international hotels have been built along the seafront – the local planning regulations restrict buildings to 4 stories high to help preserve the stunning views. There are also many privately owned riads, also known as dars, that may be rented on a daily or weekly basis.
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