If Marrakech dazzles you with its heat, colour, and chaos, then Essaouira will restore you with sea breezes, blue shadows, and the sound of Atlantic waves. Located 175 kilometres west of Marrakech on the Atlantic coast, Essaouira is the perfect antidote to sensory overload — and the most rewarding half-day escape from the Red City.
Why Essaouira is Worth the Drive
Essaouira (pronounced ess-a-WEER-a) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a fortified 18th-century port city built by the French architect Theodore Cornut under Sultan Mohammed III. Its whitewashed walls and cobalt-blue woodwork give it a character completely unlike anywhere else in Morocco.
It has also served as a film location for Orson Welles’ Othello and HBO’s Game of Thrones (as the city of Astapor). Rock history buffs will know it as the place where Jimi Hendrix famously spent time in 1969.
Top Things to Do in Essaouira
1. Walk the Ramparts (Skala de la Ville)
The 18th-century sea bastions of Essaouira are among the most dramatic in North Africa. Walk the cannon-lined ramparts above the Atlantic for panoramic views of the crashing waves and the medina rooftops. The best light for photography is at golden hour.
2. Explore the Medina
Unlike Marrakech’s medina, Essaouira’s medina is easy to navigate — it has a simple grid layout and is relatively small. Wander through the blue-and-white alleyways, visit the spice souk, and browse the famous thuya wood workshops (Essaouira is the world capital of thuya wood carving).
3. Eat at the Port Fish Grill
This is non-negotiable. The open-air fish stalls at the Essaouira port grill fresh-caught calamari, prawns, sea bass, and sardines right in front of you. Point at what you want, pay around 80–120 MAD, and eat at a plastic table with a view of the blue fishing boats. It is, without exaggeration, some of the best grilled seafood you will ever eat.
4. Visit the Mellah (Jewish Quarter)
Essaouira had one of the most important Jewish communities in Morocco — the Mellah (Jewish quarter) still contains synagogues, Hebrew inscriptions above doorways, and the old Jewish cemetery. A testament to Morocco’s complex, layered history.
5. Watch the Kitesurfers at the Beach
The constant Atlantic trade winds make Essaouira one of the world’s premier kitesurfing destinations. The long sandy beach stretching south of the medina is always alive with kites and boards. Even if you do not surf, it is a spectacular sight.
6. Explore the Gnawa Music Scene
Essaouira is the home of Gnawa music — a hypnotic, spiritual African-rooted music tradition unique to Morocco. Small live sessions happen in the medina streets throughout the day. The famous Gnawa and World Music Festival in June draws 500,000+ visitors annually.
Practical Information
Getting There
The drive from Marrakech to Essaouira takes approximately 2.5 hours on the A7 motorway. Marrakech City Travel offers shared and private day trips departing at 8am and returning by 8pm, giving you a full 5–6 hours in the city.
What to Buy
- Thuya wood boxes — intricate marquetry work unique to Essaouira
- Argan oil — the real thing, pressed in cooperatives outside Essaouira
- Blue-and-white ceramics — lighter and easier to carry than Fez ceramics
- Handwoven baskets — palm-leaf baskets from local women’s cooperatives
When to Go
Essaouira is windy year-round (the locals call it the windy city). If you prefer calmer conditions, visit in October–November or April–May. In July–August, the Atlantic wind can be strong enough to make beach sitting uncomfortable — though it keeps temperatures cooler than Marrakech.
0 Comment