Situated around two-thirds of the way down Morocco’s Atlantic coast, diminutive Essaouira was once – unbelievably – Morocco’s main port town, although you’ll see no giant cranes or other signs of the modern shipping industry.
Instead, you’ll find a quaint coastal village whose whitewashed Old Town walls are protected from the full force of the ocean by a series of impressive eighteenth-century ramparts. Still lined with brass cannon, its seawalls are just a small part of a heritage that also features an old Jewish quarter or Mellah that was once inhabited by those who had fled persecution in Spain.
We think it’s only right that Essaouira should mean ‘the beautifully designed.’ A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, Essaouira has developed beyond its port origins to become a haven of the arts and culture. Just one example is the four-day Gnaoua Festival of World Music which takes place in June or July annually. Having shifted from its origins celebrating Moroccan gnaoua religious songs, performers are invited from around the world to celebrate everything from rock to reggae.
Beyond its sturdy seawalls, Essaouira has also made a name for itself with adventure sports enthusiasts. Its waves are regularly dotted with some of the best surfers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers in the country, adding another spectacle to what can be witnessed here.
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Casablanca / Chefchaouen / Fez / Marrakesh / Merzouga / Rabat / Tangier
