Formerly known as Mogador, Essaouira hosts thousands of tourists every year. Let's figure out what interesting and unusual places, except for the Atlantic Ocean and beaches, can be found in Essaouira.
Essaouira’s name derives from the diminutive form of the Arabic root word (Sour) meaning “small wall.” The city is located west of the Marrakech-Safi region by the Atlantic Ocean, and was founded by the Moroccan Alawid Sultan Mohammed bin Abdallah. As small as its name suggests, Essaouira is only 90 kilometers squared and is situated 184.3 kilometers from Marrakech. Consider the following interesting places that the city exhibits:
The Gnaoua Festival
The festival was created in 1997 to promote the gnaoua music culture globally. This musical event is held every June and hosts musicians of various genres, not only gnaoua. The idea is ingenious as it gathers people from every corner of the world to reach up to 500,000 visitors every year in just a 4-day span.
Essaouira’s Coast
A great deal of activities can be done along the shore. Apart from the obvious swimming or sunbathing, taking a walk is also just as pleasing, in this breathtaking setting. If you want to begin your journey with a sense of adventure, horse and camel riding is available at a modest price. There are different cafes facing the sea where you can take sips of mint tea whilst enjoying the lovely view. Most importantly, do not miss the spectacular glow of the sunset.
The Medina
Most Moroccan cities have their own medina, the oldest part of town. Essaouira’s medina is home to ramparts located in Skala port. The noise and bustle of the medina streets are one of a kind with traders selling their goods. The cafes therein have a special atmosphere. Remember to taste “amlou,” a thick brown almond-based paste used as a dip or spread. The paste is made out of ground toasted almonds mixed with honey and argan oil.
The Fortress Tower Borj El Barmil
For a reasonable fee, this place is the best to enjoy a view of the entire city. The port and the medina can be seen from one side and the ocean to the other. As advised by some tourists, the best time to visit the fortress is during weekdays.
The Sunday Open-Air Market
Strolling in Moroccan traditional markets (souks) is a unique experience. Vendors open their stores, push carriages, and pave the ground with their goods, thus forming labyrinths. This particular souk is a flea market putting on sale second-hand clothes, books, jewelry, appliances, and furniture. If you do not know how to get there, follow this direction suggested by one tourist “...you’ll have to get out of the old city from Bab Doukala. You should continue straight along with the horse carriages and pass the gas station and then you will see a street full of stalls and vendors.”
The Moulay Hassan Square
The Moulay Hassan square is another cornerstone in Essaouira. Here, you can find street artists performing, and restaurants facing the sea and the fortress tower. One of the most appetizing dishes you can have is barbecued sardines. If you go straight in the opposite direction of the restaurants, you will enter the fishing port, where seagulls fly.
How to get there
The car is the most used means for traveling whatever the distance is. The coach is also one of the most popular ways to move around the country. One more outlet to Essaouira, which not all cities possess, is the airport. However, there is still no train access, but it is a project yet to come.
