The 8 Finest issues to do in Essaouira, Morocco

If there was ever a time we have been grateful for having a versatile journey schedule, it was in Essaouira.

We arrived in Essaouira the day after our Sahara Desert catastrophe, having spent 8 lengthy hours in a tow truck sharing a tiny, smelly driver’s seat between 3 individuals in 35C warmth. The concept of lastly reaching Essaouira, considered one of Morocco’s well-known coastal cities, was the one factor that stored us sane. Solar, sand, heat ocean… ahhhh! We have been so prepared!

However this medieval fishing city wasn’t fairly what we anticipated. We dumped our belongings, placed on our bathing fits, and headed straight for the gorgeous lengthy crescent stretch of sand, Plage Tagharte. That was the place we realized why Essaouira is named the Windy Metropolis.

We kicked off our sneakers, stepped onto the nice and cozy sand, and have been instantly greeted by Alizée, Essaouira’s well-known coastal wind that whips the Essaouira seashore and works arduous to make sure that this beautiful place doesn’t flip right into a seashore city overrun with vacationers.

Inside minutes we have been lined in sand, and the robust currents that accompanied the wind made the waters of the Atlantic Ocean equally uninviting. This was our first and solely seashore outing in Essaouira.

However it wasn’t the seashores in Essaouira Seaside that made us linger right here for considerably longer than we initially anticipated. It was very seemingly the identical factor that made Essaouira Recreation of Thrones territory!

Plage Tagharte, Essaouira’s seashore
We watched locals taking part in soccer on Plage Tagharte whereas visiting Essaouira
A deceiving sunny day on the seashore in Essaouira

Simple Medieval Really feel

Strolling alongside Essaouira’s ramparts that date again to the 18th century, we have been instantly transported to the scenes of Recreation of Thrones that have been shot on this very spot. (Season 3 Episode 4 the place Daenerys meets The Unsullied Military) This a part of the outdated city is among the greatest issues to do in Essaouira, making it one of many common Morocco vacationer points of interest.

Misty mornings alongside the fortified metropolis partitions have been significantly hanging. Uninhabited. Deserted. Silent. Solely the sounds of the waves crashing in opposition to the fortress and the lonely cries of seagulls permeated by way of the air. It was completely magical!

The ramparts proved to be way more common as a sundown spot, crowded with vacationers on the hunt for the right sundown shot. This a part of city is the principle motive quite a lot of vacationers go to Essaouira, so you possibly can count on massive teams later within the day, particularly throughout excessive season. Essaouira is a well-liked vacation spot for a day journey from Marrakech and different Moroccan cities.

Main as much as Essaouira Recreation of Thrones ramparts!
Essaouira Recreation of Thrones setting
The highest of the walled metropolis, Essaouira. Recreation of Thrones followers ought to recognise this spot!
Early morning on the Essaouira ramparts
Morning fog units in on the coast of Essaouira. Recreation of Thrones, eat your coronary heart out!
Waves crash in opposition to the rocks on the coast of Essaouira
Essaouira ramparts at sundown
Stunning view of Essaouira at sundown
Our greatest Essaouira sundown shot. Captured from the highest of the ramparts

Issues To Do In Essaouira

1. Go to The Medina

The medieval really feel continued contained in the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Website that served because the hub of exercise in Essaouira. We have been comfortable to find that regardless of the spectacular measurement of the medina, it managed to retain its laid-back vibe, infused with a contact of intrigue.

2. Take pleasure in The Cafe Tradition

We spent each morning having fun with our easy but scrumptious breakfast at our favorite cafe, Casa Mounia, taking our time people-watching whereas sipping on our mint tea and contemporary orange juice.

Finest breakfast in Essaouira. Based on us, as Dar Mounia contained in the medina

3. Memento Store

There was no scarcity of outlets to discover contained in the medina (we stored going again day after day) however not like the angle we skilled in Fez and later in Marrakech, nobody hassled us in Essaouira.

Nobody tried to indicate us across the medina or lure us into their retailers.

Exploring the retailers within the medina at your personal tempo is among the greatest issues to do in Essaouira

4. Get Misplaced!

We took our time getting misplaced within the alleyways (as you do in any Moroccan medina), peeking into all of its nooks and crannies and stopping to say hiya to most of the cute stray cats alongside the way in which. In fact, if getting misplaced isn’t your sort of enjoyable, then you can too signal as much as a Essaouira Full-Day Tour, which takes in all the main sights of the town, together with the medina, with the useful perception of a neighborhood information.

Meow!

5. Examine Out The Artwork Scene

At first look, the medina of Essaouira didn’t look any completely different than every other medina in Morocco. Sure, it’s cleaner and it’s much less touristy, however the carpet-clad streets have been nonetheless stuffed with souvenirs pouring out of the store home windows. However it wasn’t all cookie-cutter pottery stalls and rug retailers…

Roaming round city, we have been pleasantly shocked to search out out that Essaouira is residence to many small arts and crafts companies, artwork galleries, and distinctive cafes and eating places serving up aromatic Moroccan meals.

There’s additionally an enormous ladies’s cooperative on the town, making and promoting natural Argan Oil, handmade bohemian-style clothes, and textiles.

Memento retailers line the principle avenue within the medina.
Arty cafe within the coronary heart of the medina in Essaouira.

Vibrant buildings within the medina of Essaouira

6. Indulge In A Stress-free Therapy At A Spa

Essaouira spas are recognized for offering glorious Hammam experiences. Hammam is a conventional Center Jap therapy that entails a steam tub, exfoliation with argan oil and sea salt, and massaging. Variations of Hammam and supplemental therapies like reflexology or purifying wraps can be found as properly.

7. Go to The Vigorous Fishing Harbour

It was the final place we visited earlier than saying goodbye to this medieval city, however one which left a vivid mark on our Essaouira expertise. The port was flourishing with exercise, with fishermen promoting their contemporary catch on to locals, skipping the fish market and grocery shops. Employees have been deep within the elbow grease, getting the fishing boats prepared for tomorrow’s sail, whereas the fishermen crowded round peddling their day by day catch. This was an superior expertise, witnessing locals and restaurant proprietors purchase contemporary fish for the day.

The pungent fish aroma was not possible to flee, however the harbour stuffed with blue fishing boats rewarded us with loads of postcard-worthy pictures.

Blue boats lined up within the harbour
Artist works on a portray in Essaouira’s port. Morocco
Essaouira fishing port

8. Surf Essaouira

Whereas Essaouira seashore isn’t nice for seashore bums or bathers, Essaouira is among the greatest surf spots in Morocco! There are a variety of seashores in Essaouira the place you possibly can catch a wave, and study to surf, or if you happen to fancy branching out, kite browsing can be massive right here.

Essaouira Bay is nice for freshmen, however if you happen to’re extra skilled and on the lookout for a more difficult surf Essaouira expertise, then head to Safi Seaside, which is simply north of the town. Safi Seaside has a wild, pure really feel to it, that includes an extended stretch of shoreline backed by sand dunes. The distant nature and powerful winds of this seashore make it a preferred spot for kite surfers.

In case you do wish to give the surf a shot, then you possibly can join a full-day Essaouira Browsing Journey from Marrakech. It’s an amazing introduction to the game and to the waters and waves of Essaouira.

With love from Essaouira. Yours really, O&M!

Important Journey Data

Finest Time To Go to Essaouira

Due to its location on the Atlantic coast, the climate in Essaouira is gentle compared to different Moroccan cities.

Summer time is the excessive season, with most vacationers visiting between the months of June and August. The climate is splendidly heat and dry, with highs round 28℃ (82℉). Count on costs to be larger throughout this time, and for points of interest just like the medina to be crowded.

The winter months see the least quantity of vacationers, with January being the wettest and coldest month. Even so, temperatures solely get all the way down to about 9℃ (48℉), which isn’t unhealthy for winter!

The autumn and spring seasons are most likely the perfect instances to go to Essaouira if you wish to get pleasure from the perfect climate with out the vacationer crowds. Each October, Essaouira hosts the Atlantic Andalusian Pageant, an occasion that celebrates Morocco’s layered cultural heritage. Dwell music, conventional Moroccan delicacies, and cultural exhibitions could be loved throughout this pageant. In case you go to through the spring months, keep in mind that Ramadan takes place throughout this time. Remember that companies could shut throughout spiritual festivals, and alcohol won’t be accessible for buy. Actual dates for Ramadan change yearly, so it received’t damage to do a little bit of analysis earlier than visiting.

Getting Into Essaouira

Essaouira is a coastal city positioned some 200 kms west of Marrakech in Morocco. The best option to get to Essaouira is by way of shared taxi from Marrakech, which you’ll be able to be part of for a really affordable value. Alternatively, it’s simple to hire your personal automobile and journey to Essaouira by yourself accord.

Getting Round Essaouira

The principle points of interest are the medina and the seashores within the small village, each of that are simply accessible on foot. There are many bike rental locations round city, and a few resorts supply bicycles to friends.

The place To Keep In Essaouira

Throughout our go to in October 2016, we stayed at Lodge Sahara, a properly embellished finances resort positioned proper on the entrance into the medina. We cherished our keep however have been disillusioned to search out out that property taxes weren’t included in our reserving value and that the ultimate value per night time was truly nearly double what we had agreed to through the on-line reserving course of. Beware!

There are many different choices for Essaouira resorts and lodging.

Riad Chbanate: is completely positioned, just some minutes stroll from Essaouira seashore. It additionally has a wonderful rooftop terrace overlooking the medina. The resort’s spacious rooms characteristic conventional Moroccan design, with fireplaces and splendid loos. Automobile leases and guided excursions can be found by way of the resort’s concierge desk.
Dar Dayana: is smack bang in the course of the medina and boasts a peaceable backyard, which is sort of a little oasis of calm within the midst of the town. You’ll be inside a brief strolling distance from the seashore, fishing port, and plenty of retailers.
Villa Quieta: ultimate place if you happen to’re on the lookout for Essaouira resorts with a bit luxurious. Once more, the placement is ideal, being proper subsequent to Essaouira seashore. Additionally they have an out of doors pool, which is nice, since taking a swim within the sea isn’t simple! Bicycle leases can be found on the resort, and employees are more than pleased to assist organize excursions.

A Moroccan Riad

Our View Of Essaouira, Recreation Of Thrones Nation

If it wasn’t for our flight to Romania, we most likely would’ve lingered in Essaouira for just a few extra days, having fun with the city’s excellent stability of medieval appeal, bohemian really feel, and laid-back ambiance. However as all great journeys go, this one has run its course.