Essaouira

Essaouira (pronounced 'Essa - weera') is a lovely, traditional coastal town. It has in recent years become more of a resort with a golf course, larger hotels and much work on the town's buildings and streets and general infrastructure; so there are now more visitor facilities than ever. This does mean, of course, that for some it has lost a little of its small world charm but we still think it easily merits a night or two on any fly-drive itinerary or as part of our Classic Three Centre Holiday with Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains.

* BOOK EARLY * The Gnaoua & World Music Festival takes place in early summer.

Essaouira's houses and shops in the medina are white-washed with blue doors and shutters and it is a town that has always been popular with more independent travellers. An expansive sandy beach is located next to the harbour and is shallow enough for safe bathing. Essaouira is also a fascinating former Portuguese fishing port. This is the place to eat fresh fish – sit down at any stall in the harbour and feast yourself on the freshest and most varied fish BBQ you will ever encounter. Also famous for inlaid woodwork (thuya and cedar), Essaouira is now a very relaxed town although it was frequented in the past by rock stars such as Jimmy Hendrix and Mick Jagger and stood as the location for Orson Welles’ famous film of Shakespeare’s Othello.

Today, standing on the impressive battlements looking out over the line of cannons and on out to sea it is impossible not to think of the history this town has seen and the daily adventures of the local fishing boat crews. If you want to experience Morocco's many faces then you should not miss Essaouira - great as a combination with Marrakech. Although the area is very popular and world-renowned for surfers its reputation as Morocco's 'windy city' is exaggerated, in fact the sea breezes are very welcome in the summer months. Essaouira is a charming place for a relaxing break after a hot desert trip, trekking in the Atlas or sightseeing and shopping in Marrakech.

Today, Essaouira is a much busier place than when we first encountered it in the mid 1990s, there has been a huge expansion of riads and restaurants, although not all are up to the standards we have come to expect from Marrakech. In the centre there are two main streets, one through the medina with shops (more like permanent market stalls) all along leading to the Bab Marrakech. Another smaller one which has a mixture of shops, restaurants and art galleries is for pedestrians only. The Gnaoua, descendents of African slaves, practice trance and faith healing whilst playing a syncopated music accompanied by singing and dancing. Essaouira has been host for many years now to a very popular festival, which takes place at the start of summer every year, and which promotes Gnaoua music whilst giving a wide opening to world music, jazz and blues.

Sightseeing in Essaouira

The Sqala of the Kasbash, the artillery platform on the ramparts, offers from its north bastion, an incomparable view across the medina and out over the ocean. Some of the Kingdom's most famous marquetry craftsmen and cabinet makers founded their workshops here. The old Jewish quarter, the mellah, is located in the north-eastern part of the old town. Its size shows that the Jewish community was very large in the 18th century and that the communities lived in harmony in Essaouira. The souk's alleyways lead you to Moulay El Hassan square and its cafés.

Essaouira's beach is a long ribbon of around ten kilometres bathed in surf. In the beautiful little port, which can be accessed through the Bab El Marsa gate, the return of the boats at the end of the morning is a daily event; the baskets are unloaded under the keen eyes of the seagulls.

The main square is a large open space surrounded on each side by the harbour, town wall, sea wall and has one street leading into town with many restaurants; many of the newer restaurants are either near the sea wall and ramparts or along in the port, although, we must admit, it is difficult to go wrong in Essaouira with fresh fish. Along the sea front south from the port is a very long promenade and a huge beach, there is windsurfing, kite surfing, horse riding, quad bikes and even camel rides. When the beach eventually fades to a narrower strip it continues in front of a long stretch of dunes, accessible in places from the Agadir road. In the other direction the road climbs inland towards a panoramic viewpoint of the town and coast before heading down on its long way to Marrakech.

Near Essaouira

In the nearby countryside grows the argan tree, from which argan oil is harvested. In town, women's cooperatives run the market for this renowned oil which has skin moisturising and anti-ageing properties. To familiarise yourself with another facet of the local crafts, visit Chbanate street, accessible from the Bab Marrakech bastion, for its weaving workshops producing wool blankets that can either be ecru or brightly coloured. Falcon island - a fifteen-minute boat ride will take you close to the two Mogador islands, which are a true link between the ocean and the continent, but you are not allowed to disembark: it is a protected bird sanctuary. These islands, which were used by the Phoenicians as a stopover, housed a purple dye production workshop at the start of the Christian era.

Families

Children need only walk around the ramparts and sit on the old Sqala canons to feel like a pirate. The town is safe and you can relax; on the beach, you will never lose sight of the members of your family and in the villages, your guides will introduce you to the craftsmen. In their company, the members of your family can try making some pottery, learn to cook or make traditional Berber bread. Discover the magical and enchanting music of the Gnaoua, their dances and their singing; their universal rhythms will please both young and old. Another suggestion is a visit to the Sidi-Mohammed-Ben-Abdallah museum and its formidable collection of jewellery, costumes, rugs and marquetry furniture.

Activities

Surf, kitesurf and windsurf enthusiasts come from around the world to take advantage of the swell and surf of this region. Essaouira and Sidi-Kaouki are ideal beaches for beginners. Fishing fans will never come home empty-handed with such abundant waters. Essaouira is the ideal base to discover this splendid region on foot or on horseback.

Mogador - Eco-resort

An ideal place for rest and enjoyment. The Mogador resort, nestled in 1,500 acres of forest along sand dunes, is like a lush green sea of vegetation plunging down into the ocean. To reach the premium hotels go through the forest on the dry stone paths lit by an original, energy-efficient system; the Jardins Filtrants® (filtering gardens) recycle the water used to irrigate the gardens and golf courses.

The ecological Mogador Golf Course is in a perfect natural setting, surrounded by dunes, forest and the Atlantic Ocean. With its two 18-hole courses designed by Gary Player, it is fast becoming the leader of its kind. But golf is not the only sport on offer at Mogador, you can also enjoy tennis, squash, kite surfing, windsurfing, horse-riding and of course hiking around the Souss plain. Argan trees grow in this region, providing precious argan oil... that you can sample in the spa. Relax with your mind at rest: a special club is on hand to look after your children.

We look forward to being of service.