Written on : 10 May 2021 By : Laura Wendy Harders López
Essaouira is a quaint fortified town on the Atlantic coast. Located 180 km from Marrakech, it's less touristic and busy and where locals are friendlier and more willing to give strangers a helping hand, like that of a village. Its most prominent industry is fishing, and if you arrive early in the morning, you'll find fishermen in the port unloading fish as in the old days, making a human chain.
Steeped in history, Essaouira holds many treasures to explore and activities to try. Read on and find out the unmissable things to do and see in Essaouira that will fit perfectly for a day's worth itinerary.
A must-see in Essaouira is the Medina. You can access it through one of its three gates of the walled enclosure: Bab Marrakech Baba Doukhala and Bab Sbâa and can be explored in a few hours. One can stroll through its streets with alternating blue and white tones, many of them chipped away with the passage of time, and wander around its many alleyways with artisan, spice, and textile shops, from where to purchase unique souvenirs. Or sit at one of its cosy cafés and drink a uniquely-prepared cup of green tea-- a characteristic deeply rooted in Moroccan culture.
The Port
Cross through the Baba el-Marsa gate, and you'll arrive at Essaouira's port, bursting in small blue fishing boats moored in the pier, a sight that will immerse you in a unique atmosphere. This area is one of the busiest in Essaouira, but one the most authentic and beautiful as well. People are either repairing and painting their boats, fishing and auctioning off their fish to local buyers or restaurants, and cooperatively unloading the day's catch in the morning, whilst a flock of seagulls are on the lookout for any leftovers. Aside from visiting this place in the morning, it's also a good spot for watching magical sunsets!
Skala de la Ville
Walking along Skala Street will lead you to the Skala de la Ville-- a beautiful fortification overlooking the sea and boasting 19 copper canyons flanking each wall. It may be one of the most attractive places in Essaouira, whose popularity among tourists picked up since scenes from Game of Thrones were shot here. The fortification is an 18th-century Berber defensive construction and belongs to one of the most valuable architectural treasures of Essaouira. After feeling the pleasant sea breeze on your face, you can climb up this fortification and enjoy the best panoramic views in Essaouira. In its tower, snap some photographs sitting inside the fort's famous "eye", offering the walled city and the ocean as the backdrop.
Visit Essaouira's Beaches
One of the best things to do in Essaouira is to visit its creamy-sand beaches. Essaouira's beaches are vast with fine sand, well-kept, and clean-- being awarded the Mohammed VI Foundation's prize for its environmental protection commitment. One of the most beautiful is Cabo Sim, located near El Ghazoua village.
You can take a pleasant swim in the sea, sunbathe on a hammock, or go surfing or kitesurfing. With its favourable weather conditions whipped by wind gusts, Essaouira's beaches are great for taking up a fun water sport hobby. You can find some establishments to rent the equipment or partake in a lesson. You can also take a ride on the typical camels or sail towards the Mogador islands on a small tourist boat-- these of which are home to an ornithological reserve with many seagulls and Eleonora falcons.
Once you finish riding the waves or soaking up some vitamin D, you can head over to one of its many fish tavernas, where you can taste the local cuisines.
Go up to Taro's Rooftop Restaurant Terrace
Taro's Rooftop Terrace is one of the few places in Essaouira where they serve alcoholic drinks. It's also the most famous bar-terrace for live music performances, such as Berber shows. Near sundown, you can head over and try some of their delicious seafood and fish, drink a refreshing beer, and admire the breathtaking views of the town and the Atlantic sea. You will instantly get carried away with its bohemian-chic atmosphere.
Hammam
Your day in Essaouira wouldn't be complete without visiting a Hammam. The Hammam, also known as a Turkish bath, is a crucial practice in Muslim culture, given the Islamic religion preaches rigorous hygiene. Aside from their cultural significance, they offer many therapeutic benefits thanks to alternating hot and cold baths.
A visit to a Hammam is an opportunity to soothe your mind and body, where rituals usually begin with lathering your skin with natural clay and applying a black soap with eucalyptus leaves to soften the skin. These baths were once only reserved for the upper class, but today, they are part of everyday life and accessible to everyone.
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