Essaouira tips: discover Morocco's charming coastal city

What comes to mind when we think back to Essaouira? A maze of narrow streets, white houses with blue shutters, music on every corner and endless kitties on the street to cuddle. We enjoyed this charming coastal town on the Atlantic coast so much that it deserves its own blog.

About Essaouira: history, charm and UNESCO World Heritage Site

Essaouira, also known as Mogador, is located on the Atlantic Ocean and exudes history. Portuguese, French and Berber influences are still visible in the architecture, music and culture. The medina of Essaouira has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, and with good reason.

In addition to its beautiful medina, Essaouira is known for its lively fishing harbour. Here, bright blue boats return daily with their fresh catch. It is the place where locals and tourists come together and where you can experience Essaouira at its purest. Thanks to the constant sea breeze, Essaouira is also known as the “Windy City of Africa”. Perfect for surfers and kite surfers. And secretly also a nice refreshment during hot days.

From Marrakech to Essaouira: how to get there

From Marrakech, it is about a three-hour drive to Essaouira on the N8, a long, straight road. We have been loyal (and satisfied) customers of the car rental company Majdoline Travel for years. On the way, we made an unexpected but special stop at a petrol station. From the front, it looked like a normal station, but behind it turned out to be a whole park. Complete with lawn, tents and even animals. A surprising place to have lunch in the sun.

Once we arrived in Essaouira, we parked the car outside the medina (cars are not allowed inside the medina). For 140 dirhams (about £14), we could leave the car safely for two days and nights. Then it was a ten-minute walk with our suitcases through the narrow souks. With the suitcases rattling over the cobblestones, we felt like real tourists for a moment, haha.

We stayed at Riad Amana, a spacious riad with décor typical of the coast. Riad Amana is located in an alley in the middle of the medina, so you can easily walk into the hustle and bustle.

What to do in Essaouira? Our favourite sights

After checking in at our riad, we immediately set out to explore the city. Essaouira has a relaxed atmosphere and you can easily entertain yourself there for a few days. Here are our tips:

• Lose yourself in the medina: The heart of Essaouira. A maze of alleys full of crafts, from woodworking to argan oil. You are guaranteed to get lost here, and that is exactly the point.

  Cat lovers will also be in their element here. Wherever you walk, you will encounter cats and kittens, strolling through the streets and alleys or simply relaxing in the sun.

• Fresh fish at the Pescador Mogador: One of the most iconic places in the city, the port of Essaouira. You can see fishermen bringing in their catch and piles of fresh fish on the quay. For lunch, we chose fish from one of the stalls. These fish were caught fresh that day. Then you take the fish to a small place where they cook it for you on the BBQ. You pay 30 dirhams (about £2) for the grilling, bread and salad. We chose scampi, prawns and red snapper (“chicken of the sea”). With a little salt and lemon. Delicious!

  
  

  Oh yes, as you can see in the photos, there are a lot of pirates on the coast in the form of seagulls, but fortunately they are not as cheeky as they are here in the Netherlands. However, walking around the fish market is at your own risk because of the “bombs” the seagulls regularly drop from the sky. The parasols here are not only for protection from the sun...

• Horse riding on the beach at sunset: Essaouira has a vast beach where you can enjoy a lovely walk, but also be active. Marjolein's personal highlight during our visit to Essaouira: horse riding. We went on a tour at Ranch Aftass. The owners are a Belgian woman and a Moroccan man. The man inherited this ranch from his grandmother.

  
  

  There are six horses at the ranch. All of them are beautiful, healthy horses. Oscar got a beautiful white Arabian, Jumper, and I got to ride Moro, a black Arabian with a touch of Friesian blood. The ride lasted two hours and took us through forests, dunes and finally across the beach. Because I have experience with horses, I was allowed to do a little more: ride Moro into the sea and gallop across the beach twice. It was really amazing with the setting sun.

  
  

Where to eat in Essaouira?

Besides eating fresh fish at the harbour, there are a few other places we would like to share with you:

• Pumpkin Bakery: We still haven't forgotten the delicious cheesecakes... This small bakery has many other sweet treats that are just as tasty. An ideal stop while strolling through the city.

• Local restaurants: Throughout the medina, you will find small eateries serving tagines, couscous and sardines – a local speciality. For those who want to dine in more luxurious surroundings, there are also atmospheric restaurants such as La Table by Madada.

  
  

• Roof terraces: KSOU is highly recommended for a drink with a view. From here, you can look out over the ocean and, with a bit of luck, you will be treated to a beautiful sunset.

In conclusion

Essaouira is a place where time seems to stand still. We enjoyed ourselves here for two full days before continuing on to the coastal town of Tamraght. In our opinion, Essaouira is a destination that should not be missed when travelling through Morocco. This charming coastal town is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.