Essaouira, the Moroccan jewel that looks out over the Atlantic

Essaouira is a true jewel on the Atlantic coast, a well-kept treasure where you can get to know the essence of Moroccan culture, renouncing the hustle and bustle of big cities like Marrakech.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
22 May 2023 Monday 12:56
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Essaouira, the Moroccan jewel that looks out over the Atlantic

Essaouira is a true jewel on the Atlantic coast, a well-kept treasure where you can get to know the essence of Moroccan culture, renouncing the hustle and bustle of big cities like Marrakech. A World Heritage Site, ancient Mogador keeps alive the charms of what was once a completely fortified town.

“The well designed”, “the pearl of the Atlantic” or “the Sleeping Beauty”. There are many names that Essaouira receives, but what is clear is that it is a destination that receives more and more visitors attracted by its traditional charm, the great artistic offer that it offers or the magnificent waves that surfers and kitesurfers from all over the world can catch .

One of the great reasons for traveling to Essaouira is its impeccable medina, the direct reason for which the Moroccan population was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2001. According to the United Nations organization, "It is an exceptional example of a fortified city of end of the eighteenth century”. And it is that, if we walk through the old part of the town, we will realize the importance and beauty that it possesses.

The town was fortified following the principles of military architecture from the mid-18th century, in the form of a grid and surrounded by old bastions. The result? It became one of the main Atlantic trade centers between Africa and Europe. The tangle of narrow streets that make up the medina has an endless number of entertainment venues and shops where you can find all the typical products of the Moroccan souks, such as spices, tapestries or local crafts.

In addition to shopping, which we will talk about later, the medina offers different points of great tourist interest that no one can miss. Starting with a mint tea purchased in the Moulay-Hassan square, you can enter the colorful and commercial street of the Skala, perfect for discovering the souk. Other great attractions are the Chefchaouani square or the Clock Tower, baptized as the Big Ben of Essaouira.

The city is still completely unknown to the vast majority of tourists planning a trip to Morocco. Its proximity to places like Casablanca or Marrakech totally eclipse the mass tourism that has increased over the years in these North African towns.

Many times one can think that this is a disadvantage, but, in this case, Essaouira has taken advantage of it and boasts of having a relaxed atmosphere in its souks. Away from the pressures that tourists feel as they browse the shops of the Marrakech markets, visiting the Souk of the Atlantic Bride is a real luxury, because here one can feel free to look and ask without feeling the hassle of buying the merchandise that sellers offer.

Added to this, the quality of the products that can be purchased is excellent. The city has a rich and varied craftsmanship, a direct reflection of the cultural fusion that the region has experienced over the centuries. Phoenicians, Portuguese and French were three of the large populations that left their mark on the history of Essaouira, but the many travelers and merchants who passed through the port town also contributed their grain of sand to the cultural influences that can be seen in their day. a day.

Traditional cabinetmakers, artisans specialized in lamps, ceramic potters or the so-called liquid gold of Morocco, the famous argan oil. Added to these products, in your purchases in the souk you will not be able to miss spices, olives or candied lemons, perfect gifts for the most demanding palates.

That it is referred to on numerous occasions as "the city of the wind" is no coincidence. And it is that it is one of the windiest towns in Africa. The sirocco, the strong Mediterranean wind of the Sahara desert, meets the seasonal trade winds from the Atlantic on this part of the Moroccan coast, creating wind conditions that locals have been able to take advantage of.

These winds are perfect for moderating the summer heat. Did you know that the city has more than 320 sunny days a year? These conditions have made it a place of pilgrimage for lovers of water sports such as surfing or kitesurfing from all over the world. The Essaouira beach or the Sidi-Kaouki beach, 15 minutes from the villa, are two perfect places both to start and to continue practicing the skill of riding the waves.

If what you are looking for is to practice kitesurfing, we advise you to go in summer, specifically between the months of March to October. If, on the other hand, you are more of taking waves while surfing, the ideal time to do so is from October to April.

Continuing with the charms that the sea gives it, we head to its port, one of the great bastions to learn in depth about the history of the town. As we have previously indicated, the past of this Moroccan city is deeply linked to the travelers who came to the Atlantic coast to sell and buy products. Another of Essaouira's economic pillars has been, since time immemorial, fishing.

The fishing boats that can be seen are innumerable and their arrival at the port is, without a doubt, one of the most special and vibrant moments experienced in the town. These boats return at about 9 in the morning with the day's catch that will later be auctioned at the fish market. Sardines, octopus, prawns, sea bass or mackerel are usually the stars of the moment. Without forgetting the seagulls, which escort the blue trawlers at all times.

If we had to associate a name with Essaouira, it would be Orson Welles. The American film director came to Morocco in search of locations for his film Othello. Arriving in ancient Mogador, he stopped searching. The walls, the beaches, the 16th century fortifications and the intact charm that was breathed in its streets were considered by Welles as the ideal setting for shooting.

Despite the fact that the recording of the film was plagued with complications, Othello was a complete success and made it possible to make this remote Moroccan town known to the whole world. To thank this moment, Essaouira has a square with the name of the director and a bust in his honor.

However, Welles has not been the only one to bring the city of the Atlantic coast to the big screen. And even to the small screen. Game of Thrones was one of those that chose it to recreate the town of Astapor. The followers of this series surely remember the moment in which Daenerys conquered the city and freed all the slaves. Well, the port town is the one behind all this and we believe that the beauty of the real city is greater than fiction.