Essaouira
Morocco's windy city
Laid-back with a dash of charm, this seaside town on the Atlantic Coast never fails to impress visitors. With little to do but slow down, wander and watch the world go by while sipping a mint tea or coffee nouss nouss (half coffee, half milk), Essaouira is a great place to unwind.
If shopping is your thing, then Essaouira is a pleasant place to experience it. Once known as the Port of Timbuktu, this fortified old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, retains a trading vibe with laid-back markets filled with locally made textiles, honey, and wooden goods made from thuya or olive wood.
Try wandering along the bustling port as seagulls hover overhead ready to swoop in for your snacks. Known for its fresh seafood, fishmongers at the local markets sell their catch of the day with the nearby grills able to cook it to perfection for tourists and locals alike.
Hidden gems in Essaouira
Essaouira
Morocco's Atlantic coast
Most trekking in Morocco focuses on the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, but the country has a long coastline and a rich maritime history which can be explored on foot well away from the regular tourist trail. I like the stretch of coast south of Essaouira, you can spend four or five days here following the old Portuguese trade routes and visiting small fishing villages and beach towns along the way. Historical Essaouira itself is a good place to spend a night or two at the end of your hike.
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Morocco's Atlantic coast
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Essaouira itineraries
