Essaouira

Essaouria is an ancient city with vibrant streets and houses. The old town area is a lively maze of bustling markets and intricately carved doors. One such place is the Le Real Mogador Art Centre. It’s housed within a 19th-century mansion which used to be a hotel. Nowadays it puts on exhibitions of modern art, ►

Essaouria is an ancient city with vibrant streets and houses. The old town area is a lively maze of bustling markets and intricately carved doors. One such place is the Le Real Mogador Art Centre. It’s housed within a 19th-century mansion which used to be a hotel. Nowadays it puts on exhibitions of modern art, showing paintings, sculptures, photographs and more by Moroccan as well as world artists. The building features beautiful architecture around a central patio. Traditional crafts in Essaouira include woodwork with fine arabesque patterns and metalwork too; skilled craftsmen work at their trades all over town in small workshops dotted about everywhere. One site not to miss is the Maalem Ali 1908 Artisanal Jewelry Centre: this historic shop has been selling finely made silver jewellery for over one hundred years – pieces that represent centuries of knowledge about how to create dazzlingly intricate jewels which glitter under African skies northwards.

Essaouira has a long beach with fine sand where you can relax. You can sunbathe and do water sports like kitesurfing. Get lost in the lively alleys of the medina. Admire the traditional buildings and shop in the souks. The Skala of the Kasbah is an 18th-century fortified bastion. Climb up for panoramic views over the city and ocean.

A boat trip to Mogador Island can be taken. This rocky island is home to historical remains and sea caves to explore. Seabirds can be observed there. Essaouira is considered a paradise for outdoor activities. The long golden sandy beaches and steady winds are enjoyed for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Camel rides along the coast can also be enjoyed. The Mogador Nature Reserve is known for being home to many seabirds to observe. The Bayt Dakira, a Jewish cultural center, is worth visiting. It was inaugurated in 2020 to preserve the Judeo-Moroccan heritage. Exhibitions on Jewish history and culture are presented there.

The traditional Moroccan music in Essaouira that is influenced by African traditions, singularly Gnawa music, is one of the things that makes it famous. Each year they organize the World Music Festival where many artists from different parts of the world come together to perform in popular places such as Moulay Hassan Square and Essaouira Beach. Moreover, you can also enjoy listening to some world tunes apart from Gnawa’s.
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