Views over Essaouira, Morocco from city walls. Beautiful sunset
Views over Essaouira, Morocco from the city walls. Beautiful sunset
The beautiful city of Essaouira, Morocco
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!! A quick tour of the most important sites of the beautiful city of Essaouira, Morocco.
Essaouira is a port city and resort on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Its medina (old town) is protected by 18th-century seafront ramparts called the Skala de la Kasbah, which were designed by European engineers. Old brass cannons line the walls, and there are ocean views. Strong Alizée trade winds make the city’s crescent beach popular for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Morocco, a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, is distinguished by its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. Marrakesh’s medina, a mazelike medieval quarter, offers entertainment in its Djemaa el-Fna square and souks (marketplaces) selling ceramics, jewelry and metal lanterns. The capital Rabat’s Kasbah of the Udayas is a 12th-century royal fort overlooking the water.
Vic Stefanu, vstefanu@yahoo.com
Sea wall cannons of Essaouira, Morocco
Cannons on top of the city walls of Essaouira, Morocco, facing the Atlantic Ocean
#08 Essaouira (Morocco Travel Guide)
Visiting Morocco is a once in a lifetime experience!
Perched on the edge of Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira looks like a cross between North Africa and the Mediterranean. Surrounded by golden-stone city walls, it mixes bright blues and dazzling whitewash with flowing djellabas and the smell of spices. And this mixture all makes sense when you look at the town’s history – over the years it’s been inhabited by a whole range of different cultural and ethnic groups, from the Arabs and Africans to the Romans and French. The influences from them all have blended together over the years to create this mellow, relaxed coastal town. Add into that 300 days of sunshine a year and constant warm but not baking temperatures, and you’ve pretty much got the perfect short break destination. Although Essaouira hasn’t got much in the way of big ‘must-see’ sights, it’s an easy place to spend a few days.
With summer temperatures which regularly soar well over the 40C mark, it is no surprise that the good citizens of Marrakech are keen for access to a cool breeze – and the place they head for to get that is the historic, coastal town of Essaouira. Located on the Atlantic coast in western Morocca, Essaouira is easily accessible by car, bus or train from Marrakech. With less than a week in the region, we wanted to get a taste of more than just Marrakech so we booked a driver and headed off on a drive that took just over two hours, but offered plenty of distractions.
With just 10 percent of the population of Marrakech, the smaller city is far easier to navigate and explore. It’s distinctly Moroccan, with its walled medina, narrow alleyways, souks and Berber influence; yet it’s also a place with a young, vibrant, artistic vibe.
Small Art galleries and studios are found all over town; one of the best ways to begin a stay in Essaouira is to simply walk through the main squares to get a feel for the creative scene. You will find not only established galleries, but also the work of plenty of street artists, photo-worthy graffiti and murals on the sides of buildings, as well as colourful creations made of pottery and wood displayed along walls and sidewalks.
Visit the Galerie d’Art Frederic Damgaard (Avenue Okba Ibn Nafia; free entrance) for a nice introduction to local artists, along with a decent book selection and pieces for sale. The Association Tilal (2 Rue du Caire) exhibits the work of half a dozen or so local painters with distinctive styles. Espace Othello (9 Rue Mohammed Layachi) began from the overflow of artwork the owner had on exhibit in his nearby restaurant, and has grown into its own gallery with paintings and sculptures by local artists. The name is derived from Orson Welles’s 1952 film, Othello, which he filmed here.
Along with painting, sculpture and other fine art, Essaouira is famed for its handicrafts — particularly woodcarving, cabinetmaking and intricate marquetry inlays. Along the Skala de la Ville is a string of workshops that specialize in these traditional craft arts, where you can not only buy items, but often watch the artisans at work. An important thing to know is that the traditional woodcarving was done with local thuya wood, which is now endangered. Therefore, you will generally find such other types of wood as ebony or walnut in the carvings. But if you do see anything of real thuya, be aware that buying this wood threatens the last remaining trees and encourages illegal logging. Other places to shop for local artisan crafts include Rafia Craft(82 Rue d’Agadir), which showcases shoes woven from doum palm fibres; Boutique Kif Kif (204 Place du Marché aux Grains) with locally made linens, towels, home décor and bags; andGalerie Jama (22 Rue Ibnou Rochd) for high-quality Moroccan rugs from Mustapha el Boussaidi, who has been making tribal carpets since age 11. The multilevelled Jama, which is located in an old house, also has a nice selection of silk, pottery and other objets d’arts.
Like most cultural hotspots, Essaouira also has a musical side, from traditional styles such as the mystical Gnaoua and Sufi, to classically based Alizés and Printemps, to modern jazz, dance and reggae tunes. Caravane Café (2 bis Rue Qadi Ayad) is a trendy spot with a cosmopolitan-cool vibe, which is frequented by musicians.
Essaouira’s most famous music event is the Gnaoua World Music Festival, held every year in May or June and attracting musical artists from all over the world. Dubbed the Moroccan Woodstock, the festival is a melting pot of Gnaoua masters alongside foreign rock, jazz and reggae musicians. It lasts four days and attracts around half-a-million visitors each year. One- and four-day passes are for sale, but many of the performances are also available to attend for free.
For more info on Essouira, please check here
ESSAOUIRA [MOROCCO] Beach Retreat
Checking out this scenic city in the Essaouira trip vlog, our last stop in Morocco! Like and subscribe if you enjoy the video!
Essaouira is a 3 hour drive from Marrakech, GOAT TREES? nah...
Essaouira has tasty fresh seafood and a relaxed vibe with many shops selling crafts like woodwork and ceramics as well as shoes and rugs. The wind blown sandstone walls might remind you of where the Unsullied on Game of Thrones are from. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Morocco, leave a comment if you have any questions!
Music: Joakim Karud - Loudness & Clarity
Filmed on Samsung S7 and Zhiyun Smooth Q
Essaouira Travel Guide - Morocco Memorable Moments
Essaouira Travel Guide - Morocco Memorable Moments
Essaouira formerly known as Mogador, is a city in the western Moroccan economic region of Marrakesh-Safi, on the Atlantic coast. Archaeological research shows that Essaouira has been occupied since prehistoric times. The bay at Essaouira is partially sheltered by the island of Mogador, making it a peaceful harbor protected against strong marine winds.
Essaouira has long been considered as one of the best anchorages of the Moroccan coast. The Carthaginian navigator Hanno visited in the 5th century BC and established the trading post of Arambys. Essaouira is protected by a natural bay partially shielded from wave action by the Iles Purpuraires. A broad sandy beach extends from the harbour south of Essaourira, at which point the Oued Ksob discharges to the ocean; south of the discharge lies the archaeological ruin, the Bordj El Berod. The Canary Current is responsible for the generally southward movement of ocean circulation and has led to enhancement of the local fishery. The village of Diabat lies about five kilometres (3.1 miles) south of Essaouira, immediately south of the Oued Ksob.
Essaouira connects to Safi to the north and to Agadir to the south via the N1 road and to Marrakech to the east via the R 207 road. There is a small airport some 7 to 8 km (4 to 5 mi) away from the town, which schedules several flights a week to Paris-Orly, London-Luton and Brussels-South (Charleroi) and daily to Casablanca.
Essaouira's climate is semi-arid bordering a warm summer Mediterranean one with mild temperatures year round. The gap between highs and lows is small and summers are warm while winters are mild. There are only a handful of modern purpose-built hotels within the walls of the old city. Newer international hotels have been built along the sea front – the local planning regulations restrict buildings to 4 storeys high to help preserve the stunning views. There are also many privately owned riads, also known as dars, that may be rented on a daily or weekly basis.
Essaouira presents itself as a city full of culture: several small art galleries are found all over the town. Since 1998, the Gnaoua Festival of World Music is held in Essaouira, normally in the last week of June. It brings together artists from all over the world. Although focussed on gnaoua music, it includes rock, jazz and reggae. Dubbed as the Moroccan Woodstock.
A lot to see in Essaouira such as :
Spiaggia di Essaouira
Sqala du Port d'Essaouira
Mogador Island
Gallery Kasbah
Galerie d'art Damgaard
Ecotourism and Hiking
Plage d'Essaouira
Dar Souiri
Palma Quad
Les Massages Berberes
Place Moulay Hassan
Chaim Pinto Synagogue
Essaouira kitesurfing School
Moulay Hassan Square
Castelo Real
Vivre Essaouira
Skala du Port
Plage Tagharte
Bab Doukkala, Essaouira
Sté Diana Quad sarl (Rental Quad )
Bab Sbaa
Bab El Marsa
Synagogue Slat Lkahal Mogador
Mosque Ben Youssef
Essaouira City Walls
Bab Sba
Place marché aux grains
Khadija's Kuzina
Oued Ksob
Phare de Sidi Magdoul
Medina
Sqala du Port
Sqala de la Kasbah
Port de la Marine
Bab Manjana with clocktower
Tagart beach (with sand dunes)
Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church (catholic, operational)
Sidi Mogdoul mosque
Sidi Mogdoul lighthouse
Ben Youssef mosque
The medina is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and 'thuya' wood-carving (using roots of the Tetraclinis tree), both of which have been practised in Essaouira for centuries. The fishing harbour, suffering from the competition of Agadir and Safi remains rather small, although the catches (sardines, conger eels) are surprisingly abundant due to the coastal upwelling generated by the powerful trade winds and the Canaries Current. Essaouira remains one of the major fishing harbours of Morocco.
Essaouira is also renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected, almost waveless, bay. Several world-class clubs rent top-notch material on a weekly basis. The township of Sidi Kaouki is located 25 km south of Essaouira and is becoming one of the best locations in Morocco for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. There are several businesses in Sidi Kaouki which offer gear rental. Essaouira is also a center of argan oil production. It has become a tourist attraction due to the tree-climbing goats who are unique to the region, as argan trees are the only type the goats climb
( Essaouira - Morocco ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Essaouira . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Essaouira - Morocco
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Essaouira-The city of wind
A short movie for Essaouira, Morroco, made from Aiesec programme Discover Morroco in 2017.
Essaouira city, Morocco
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Grilled fish in Essaouira, Morocco
Lunchtime at the fish market just outside the sun-bleached Essaouira city walls, along Morocco's Atlantic coast.
Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is a precious city, located on the Atlantic coast of the African continent. It has almost a thousand nicknames: the Pearl of the Atlantic, the sleeping beauty etc...they can all be traced back to the beautiful Arab word Souirah. The city maintains an enchantment and authenticity; it's like a land untouched by time.
The Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed city.
Magical Morocco - A Destination You Must Visit Once A Lifetime HD 2016
Magical Morocco - A Destination You Must Visit Once A Lifetime 2016 HD
AGDZ, THE SOUTHERN OASES ROUTES
THE TANNERIES IN FEZ
AIT BENHADDOU, SAHARA
ESSAOUIRA MEDINA, THE ATLANTIC COAST
EL JADIDA, THE ATLANTIC COAST
THE CITY WALLS OF ESSAOUIRA, THE ATLANTIC COAST
LES PIERRES BLEUES, NEAR TAFRAOUTE
FOUNTAINS OF FEZ
THE TOUBKAL MASSIF, THE HIGH ATLAS
N’KOB, SOUTHEASTERN MOROCCO
A WATER CARRIER, MARRAKESH
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Please watch: Undiscovered Places to Visit Now 2018 HD
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Marrakesh, Morocco - walking from the Riad to the city Walls
Walking from the riad to the city walls in Marrakech / Marrakesh. New Year 2009/2010
Essaouira Morocco: 23rd - 29th December 2012
Video and stills of Essaouira in Morocco. It starts with the fishing port, loops round some of the ramparts surrounding the old town, then explores the maze of peeling alleys within. Residential, shopping and tourist areas are covered from early morning through to sunset and starry night skies. After snaps of some of the locals we head off to a nearby market then finish at a small waterfall in the countryside.
Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira in Morocco, walks in this harbour city
Beautiful Essaouira, the city we love the most in our trip.
Essaouira, we loved this city, this is a great tourist destination and we visited the fishing port, the Scala the Kasbah and the Medina. We had a reservation at the Dar Hal Bahar which was very well located and we had a great view of the ocean. We found the people in Essaouira very charming and helpful.
My equipment:
Camera Sony A7RIII
Lens Zeiss Batis 25mm and Sony 55mm.
Gimbal DJI Ronin S
Rooftop View of Essaouira, Morocco
This is my favourite city in Morocco. It is a fishing village west of Marrakech on the Atlantic Coast of Morocco. It is a touristy city but retains its authentic Moroccan flavour. Wandering around the city walls, the narrow streets, the fishing port and the beach provide ample opportunity to witness or immerse oneself in the culture. The people in the street below are gathered around a man with his mechanical press that makes drinks by squeezing the sweetness out of sugar cane.
To see photos and read more about my Intrepid tour of Morocco and other tours and places I visited on my second year long sabbatical world tour please check my blog:
Pictures around the city walls of Essaouira by Jérôme Amzallag and music by Seto
From morning to evening, from day to day
Essaouira, city of fishermen
Essaouira, city of seagulls and cats
Essaouira, city of meditation for tourists
Essaouira, Morocco
On the roof of a riad looking out on the ocean. This is within the city walls.
Essaouira, Morocco: Inspiring Scenes from Essaouira
Journey Beyond Travel arranges custom Morocco trips. See our Essaouira travel guide at to get inspired!