Essaouira
Essaouira is one of Moroccos most enjoyable and attractive towns on the coast. Its charm is undeniable with its white washed and blue shuttered houses, art galleries, wood workshops, fishermen and colorful boats- all enclosed by ancient red walls. The town faces a group of rocky islands and is surrounded by an expanse of empty sandy beaches and dunes. Everything in the small center is within walking distance and the beaches are quite clean. In summer many people from the big cities come for a day or two to escape the heat and tension of Casablanca and Marrakesh. Interestingly, it is also the city that contains the “castle” from Jimi Hendrix’s song “Castles in the Sand” – and it is melting into the sea, on a beach, on the ourskirts of town.
Many tourists are attracted by the constant wind, good for wind-surfing and surfing. The windy city has become internationally famous for its contests and has brought windsurfers from all over the world.
Related Travel Information
Why Travel Morocco?
The traveller's mecca in 60s-70s, Morocco is still a fascinating mix of Islamic, Arab, African, and Berber cultures with a topping of France. Throw in some pleasant cities, eye-boggling landscapes, colourful people, excellent beaches, good trekking, plenty of interesting shopping and there's something for everyone. Moroccans are mostly Muslim but not too obsessive about it.
Morocco has mountains, deserts, ancient cities, and some of the friendliest people anywhere in the world. Most Morocco holidays are based in Marrakech, with easy access to trekking in the Atlas mountains, especially for climbing Mount Toubkal. Just 2.5 hours from the UK yet
Morocco - Where to go?
-Marrakesh hosts Djemaa el Fna, the wackiest square in Morocco, where assorted weirdos put on performances and in the evening food stalls serve excellent local cuisine. The souk [market] is the best place to find good quality crafts.
- Fès is the oldest imperial city in Morocco and has the largest medina [old city] and souks in the world. You have to get lost in this medieval maze of 10,000 tiny streets to feel the city.
- Dunes. Travel past Erfoud [to Merzouga] or Zagora [to M'Hamid] to get to the dunes at the edge of the Sahara
