Essaouira
Essaouira is one of the most beautiful cities of Morocco; it offers a mixture
of Portuguese, French and Berber architectures. With a combination of ocean views, curving sandy beaches and historic architectures, The city has long been considered as one of the best anchorages of Morocco coast.
The Medina formerly known as Mogador is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed City and it is an example of a late 18th century fortified town:
During the Middle Ages, a Muslim saint named Sidi Mogdoul was buried there, probably giving its origin to the name "Mogador".
In 1506, the king of Portugal, D. Manuel I ordered a fortress to be built there, named "Castelo Real de Mogador". The Portuguese lose Mogador to local tribesmen in 1541.
During the 16th century, various powers including Spain, England, the Netherlands and France tried in vain to conquer the locality. It remained a haven for the export of sugar, molasses and the anchoring of pirates.
In 1765 Sultan Sidi Muhammad ibn Abdallah got the French architect Theodore Cornut to draw up a city suitable for foreign traders as well as military purposes. It actual name then was introduced.
In the 19th century, It was the only port on the coast open to Europeans, and free trade.
What to See
-The beach itself is already a place to go to and fro, either early morning, between noon and 17:00 to see the acrobats of the sea (kite surfers, windsurfers ...) and of course you can not miss the magnificent sunsets sublimated by the presence of the island opposite.
- The port, a place of life and color where the men of the sea give the best of themselves and where the show is permanent. Just sit back and watch!
- The port of Skala and the medina with its bastions and guns, an entire architecture to discover
- The medina in its entirety is also a wonderful place to live with her crafts of cedar, its blacksmiths, its investors, its jewelers, its carpenters, galleries of paintings, the Place Moulay Hassan and of course its souks. During your visit to the medina, you will also discover magnificent doors, all with beautiful blue stone carved frames.
- The visit of the surroundings of Essaouira to highlight the argan tree and the production of argan oil and its derivatives. True gift of nature to which we give all kinds of virtues.
- The oasis of Ain Hajar, oasis of greenery where a source is born and which flows gently through the palm trees and olive groves
- Moulay Bouzertoun north of Essaouira, a paradise for windsurfers
- Sidi Kaouki south of Essaouira, a beautiful beach where you can practice kitesurfing, surfing, windsurfing
