How should you behave during Ramadan? (I booked this tour, which cost me less than $30!). As Essaouira is coined the Windy City of Africa it may come as no surprise that Essaouira is one of the top destinations in the world for kite-surfing! You'll love Essaouira. Related: The 10 Most Charming Seaside . Like any tourist town, beware of pickpocketing, especially around the bus station. Agadir to Essaouira road trip: 5 day itinerary. Recommended spas to try are Spa Cocooning, and Azur Spa Essaouira for a bit of well-deserved pampering. Personally, I stayed atRiad Arambys, which manages to be regal yet delightfully simplistic in its designwith very clean toilets, at least according to my close inspection. Tip: Try Moroccan wines. Nor did the striking interior of the old traditional residence I'd be calling home impress me much, although it boasted both a dramatic, airy courtyard and carpeting the color of candy apples. I also travel solo, and Im going to Morocco in November. Wander anywhere in the medina, up and down the seaside promenade, or through the streets of the new city. However, businesses will be closed, or have significantly reduced opening hours (this includes the Essaouira surf schools and other activities). Related Post: Relaxed 2 Day Itinerary for Essaouira Morocco! You are not expected to join in with the fasting, but please show respect to those who are. Thanks so much! Welcome to Explore Essaouria Dont worry if you missed breakfast, as you will be passing Brunch&Co Essaouira just a few minutes into this walking tour along Avenue Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah. However, the vast majority of travellers to Essaouira experience no problems with crime or violence at all. Taxis are 150dh. A very nice benefit of visiting Essaouira during Ramadan is that there are no building works taking place around the Medina. Nor did the striking interior of the old traditional residence Id be calling home impress me much, although it boasted both a dramatic, airy courtyard and carpeting the color of candy apples. One day in Essaouira: The essential guide | The Blond Travels Medina of Essaouira: Only worth visiting en route - See 4,530 traveler reviews, 4,419 candid photos, and great deals for Essaouira, Morocco, at Tripadvisor. There is nothing worth stopping along the way. Which cities were worth visiting and how long should I spend there? The local buses to places we recommend in our post on things to do in and around Essaouiralike Sidi Kaouki, Tagazhout, and the Had Draa marketleave from the Bab Doukkala gate at the northern end of the medina. A Relaxed 2 Day Itinerary for Essaouira Morocco! Indeed it even rains sometimes in Essaouira, although heavy rain is very rare. If this post is making you want to visit Essaouira and you want to check out some Riads have a lookBooking.com here as there are lots available! After the walking tour was over, I enjoyed a seafood lunch at a restaurant with a rooftop terrace (it was pricey, but that's the price you pay at a touristy spot), and then walked back through the city to the fishing port and beach. Here are the best things to see and do in the beautiful beach town of Essaouira, Morocco! A private hammam is more expensive, and means that you get a hammam all to yourself. Expect to pay around 50DH for a return fare to Safi Beach (your horse and carriage will wait for you, or you can arrange a pick up time). You can opt for a private or public hammam. I had read that there is no bartering in Essaouira and everything has a set written price however this isnt true. Just make sure you check out the Essaouria sunset time and best viewpoints in advance. Arganier, the Essaouira rental car company our Airbnb host recommended to us, has the most no-fuss system we've experienced. Go to El Borj and delight in the pastries at Maison Gourmande, Patisserie Patachou, and Aux Pains du Monde instead. We've got 5 nights accomodation booked in essaouira. Is Essaouira worth visiting? Self-catering accommodation is a good idea so that youre not tied to eating in the same places every day, due to lack of choice. How different is it to Marrakech for example. So keep this in mind especially in the Winter and colder months as the wind will create the chill.. however its likely there will be blue skies so thats fine! I have been there several times - not as a day trips but after Kech the city is just great! The people to thank for this experience are numerous, but in particular I want to thank the tour organizers: Moroccodeserttour4x4.com This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Ocean Vagabond has more table seating, is shadier, and theres a small play area for kids out the back. Mostly foreigners, but even the odd Moroccan, too. But over Ramadan, this all stops. The PERFECT 1 Day in Granada. And if youre looking for a 3 day Essaouira itinerary, we have provided options for extended days. This walking tour leads you up through the main street for shopping in Essaouira (now is a good time to check prices and get a feel for what you may want to purchase) and into the Jewish Quarter, to then take you out of the medina from Bab Doukkala. Hello, Salaam! Diabat - worth visiting? - Essaouira Forum - Tripadvisor Both are on the pricier end of the scale when it comes to eating out in Essaouira. A combination of spectacular beaches, great sea and the almost constant tropical trade winds has changed this city from a hardworking port into one of the worlds greatest sites for windsurfing, kiteboarding and other exhilarating watersports, Great way to visit choice parts of Morocco. A weekend in Essaouira: what to see and to - and where to stay The weather in Essaouira is dry, moderate, and windy all year round. Alcohol is sold, its not overly expensive but its not cheap like you may think and its fine to have a drink if you want but its equally fine to watch the sunset or finish off dinner with a mint tea instead and honestly, thats what Id rather do! Really. Did you see my Taghazout post? Many locations in this city, which was once known by the name Mogador, were featured in HBOs soon-to-be-ending most-famous TV series. Essaouira Travel Blog: The Good, The Bad, and The Yummy Essaouira is unique in Morocco, as a result of its dramatic coastal scenery and relatively cool weather during certain times of the year. Beside it is a well-maintained beachside promenade with an outdoor workout area, ideal for getting some exercise before or after your plane ride. At first glance, there's not a lot of charm to El Borj's rows of three and four-story apartment blocks. Wandering through the mellah here is interesting look out for the Stars of David engraved above doorways, and even some of the city gates. Everything I had heard about Essaouira being relaxed and chilled is certainly true. 7 years ago Immediately I knew that Essaouira was going to be different. Other travelers will follow a simpler trajectoryother travelers in this instance being surfers. Is Essaouira worth visiting? Instead, order your seafood off the menu at a restaurant, whose chefs will know better what's fresh and how to cook it. You can pretend that you're on a movie set as your stroll, since Essaouira has featured in several movies and TV shows. So you are guaranteed that there wont be any hammering or drilling happening to disturb your peace. Here the cool breeze, blue skies, and laid back atmosphere will relax and calm you. Buses are only 6dh but go infrequently. Mellah When Jewish people were forced out of Portugal and Spain, many of them fled to Morocco, where they were welcomed. Is Essaouira worth visiting? Im so glad I found your blog! However, if you want to travel down to Agadir, you need an extra day or two. until the Portuguese colonized it in the 1500s. Short on time in Essaouira? Home Africa Morocco Escaping to the Moroccan Coast: A Day Trip to Essaouira. Essaouira (pronounced sah-weh-rah) is a port city of about 80,000 people on Morocco's west coast. Those keys are for short-term apartment rentals. Some areas might look or feel dodgy, but everywhere's safe. However, there are always days cooler and hotter than this. This is where the airport train leaves from (50dh, 50 min) and is near the CTM bus station. And two flights a week, Thursday and Sunday from Brussels. They speak no English and minimal French but, since so little communication is needed, Google translate is more than enough. If pictures youve seen of Essaouiras coastal walls look familiar, this is not a coincidence. Perhaps a good lunch option? Words, images and design 2009-2023 Robert Schrader, All rights reserved. Check out our extended post on Where to Eat in Essaouira: Street Food, Seafood, Cafs, and Restaurants for all our favorites. Wander along the ramparts 3. Ellsworth, KS 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor Pay cash before or after your rental, as you prefer. Save it to read on the plane to Morocco, download to your phone to follow the self-guided walking tour around the medina, or print it off at home before you leave on your adventures and highlight all the bits you want to remember for your visit. He began building up the walls, harbor, and city center Essaouira basically means the best rampart and the city became Morocco's main port until the early 1900s. Its also worth noting that not all Muslims fast during Ramadan. 10. In my experience, Essaouira if usually the second place people visit in Moroccoafter their main swing through Marrakech, but before taking a camel ride into the Sahara Desert, trekking in the Atlas Mountains or visiting cities like Chefchaouen, Fs and Tangier. Being a fishing port, it will come as no surprise that Essaouira is haven for seafood lovers. You may not understand the menu and exactly what people are saying (unless you speak French), you will probably see sights in the food markets that perhaps you dont want to see but this is all part of indulging in the Culture and observing everyday life. And so I spent my first night in Essaouira huddled not over the misty North Atlantic, but a toilet, which was so close to the aforementioned courtyard that the sound of my dry heaving echoed throughout the historical home. 2023 The Unconventional Route All Rights Reserved, Where to Eat in Essaouira: Street Food, Seafood, Cafs, and Restaurants. My name is Amanda, and I'm a former journalist-turned-blogger from Ohio who's been writing about travel since 2010. I am also a writer, and have started my own blog recently. However, another place I plan to try on my next trip is Riad Doleven walking past it felt like taking a trip back in time! New flights are being added all the time. C&W Ranch Bed and Breakfast. Essaouira is the best city in Morocco. Jenny Lynn LtdRegistered in England and Wales:No. Alternatively, you may use, SofitelSofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa, Hotel Le Medina Essaouira Thalassa sea & spa - MGallery, Residence Hoteliere Domaine De L'arganeraie. In fact, the kite-surfing and surfing all takes place at the far end of the beach (where the camels reside). If you're planning a visit, look no further, as this Essaouira travel blog has you covered. It is jam packed with inspiration on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and also includes a step-by-step self-guided walking tour (with photos). We arrived in Essaouira around 11:30 a.m., stepping off the mini bus near the port to be greeted by the sounds of gulls and the smell of the sea. Whether youre looking for acamping spot, a characterful Airbnb in the heart of the medina,a high end hotel, or a beach resort with swimming pool, there will be something in Essaouira to suit your budget and needs. Im flying into Marrakesh, so your posts all seem extra relevant. There are also so many amazing Airbnbs in Essaouira and you can get entire places like this one to yourself in the centre of the city for a great price! 1 Best time to visit Essaouira? 1 Week Mexico Itinerary Yucatn Road Trip Seeing A LOT in JUST 1 Week! Also, we recommend you abstain from smoking, drinking, or eating, whilst walking around Essaouira, as well as public displays of affection (although with children, this is fine). The buses arrive in different locations in Essaouira. Remember that you will be on transport for 6 hours of your day if you go to Essaouira. Our advice: Stay in El Borj, if you're staying for longer, want to save money but not stay in a hostel, are coming primarily to kitesurf, or have had your fill of medina madness and want a more chill stay. In fact, I liked Essaouira so much I couldnt stop thinking about writing a post on why everyone else should visit too so here it is, my top reasons to visit Essaouira and why you should visit Essaouira next! The answer is a resounding yes! From Place Moulay Hassan, its a short hop across the square to Essaouiras fishing port past a few fresh orange juice stands and through the grand entrance of Skala du Port (also used in Game of Thrones). Camel-whisperer 1 yr. ago PersonalityConnect48 1 yr. ago Why is that? A public hammam is a local hammam to share with other people, and is much cheaper and a more authentic experience. The town's main attraction is the long and wide beach. You'll notice quite a few businesses still use it. FULL Tenerife Road Trip Guide | Itinerary, Places To Visit in Tenerife, Car Hire! Take a 10dh taxi to the Hassan II Mosque. If you are now convinced to book flights, check out our top tips for visiting Essaouira, including: If you have found this website useful for planning your Essaouira adventures, you can show your support bybuying Jenny a coffee. Join the Essaouira Expats & Friends and Vivre Ensemble Essaouira Facebook groups and search the timelines for all sorts of tips and info. Just Patisserie Driss, but the lady who runs it is so unfriendly we can't endorse it. Is Essaouira Worth Visiting? Here are some reasons why Essaouira is worth a visit: 1. Theyll head south, optionally exploring things to do in Agadir (such as trekking in the nearby Paradise Valley, said to have been named by Jimi Hendrix himself) besides hitting the waves. Is Essaouira worth visiting? Best of all the sellers are all very nice. That's how we found our all-time favorite tagine place, Snack Chamali. When youre finished, take a stroll back along the beach to the medina (if thats where youre staying). Do Essaouira one other time when you have more time in Morocco. It's a small city, meaning we saw a lot in this short time. And, even though I didn't love all the photo stops we made on the way to Essaouira, I did enjoy this tour overall and thought it was excellent value. Essaouira is pretty easy to get to. Filed Under: Morocco Tagged With: Essaouira, Morocco. Please ask us in the comments! Dress conservatively with your knees and shoulders covered (women do not need to cover their heads and children are fine in shorts); check out our guide to what to wear in Essaouira. Whilst the prevailing winds off the Atlantic isnt ideal for sunbathers, the 2km stretch of promenade along the main beach in Essaouira makes for a lovely stroll, and there are surf schools for those who want to get active on the waves. Worth visiting! - Review of Medina of Essaouira - Tripadvisor Rosberg House B&B. But there was one last part of Morocco that I wanted to experience before I bid the country farewell: the coast. So read on. We were completely carefree, which is the fundamental thing to fully enjoy a holiday. The Moroccans speak Arabic and Berber. Before arriving in Morocco, and in our first few days in Marrakech, many people said it wasn't worth a visit.For them, this outpost on the Atlantic coast was windy, a little ugly and, if you did decide to make the journey, then a day was really enough. Essaouira, OTOH, was really interesting, especially from a local cultural experience. Disclosure: Whenever possible, we use links that earn us a cut if you pay for stuff we recommend. If you have found this website useful for planning your family adventures, you can show your support bybuying me a coffee.
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