what is essaouira known for

Essaouira Day Trips from Marrakech - Hellotickets I would also strongly advise you to visit a beautiful canyon filled with pools of water east of Taghazout called Paradise Valley. All rights reserved. Can you do a day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira? Its overcrowded every night by local men, travelers, and expats. Dubbed as the "Moroccan Woodstock" it lasts four days and attracts annually around 450,000 spectators. Learn to Kite Surf 9. Its the perfect place to enjoy a fancy romantic candlelit dinner without breaking the piggy bank! Can I wear leggings in Morocco? During the Middle Ages, a Muslim saint named Sidi Mogdoul was buried in Essaouira, probably giving its origin to the name "Mogador". Today, the city retains a small-town feel but it wasn't always this way. Morocco was known as the Kingdom of Marrakesh under the three dynasties that made Marrakesh their capital. How one writer combined free activities with luxury meals and a spa day in this coastal Moroccan city. The Medina of Essaouira (formerly "Mogador") is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, an example of a late 18th-century fortified town, as transferred to North Africa by European colonists. Morocco Photography Tips How to take portraits of the Moroccan people. Seafood: Essaouira is famous for its fresh seafood, which you can enjoy in one of the many restaurants that line the harbor. You can eat traditional dishes such as Tajines and harira soup almost anywhere in the city. Instead of sun-loungers and bikinis, it's red . A temperate climate and fine beaches have made the city a bathing resort, and its excellent ocean breezes have made it a destination for wind surfing. From Marrakesh, you will have to drive northwest on the A7 until it merges with highways N8 and R207. Essaouira, in south Morocco, was once the port through which the bounty of the camel trains (including slaves from West- and Sub-Saharan Africa) was exported and it even served as the port for Timbuktu. Theme by 17th Avenue. Journal of Nomads is an Adventure Travel Blog for backpackers and adventurous travelers interested in off-the-beaten-path regions like Central Asia and the Caucasus. Get your hands painted with Henna tattoos, Essaouira City walking tours and cultural tours, Best Riads and hotels to stay in Essaouira, Where to find and buy alcohol in Essaouira, How to get to the bus stations in Essaouira, Other beautiful places to visit near Essaouira, How to take portraits of the Moroccan people, in Morocco: a Guide to the 9 Best Surfing Spots in the country, The Honest Guide to Meknes Morocco and Volubilis 9 best things to do and what to skip, 16 Top Things to do in Marrakech Morocco The Complete Guide to Moroccos Red City, 11 Best Things to do in Rabat Morocco The Complete Guide to Moroccos Capital City, 20 Top Things to Do in Tangier Morocco The Complete City Guide, 10 Best Things to Do in Agadir Morocco The Complete Guide to Moroccos Surf city, 12 Best things to do in Chefchaouen, the Blue City of Morocco, How to take portraits of people in Morocco, how to take the ferry from Tangier to Spain, Everything you need to know about horse riding in Uzbekistan+ 3 best horse trekking destinations in Uzbekistan, Hiking in Uzbekistan 6 Fantastic Hiking Trails in the Nuratau and Chimgan Mountains in Uzbekistan, 3 Great Day Hikes in the Ugam Chatkal National park in Uzbekistan, Rock climbing and other fun things to do in, Extend your stay in Morocco using one of these. What did you like the most about this town? Petty crime is rampant here, especially against tourists. How to get around Essaouira 1. If you're spending a couple of days in Marrakech and you got tired of all the hustle, we recommend to visit Essaouira for one or a few days. Annual rainfall is usually 300 to 500 millimetres (12 to 20in). I really enjoyed just sitting on the terrace of one during a busy afternoon and watching the hustle and bustle of the streets of the old medina. The Very Best Sights of Jordan + Itinerary, Anzac Day Tour to Gallipoli, Turkey: Who to Book & What to Expect. However if one partner is Moroccan you may face additional scrutiny. It displays beautiful historical artifacts from the city such as ancient pottery, jewelry, musical instruments, woodcraft, and weaving. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences. From there you will be practically in the old Medina and right in the city center. So, hoping to have a good experience in my second visit. Traveling around Morocco by train is a fantastic idea because theyre cheap and they are an awesome way to see the incredible Moroccan landscapes. Its sometimes quoted as one of the best winter surfing destinations in Morocco. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe: Is a Helicopter Ride & Tour Worth It. This bus station is located almost adjacent to the train station in Marrakesh. The highest minimum temperature ever recorded was 26.7C (80.1F) on 13 October 2017. Airport (Morocco)", "Mto climat stats | Station Essaouira / Donnes Mtorologiques Gratuites", National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Klimatafel von Essaouira (Mogador) / Marokko", "Climate Essaouira - Climate data (602200)", "Mto climat stats | Moyennes 1991/2020 / Donnes Mtorologiques Gratuites", "La diversit de la culture et des traditions de Chine sous les feux des projecteurs Essaouira", UNESCO World Heritage site: Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Essaouira&oldid=1165507034, Bayt Dakira - "House of Memory" (Jewish museum), Jewish cemeteries of Essaouira (old and new), Gravesite of the Great Rabbi Haim Pinto (and many more rabbis), Notre-Dame-de-lAssomption church (catholic, operational), David Bensoussan & Asher Knafo, "Mariage juif Mogador" ditions Du Lys, www.editionsdulys.ca, Montral, 2004 (, David Bensoussan, Le fils de Mogador, www.editionsdulys.ca,ditions Du Lys, Montral, 2002 (. If you have your own car or if youre renting one, you can follow highway N1 south until you reach the surfing hub. When you reach the end of the square you will be able to access the beginning of this rocky path on your right. The journey between Essaouira and Agadir costs about 65 MAD but you will have to arrange with your driver to drop you off in Taghazout 20 minutes north of Agadir. Taros is a mix between a bar, a restaurant, and a club. Until the 1960s, Essaouira was generally known by its Portuguese name, Mogador. If you always wanted to learn water sports, Essaouira is the place to be: The best spot for surfing in Essaouira is at the far end of the main beach where camels and horses are gathered. Also known as the "Mogador", this mid-18th century fortified city is perfectly sealed and enclosed by a Vauban-style wall, with a kasbah that cannot be overlooked. The harbour entrance, with the "Porte de la Marine", was built by an English renegade by the name of Ahmed el Inglizi ("Ahmed the English") or Ahmed El Alj ("Ahmed the Renegade"). The wine there is usually quite cheap and they have a huge selection of liquors. Making an exhaustive list of all of these restaurants here would be impossible, however, Ill recommend a few of my absolute favorites. Although there is a souk held almost every day in the market area of Essaouira, the one on Sunday held just outside of Bab Doukala is particularly special. Your email address will not be published. However, and especially in rural areas, pair leggings with a longer tunic length top that covers your butt. Hi Chrissy, were very happy to hear you enjoyed our article about Essaouira. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Essaouira - Tripadvisor Legend has it that during Welles' sojourn in the town he met Winston Churchill, another guest at the Hotel des Iles. Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum. Are you planning on going soon and do you have more questions? There is a direct train leaving daily from Casablanca (see map below) and arriving in Marrakesh. 7. The weather is warm but pleasant, unlike the cold temperatures and snow of winter, or the scorching heat of summer. I would personally recommend the first type over the latter. A colony of Moroccan Jews was installed to extend commerce. This small town has a population of approximately 80,000. Nearby, couples and families stroll the beaches of Cape Sim and Sidi Kaouki, which also attract surfers of all types. Its located in the mountains 40 minutes east of Taghazout. The price per person in a shared taxi should be between 85 and 220 MAD. Updates? Its one of our favorite destinations in Morocco . Windy Essaouira | More Morocco [3] The pronunciation with pharyngealized // and // is a typically Moroccan development. There you will find a roundabout that heads up to Paradise Valley. The town also has a large Jewish cemetery. What is the main function of chordae tendineae? Essaouira city of wind and love - Visit Morocco The prices are very reasonable and its also the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while eating delicious fish and listening to some great music. It has massive Portuguese fortifications and a very interesting architecture that is unlike any other Moroccan city. Essaouira is a small city in Morocco located on the Atlantic coast. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Although focused on gnaoua music, it includes rock, jazz and reggae. As I mentioned before, wearing shorts in Marrakech isnt illegal or anything in fact, during the hot summer months, youll be seeing some local women wear shorts too, BUT you will get a looooot of unwanted attention if you show too much leg. The wettest month is November with an average of 40.6mm of rain.. Oujda is the hottest city in Severe Weather Morocco Facebook. Visit the fortress tower Borj el Barmil at the port, 4. Tickets cost MAD 80 MAD 150 and the journey takes 2h 40m. 3. The town was used in the filming of "The Game of Thrones" as the home of the Army of the Unsullied. Walk Along the City Walls of Essaouira 4. If youre a foodie you can buy fresh fish and get it grilled directly on site. The old city (medina), which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001, is a popular tourist destination and is famous for its numerous riads (a type of bed-and-breakfast). The distance between the two coastal towns is 154 km and the trip should take about two hours and a half. These are the cities of Taghazout and El Jadida. The swell of the waves is much stronger in winter so youll see more surfers there at that time of the year. The Essential Guide for Essaouira Summary! They often look like small labyrinths of stalls and shops and will overwhelm you with their smells and colors. Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with SunAgri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. Morocco. As of 2017, Essaouira had only three Jewish inhabitants. Blowing your nose at the dinner table is the worst of all. Enjoy the beach on foot, by horse, camel, or quad, 8. The township of Sidi Kaouki is located 25km south of Essaouira and is becoming one of the best locations in Morocco for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. A shared taxi will take about three hours to cover the distance between the two cities and will cost between 90 and 200 MAD. The city is located very close to Marrakesh and is also easily accessible from nearby coastal cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Agadir. They offer different horseback trips on the beach and on the surrounding sand dunes for a very good price throughout the whole year. [24] The village of Diabat lies about five kilometres (3.1 miles) south of Essaouira, immediately south of the Oued Ksob. The liquid oil of the region, we all know the health benefits and conditioning effects of argan oil. Essaouira - Wikipedia I hope this guide to Essaouira will help you and make your stay in this fishing town more enjoyable. It wouldnt be appropriate to take photos in the Hammam So instead, heres a picture of how the Argan nut is processed into oil and soap. Best Essaouira travel tips: (5 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND) Visiting a Hammam is the quintessential Moroccan experience. No content of this blog can be copied or duplicated without permission. To visit this museum youll have to reach Rue Lalouj, a central street in the city of Essaouira (see map above). L'Atelier Madada Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Essaouira. (2004) 69,493. Its located on one corner of the square Moulay Hassan. Another activity Id recommend is to pay a visit to the Argan Forest. 5. The ancient city (medina), a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001, is a renowned tourist attraction known for its many riads (a type of bed-and-breakfast). Essaouira . [25] The lowest temperature ever recorded was 1.1C (34.0F) on 20 January 1988. For a cheap lunch, buy half a dozen sardines, and for around Dh10 one of. You should continue straight along with the horse carriages and pass the gas station and then you will see a street full of stalls and vendors. They have very good vegetarian and vegan options such as tasty falafel plates. Apart from the delicious fish that you can enjoy there, the port is also a great place to admire the sunset. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The ramparts of Essaouira are really beautiful and they give the city a medieval ambiance. What To Buy In Essaouira, Morocco: A Definitive Guide | Trip101 The old city is still partly surrounded by well-preserved walls & ramparts built in 1506 by the Portuguese. Can't-miss spots to dine, drink, and feast. David Bensoussan, La rosace du roi Salomon, Les ditions Du Lys,www.editionsdulys.ca, 2011, This page was last edited on 15 July 2023, at 16:26. What You Need To Know About Essaouira, Morocco, Is Provided Here 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. Relaxation is easy to find here, as is a bus to Marrakech, for those looking for a daytrip. It is connected by road with Safi, Marrakech, and Agadir. You could either stay inside the old city (close to the beautiful souks and shops filled streets) or outside the fortified walls. Buy fresh fish from the port Top Things to do in Chefchaouen, the Blue City of Morocco. If you would like something a bit more adventurous, you can also go for a horse ride along the sandy coastline. By MeraKi25. On the formation of diminutive nouns in Moroccan Arabic, see R.S. Copyright 2021 Journal of Nomads. Patisserie Chez Driss is not quite a restaurant, however, its where I had the best pastries and sweets ever so I had to include it in this guide. You can even sit on an ancient Portuguese canon and admire the view over the Atlantic Ocean. A Roman villa was excavated on Mogador island. For most of the year, the wind blows so hard here that relaxing on the beach is impossible, meaning that the town is bypassed by the hordes of beach tourists who descend on other Atlantic Coast destinations in summer. Agadir is newer, larger, more efficient, but with less character than Essaouira. Click to check out rates and availability for Hotel Cote ocean Mogador. Essaouira: The Moroccan city that should be on your radar - Intrepid Travel It has road connections to Safi, Marrakech, and Agadir. There are some guided tours in Essaouira I like to recommend, especially if you want to learn more about its rich history and vibrant culture. Get amazed by the colorful craftwork of local artisans, 10. Share this tour While you might not get in trouble, it is highly frowned on to kiss or fondle each other in public. Follow the highway R207 west until you reach Essaouira. Female tourists to Morocco are NOT required to cover their heads, though, and I didnt feel uncomfortable with my hair out. Harrell, Of Essaouira: "He employed European architects to design it, one a Frenchman said to be his prisoner, and the other an Englishman, converted to Islam and known as Ahmed el-Inglizi otherwise Ahmed the Englishman." Htel El Kasbah Souiria has a lush garden and has an architecture that reminded us of the traditional Moroccan Riads with its beautiful multicolored tiles. Look back at the walled medina from here, through a curtain, Join the locals and street cats picking up their fresh fish at this small market. Its located behind the Mechouar hotel. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Essaouira, formerly Mogador, Atlantic port city, western Morocco, midway between Safi and Agadir. The name of the city is usually spelled Essaouira in Latin script, and in Arabic script. Visit the Jimmy Hendrix sandcastle (Dar Sultan castle) in Diabat, 9. Its on the edge of a small quiet courtyard and Cynthia and I just loved the environment there. It is an interesting old town in a beautiful spot right on the water and surrounded by a strong fortress wall. At the end of this walking tour, you will visit a womens cooperative where you will discover the secret of making the famous argan oil. While visiting Essaouira, I just loved going there on a daily basis to get pictures of the fishermen returning from the sea in the evening. ),all the taxis in the city have the same flat rate 7 MAD. The train leaves nine times a day and the journey takes approximately 3h. You can take a bus from Agadir to Essaouira with CTM, Supratour or any of the other bus companies that operate from Agadir. By now it's strange that we haven't mentioned the wind. Essaouira Weather. [17] The city functioned as the harbour for Marrakesh, as it was only a few days from the inland city. They are both quite different and their proximity to Essaouira makes them ideal locations to visit after your stay there. If you have your car and want to drive there, simply follow the highway N1 towards the north. [12] Mohammed III took numerous steps to encourage the development of Essaouira including closing off the harbour of Agadir to the south in 1767 so that southern trade could be redirected through Essaouira. I am currently continuing at SunAgri as an R&D engineer. 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. How does convection cause ocean currents quizlet? Four of them only had a short duration: Graciosa (1489), So Joo da Mamora (1515), Castelo Real of Mogador (150610) and Aguz (152025). Morocco is super safe for tourists now. The trip between the two cities will cost between 215 and 275 MAD and takes around 7 hours. The Argan trees are only found in the southwest of Morocco and are a mythical emblem of the Essaouira region. You can catch the bus at the CTM bus station in Casablanca in the city center on Rue Lon (see map down below). Source: Pixabay. Essaouira remained a haven for the export of sugar and molasses and as an anchorage for pirates. It takes about 4,5 hours to reach the northern city and a ticket costs 110 MAD. The rocks continue to the right for about 1 km and they will offer you great views of the outer walls of the city. . What makes it special is the Medina as it's not your typical Moroccan medina. KVK: 81898134. Essaouira, the Pearl of the Atlantic. Complete Travel Guide - Feel Morocco Moroccans can buy booze in bars, restaurants and grocery stores in the countrys bigger cities. What is Essaouira known for? - Studybuff.com Taghazout is a cool surfing town where surfers from all over the world come to enjoy the winter waves. Get to the heart of Essaouira with one of our in-depth, Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, and youll find most women there dressed very modestly, usually wearing a hijab or other kind of headscarf. It has 77,966 inhabitants as of 2014. Too bad I havent found on my travel to Morocco, but at least I can use these tips when I go back! Click to check out rates and availability for The Chill Art hostel. In Morocco, blowing your nose is considered rude and gross. Discover Morocco - Medinas of Morocco | Moroccan National Tourist Office From handmade Argan soap to traditional pastries, you can be sure youll find something for everyone in Essaouira. Until the 1960s, Essaouira was known by its Portuguese name of Mogador. The city is known for its strong wind, which makes it a popular destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. This town has an amazing vibe as you can imagine any surfer paradise would have. Your Essential Travel Guide to Essaouira: Everything from A to Z! Essaouira is protected by a natural bay partially shielded from wave action by the Iles Purpuraires. Atlas Essaouira & Spa - Essaouira - Hotel WebSite In 1930, brothers, Michel and Jean Vieuchange used Essaouira as a base before Michel set off into the Western Sahara to try to find Smara. According to the Moroccan constitution, Islam is the religion of the state, and the state guarantees freedom of thought, expression, and assembly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Essaouira is a city buzzing with life and regardless of the time of the year or whether you visit Essaouira with kids, with friends or by yourself, there will always be something to do. Visiting a traditional souk in Morocco is an experience that you should absolutely try. How much is the train from Marrakech to Casablanca? (minimum 2 people), Private 2-Hour Quad Ride on Forest and Dunes from Essaouira, The Charms of Essaouira Mogador and the Argan tree Forests, SofitelSofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa, Hotel Le Mdina Essaouira Thalassa sea & spa - MGallery, 1 hour horse ride on the beach of essaouira, Horse riding on the beach of Essaouira 2 hours, Horse riding on the beach of Essaouira 3 hours, 3-hour Private Ride between beach and dunes, 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp. 2023. Shutterstock / Ruslan Kalnitsky Essaouira Morocco It is the coastal wind - the beautifully named alizee, or taros in Berber - that has allowed Essaouira (essa-weera, or es-sweera in Arabic) to retain its traditional culture and character. The foundation of the city of Essaouira was the work of the Moroccan 'Alawid sultan Mohammed bin Abdallah, who made an original experiment by entrusting it to several renowned architects in 1760, in particular Thodore Cornut and Ahmed al-Inglizi, who designed the city using French captives from the failed French expedition to Larache in 1765, and with the mission of building a city adapted to the needs of foreign merchants. If you walk up this road for a few minutes youll see some shared taxis and they can bring you all the way to Paradise Valley for 25 to 50 MAD (this is the price per person, not for the full taxi). There are 13 buses that leave throughout the day, the earliest being at 7:15 and the latest at midnight. This is where the CTM and Supratour terminals are located in Agadir: The coastal road between Agadir and Essaouira is enchanting and driving there will give you a feeling of total freedom. Relaxing Atmosphere: Compared to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, Essaouira has a more laid-back and relaxing atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those looking to unwind and enjoy some downtime.Overall . There are plenty of viewpoints along the way where you can stop to get great pictures of the coastline. If you're into windsurfing, it'll appeal immediately.