Photo Tour of the Exotic Medina of Essaouira Morocco

The Medina of Essaouira Morocco (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) offers all of the traditional images one would expect in this North African country. A “medina” is the Arab or non-European quarter of North African cities. It is typically a fortified walled city with narrow and maze-like streets.  I found the Medina of Essaouira easier to navigate and to shop as we were hassled less than the bigger cities of Marrakesh, Casablanca or Fes.

Essaouira is a town off the beaten track. It’s just under 200 km to the west of Marrakesh, along the Atlantic coast. Essaouira is well known to musicians and watersport enthusiasts.  The annual Gnaoua World Music Festival kicks off summer with a style of music rooted in traditional North African culture and best defined as a fusion of jazz, soul, rock, pop and contemporary world music. The windy beach attracts water sports enthusiasts, and throughout summer numerous windsurfing and surf competitions take place.

Today it is the Medina of Essaouira that we want to explore:

Cannons sit along the seaside exterior wall of the Medina which was built in what was contemporary European military architecture for the time (18th century).

Traffic outside the Medina wall is quite busy at times. Cars are not allowed inside the medina.

Shopping in the souks (open air markets) in the Medina

Colorful spices are a common sight in Moroccan markets. Each spice label states its use, rather than the spice name in this particular display They say things like fish, chicken, tagine – but in French – a commonly spoken language although the official languages of the country are Arabic and Berber.

One of the narrow streets inside this Medina.

Meat hangs at a butcher shop in the Medina. Usually, meat is uncovered and often with flies.

The selection of today’s fresh fish was extensive at this fish market inside the Medina.

Cats are everywhere in Morocco, and the Medina of Essaouira was no exception. Look closely near the tables in this restaurant in the Medina.

The aroma of fresh roasted peanuts was too much to resist. They were warm and delicious.

Sarah bought a pair of purple babouche here. Babouche are pointy Moroccan slippers. They hang along the back wall in this shop.

Tips for visiting the Essaouira Medina:

• • If you drive, remember the cost of parking is negotiable.
  • The best stop to see spectacular sunsets is along the coastal wall of the Medina of Essaouira.
  • Bring a jacket for the evenings. The temperature often cools down quite a bit.
  • Eat or just have a cup of tea at Cafe Des Arts.  Find it on the main road of the Medina, up two flights of stairs.  We had a great meal and lively music.  It is a small place.
  • Stay in the Medina. We loved our choice of accommodation and recommend Riad Watier, and more specifically the Lakhdar Family Suite.

→ Check for availability and current prices at Booking.com.

• • If you like to stay in self-contained accommodation and are happy to arrive without knowing where you will stay, the people standing on the side of the road as you enter town waving keys are offering an apartment for rent.
  • Essaouira Beach is the place to try out a new watersport. Our girls chose to try surfing in Essaouira. What will you try?
  • If you are looking for organized tours with a company you know, Viator offers several affordable options.
  • We found the Lonely Planet’s Morocco Travel Guide to be very useful.

Have you been to the Medina of Essaouira? Do the photos match your expectations of a Moroccan city?

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