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The Medina of Essaouira Morocco 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 main tourist track. It’s just under 200 km to the west of Marrakesh along the Atlantic coast. Musicians and watersport enthusiasts flock to Essaouira.  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. Essaouira is the first stop on the driving portion of our Moroccan road trip.

Medina of Essaouira: Photo Essay

 

Cannons along the exterior wall of the Medina of Essaouira Morocco
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 just outside the Medina wall in Essaouira Morocco
Traffic outside the medina wall is quite busy at times. Cars are not allowed inside the Medina of Essaouira.
Souks in the Medina of Essaouira Morocco
Shopping in the souks (open-air markets) in the medina
Colorful spices in Essaouira Morocco
Colourful spices are a common sight in Moroccan markets. Each spice label states its use, rather than the spice name in this particular display. The signs are in French, a commonly spoken language although the official languages of the country are Arabic and Berber.
Medina of Essaouira Morocco
One of the narrow streets inside this Medina.
A butcher in Essaouira Morocco
Meat hangs at a butcher shop in the Medina. Usually, meat is uncovered and often with flies.
A Fish Market inside the Medina of Essaouira Morocco
The selection of today’s fresh fish was extensive at this fish market inside the Medina.
Cats are everywhere even this restaurant in the Medina of Essaouira Morocco
Cats are everywhere in Morocco, and the Medina of Essaouira was no exception. Look closely near the tables in this restaurant in the Medina.
Fresh roasted peanuts are available in theMedina in Essaouira Morocco 1 (1)
The aroma of fresh roasted peanuts was too much to resist. They were warm and delicious.
Shopping for Shoes in the Medina of Essaouira Morocco
Sarah bought a pair of purple babouche here. Babouche are pointy Moroccan slippers. They hang along the back wall in this shop.

Take a Tour in Essaouira

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.
  • 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?
  • The Medina of Essaouira Morocco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stay in the Essaouira Medina:

I love to stay in the old medinas in Morocco, and we tried to make an exception here staying just outside the Medina of Essaouira the first night. After that, we went on a hunt for better accommodation. We were lucky to be off peak season, and therefore had lots of choices. After looking at several rooms in various riads, we were delighted when we walked into Riad Watier. Our room, the Lakhdar Family Suite, had two bedrooms including a loft and perfect or a family with two teens. And, attention was paid to every detail of the Moorish decor, our host was like a helpful friend, and the food was outstanding. Breakfast was so good, we opted to have dinner here as well.

⇒ Check for availability and current prices or Riad Watier 

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

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Essaouria in Morocco is a small coastal town with a vibrant and colorful culture. For more information, and more pictures, visit the blog.

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Comments

  1. Beautiful! I, too, loved Essouira and found it to be much more hassle free than Marrakech and Fes. Wonderful relaxed vibe and beautiful colors that you captured so nicely in your photos. Glad I found your blog!

    Reply

  2. In the 1980s, a co-worker took a year off to travel around Africa. Morocco was one of the countries she visited. It seems that much has stayed the same since her visit.

    I loved the photographs. You’ve really drawn out the sights and the flavors (if that can be done in photos!) of this region.

    Reply

  13. Yes, the pictures are typical Morocco life which is really interestian, It is interesting to see a different Medina here. I know you have been in the main cities of Morocco but I left you here some of my pictures from Marrakesh, they will bring you memories 🙂
    I wrote this post in Spanish but I though you would like to see the pictures:
    http://www.travelera.es/2015/03/bonjour-marrakesh.html

    Reply

  14. These pictures make me miss Morocco; colors, sounds, and sights everywhere. But it was the food situation that I enjoyed most. Perfectly easy to find safe, cheap, and delicious tajine’s everywhere. Defiantly a place I’d consider living for a while if I ever decide to learn more French.

    Reply

    • I miss it too. It is one of my favorite countries that we have visited so far. I would have considered living there if I didn’t have teenage girls. They are strong and independent, free thinkers, and one is already a bit of an activist. Maybe once we are empty nesters.

      Reply

  15. Looks a great trip – we’ve not been here but we have been to Marrakech and that’s just crazy, everything about it. Love those spices although how on earth they get them to stay like that is beyond me 🙂

    Reply

    • Essaouira is like a toned down Marrakech, with a beach. As for the spices, I think they use glue, but I am not sure. There are big bins of the spice below the cones.

      Reply

  16. I’ve never been there and never will visit. You’re a world traveler and I’m not. No desire at all. I do enjoy tagging along with you as I did for that almost year you were gone.

    Have a fabulous day. 🙂

    Reply

  21. That is one massive cart of peanuts!
    And I like the spice display – even the way they name them for their use rather than the spice name – could be very useful.

    Reply

    • I would say you get used to it after a while, but not really on the meat. We never had a kitchen in Morocco, although we did cook with a Berber family we stayed with in the interior.

      There were flies on everywhere. When we were traveling we often ate only fresh bread from the bakery, bananas and laughing cow cheese.

      Reply

    • I hope this doesn’t spoil your illusion. I am not sure about this photo, but I saw one in the interior of Morocco where part of the spice had pulled away from the cone, it was somehow attached, and the spice they sell sits in buckets at the base.

      Reply

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