Essaouira Morroco

After spending 5 days in Marrakech and 3 days in the desert we decided to check out the seaside. We took a 3hr bus ride to Essaouira a port on the Atlantic. Essaouria was originally named Mogador a French/Portuguese fort built in the 16th century. We found an inexpensive hotel ($45/night including breakfast), just inside the walled medina and set out to explore this small city of 70,000 people.Essaoiura is situated on a long wide crescent beach with the walled medina fort and adjacent port at one end of the beach. 

The port has a shallow harbour so only busy with local fishing boats, seagulls filled the air and the smell of fish was ever present, buy your fish directly from the fishermen at the dock.

As you walk off the dock you enter the walled medina, no motor vehicles allowed, which allowed relaxing strolling. The narrow streets were filled with food stalls, shops selling leather goods, wooden crafts, carpets, art, antiques and numerous cafes, restaurants on the streets. Some restaurants had fantastic ocean views after climbing 4 flights narrow winding stairs.

We took long walks on the beach and watched football games on the sand, kite surfers in the air, and a few brave souls in the surf.

For us it was the perfect place to chill out for a week and recharge our batteries before heading off to our next adventure.

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net forever"  Jacques Coustesu