Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Aerial view of the old city of Essaouira in Morocco. Essaouira, a three-hour drive from Marrakesh, is a picturesque seaside escape to pair with the bustling pink city. Whitewashed and windswept, this former French-Portuguese port town is a charming enclave that retains its historic authenticity and laid-back lifestyle.
Strategically located along Morocco's Atlantic Coast, Essaouira has been an important trading hub for millennia — first home to Berbers who traded with the ancient Phoenicians and Carthaginians, and later to Portuguese explorers and merchants. The modern-day city was developed in the 18th century, enlisting French architects and engineers — giving it a unique blend of Moroccan aesthetic with European military design elements. The city has long been known as a melting pot of cultures and peaceful religious coexistence.
Today, Essaouira is celebrated for its fishing, artisan crafts, bohemian flair, and vibrant surfing scene. Fishermans boats in Essaouira, city in the western Morocco, on the Atlantic coast. It has also been known by its Portuguese name of Mogador.
Good To Know Home to under 80,000 people, Essaouira is a little jewel that is perfect to visit over a long weekend. Two nights in town and two nights in the countryside provide a great mix of experiences. With average temperatures ranging from 65-80 degrees throughout the year, Essaouira is an excellent destination to visit in any season.
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