"A clean city" Top 5 Page for this destination Essaouira by JLBG

Essaouira Travel Guide: 523 reviews and 1,171 photos

Essaouira is a 70,000 inhabitants fishing harbour, 150 km west to Marrakech. It is one of the "must see" in Morocco.
Carthagenian sailor Hannon anchored in its well sheltered mooring. Carthagenian used it for centuries as the last continental harbour on the way to the Green-cape islands and to the equator. The Romans took it in 146 BC and put Juba II, the king of Mauretania as their vassal to rule the town. He developped the production of salt fish and of purple. Noble Romans used extensively purple for their clothes and thus the production of purple was very important for them. Purple gave their name to the islands that protects the harbour : "Îles Purpuraires".

Later, the Portuguese took control of the place and called it Mogador. In 1764, Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah hired Théodore Cornut, a French architect that worked for the English in Gibraltar. He drew the plans and built up the harbour and the casbah as they are now. The name of Es-Saouira means "the well drawn" and refers to the very regular plan of the city.

To day, Essaouira is a very clean city. Everywhere, posters remind to keep it clean

The fort is one of the main features of the town but their is much to see in this windy and never too hot city.
As the Trade Winds blow in Essaouira, it is always windy. In Summer, while the temperature is often over 40°C in Marrakech (150 km), in Essaouira, it never goes over 25°C !

Pros and Cons

Pros:Cool and clean
Cons:Cool and windy
In a nutshell:A must visit

Last visit to Essaouira: May 2004
Intro Updated Oct 27, 2004
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Reviews (88)

Byproduct paste. Shopping (11)

When the almond paste has been completely extracted, the remaining paste is a brownish paste the is still a good food... more travel advice

Extraction of the oil. Shopping (11)

The fourth step in mixing a long time the almond paste by hand, which will allow the extraction of the oil. On the left... more travel advice

Grinding the almonds Shopping (11)

The third step is grinding the almonds. This picture shows the grinding on a traditional stone grinder. A round stone is... more travel advice

Roasting the almonds Shopping (11)

The second step for the production of Argan oil is to roast gently the almonds in a pan. On this picture, the pan is... more travel advice

Local Customs (2)
See All Close-up
Things to Do (39)
See All Sardines of different size
Hotels (2)
See All In the middle of the medina

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Artist, phone, fax !!?
Favorites (28)
See All Beware, belt fish looking at you
Restaurants (5)
See All Sea food also

Comments (26)

lynnehamman Jan 27, 2009 at 3:53 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for tips on Essaouira.We are planning a visit there soon.
tere1 Jun 5, 2008 at 4:38 AM Report Abuse

Hi Jean Louis:). I was in Marrakech last weekend but wasn't able to make it to Esssaouira, which looks great!! Maybe another time.. Great page and photos! Teresa
volopolo Feb 29, 2008 at 4:48 AM Report Abuse

Excellent picture! volopolo
ludogatto Nov 1, 2007 at 2:31 PM Report Abuse

I was in Essaouira in 2000 with the motorbike, I hope to come bak in the Windy city to do kite surf in Sidi Kauki again and for the gnawa music festival...I remember the taste of teh grilled sardins on the port
JLBG Apr 25, 2007 at 8:52 AM Report Abuse

Sorry that you were disappointed by Le Patio. In 2004, it was newly open and they cared for the customer. I suppose that 3 years later they feel they have enough customers and don’t care anymore! That is bad! Any other VTer gone to le Patio recently?
Julu Apr 25, 2007 at 7:06 AM Report Abuse

I disagree and am sorry i read your review because we wasted our money. The restaurant was awful; so dark you can't see your food, stinks of incense, the staff are more interested in gossiping than working and the food was dire.
sachara Apr 3, 2007 at 2:10 PM Report Abuse

I enjoyed my stay of three days in Essaouira last week. After our visit it's nice to have a look at your page again. Now I read it with other eyes. The ship building yard, fishing harbour and medina were interesting and lively places.
Pawtuxet Jan 29, 2007 at 5:39 PM Report Abuse

Fixing the Nets pic was just on front page of VT. Such rich and wonderful color. Why are we all so fascinated with fishermen and their work? Isn't it true?
Luchonda Dec 21, 2006 at 3:52 AM Report Abuse

Excellent page JL - have a nice X-mas and a good healty 2007 greetz from Belgium
suvanki Apr 13, 2006 at 2:18 PM Report Abuse

Hello, You inspired me to visit Essaouira, and I wasn't disappointed, I left wanting to return one day. I'm now booked for a visit and overnight stay in September. Thanks, and A Happy Easter to You. Sue X