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<\/a>Let us create your customized trip for an unforgettable experience, perfectly adapted to your expectations and budget.<\/p>\n
Contact us at hello@nanoo.travel<\/a> for your personalized quote.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n Commonly known as the“City of the Wind<\/strong>“, the“City of the Trade Winds”<\/strong> or the “Moroccan Saint-Malo”, Essaouira is a port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast<\/strong>, 173 km north of Agadir, 174 km west of Marrakech and 406 km southwest of Casablanca.<\/p>\n\n In 1506, the Portuguese built a fortress, the Castelo Real, and ramparts, which were quickly abandoned in the face of resistance from the local population.<\/p>\n\n From 1760, Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah, also known as Mohammed III, entrusted the construction of the city proper to several renowned architects. Wishing to create a fortified port capable of competing with the European powers of the time, he commissionedFrench architect Th\u00e9odore Cornut<\/strong> to draw up a plan for the town. Its original name,“Mogador<\/strong>“, was changed to Essaouira<\/strong> (“the well-drawn one<\/strong>” in Berber).<\/p>\n\n To encourage the development of Essaouira and concentrate southern trade there, the port of Agadir was closed in 1767, and King Mohammed III ordered all Europeans living in other towns to move to Essaouira, which became the country’s diplomatic capital<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n By 1807, the Essaouira kasbah was overcrowded. Moulay Slimane ordered the Jews moved to a mellah<\/strong>. Merchants, craftsmen, jewelers and peddlers, the number of Jews outnumbered Muslims until the early 19th<\/sup> century. <\/p>\n\n On August 15, 1844, France bombed the city<\/strong> as part of the Franco-Moroccan war. Following this bombardment, the town entered a phase of decline<\/strong>, which continued with the beginning of the French protectorate of Morocco in 1912<\/strong> and the impossibility for the port of Essaouira to accommodate large modern deep-draft ships. In 1967<\/strong>, following the Six-Day War, the Jewish community left the town<\/strong> to settle in Israel, leading to a significant decline in population. <\/p>\n\n Since the early 1990s,<\/strong> however, Essaouira has enjoyed a spectacular renaissance<\/strong> thanks to tourism<\/strong> and its cultural vocation. In 2001, the Essaouira medina was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n Depending on your point of departure, there are several options for reaching Essaouira. <\/p>\n\n Located 15 kilometers from the city center,Essaouira airport<\/strong> (Essaouira-Mogador) is served by several airlines(Royal Air Maroc, Transavia, Ryanair, Easyjet<\/strong>) from destinations including Marrakech, Casablanca, Paris, Madrid and London. <\/p>\n\n \u279c From Belgium, Ryanair<\/strong> offers direct flights from Brussels Charleroi to Essaouira<\/strong>, with an average flight time of 3h43.<\/p>\n\n If the flights to Essaouira are not convenient, you can also land at another airport, such as Marrakech or Agadir, and reach Essaouira by road, bus, cab or car.<\/p>\n\n The country’s two main bus companies<\/strong>, Supratours and CTM<\/strong>, serve Essaouira from Agadir (3h), Marrakech (2h30) and Safi (2h30). Ticket prices vary according to departure time and bus category, averaging \u20ac10 per person.<\/p>\n\n In Morocco, there are two categories of cab<\/strong>: collective cabs<\/strong> (or large cabs) and private cabs<\/strong>. Easily identifiable by their color code<\/strong> (yellow in Marrakech, blue in Essaouira and Rabat, red in Casablanca, Agadir and Fes), large cabs connect cities<\/strong> and leave when the car is full. The fare is negotiable with the driver. Many companies also offer cabs with private drivers<\/strong>, with fares set by the trip rather than per person. A trip from Marrakech to Essaouira costs \u20ac70 and a trip from Agadir to Essaouira \u20ac90.<\/p>\n\n Although international car rental<\/strong> companies are not present in Essaouira, you can still contact independent rental agencies or rent a car directly from Marrakech, for example. You’ll need to pay \u20ac20 a day for a small car<\/strong>, and between \u20ac35 and \u20ac50 for a car like a Dacia Duster or Dacia Lodgy<\/strong> (7 people). <\/p>\n\n Cabs from Essaouira airport are available on request. To get to the city center, the journey takes 20 minutes and the recommended price is Dhs150 (\u20ac13).<\/p>\n\n Once in Essaouira, it’s easy to get around on foot in the medina and city center<\/strong>, but a cab or rental car will be needed to explore the surrounding area or get to the more remote beaches. <\/p>\n\n \u279c Road conditions are generally good and radar controls<\/strong> are very present. Don’t be surprised if you come across 2 speed cameras 50 kilometers apart! In addition, there are police roadblocks<\/strong> at the entrances and exits to the town, with possible checks on papers.<\/p>\n\n Strongly influenced by the North Atlantic Ocean and the cold waters of this latitude, Essaouira enjoys a mild semi-arid climate<\/strong>, in line with the Canary Current and the trade winds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n Thanks to an omnipresent wind<\/strong>, average temperatures fluctuate from 18\u00b0C in January to 22\u00b0C in July<\/strong>, and rarely exceed 30\u00b0C. The water temperature ranges from 17\u00b0C to 21\u00b0C. <\/p>\n\n Summers are hot and dry, without excessive heat thanks to the proximity of the sea; winters are mild and slightly rainy. The rainiest season is from October to April, and the driest from May to September.<\/p>\n\n For board sports enthusiasts<\/strong>, the months of May to September<\/strong> are highly recommended, as the winds are more favorable for kitesurfing, surfing and windsurfing.<\/p>\n\n For a short stay<\/strong>, or one dedicated to visiting the city’s main tourist sites, it’s best to choose accommodation in the medina<\/strong>. For a longer stay<\/strong>, or one dedicated to board sports<\/strong>, accommodation by the beach<\/strong> or in one of the small towns surrounding Essaouira will do just fine. <\/p>\n\n In the medina, the Kasbah district<\/strong> to the south-west and the Chbanat<\/strong> district to the north-east are packed with small hotels and traditional riads<\/strong>, run as guest houses (booking by the room) or as seasonal rentals (renting out the entire riad, with or without household staff). Hidden from view by large wooden doors and austere facades, the various living areas of a riad are organized around a central patio, on two or three levels, often overlooked by a roof terrace.<\/p>\n\n Choosing to stay in a riad<\/strong> means opting for a central location<\/strong>, in the heart of the lively (and sometimes noisy) medina. While this type of accommodation features traditional furniture<\/strong> and warm, authentic decor<\/strong>, it’s worth noting that green spaces are limited and swimming pools are generally absent (although some riads do have small swimming pools<\/strong> or Jacuzzis on the roof). The narrow streets of the medina are not accessible by car. Not to be forgotten when packing \ud83d\ude05<\/p>\n\n Budget-wise, the price of a night in a riad varies from \u20ac45 to \u20ac90, depending on the level of comfort and the season. However, it is possible to find a bed in a youth hostel for less than \u20ac20<\/strong>, such as at the trendy Hostel La Smala<\/strong><\/a> whose rooftop offers a magnificent view of the city walls!<\/p>\n\n In our favorites list \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n \u279c Special mention for Heure Bleue Palace<\/strong><\/a>whose terrace, enhanced by a heated swimming pool<\/strong>, offers a 360\u00b0 panorama<\/strong> of the medina, the sea and the surrounding area. The price of a night in this luxurious Relais & Ch\u00e2teaux may not suit all pockets, but you can still dine here, enjoy a drink on the terrace or book a spa treatment.<\/p>\n\n Lined with luxury hotels and upscale residences, Essaouira’s seafront<\/strong> is a sought-after district offering more modern accommodation<\/strong> with a continental feel<\/strong>. Despite its long, sandy beach, Essaouira is not a resort in the strict sense of the term, as the winds and waves make swimming unpleasant. The area is therefore particularly suited to water sports enthusiasts<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n Apart from the main beach (Tagharte), the area is of little interest. Nevertheless, there are some great beachside caf\u00e9s and restaurants<\/strong>, all less than a 20-minute walk from the medina. <\/p>\n\n Budget-wise, the most luxurious hotels are located on the beachfront, while the residential part of the district offers more affordable tourist rentals.<\/p>\n\n \u279c Where to eat in and around Essaouira? Practical information and favorite addresses can be found in the article: “Where to eat in Essaouira: our favorite addresses<\/a>“.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n As we move inland, the winds are less powerful and temperatures are warmer. Accommodation in<\/strong> Essaouira’s surrounding countryside<\/strong> is therefore the ideal choice for a stay in farniente mode<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n Just drive along the P2201 runway, the R301 road or the N1 national highway to find numerous villas with swimming pools<\/strong> (rented by the room or in their entirety by private individuals via platforms such as Airbnb or Booking) and vast hotel estates<\/strong> nestled in veritable lush oases. <\/p>\n\n Here are a few \u2764\ufe0f tips gleaned from our research: <\/p>\n\n 25 kilometers south of Essaouira, the small village of Sidi Kaouki<\/strong> is a local and much less touristy<\/strong> alternative, offering seaside accommodation<\/strong> at very reasonable prices. Hotels, inns, ecolodges or homestays, there’s something for everyone!… However, it’s best to rent a car if you want to enjoy the medina and surrounding activities.<\/p>\n\n A selection of addresses \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n A few kilometers south of Essaouira, Diabat<\/strong> is a tiny village famous for having welcomed Jimi Hendrix in the 1970s. With the exception of Caf\u00e9 Jimi Hendrix<\/strong>, the number of establishments in the village is fairly limited. On the heights bordering the Golf de Mogador, the Sofitel hotel offers accommodation in rooms or private villas. <\/p>\n\n Just across the street, theTangaro Inn<\/a><\/strong> offers 19 rooms and suites in a peaceful, authentic setting. It was in this little haven of peace that we set down our suitcases for a week \u2600\ufe0f <\/p>\n\n Although located outside Essaouira, Tangaro is just a few minutes’ drive from Tagharte beach and the medina. It takes 20 minutes to reach Sidi Kaouki. As for golf, just cross the street. <\/p>\n\n The double rooms offer all the necessary comforts<\/strong>, without TV or air conditioning (some lack a little storage \ud83d\ude05). The hearty breakfast<\/strong> is served on the large central patio, under the trees and umbrellas. Around the swimming pool, deckchairs, cushions and several tables make for a quiet afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the medina. A reasonably priced address<\/strong> for lovers of charm and authenticity<\/strong> \ud83d\ude0d<\/p>\n Let us create your customized trip for an unforgettable experience, perfectly adapted to your expectations and budget.<\/p>\n Contact us at
\n\nEssaouira in a nutshell<\/h2>\n\n
<\/a><\/a>How to get to Essaouira<\/h2>\n\n
<\/a>Getting around Essaouira<\/h2>\n\n
When to go to Essaouira<\/h2>\n\n
<\/a>Where to stay in Essaouira?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
The medina and the authentic charm of riads<\/h3>\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\nLa Corniche, by the beach<\/h3>\n\n
<\/a><\/a>In the countryside outside Essaouira<\/h3>\n\n
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Sidi Kaouki<\/h3>\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\nDiabat<\/h3>\n\n
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