Review of Essaouira, Morocco's peaceful port
High red walls around the lovely white city of Essaouira enchanted us.
We first heard of Essaouira in Morocco as the hippy hang-out from the 1960s where Hendrix
wrote Castles made of sand. The beach at Essaouira stretches south from the
town for about two miles. For much of the year the breeze blows in from the
atlantic, making 'Wind City' as it is known a major windsurfing resort.
Essaouira is also known as the ancient port of Mogador. It has been a trading post for almost 3000 years. As a result the people here have the confidence of sea-farers which exhibits itself in a less frenetic grasp for tourist cash. As a result Essaouira is a great place to chill out without being constantly manhandled into shops by over eager owners, unlike other towns in Morocco. The one thing you won't find near Essaouira is murex shells because they were wiped out by the Romans who scoured the bay for them to make the imperial purple dye.
Things to see in Essaouira
Essaouira has no specific tourist 'sights', the city itself with its working docks and fishing boats providing the visual interest. There are many highly skilled craftsmen working behind open doors in Essaouira focusing on production of beautiful thuya wood inlaid objects of the highest quality.
The ancient port of Essaouira has battlements that still have cannons mounted behind the crenellations on top the walls facing the sea.
Weather in Essaouira
We came in December and found that Morocco is not all dry and dusty. In fact Essaouira was downright damp so I suggest you make sure you get a good hotel where they will have adequate ventilation. Mine wasn't so I cannot suggest a particular hotel myself. Just have a look on the web. Try a search on "Morocco" hotels
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