ESSAOUIRA (Suwayre) Economic Travel Guide
“World Heritage” by UNESCO Essaouira, one of Morocco’s most visited tourist destinations, is an old Portuguese city on the vast Atlantic Ocean.. At the same time, it is a peaceful fishing port where art and culture intertwine, which is its most important feature.
It means wall in Berber language.. Today, the city is surrounded by the original castle walls.. Almost everyone speaks French, of course, in this city, which has been under the influence of Portugal and the French for years.
If you didn’t know that a scene from the TV series Game of Thrones was shot here, now you know.. Then “Oh, this place looks so familiar to me!” don’t say it
ACCESS TO ESSAOUIRA: HOW TO GET TO ESSAOUIRA?
191 km from Marrakech to Essaouira , if you go by grand taxi you will pay more than the bus. If you are going by bus from Marrakech to Essaouira, you need to buy the bus ticket beforehand, not at the last minute.. Because the most preferred means of transportation is the bus, you may not be able to find a ticket.
By the bus: With Supratours you pay 70 DH one way and 5 DH per baggage.. It takes 3 hours.
By taxi: Taxis for 4 people take off and you pay 150 DH per person.. It takes 2 hours.
By car: You will not need a car in Essaouira, but it is very pleasant and comfortable to go to Essouira by car.. We recommend that you take the winding country roads along the coastline.. The road obliges you to connect to the highway at some point, but until then, you can enjoy a pleasant drive.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION IN ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira city center to Medina by motor vehicles. You can see mopeds that are prohibited from entering but still do not comply with this rule. The inner city is already quite small, so I am strong enough sir
ACCOMMODATION IN ESSAOUIRA: WHERE TO STAY IN ESSAOUIRA?
When we first researched Essaouira, it seemed so small that we thought for sure that we would get bored here in 1 hour and we never even thought of staying here.. However, as soon as we step into the city, we say, “Shit, if only we had stayed at least one night!” we said. Not because there are millions of things to do, but because it has a very different and enjoyable vibe.. We couldn’t do it, but if you have time, you should stay here for 1 night!
THINGS TO DO IN ESSAOUIRA?
It is at the top of the to-do list in this city on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Of course there are sea sports.. As you walk through the city, you can immediately see the signs and the style of the people.
In addition, the baths are marketed as another tourist attraction, but not much.
ESSAOUIRA WHAT TO EAT IN? WHAT TO DRINK?
Although it is expensive, you should definitely try one of the rooftop fish restaurants facing the sea in Essaouira.. While walking around the side streets of the city center, he stopped at the doors of the restaurants and said, “Here, look at the view and the menu, if you don’t like it, you will leave.” they will call. Be prepared
A spicy soup called Harira and a salad are some of the delicious foods you can get from street vendors on your way from the fish market to the medina. We tried an interesting drink that they serve by removing the pulp and putting lemon in it.. The taste didn’t suit our taste, but it’s okay.
SHOPPING IN ESSAOUIRA: WHAT TO BUY FROM ESSAOUIRA?
The artisans here are famous for wooden and lacquered decorative items.. You will find different and original handmade products especially in the workshops.. Also, of course, you will find a wide variety of other Moroccan local products such as leather, paintings, rugs, spices here.
WHERE TO SHOP IN ESSAOUIRA?
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You can shop at the souvenir shops in the old city center of Medina or at the workshops in the city center for more personalized and different products.
ESSAOUIRA CITY TOUR
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Our city route is 18 with a half-hour walking track.. By following the city walls and castle built by a French architect in the 19th century, he begins his tour with the Essaouira Citadel, the fishing port.
Click for the map view of our Essaouira walking route..
Bab Doukkala on this route, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum, after which the city’s founder is named, the clock tower named L’Horloge d’Essaouira, the Sqala du Port d’Essaouira, which you will remember from Game of Thrones in particular. The bastion named , harbour scala, 16. You will see structures such as the Castelo Real of Mogador built by the Portuguese in the 16th century.
Then, passing through the large square called Bab Sbaa, Medina. Medina, with its narrow labyrinth streets inspired by the ancient Roman cities, and its white houses with blue-painted doors and windows, has been a source of inspiration especially for European artists.. For example, artists who chose the bohemian life such as Orson Welles or Jimi Hendrix lived in the historical medina (within the city walls).. Especially in Game of Thrones, where Jeremy Irons and Patricia Kaas and Klaasi set foot, we watched in the movie “Ladies and Gentlemen”.. You will be fascinated in the city where the set of Aspator, which we saw in the previous season, was set up.
ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHT LIFE IN ESSAOUIRA
At some licensed hotels in Essaouira or unlicensed. You can find alcohol in the black market stalls we call markets.
In the meantime, an important detail we should mention; During our 6-day Morocco trip, for the first time, we saw our monopolies-style shops selling liquor in black bags, and locals walking intoxicated on the street.. This must be the artistic head of the city 🙂
The Taros Hotel (2 Rue de la Skala) with its terrace view is one of the alcohol hotels we can recommend.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT NEAR ESSAOUIRA: ALTERNATIVE TOURS
Diabat village, which you can reach after a 2-hour ride with camels, is an ideal and close place to photograph. We couldn’t go, but those who have time can definitely try it.
ESSAOUIRA TRAVEL NOTES
Stay one night in this city, observe people, eat fish. This is a different city where you will feel more like in the south of Spain, not in Morocco.. Definitely one of the must-see places.
