Things To Do Essaouira

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Places To Visit In Essaouira

Bab Doukkala

Formerly known as the ‘Porte de la Juiverie’, the Bab Doukkala is one of the main gates to the Medina of Essaouira. The gate’s frame is made up of cut stones without the use of any ornaments to embellish it. It has a great symbolic value other than the history associated with it. You can appreciate the intricate architecture of the site and take pictures of the majestic structure. This rounded door is connected by stone cutouts and layered with plaster of earth. It also includes rectangular battlements that are 15.6 metres wide and 7 metres high. It was renovated in 2006 and has been classified as a historical monument since 1924. It was built originally in the 18th century with the medina and the walls of the medina under the rule of Alouite dynasty. Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdellah ordered its construction as it was envisioned as the grand passage to move towards the road of Safi and visit Doukkala. Cafés surround it. Historically, this was the site where several artists would perform. Read More

While traveling through Essaouira, you will not miss the signboards of many massage parlors or hammams. Berber massage is a type of traditional Moroccan treatment. A Berber massage is similar to a normal massage treatment with light tapping with cupped hands. This spa is offered at all the spas and massage parlors in Essaouira Medina. A majority of hammam make use of traditional Moroccan argan oils for a berber massage. It helps improve blood circulation and leads to drainage of muscle fatigue, which can prove to be quite rejuvenating. It can be quite a relaxing experience after your touring around the Moroccan city. Read More

Essaouira has one of the longest and most spectacular coastlines in Morocco. You can be mesmerized while viewing the golden beaches of Essaouira with their soft and sandy terrains on the back of a camel. This experience is even more special during the sunset at the beach. Most rides offer a guided tour of the sites listed in the ride, such as the Dar Sultan Palace, beaches, and other historical structures of the city. You can discover the cultural and historical significance of the city as you visit the tourist spots throughout the region. Riding a camel is an authentic Moroccan experience in all its entirety. Moreover, it is suitable for solo travellers, couples, families, and literally, people of any ages. Read More

Morocco has a distinct set of flavourful dishes which go back a long time in history. While some establishments offer cooking classes near the seaside using fresh produce from the sea, some offer classes in an Essaouira Riad, in a luxurious modern kitchen, or even in workshops at home. You can opt for an individual cooking class, a couple's cooking workshop, or a group session. It can be an immersive experience to learn cooking a whole Moroccan meal, or simply an authentic dish like Riad and learn secrets of experienced chefs or homecooks. Some of these packages also include a local grocery shopping tour, learning about the origin of local produce before actually using them in recipes. It can help you connect better with the Moroccan culture and the daily food habits of the people over centuries. Read More

The Dar Sultan Palace is located near Biabat, on the southern side of the river Oued Ksob. The Dar Es-Sultan or the White House in Essaouira is a beautiful remnant of the royal history of Essaouira. You can appreciate the European style architecture of the palace, which also has hints of traditional Moroccan style. The huge glass windows installed by Dutch craftsmen and the gilded mirrors are a beautiful sight to behold. It was constructed by a negotiator of Makhzen, Hoban and given to Sultan Sidi Mohammed Bin Abdullah after its construction. Later on, it became the place of residence of Moulay Abderrahmane, who was the Khalif of the king in Mogador. The palace subsequently remained under the protection of the people living in Diabet but was attacked and vandalised and, later, also destroyed by a sandstorm. Now, the conditions of the palace have deteriorated and sand has entered the once marvellous walls and structure. It is one of the most prominent historical buildings in Essaouira now. The palace was the site of multiple foreign missions and illustrious historical residents. Read More

Essaouira, being a quintessential Moroccan city, is the perfect site to get a traditional Moroccan hammam. The rates here are reasonable and there are a number of places in the Essaouira Medina who provide this rejuvenating experience. It typically includes detoxification, scrubbing, cleansing and a relaxing massage. Some of the most popular hammam places include Spa Cocooning, Riad Mumtaz Mahal and Centre d’esthetique Bio Argana spa Essaouira. Considering the significance of cleansing in the Islamic culture, Hammam has traditionally played an integral role in Moroccan traditions. Hammam or Kessala is an elegantly tiled steam room where a masseuse scrubs and cleans the visitor. This tradition emerged in ancient Morocco due to the scarcity of water in the region. There are segregated hammams for males and females. However, a few outlets do provide an option to enjoy a private couple’s hammam. Hammam is not, however, recommended for children and pregnant women due to the high temperature of the room. A hammam experience usually lasts 1-2 hours in most places in Essaouira. Read More

The Berber villages, stunning sand dunes, secluded beaches, and argan forests in Essaouira make it an ideal site for Quad Biking. Many companies across beaches and popular tourist destinations, such as Essaouira beach and Dar Sultan Palace, provide this experience. There are several off-beat tracks that one can explore or ruins of historical monuments which are isolated. Such tours are suitable for people of all ages and groups of all sizes. Most quad biking tours are guided and last from 2 hours to 4 hours. It is advised to wear long pants and closed shoes if you go on one of these rides. A majority of quad biking rides begin on the beaches, particularly the Essaouira beach where you can enjoy the majestic coastline, visit the fishing village, while you get comfortable manouvering on a quad bike. They either proceed to a more thrilling experience in the sand dunes or a ride in the forest while learning about the ecological significance of the region, or both. Read More

Wide and sandy, the Safi beach at Essaouira is a good spot for taking a promenade and kitesurfing. The Safi beach is located on the northern edge of Essaouira and is one of the longest beaches in Morocco. Its clean and less polluted surface is a delightful change from the beaches in the rest of Morocco. This beach differs from most beaches, decked with stunning sand dunes. Even during the months of July and August, the Safi beach is very sparsely crowded. Due to the strong Atlantic winds, it is not ideal for sunbathing on this beach. Nonetheless, sunbeds are available for rent on the beach. The Atlantic currents are strong; hence, it is better to refrain from swimming here, especially if you are not an experienced swimmer. On the other hand, the strong currents make for a thrilling surfing experience on the beach. You can also enjoy beach football, volleyball, and other games here if you want to visit the Safi beach with your family and friends. Read More

Located right in the center of Essaouira, the Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum displays old photographs, historical musical instruments, some utensils, wood carving, embroidery, jewelry and armory from pre-historic times. It has been created in a colonial house from the 1800s. The museum occupies two floors, with a hallway connecting the museum's first floor to the second floor. In another adjacent hallway, you can visit a small modern art gallery. All the written explanations of the displays are either in French or Arabic, so unless you speak either or are accompanied by a tour guide, it will be difficult to understand the exhibits. It attempts to display the period-by-period history of the city from the prehistoric, ancient, medieval, and contemporary eras when the city was officiated. The museum has toilets, but it does not have the facility of a café. The house has a splendid ceiling and a colonial stairway, adding to its rusticity. It is very interesting to see the display of musical instruments here due to the city's rich musical heritage. Read More

Essaouira has a number of souks where you can literally find anything that you want, from local produce, including vegetables, fruits, seafood, and meat to jewelry, spices, clothes, perfumes, etc. You can get souvenirs in the form of local handicrafts, ceramics, spices or perfumes or walk around the souk observing the life of the local population It is important to, however, know that if you decide to buy something, do not forget to bargain for prices as the first price quoted by shopkeepers can be inflated. Besides local goodies, you can enjoy delicious food from local vendors and experience Moroccan cuisine at its most authentic level. Most souk shops accept only cash in Dirhams, so remember to carry cash while shopping. The vibes in most of the souks are surprisingly calm and friendly. You can try to be friends with a local resident to find the best spots of finding what you need in the Souk. It is better to visit the souk in its opening hours to get the best prices. Read More