Essaouira has an exotic and at the same time familiar look, accompanied by the incessant squawks of the seagulls that fly over the city. At first it may seem that you are in a city of the French Brittany, however, once you cross its walls you find that is infinitely a Moroccan city.

Narrow streets with the smell of fresh fish that melts with the wet ocean breeze mixed with the aromas of spices and madra, and the sound of the Gnaoua drums that resonate in shops and houses, Essaouira is with no doubt, a place with character.

The city is known by its walls, its medina (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001), its alleys, watchtowers, monumental access doors, whitewashed walls that gives it a Mediterranean touch, blue windows, and by the workshops of artisans and painters, their exotic cafes and exquisitely decorated shops.

The fishing port stands out with total supremacy the color blue. This is the color that, according to experts and fishermen, sardines are best tricked and that facilitates their capture.

An incredible peace floods this place while the seagulls break the silence. Frantic, bright and cheerful colors blend with old multicolored networks.

The Port Scale, Skala du Port, is located next to the fishing port and has a great view of the bay of Essaouira, the fortified medina and the island of Mogador, right in front and less than 1 kilometer away.

It is a continuation of the wall of Essaouira and is composed of two rectangular fortified towers. Inside this walled enclosure you can see the old bronze canyons, which were manufactured by the Spanish and the Portuguese and that served as a defense against invaders coming through the ocean.

«The Wind City »

The trade winds, or tars in Berber, are the true masters of this walled city.

Its nickname as “The wind city” or “The city of the trade winds” is due to the omnipresence of the wind, which delights all fans of sports such as surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing that meet on the beaches of the surroundings to practice it, and for which this place is a true paradise.

Gnaoua music

If there is an art that defines the city, that is undoubtedly the music. Essaouira is the cradle of Gnaoua music, originate from the black slaves that the sultan brought from his wars.

The festivals

In Essaouira there are three important festivals that encourage the cultural life of the city:

The Printemps Musical des Alizés, in April, dedicated to classical music is celebrated. It is totally free and lasts 4 days.

The Festival des Andalousies Atlántiques that takes place during 3 days in September and is dedicated to the cultural exchange between Morocco, Spain and the South American countries.

The festival that has given real popularity to the city is the Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde Festival that takes place over 4 days and whose concerts and shows take place in various natural settings.