Things to Do in Essaouira

Essaouira was built by the French in the 18th century as a fortified port city and is one of Morocco's few genuinely coastal towns with Atlantic waves.

The town is famous for its persistent Atlantic winds, which make it a world-class destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing year-round.

Essaouira's medina is one of the best-preserved Portuguese fortified cities in North Africa, with its distinctive blue-and-white painted gates and ramparts still intact.

The local cuisine features fresh Atlantic sardines and argan oil, and the fishing port remains one of Morocco's largest and most productive.

The town has long been a refuge for artists, musicians, and writers, and inspired painters and musicians including Orson Welles and Jimi Hendrix.