Essaouira

A historic Atlantic port city known for its artistic, laid-back vibe and UNESCO-listed medina. Once a hippie hangout and a Game of Thrones filming location, Essaouira enchants visitors with its whitewashed buildings, blue fishing boats, ancient ramparts, and world-class windsurfing.

Essaouira offers a refreshing contrast to Morocco's busy inland cities. The compact, easily navigable medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site lined with art galleries, woodworking studios, and bohemian cafés. The historic Skala ramparts — lined with bronze cannons facing the Atlantic — provided the dramatic backdrop for scenes in Game of Thrones. The fishing port bustles with activity each morning as colorful boats unload the day's catch, which is grilled fresh at the harborside market stalls.

History & Culture

Formerly known as Mogador, Essaouira is a laid-back coastal fortress town that feels worlds away from the frenetic energy of Marrakech. Its medina, enclosed by 18th-century seafront ramparts built by European engineers, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its uniform white-and-blue architecture. Essaouira has long been a haven for artists, musicians, and surfers, and is famous globally for hosting the annual Gnaoua World Music Festival, which celebrates the mystical, trance-inducing music of sub-Saharan descendants.

Local Cuisine

Essaouira is synonymous with fresh seafood. The quintessential experience is visiting the bustling portside fish market, picking out your own fresh catch—ranging from sardines and sea bream to massive crabs and sea urchins—and having it grilled immediately at the adjacent blue-and-white food stalls. Inland, the region is famous for producing Argan oil, which is often served with local honey and freshly baked bread for breakfast.