It is hard to describe a city as great as Essaouira Morocco. It is situated in the heart of Morocco and has so much that you may never want to leave again. The question “What are the things to do in Essaouira?” has no easy answer. This city is home to ancient ruins, beaches, bays, art galleries, museums, and fantastic restaurants. You could visit for a week and spend the whole time exploring the Medina or stay for months and never run out of things to see and do. For you to discover every aspect of this magical city, you’ll need to read this blog.

In this article, I will discuss Essaouira’s charms and describe what makes the city unique. Then we will cover the mystical Gnawa music, a style from Morocco that has been practiced for centuries and is still popular today. So get ready to be transported to a world of art, culture, history, and music.

Essaouira city

You can’t visit Morocco and not fall in love with Essaouira. A beautiful town on the Atlantic Coast, in the southwest of Morocco, near Marrakech. It is part of the region of Marrakech-Safi and has a population of over 70,000 people.

The town’s name means “the little rampart”, a reference to the fortress walls that still enclose part of the city.

Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador and protected by an outer wall influenced by the Vauban model, is a splendid example of a fortified town from the mid-eighteenth century. It was built in North Africa in accordance with modern European military architecture principles and in perfect harmony with Arab-Muslim principles of architecture and town planning. Over the years, it has played a significant role as an international trading seaport, connecting Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa with Europe and the rest of the world.

Essaouira is one of those places where you can easily spend a couple of days just walking around, exploring the souks, and eating delicious Moroccan food.

The town is full of narrow alleys, hidden corners, and beautiful architecture. There are also plenty of beaches nearby, so it will be hard to leave this place if you’re into surfing or swimming!

It’s Morocco’s windy city. The town is known for its bohemian atmosphere, laid-back lifestyle, and beautiful beaches.

If you’re looking for a bit of an adventure, one that will take you far away from the typical tourist spots in Morocco, then look no further than Essaouira. The city has a long-standing reputation as the surfing capital of Morocco, and the windy conditions aren’t just good for surfers; they’re also great for kitesurfing. The old town’s walls offer some of the best views in all of Morocco, and if you’re looking to get away from it all, there are plenty of beaches within walking distance of the Medina where you can relax in peace and quiet.

Part of Essaouira’s charm is the diversity among its people. The locals are friendly and welcoming, regardless of their culture or religion. Morocco is a country whose history is full of intrigue, and the city of Essaouira is no different. It was once a stronghold for pirates and corsairs who prey on passing ships in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, it’s one of Morocco’s most popular tourist destinations for a good reason: there’s plenty to do here! The city is also very family-friendly, with a large number of activities available for children and parents. The locals are very proud of their culture and traditions, so if you’re looking to learn more about Morocco, there are plenty of opportunities to do so in Essaouira.

Essaouira’s Must Sees :

Medina of Essaouira

The Medina, a World Heritage site since 2001, offers an insight into the history of Morocco during the 17th century through its impressive walls and gates and its houses with courtyards and interior patios.

Despite some insufficient use of contemporary materials for repair and reconstruction work, the Medina of Essaouira, founded in the middle of the 18th century, has largely maintained its authenticity in terms of conception and outline as well as materials and construction methods. The fortifications and urban structure retain, in general, their historic configuration despite the sea swell and wetness elsewhere.

The Medina of Essaouira is tranquil and slow, in contrast to the Medina of Marrakech. Because of the calm ambiance, you may meander around the alleys without feeling obligated to purchase or do any specific task. People in the city are kind and patient. Essaouira is a charming ancient town with many exciting things to see and do, such as strolling leisurely through the numerous markets, going to the Ramparts, admiring the fishing harbor, going to the Jewish Museum, or simply taking a coffee or beer break, or a complete meal in one of the fish restaurants.

The Skala was constructed in 1765 by French architect Théodore Cornut, who modeled it after the defenses created in France by his mentor Vauban. It was built as a barrier against seaborne assaults. The Medina and the Skalas were designed after the French coastal town Saint-Malo.

The construction of the Skala of the Port and the Skala of the Kasbah was ordered by Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah, the creator of the new town Essaouira.

There are two levels to the fortification’s construction. Storage rooms are located on the ground floor. The old artillery battery with Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese canons is situated on the first floor. and then it ends with Borj Nord.

Skala the Port or “Bab al Mersa” in Arabic which means door of the port is an iconic monumental door that is built is blocks of stones. Sultan Mohammed the third, a devotee of French culture and architecture, hired Théodore Cornut in 1766 to lay out his new capital city. After three years’ work, Cornut produced two historic buildings—the Skala du Port and the Skala de la Kasbah. But it was the English architect, Ahmed el Aalj, who completed the project and built the entrance to the harbor.

Bronze artillery pieces were imported from Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands. According to inscriptions, the bronze used to make the firearms originated from Mexico and Peru. Between 1743 and 1782, Sevilla and Barcelona produced the majority of the guns.

The Port of Essaouira

Since most African exports, including slaves, went via the town’s harbor, it was known as the “Port of Timbuktu”.

By lowering duties and promoting the establishment of wealthy merchants and Jews to manage commerce with Christians, Sultan Ben Abdellah pushed free trade policies.

The large working port at Essaouira is a noisy, pungent, and hugely atmospheric place. You can watch traditional wooden boats being made as you stand on the dock and look at all sea-blue vessels arriving and departing—some of whose nets are in repair.

The design of the port is particularly well suited to its purpose. Moroccan boatbuilders have supplied fishing vessels to the entire coast and even as far away as France. It’s worth visiting along with the fish market that takes place outside, in the building just beyond port gates.

Mogador Island

The largest island in Morocco’s Iles Purpuraires, which are close to Essaouira, is called Mogador Island. It is about 3 kilometers long and 1.5 kilometers wide . It is located 1.5 kilometers from Essaouira and is around 3 kilometers long by 1.5 kilometers wide.

The Bay of Mogador is almost entirely surrounded by the large island of Mogador, making it a peaceful and sheltered harbor protected against strong winds. It has long been considered one of the best anchorages along Morocco’s coast. The city also benefited from access to fresh water and stone for building, which allowed for the construction of fortifications.

In Mogador Island, a surveillance bastion known as Borj El Assa was constructed. On the island, there are six ancient stone bastions. Additionally, a mosque and a jail were erected in 1897 on Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz’s orders to house the Rhamna tribe rebels. After a few months of confinement, they escaped by excavating a tunnel beneath the perimeter wall, but most perished before reaching the coast.

Essaouira beaches

Essaouira’s sandy beach is ideal for walking and kiteboarding, but it can be challenging to swim and sunbathe when strong winds blow. Nonetheless, Essaouira is surrounded by the most beautiful beaches for you to choose from.

1. Plage Tagharte

In the heart of Essaouira town sits the immaculately kept beach known as Plage Tagharte. It has received the “Pavillon Blue” Label for having exceptional water quality, environmental protection, security, and service installations overall. This beach is undoubtedly an excellent place to spend an afternoon, especially when combined with Essaouira’s distinctive breezes.

2. Plage Safi

Think of Plage Safi as the exception. Safi is uninhabited, unlike other beaches frequently overrun by tourists. Here, you may take a leisurely stroll while appreciating the beach’s numerous ruins and charmingly rustic appearance.

3. Cap Sim

Cap Sim is a lovely reef break, especially beautiful at sunset. The beach’s crystal-clear waters and breathtaking rocky scenery are ideal for wave-chasing surfers. The renowned lighthouse, which offers a fantastic overlooking view of the shore, is located in one region.

4. Sidi Kaouki

The Sidi Kaouki beach, with its golden sand, is only a short distance from Cap Sim. Similar to its neighbor, the beach is a popular destination for visitors and surfers alike. Given its reputation as a top windsurfing location in Morocco, this area will likely increase the number of people lingering outside the cafes and eateries that line the stretch.

5. Diabat

The stunning Diabat Beach inspired Jimi Hendrix’s composition “Castles Made of Sand.” It is the stereotypical hangout for hippies. Whether or not this is the case, Diabat has a certain sedate allure. Visit the ruins of Borjd El Berod to see for yourself.

6. Moulay Bouzerktoune

Another popular windsurfing location in the province of Essaouira is Moulay Bouzerktoune. Although the beach appears tiny and sandy like most others, it has some fiercest winds and waves. The surges may reach heights of up to 3 meters during the peak months of March through June, much to the joy of surfers.

7. Imssouane

Imssouane is one of my personal favorites. The gorgeous beach has a lengthy shoreline ideal for surfers developing and honing their skills. The winds here, in contrast to those in its adjacent seaside communities, are bearable. It’s the perfect location to learn surfing. There are several hostels and coastal homes available.

8. Bahiba

Bahiba is a magnificent beach, but it isn’t as overrun by tourists as other nearby beaches. One reason is that the winds are weaker, and the sand is softer and less stony. There is plenty of room to spread out and move about. It’s ideal for people who want to be quiet without losing sight of the beauty of their surroundings.

9. Tafedna

Tafedna is another well-known surf spot. However, this beach has a more subdued atmosphere. Although there are just a few breaks around the river mouth, they offer an excellent site to train even though the waves are at best modest to medium. The area is well-hidden and surrounded by mountains, providing peace and quiet to tired travelers.

10. Iftane

Iftane is perhaps the list’s most unique beach, but it also offers the best glimpse into authentic Moroccan culture. The surroundings are beautifully ornamented with natural greenery, and the water is pure and calm. Since this is a fishing community, moored boats and local fishermen working along the shore are to be expected.

How can we talk about Essaouira, Morocco’s seaside gem, without mentioning its famous Gnawa music? Gnawa music is a unique style of music that has been passed down through generations and is performed by artists who are deeply connected to their culture. In this part of the article, we’ll look at the history of Gnawa music and why it’s so essential to Essaouira.

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Gnawa music of Morocco, From Past to Present

As a Moroccan writer, I found it my obligation to talk about the most transcendent music style. Gnawa music is a spiritual tradition that originated with the ancestors of the contemporary Gnawa people of Morocco, who are part of the larger Berber ethnic group. It is played in a trance-like state, and many musicians have learned their trade from family members who have been practicing it for generations. While Gnawa music has its roots in West Africa, it has evolved into an entirely new genre that is uniquely Moroccan. The music is focused on rhythm rather than melody or harmony. The Gnawa World Music Festival takes place in June each year and is one of the most popular events in Essaouira; visitors can enjoy performances by both local artists and international performers who come specifically for this festival each year.

Gnawa origins

Gnawa music is a century-old genre of musical expression, born in the cultural melting pot of the Sahelian region of Africa. It’s a type of folk music native to Morocco that originated with the Gnawa people, who were brought to the country from sub-Saharan Africa in the 11th century. The Gnawa people comprised indigenous black Berbers from southern Morocco and an influx of foreign Arabs. They were likely from Mali, Senegal, Chad, and Nigeria and were transported as slaves by Portuguese traders. As a result, the name “Gnawa” was initially employed to denote “the black people” in terms of color. When the different groups arrived in Morocco, they did not possess a common culture.

By 1200 A.D., the number of black slaves in Morocco had grown to about 30,000—and their use as soldiers had become an institutionalized practice. In the late 16th century, Moulay Ismail—Sultan of Morocco from 1672 to 1727—issued a decree conscripting black people into his army, free and enslaved.

Gnawa was originally a unique style of music and dance that combined ancient African religious systems with Islam. Still, today it’s often used to describe any combination of instruments played by a troupe: sintir, also known as (guembri), krakeb, and tbel—all accompanied by colorful beads worn as part of their attire.

Gnawa music today is a source of national pride for Moroccans and is considered one of the country’s most important cultural traditions. In addition to its popularity in Morocco, the music has been exported worldwide over the centuries—and today, it’s heard at festivals throughout Europe and North America.

In Essaouira, you can enjoy some traditional Gnawa music at night in its most authentic setting: within one of its many local restaurants or cafés where locals play drums while you eat dinner! The perfect way to spend an evening while exploring Essaouira’s old town during your holiday on Morocco’s Atlantic coast!

Gnawa music evolution

Gnawa music has been passed down through generations, with each generation adding its own innovations and emphases to this complex genre. Gnawa music is part of this rich cultural heritage; its music is heavily influenced by traditional West African styles like kora playing or griot singing.

Gnawa music is associated with all-night ceremonies known as “lilas”. People seeking medical or spiritual healing congregate to listen to and dance to protracted jams based on hypnotic rhythms performed on the castanet-like krakebs. Behind a Gnawa music master, the “Mâalem”, who plucks away at a bassy guembri lute while singing lead on the ceremonial call-and-response chants, the dancing singers twirl their tasseled caps in circles and insistently shake the krakebs.

Gnawa music is still performed regularly throughout Morocco today, but it’s rarer than other styles like Chaabi or Raï due to being more difficult to learn and less prevalent among youth who prefer Western pop culture instead.

Gnawa World Music Festival

The Gnawa World Music Festival is a cultural event that takes place in Essaouira every year, attracting musicians and artists from all over the world. It was first held in 1997, and since then has grown into one of Morocco’s biggest festivals! It’s a three-day festival that is known for its rich mix of music styles – expect to hear everything from jazz to reggae as well as African folk music played by local groups.

The Gnawa Mâalems take great satisfaction in their ability to captivate, amaze, and move the audience via a unique spiritual practice that transforms cacophony into music.

Many musicians and singers enjoy playing this distinctive style of music for tourists visiting Essaouira, especially during the well-known Gnawa Festival.

Finally, Essaouira is a city full of surprises. It’s one of those places that looks ordinary from the outside, but once you go inside—or even just walk down the street—you realize it’s anything but. Spend some time there to discover total peace and tranquility in this magical place that fulfills all of your fantasies.