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173 km north of Agadir on the coast is the beautiful fortress-port of Essaouira (“fortress”), in the old days the capital of pirates Mogador, “at the instigation of” Jimi Hendrix, became famous in the 1960-70s. as a place of pilgrimage for bohemians and hippies from all over the world, and at the moment - a real mecca for surfers and divers.

The city is located on a cape, so the winds from the Atlantic are especially strong there, which is good for athletes and bad for swimmers and sunbathers.

Attractions

Among the many historical monuments The most interesting parts of the city are the former residence of the pasha (now here is the Sidi Mohammed bin Abdallah Museum), streets and houses in the Moorish style, fortress walls surrounding the old Medina, the Main Mosque, the bastions of el-Bermil and el-Baroud, the Sea Gate (1769) with small wooden bridge, Bab el-Sebaa ("Lion's Gate"), the picturesque port of Essaouira itself and, of course, numerous markets.

Essaouira is the undisputed center of Moroccan art, with a wealth of galleries located inside the fortress walls, among which the most famous are the art galleries of Frederik Damgaard and Othello. Local craft shops line Sighain Street.

Around the city

In the vicinity of the city lie the famous Purple Islands and the island of Mogador, as well as Dar Sultan ("castle in the sands", late 18th century), "marabou" (mosque on the site of a hermit's tomb) in Sidi Kaouki, picturesque beach Sidi Kharraz and numerous colorful Berber settlements.

How to get there

You can travel from Casablanca to Essaouira by a comfortable CTM bus or by another bus that is cheaper but less comfortable. From Marrakech it is better to take a bus from the Supratours railway company, departing from the city railway station.

Accommodation

Tourists are offered riad hotels (located in ancient Moroccan houses right in the city) or villa hotels (located outside the city walls). Here you can feel the real rhythm of Moroccan life. These small hotels are usually owned by Moroccan families who try to maintain a cozy, homely atmosphere. Due to the high coastal waves, all hotels are located on line 2.

Essaouira has an unrivaled oriental flavor and rich history. Here you will hear music everywhere, smell the aroma of fish delicacies from numerous restaurants, and wander through the narrow streets with white and blue buildings. You can also see camels walking along the coast; during sunset, this picture looks amazing.

A few words about Essaouira in Morocco

Translated from ancient Arabic, Essaouira means “how beautiful.” This is what only Russians call it; in the local dialect and in other languages ​​the name sounds like Esauira. The city was founded in the 7th century BC by the ancient Phoenicians. At one time it was ruled by the Berbers, Portuguese, Spaniards and French, and in the middle of the 18th century Essaouira was taken over by Sultan Mohammed III bin Abdallah. Since then he has appeared here commercial port and popular tourist resort.

Where is Essaouira located?

Climate at the resort

The city has a very mild climate. IN summer period During the day, the thermometer shows about +24°C, while the water temperature does not exceed +19°C. Winter is quite warm and comfortable. A distinctive climatic feature of this resort is the blowing wind from the Atlantic, and it blows throughout the year.

Attractions of Essaouira in Morocco

1. A favorite and attractive place for tourists in the city is the Medina. In 2001, it was included in the UNESCO list of world attractions. Cozy streets with souvenir shops, small cafes, including under open air, friendly and unobtrusive sellers. Well, art lovers will love the art museums and exhibitions along the way, as well as the cannons in the port.
2. Fishing port. There is always a lot of fish and seafood freshly caught in the ocean; you can see a cluster of longboats, boats, nets, and, of course, seagulls. Right there on the port square there is a cozy restaurant where the fish of your choice will be happily grilled.
3. Bastions. Near the Medina you can see a defensive fortification - a fort, where cannons are installed in specially designated openings in the walls. Massive walls protect the city from enemies and the elements. Traces of cannon shots, a pile of stones, as well as towers and cannons are all bastions of the city. Stunning pictures can be taken by climbing the fortress walls on the protective rampart between two bastions at sunset.
4. Museum of Sidi Mohammed bin Abdullah. He settled in a 19th-century mansion that was previously the residence of the Pasha. Describes the history and culture of Essaouira, Morocco. This museum contains musical instruments, clothing, weapons and decorations. A separate room displays wooden products made from thuja and other tree species.
5. Purple Islands. Today the Purple Islands cannot be visited, it is mainly a nature reserve with gulls and falcons inhabiting them. But you can go to the islands boat trip from the port of Essaouira.

What else to do in Essaouira?

Essaouira has a quiet and peaceful environment conducive to a romantic getaway. There are a huge number of museums, expositions and exhibitions. In addition, this resort is surprisingly attractive for those who like to conquer waves on boards - this great place for classes.

There are two surfing centers in Essaouira: Fanatic and Club Mistral. In them you will find a huge selection of equipment, the rental of which for a week of vacation will cost about 180 EUR. Also, these surfing centers in the city have their own restaurants. The most popular beaches among surfers are Essaouira Bay, Sidi Kaouki, Cape Sim and Moulei Bouzertun. A boat excursion to the island of Mogador, where only seagulls now live, will also be exciting; you can also get to the ruins of Dar Sultan Castle.

Art festivals in Essaouira

They date back to 1998, and today it is very difficult to imagine the resort without Gnaouan art. Concerts of this style of music in Essaouira are held at open areas, and entry to them is completely free. About 200 thousand people gather at concerts, which is far from the limit. The meaning of Gnaoua performances is the struggle of spirits through music, dance and vocals. For musical accompaniment they use Ganges drums, metal castanets krakeb and three-stringed lute gembri.

Family hotels are very popular in Essaouira, among which are riad hotels and villa hotels. Riads are located mainly in the city center, in ancient houses, and villas are located outside the city. Both are usually owned by local families and have a relaxed, homely environment. Regarding the sea, all hotels in Essaouira are located on the second line due to the presence of coastal waves. In the city center, the best guesthouses are Villa Maroc Essaouira, Riad Arambys, Riad Lotus Marine and Madada Mogador. Within 10 km from the center, Villa Gonatouki and Le Jardin des Douars are very popular among tourists. Outside of Essaouira, the luxurious Sofitel Hotel attracts attention.

A distinctive feature of the local cuisine is amazing and fresh fish and seafood dishes. Fish restaurants are located on the main tourist avenues and near the port, while simpler cafes and eateries are located in the old part of the city. Among the famous restaurants in Essaouira are Zahra’s Grill, Umia, La Fromagerie, One Up, Gusto Italia and others.

There are a lot of souvenir shops and shops in Essaouira. Compared to other resorts, the prices here are lower, and the sellers are not so intrusive. On Sighain Street you can choose from dainty earrings and elegant bracelets, as well as necklaces and rings. One of the most common oils purchased by tourists in Essaouira is argan oil, obtained from the prickly argan plant, which grows only in Morocco and Mexico. This oil is widely valued in medicine and cosmetology and is part of many cosmetics and creams. It helps with wounds, burns, abrasions, dermatitis and radiculitis, has a beneficial effect on the hematopoietic system, helps strengthen hair roots, and smooth out fine wrinkles on the face.

You can also get to Essaouira in Morocco by taxi.

1. Mogadir Airport is located 15 km from Agadir, through which you can fly to Essaouira.
2. By highways N8, N1 and P8, this resort can be reached from, Agadir or, respectively.
3. Essaouira has a railway and central bus station. From the train station there are very comfortable buses from Supratours, going to Marrakech and Casablanca.

A beautiful town on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Essaouira (also Esauira) former Mogador - port city in Morocco on the Atlantic coast 170 km north of Agadir and 170 km west of Marrakesh. The city includes the small island of Mogador, whose name the city bore before the recognition of Moroccan independence. The name Mogador is believed to have Portuguese origins.

The city's borders practically follow the walls of the medina. About 40,000 people live here permanently. It is impossible to count the loitering surfers, free artists, and simply vagabonds.

Essaouira – amazing ancient city, which has a long history. This is one of the first settlements lying on the path of ancient brave sailors who made very risky journeys along the Atlantic coast towards tropical Africa at that time.

The Phoenicians entered the area as early as the 8th century BC. They founded here, on what is now the Moroccan coast, one of their main trading posts, known in antiquity as Thamusida. Around 650 BC, the Carthaginians founded a trading settlement and port here. A ceramic bowl with the initials of the Phoenician navigator Mago scratched on it was discovered on the island of Mogador. During the Roman era, already in the 1st century BC, Essaouira became one of the main suppliers of purple dye in the Mediterranean. On the islands adjacent to the coast, bright red purple was mined from the many needle mollusks found here. Essaouira and the surrounding islands, called the “Purple Islands,” became, under the reign of King Yuba II, the westernmost tip of the Roman Empire.

Essaouira has changed many names over its long history. In the 10th century it was named Amogdul, which roughly means “protected monastery,” in honor of its owner and benefactor St. Sidi Moghdul, whose mausoleum, located a few kilometers from the city, gradually became one of the favorite places of pilgrimage for the Berbers. Almost nothing is known about Sidi Moghdul as a historical character. The spiritual authority of this place is obviously explained by the fact that the Moroccans found refuge and help in Amogdul during the era of the Portuguese invasion. Amogdul became a transit point for goods produced in the Sous plain and the regions of the Great South.

The Berbers ceded the city to the Portuguese at the very beginning of the 15th century. Amogdoul, as a result of subsequent phonetic distortions, turned first into the Portuguese Mogdura, for the Spaniards it became Mogadur, and for the French it became Mogador. It was at this time that the Portuguese seriously took up the fortification of the city. The Portuguese authorities have discovered promising sources of profit here - great opportunities for the cultivation and processing of sugar cane, which grows abundantly in the vicinity of Essaouira, both in the interior and along the coast towards Agadir. Moghadour was the only Portuguese city that managed to withstand the first onslaughts of the Saadian sultans, who decided to expel the Portuguese invaders from Morocco: Safi and Agadir fell in 1530, Moghadur only in 1578 became part of the possessions of Sultan Ahmed the Golden, nicknamed Winner. The Saadian sultans were not particularly interested in Essaouira, preferring the hotter, but also more luxurious Marrakesh. But it was in Essaouira that priceless dark sugar was mined, which Ahmed el-Mansour transported by sea to Italy, exchanging it for Carrara marble from which it was built luxurious palace El Badi in Marrakech.

The main architect of Essaouira was the European engineer Theodore Cornu. Even before being captured by Sultan Mohammed bin Abdallah, Cornu became known for his projects of fortresses in the French province of Languedoc-Roussillon. In fact, the name Essaouira itself means “fortress”. The crossfire of the bastions made the city impregnable from the sea, leaving no chance for the attackers. Now only the fortress walls and the old cannons located on them speak of the former greatness of Essaouira.

The medina of the city is included in the list of objects World Heritage UNESCO. The fortifications of the old city are a wonderful mixture of Portuguese, French and Berber military architecture. In 1769, Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah reconstructed and fortified the city. Now the medina, connecting the city with the cargo port, is protected by fortress walls from possible shots from ships from the open sea.

From the height of this mini-fortress one can see beautiful view to the medina and port. Small wooden bridge leads from the Sea Gate to the Port site and to the fortress walls.

Massive walls give the fortress a slightly fabulous look. Everything is quiet and peaceful inside. Crooked lanes, white-walled houses with blue doors, quiet squares, cozy cafes and art galleries.

Port - Located at the foot of the fortress walls and at the very end of the long fine sand beach that borders the city, the port of Essaouira has ceased to be a major center maritime transport. Currently, the port of Essaouira is used for anchorage of fishing schooners and pleasure yachts. It is remarkable for its morning activity, when fishermen return from the sea with their catch. Fishing boats have been piled up in indescribable chaos around the docks since dawn, and fishmongers set up cutting tables.

It is better to take a walk along the port area at dusk to feel the atmosphere reigning here, so skillfully used in Orson Welles’ film “Othello”. The artillery platform, larger than the Kasbah, protected the port from attack from the sea with a series of loopholes and watchtowers equipped with bronze cannons. And today you can see on the four sides of the towers an inscription engraved on thuja plates and reading: “Barakat Mohammed” - the motto of the city, calling on the blessing of the Prophet on the city and its inhabitants.

It was on the island of Mogador, inhabited by gulls and Eleanor's falcons, now turned into a natural ornithological reserve, that traces of the most ancient settlements of the city of Essaouira were discovered. In particular, on the island of Mogador, King Yuba II of Mauritania set up large workshops for the production of purple paint. When in the 19th century The reign of Sultan Moulay bin Abdallah ended, the island was deserted. Here are the ruins of an old prison built by Ben Abdallah's ancestor, Sultan Moulay el-Hassan. The island is closed to visitors.

The architectural monuments located in the city include the former residence of the pasha, which today houses the Sidi Mohammed bin Abdallah Museum, a treasury of riches of local art.

There are many in Essaouira art galleries. One of the local attractions is the slave market, almost untouched by time. Local craft shops line Sighain Street.

The fish market on the pier is the perfect time to stroll around and sample deep-fried sardine or mackerel among the chattering women mending fishermen's nets. The siesta time in the hot afternoon hours, which fishermen spend curled up in their spread out nets, is also picturesque. You will always be given a warm welcome if you take the time to share coffee or mint tea with them.

In the 60-70s of the 20th century, Essaouira was a place of pilgrimage for musicians and artists. Jimmy Hendrix, who lived here for several years, was going to buy a plot of land for the international hippie community. Orson Welles filmed his famous film Othello here.

Gnaoua Music Festival - This four-day festival is usually held on the third weekend of June. Concerts take place in Moulay Hassan Square, as well as in other squares throughout the city. International, national and city ensembles perform music from Gnaoui to jazz. At the same time, art exhibitions are held. Some festival events continue throughout the night.

Amazing feature natural world Essaouiras - goats grazing on trees. They deftly jump onto branches and, chomping, eat the fruits of the rare argan tree.

One of the most picturesque towns on the coast and one of the most famous centers surfing. The city is located on a cape, so the winds from the Atlantic are especially strong there, which is good news for athletes.

Surfers in Essaouira can expect a good wave and a fair wind at their back. Not far from the resort there is a large surfing and windsurfing center. International competitions in these sports are held here.

The fortress-port of Essaouira is located 173 km north of Agadir. The city is easily recognizable by its dazzling white houses with bright blue windows. Essaouira (or the second spelling: Essaouira) is primarily appreciated by windsurfing enthusiasts - for the highest wave on the coast and a light, constant breeze. But simply swimmers or sunbathers will not be very comfortable there - for the same reason.

There are two surf centers open in Essaouira: Fanatic and Club Mistral, both of which have a very large selection of equipment and their own restaurants. Renting equipment for 7 days will cost about 180-200 EUR.

Prices on the page are for October 2018.

How to call

8-10-212-4-phone number

Essaouira

Buses

You can get from Casablanca to Essaouira by a comfortable CTM bus or by some other bus - cheaper, but less comfortable. From Marrakech it is better to travel by bus from the Supratours railway company, departing from the city train station. Transfer from Marrakech takes ~3 hours, from Casablanca ~6 hours.

Essaouira Hotels

There are not many hotels within the city walls. The best one here Hotel Villa Maroc occupies two 18th-century mansions, one of which was once a brothel. There are also riad hotels located in old houses. They are usually owned by Moroccan families who try to maintain a cozy homely atmosphere in them. Outside the city walls, the choice of hotels is richer, there is also a chic Sofitel and simpler establishments.

Due to the high coastal waves, all hotels are located on the second line of the beach.

Cuisine and restaurants of Essaouira

Fish and seafood - business card Essaouir cuisine. Restaurants with a name are based on popular tourist promenades and closer to the port, working eateries are located in the old town. For a quick (but tasty) snack, we recommend a serving of spicy and aromatic harira soup, as well as all kinds of half-baguette and pizza sandwiches. You can dine on the freshest fish “locally” right at the fish market: you just need to choose the fish you like, and it will be immediately fried for you in a small restaurant. Additional salad-olives-bread will cost 30-35 MAD in addition to the cost of the fish.

Entertainment and attractions in Essaouira

Almost untouched by time, the slave market, the former residence of the pasha, and now the Sidi Mohammed bin Abdallah Museum (a treasure trove of local art). Local craft shops line Sighain Street. As an excursion, you can take a boat ride around the nearby island of Mogador, inhabited only by seagulls, and also go to the ruins of Dar Sultan Castle.

An amazing feature of Essaouira's natural world are goats grazing on trees. They deftly jump onto branches and, chomping, eat the fruits of the rare argan tree.

The city is located on a cape, so the winds from the Atlantic are especially strong there. Surfers in Essaouira can expect a good wave and a fair wind at their back. There are two surf centers open in Essaouira: Fanatic and Club Mistral, both of which have a very large selection of equipment and their own restaurants. Renting equipment for 7 days will cost about 180-200 EUR. The most popular surfing beaches are Essaouira Bay, Sidi Kaouki, Cape Sim and Moulei Bouzertun. International competitions in these sports are held here.

Essaouira is a wonderful Moroccan resort on the Atlantic coast. Snow-white houses in the colonial style, cheerful looking bright blue windows, always warm weather, sandy beaches, the sea - that’s what holidays in Essaouira are all about. In the sixties and seventies, the city was a recognized abode of hippies from all over the world, Jimi Hendrix lived here. It is here, in the unique atmosphere of the town with thousand years of history, they recreated Jerusalem for the cult film “Kingdom of Heaven” - a very colorful place.

Sights of Essaouira. Where to go on excursions and what to see

Here you can wander through the slave market, which has hardly changed since the Portuguese colonists traded in “live goods.” Medina, by the way, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, deserves special attention. Explore the fortress walls, walk through narrow quarters, look into craft workshops, buy an inlaid box, chessboard or some other souvenir in one of the many shops, because the craftsmen of Essaouira are famous for their woodwork, or just sit with a cup of aromatic tea in a pastry shop - to absorb the spirit of North Africa.

A favorite place for photo sessions of all tourists is the former residence of the pasha, where the Sidi Mohammed bin Abdallah Museum, dedicated to Moroccan art, is now located.

Nearby is most beautiful island Mogador was once the name of the city itself. Boat tours around it are popular due to the picturesque views.

Jimi Hendrix once spent time in the nearby town of Diabat. It was about the dilapidated fort called Dar Sultan Castle that he wrote the song “Castles Made of Sand”. You can arrive here early in the morning by taxi, and then return to Essaouira along the windswept beach past that same sand castle. Short and very romantic walk leaves a fantastic impression.

And to discover the real atmosphere of Morocco, you can take a tour of the amazing area around Essaouira. See argan forests, thuja groves, marvel at the unimaginable world of the desert, treat yourself to mint tea in a Berber village...

Perhaps only in the vicinity of Essaouira can you watch goats grazing on... trees. Jumping onto the branches, they, chomping provocatively, gorge themselves on the fruits and leaves of the agrane tree. But the main thing for which people come to Essaouira, of course, is not these unusual animals or buildings five hundred years ago. The main thing is the sea.

A short video about a beach holiday in Essaouira

Local craftsmen made a short video dedicated to the beaches of Essaouira. In 4 minutes you can plunge into the atmosphere of this Moroccan town.

Beaches, sea, surfing

It is often turbulent, since the resort is located on a cape, blown by winds from the Atlantic. Because of this, relaxing on the beach with small children will be a very risky idea, but surfers simply adore the town. Here you can almost always catch good wave. It is the surfer beaches - Sidi Kauki, Moulei Bouzertun, Essaouira Bay, Cape Sim - that are the most popular. International competitions are regularly held there.

There are two surf centers in Essaouira - Club Mistral and Fanatic, where for a small fee you can learn to fly the waves or simply rent a board and other equipment.

Essaouira Restaurants

Surfing centers have their own restaurants, but it’s still better to go for dinner to establishments located closer to the port area, because the calling card local cuisine- This is fish and seafood. You can also taste freshly prepared fish at the market - it, caught just a couple of hours ago, can be immediately cooked and served still squealing, piping hot, plus salad, olives and bread - cheap and tasty.

In the old town there are plenty of cafes and restaurants on the main streets and squares. “Taros” stands out, combining French and Moroccan cuisine. Pleasant live music, coupled with wonderful views of the ocean and the Medina from the terrace, add to its popularity. You can also dine at inexpensive eateries, which, however, does not negate the excellent taste of local dishes. It is worth trying the aromatic spicy harira soup or snacking on Moroccan fast food.

Essaouira Hotels

There are few hotels in the city itself. Most best hotel– Villa Maroc – occupied two eighteenth-century mansions, and one of them has a spicy history - there was once a brothel in this building. To better experience the local exoticism, you can choose to stay in a riad - a small family-run Moroccan-style guesthouse. Beach hotels more, but they are all located on the second line. The most luxurious is Sofitel.

Discover your Africa

With its ramparts, fishing harbour, and seagulls soaring and squawking above the city, Essaouira is a place both slightly familiar and incredibly exotic. At first it seems that it could be a city in French Brittany, such as Saint-Malo. But as soon as you enter the fortress walls surrounding the old part of the city, everything becomes infinitely Moroccan: narrow streets, the wind, which sometimes drives you crazy, the smells of fish and humid sea air mixed with the aroma of spices and thujas heated in the sun, women in national clothes , the quaint afternoon shadows of palm trees on the walls of houses, the sounds of drums and the singing of muezzins reflecting from the buildings... The charm of the city is determined by the fact that it is not entirely a resort. The fishing port is as busy as ever, the woodworkers continue to impress with their crafts, and the Medina is not only a popular tourist attraction, but also important to the locals.

Essaouira lies at a crossroads - Arabs live in the north, Berbers in the south, and if you add to this the inhabitants of the more southern regions of Africa and Europeans, you get a rich cultural mix. In addition, the special light and beauty have always attracted artists, sculptors and other bohemian people to Essaouira. Come, wander through the old quarters, catch your wave or just sunbathe on the beach, go on an excursion to the Sahara and... discover your Africa.