Essaouira is an Atlantic Coast gem that keeps fascinating people throughout history. With the archeological traces of early humanity in this region, Essaouira is one of the most culturally and historically reaches of the earth. The buildings in Essaouira stood up to the test of time and they’re now standing up to exhibit the greatness of human civilizations.
Essaouira is also an artistic city. The free-spirited nature of Essaouira keeps attracting bohemians and open-minded people to this day. That’s why Essaouira is the Moroccan city of Hippies and artists. Additionally, the buildings of its ramparts are considered UNESCO World Heritage Site.
To sum it up, Essaouira is one of the most important Moroccan cities that no visitor should miss; it’s a must-see, or should we say a must-be-experienced city. There are many reasons to visit Essaouira. Many people just go there to enjoy surfing because surfing on the beaches of this city is a rite of passage. Others visit for the cultural richness and art.
Here, we will explore the top reasons to visit Essaouira. We will explore what makes this city stand up as one of the must-sees in Morocco.
Reasons Why You Should Visit Essaouira
Essaouira is the perfect Palace in Morocco to Chillax
The weather, the coasts & beaches, the restaurants, riads, food, and everything else in Essaouira invokes a sense of relaxation. No wonder why artists love this city. Creativity comes to the mind at its most meditative states. Essaouira is a great city where you can find an inner spark within your soul.
Take a stroll around the coasts and ramparts. After that, head to a nearby café. You can get yourself a cup of fresh mint tea to help your muscles relax even more.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to write, it’s at that mood that you can bring up your notebook and start jotting down your favorite forms of literature. This is one of the main reasons to visit Essaouira if you asked me personally.
You Have to Surf when you’re in Essaouira
When in Essaouira, you must never miss the opportunity to surf. If you’re not a surfer and never tried it, the waves of Essaouira might get you addicted to that hobby.
Essaouira is dubbed the windy city of Africa because surfers from all over the world love surfing in Essaouira. You can rent and surfing board for a set amount of time and even get lessons for a symbolic price. At the end of the day, you’ll reflect back on why millions of people love this hobby.
Surfing in Essaouira is one of the reasons to visit
The Food is Fantastic in Essaouira
During your Morocco itinerary visit to Essaouira, I’m sure you’ll love the food and the local restaurants. Seafood is abundantly available and diverse. You’ll never get enough of the varieties of fish and sea fruit you can taste in the restaurants nearby the coasts.
However, the most authentic thing to eat in Essaouira is sardine barbecue. That stuff is super tasty! You will have to head to the harbor early when the sailors return with their goods. You will buy sardines while they’re still alive. You got to take them to the stove man who will charge you for preparing the tasty grilled sardines.
Shopping in the Medina of Essaouira is a must-do experience
The UNESCO World Heritage Medina of Essaouira is an exotic hub where you will not resist purchasing cool artifacts. The Thuya wood aroma will drag you to buy a cool sculpture merely for the good smell it produces constantly. Thuya is the same fancy wood that Bentley cars use in their interiors.
The walls of the Medina and the old buildings will transport your mind to another dimension very different from what you got used to in your home. Essaouira is a cultural melting pot, especially the medina. It’s the spot where Muslims, Europeans, Amazighs, Jews, Sub-Saharans, and Arabs have resided and still reside.
Essaouira is the Spiritual Capital of Gnawa Music
Essaouira hosts every year the Festival of Gnawa, which is one of the top festivals in Morocco that attracts more than half a million people from all over the world. The festival is known for its liberal arts attitude. The festival celebrates Gnawa music along with fusion, jazz, and world music.
The audience of this hippie festival is among the most open-minded people in the world. It’s where the hippies, bohemians, and free-spirited people enjoy their shared interests. Dancing to the beats of trance-inducing music is the passion of many music-heads of the world.
Essaouira is one of the best spots where you can experience the experience of Gnawa nights, which are considered spiritual nights of exorcism through dancing to Gnawa music. Many Moroccans do this spiritual rite during certain religious holidays.
The festivals are always accompanied by street performances. Generally, Essaouira is at its busiest and most highlight points every time the festival arrives. The whole vibe of Essaouira during the month of June and July is truly something that you have to experience as a traveler who loves places that boast cultural richness.
So, what you think of Essaouira? What do you like to experience in this city? You can tell us about all of them in the comment section below.
And of course, if you like to enquire for more info about Essaouira, you can contact us, and we will tell you everything about the accommodations and hotels. If you want to book a trip to Essaouira, we can help you with it. We are among the best services in Morocco that offer very personalized day trips to Essaouira. Our guides will facilitate having the best possible experience in this amazing gem.