| Reviews and photos of Essaouira attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Essaouira sightseeing. Essaouira Map |
 | Essaouira Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 189 |  |
I figured here was a good place to start - and to get to early especially as they are one of the places that closes at midday for a couple of hours 'for lunch'! and i was in a hurry - another flying visit!? with places to be and places to see.
But a nice little museum in an interesting building - a 19th century house that was a former pasha's residence and the town hall during the Protectorate.
This museum has displays of musical instruments, and berber and jewish costumes, carpets of local tribes, jewellery, weapons and crafts. I particularly liked the painted ceilings that were on display but down at my level so i was able to get some close up views!
and some beautiful craft items in thuya wood also.
Only 10 dirham entrance fee the museum is easy enough to find if you head for the medina postoffice next door or the hotel majestic just opposite. Leave a Comment Address: Rue Darb LaaloujPhone: 00212(0)48475300Directions: next door to the Post Office and opposite the Hotel Majestic
|
 | |  |
Visiting Essaouira?
Read reviews about Essaouira Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Skala du port and seagulls
after the fish! by angiebabe
Skala means sea bastion and Essaouira has two, built to protect the town ie the Skala de la Ville in the northwest and the Skala du Port in the south leading down to the harbour and docks.
The Skala du Port has battlements with cannons and two towers with picturesque views over the town centre, the fishing port and the Ile de Mogador.
From the 18th century 40 per cent of Atlantic sea traffic passed through Essaouira and being the destination of caravans from sub-Saharan Africa bringing goods for export to Europe it became known as the Port of Timbuktu! It also was once one of Morocco's largest sardine ports and still provides a living for 500-600 families. It still though has its traditional shipyard where you can see wooden boats being built, nets being fixed and fishing boats unloading their catch - from here you can see the fish being sizzled on outdoor grills or being auctioned between 3 and 5pm in the market hall just outside the port gates. Leave a Comment Address: Skala du Port, EssaouiraDirections: Down by the harbour at the southern entrance to town - immediate southwest of the medina
|
| | |
 lovely choice at the
Cooperative Artisanal by angiebabe,
4 more photos
Almost every part of the tree except the branches can be used. Its used to make such things as coffee tables, caskets and boxes in all shapes and sizes, trays and jewellery. and decorated with polish, inlaid with decorative motifs in citron wood, mother-of-pearl or ebony and sometimes with threads of copper, silver or camel bone.
Essaouira has been renowned as the capital of marquetry and its regarded that some of the countrys best marquetry craftsmen can be seen working in the small workshops in the former munitions stores beneath the ramparts. There are plenty of shops here with items for sale.
Some nice examples can be also seen in the small museum Musee Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah next to the post office and Hotel Majestic and also in the Cooperative Artisanal des Marqueteurs at Rue Khalid ibn oualid which is off the square where you find the renowned Pattisserie Driss. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 View of Essaouira by suvanki
However, it is still quite easy to get disorientated in the winding passages of the Mellah and Medina.
The bus station and Grands Taxi rank are outside the walls in the North East.
Entering Bab Doukkala, The gateway Arch at the North of the city, leads onto Ave. Zerktouni, which runs through the middle of Essaouira , changing name to Ave de L'Istiqlal, then Ave. Oqba ben Nafil, before ending near to the customs house and Fish markets.
** at my most recent visit, we were advised against wandering around the area near Bab Doukkala at night - apparently there has been some drug related trouble**
The Mellah (Jewish Quarter) fits into the area to the right of Ave. Zerktouni, from the gateway, to its intersection with Rue Mohammed el - Qory, then merges into
The Medina, which is to the right of Ave de L'Istiqlal, as far as the ramparts and Skala de la ville. The Medina is where some budget hotels are to be found, as well as the spice souk and market , which is more or less in the very middle of Essaouira.
The Kasbah, again contains hotels, and businesses, this is roughly in the area surrounding Ave Oqba ben Nafil.
Just a bit further along, is Skala de Port, fish market and grills, customs house, Place Moulay Hassan, boat harbour etc.
Tourist info office - Syndicat d'Initiative, on Rue de Caire- in the Kasbah www.essaouira.com or tel 044 475080
0900 -1200 1500- 1830 M-F
Hospital is on Rue Laquass opposite Bab Marrakesh (East side gateway)
Banks and ATMs - Place Moulay Hassan, had a selection of banks, plus some near Bab Doukkala I think. Hotel receptions are another option for foreign exchange. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
The 'old' walled medina of Essouira with its white houses and blue doors, narrow streets and ornately decorated arches is one of the cleanest and brightest medinas in Morocco. and surprisingly by Moroccan standards not old at all with the town being built only 250 years ago.
(though thats a lot older than our New Zealand!)
With ramparts already in place providing fortifications from the sea Essouira was an ideal place for the Alouite ruler Mohammed ibn Abdallah who needed in the mid 18th century a southern base from which to counter any possible revolt from Agadir. The sultan commissioned a french architect to design a port and a town.
The outer walls facing the sea are typical of european fortifications whereas the inner walls which have square crenallations are Islamic in style. Leave a Comment Directions: surround the whole medina of Essouira - you will know youre getting close to the medina when you see the town walls
|
| | |
Visiting Essaouira?
Read reviews about Essaouira Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 looking into portugeuse
building next door by angiebabe,
4 more photos
This gives you not only a view over to the sandy coastline in the distince and the waves breaking over the rocks near the Skala du ville but also the housing and streets around and down below you. I reckon its a good way to get a looksee into the locals lives and culture - seeing their rooftops - their washing, their architecture, what they keep up on their roofs etc etc. Leave a Comment Address: roof top view from the medina or scalas
|
 up to the north bastion,left
to thuya workshops by angiebabe, 1 more photos
The fortifications of the old city are a mixture of Portuguese, French and Berber military architecture . The Skala de la Ville is the impressive sea bastion built along the cliffs consisting of a crenellated platform, with Spanish cannons, up to the North Bastion built on the site of a citadel constructed by the Portugeuse in about 1505.
It is here that is popular with locals and tourists to stroll and watch the sun set.
A passageway leads from the bastion down into the former munition stores where now are dozens of souvenir shops and thuya woodcarving and marquetry workshops. Leave a Comment
|
 by JLBG
You can also get freshly pressed orange juice, prepared for you. Delicious and refreshing ! Leave a Comment
|
This is the place to view the daily fish auctions, observe the locals selling and buying the days catch, and even buy your own freshly caught fish to cook in your appartment, or take to the nearby fish grills, where your fish will be prepared and cooked for you, served with salad and bread.
Boats arrive morning and around 16oohrs. Leave a Comment Address: Ave. de L'IstiqlalDirections: Near Skala de Port, head trough the gateway, the markets on your right.
|
This square is a pleasant place to enjoy a drink or meal, it's also a good spot for people watching!
Although I wasn't there at night, I should imagine it's a popular spot for wining/dining.
At lunchtime, the squares cafes were starting to fill. Berber musicians were playing around the square, near the cafes. There are a few souvenir stands/kiosks in the square, and the roads leading off had a variety of craft shops
UPDATE
This visit, our hotel (Beau Rivage)was in this Square! My room overlooked it, so although it was noisy, I didn't find it too bad - The early morning call to prayer however, was probably the longest I've ever heard, and sounded strangely distorted too! Leave a Comment Address: Place Moulay Hussan, EssaouiraDirections: From the fishing boats, with the sea on your left, turn right into the pedestrianised area.
|
|
- Dar al Bahar
1 rue de Touahen, Essaouira - Les Terrasses d'Essaouira
2 rue Mohamed Diouri, Essaouira - Riad Watier
16-18 rue Ceuta Medina, Essaouira - Hotel Riad Villa Damonte
Route d'Agadir Km 6 El Ghazoua, Essaouira - Riad Jemalhi Mogador
6,rue Sidi Ahmed Ouharoune, Essaouira - Villa Maroc
10, rue Abdellah Ben Yassine, Essaouira - Hotel des Iles
Blvd Mohammed V, Essaouira - Riad Al Madina
9 Rue Attarine, Essaouira - Sofitel Thalassa Essaouira
Avenue Mohamed V, Essaouira - Riad Casa Lila
94 Rue Mohamel El Qorry, Essaouira - Ryad Mogador Essaouira
BP 368 Route de Marrakech, Essaouira - L'Heure Bleue Palais & Spa
2, Rue Ibn Batouta Bab Marrakech, Essaouira - Aljasira Hotel
18, Rue Mly Ali Cherif B.P. 1026, Essaouira - Riad Lotus O Marine Hotel
17, Rue Abderrahmane Eddakhil, Essaouira
|
