Essaouira is a coastal city in Morocco, on the Atlantic Ocean, in the Marrakech–Safi region, about two and a half hours by road from Marrakech. It stands out for its mild, windy climate, which shapes both daily life and the visitor experience. Its manageable size and seaside atmosphere make it feel very different from the country’s larger tourist hubs.

The medina of Essaouira, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the historical heart of the city. It follows a relatively structured layout, reflecting its 18th-century planning, when Essaouira was designed as a strategic port. Its ramparts, bastions, and sea-facing cannons create a distinctive urban landscape where Moroccan and European influences meet.

The port remains a key economic space, driven by daily fishing activity and a lively local trade. It supports a range of jobs linked to sales, boat maintenance, and seafood processing. For visitors, it offers a direct, concrete view of the city beyond heritage landmarks and tourist-oriented areas.

Craftsmanship plays an important role, especially through thuya woodwork, used to create decorative objects and furniture. The medina also hosts workshops for jewelry, textiles, leather goods, and painting. This artisanal activity contributes to the local economy and to Essaouira’s visual identity, even though the offerings range from traditional work to contemporary pieces and items produced for the tourist market.

Essaouira’s history has been shaped by commercial and cultural exchanges, tied to its maritime position. The city welcomed different communities, including a significant Jewish population that was long active in trade. Today, Essaouira retains its reputation as a cultural city, strengthened by events, galleries, and the Gnawa music festival, which helps sustain its national and international visibility.

Essaouira’s coastline lends itself to walks and wind-based activities such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. The main beach is wide and easy to access, although swimming depends on weather conditions and currents. The tourism offer combines riads, hotels, and guesthouses, attracting both short-stay visitors and longer-term travelers drawn by the heritage, the sea, and the city’s atmosphere.