Essaouira

This historic port city, once known as Mogador, has long been a crossroads for traders and artists, resulting in a medina that blends Portuguese fortifications with Moroccan artisanry.

While its Atlantic winds draw surfers, Essaouira is also the spiritual home of Gnawa music, a vibrant Sufi tradition of trance and rhythm that pulses through its streets and festivals, offering a unique cultural depth beyond the coastal charm.

Fly into:

• Essaouira-Mogador Airport ESU
• Marrakech Menara Airport RAK

Essaouira's medina is best explored on foot. For trips outside the walls, petit taxis are affordable and plentiful. Grand taxis or local buses connect Essaouira with inland towns like Sidi Kaouki and the argan cooperatives.

Embrace the medina's rhythm, which slows for midday heat and quickens in the evening. Engage with artisans in the souks, but know that bargaining is expected. Seek out live Gnawa music in small venues, particularly on Thursday nights, to experience its hypnotic energy.

Best in Spring

Spring: mild days around 18-24C, with a constant, cooling Atlantic breeze and sunny skies, perfect for exploring.

• light layers for warm days
• a windbreaker for evenings
• broken-in shoes for cobbled lanes
• sunscreen and a hat
• swimwear for the beach