Let's Experience Essaouira city in 2025 Summer
There are locations in the world that have the impression of having been designed with the purpose the soul’s renewal—places where time slows down, the senses awaken, and the heart feels suddenly light. That location was Essaouira, a windswept port city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Essaouira, also known as the "Wind City of Africa," combines old-world charm, artistic spirit, and laid-back coastal energy in a captivating way. My trip there was absolutely transformative.
Arrival: First Breath of the Atlantic
After days immersed in the chaos and color of Marrakech, I boarded a bus bound for Essaouira. The ride, which lasted about three hours, took me through an ever-changing landscape — from arid plains to argan tree-studded hills, where goats stood improbably in the branches like mythical creatures.
As we neared the coast, the scent of saltwater and the distant cries of seagulls welcomed us. At first, Essaouira seemed like a mirage: a walled city with blue shutters and whitewashed buildings perched on top of the vast Atlantic Ocean. I immediately realized what people meant when they said that Essaouira has its own rhythm when I was greeted by a sea wind as I got off the bus.
The Medina: A Maze Without Mayhem
The medina of Essaouira, in contrast to the dizzying mazes of Marrakech or Fes, is tranquil and almost orderly. It is one of the few Moroccan medinas where it is surprising difficult to get lost because it is laid out in a grid pattern and was designed by European architects in the 18th century. I marveled at the decaying beauty of the old buildings as I walked through its tranquil alleys.
Artisan workshops, galleries, and cozy cafés were accessible through blue doors. The medina was alive but calm. I was invited to join the city as it seemed to be taking a deep breath. The streets were filled with the aroma of grilled seafood, cinnamon-dusted pastries, and ocean air. Here, I found a rhythm of wandering, stopping, sipping mint tea, and watching the world go by.
Skala de la Ville: Walls That Watch the Sea
One of my first stops was Skala de la Ville, the historic sea bastion built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. With its weathered cannons lined up facing the Atlantic, it looks like a scene from a pirate film — and indeed, parts of Game of Thrones were filmed here.
I took in the crashing waves below and the distant horizon from atop the ramparts. The ocean was wild, powerful, and endlessly inspiring. Gulls wheeled overhead, and the wind tugged at my clothes and hair, as if trying to carry me into the stories of the past.
The combination of sea spray, wind, and history fills the senses and stirs the imagination, making it easy to get lost in the view. I was reminded of the strength of nature and the resilience of the city as waves hammered relentlessly on the rocks below.
Port of Essaouira: Where Boats Tell Stories
I arrived at the bustling fishing port from the medina after a short walk. The salt and time had weathered the blue wooden boats, making them look like big toys floating in the water. In a dance that probably hasn't changed much over the centuries, fishermen repaired their nets, hauled in their catches, and bargained with buyers. The air was filled with the smell of fish, salt, and diesel. Seagulls circled above, swooping in for scraps.
I sat on a stone ledge and watched the action unfold, which felt like an unscripted slice of life. I went to one of the tiny open-air seafood stalls near the port for lunch. There, you can choose from sardines, sole, calamari, or lobster from the day's catch, and the fish is grilled right in front of you. I chose a platter of sardines, served with lemon, bread, and a simple tomato salad. It was rustic, flavorful, and deliciously unpretentious.
The Art of Essaouira: Music, Color, and Craft
Essaouira has long been a haven for artists, musicians, and free spirits. Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, and Orson Welles all spent time here, drawn to its mystical energy and creative vibe. This artistic legacy continues to flourish today. Thuya-based intricate woodwork, vivid abstract blue and gold paintings, handmade jewelry, and street musicians playing Gnawa music—a spiritual fusion of African rhythms, Arabic lyrics, and Sufi traditions—were all examples of creativity I encountered.
I visited several small galleries tucked into the medina, each offering glimpses into the minds of Moroccan artists. One particular studio, run by a painter named Youssef, was filled with surreal landscapes and symbolic figures. He told me that his work was influenced by dreams, the sea, and the wind. He stated, "The soul hears itself more clearly in Essaouira."
The Beach: Sand, Surf, and Serenity
I walked to Essaouira Beach, a long stretch of golden sand south of the medina, one afternoon. The wind was strong — always is — and colorful kitesurfers dotted the sky like birds in flight. It’s no surprise that Essaouira is a top destination for wind sports.
However, I wasn't there to surf. I simply walked along the shore, letting the cold Atlantic waves kiss my feet. Families picnicked under umbrellas, camel guides offered rides along the surf, and children chased kites and each other in the sand.
Further south, the beach becomes quieter. I found a spot to sit, journal, and breathe in the salty wind. The sound of the waves was hypnotic, and for a while, I forgot about time entirely. In Essaouira, there’s no rush — only presence.
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A Taste of the Sea: Culinary Delights
The cuisine of Morocco is a feast for the senses, and Essaouira's location close to the sea gives it a unique flavor. I tried a variety of seafood tagines at the port, which are slow-cooked dishes cooked in clay pots and packed with saffron, garlic, tomato, and green olives.
One evening, I dined at a small restaurant in the medina, where the chef served calamari stuffed with herbs and rice, followed by seafood pastilla — a flaky pastry filled with shrimp and almonds, spiced with cinnamon and dusted with powdered sugar. Surprised and satiating were the flavors of savory and sweet. Of course, mint tea was ever-present, served hot and sweet, often with a view of the sea or a swirl of incense in the air.
Sunset and Reflection: A City That Listens
I went back to the Skala de la Ville for one last sunset on my last night there. As the sun set and entered the Atlantic, gold, pink, and violet hues lit up the night sky. The wind, ever-present, whispered across the stone as the cannons stood guard against the passage of time. I thought of all I’d seen — the artisans, the fishermen, the children flying kites, the old men drinking coffee in quiet corners, the laughter echoing from the medina’s cafés. Essaouira had worked its magic in the subtlest of ways.
It is not a city that exudes grandeur. It doesn’t clamor for attention. Instead, it slowly, gently, and deeply draws you in. You are urged to pay attention to the music, the wind, the waves, and your own thoughts by it.
Final Thoughts: A Place to Return To
As I packed my bag to leave, I felt a sense of longing — not sadness, but the kind of yearning you feel when you leave a friend behind. Essaouira had given me space to breathe, to observe, to slow down and reconnect with wonder.
I left with a notebook full of notes and sketches, salt in my hair, and sand in my shoes. But more importantly, I left with a quieter mind and a fuller heart.
I strongly recommend that anyone traveling through Morocco spend some time in Essaouira. Go beyond the cities of spectacle and dive into this coastal gem, where the wind carries stories and the sea holds secrets. You may arrive seeking escape — but you’ll leave with something more: a sense of being found.