Essaouira means the little
rampart, a reference to the fortress walls that enclose the old town (
the Medina) was formerly known as its Portuguese Name: Mogador. The locals
pronounce it Es-Sweera or just Sweera.
In 2001 the Medina of
Essaouira (formerly Mogador) was added to the World Heritage List of
UNESCO.
"Essaouira is an
exceptional example of a late-eighteenth century fortified town, built
according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in
a North African context. Since its foundation, it has been a major
international trading seaport, linking Morocco and its Saharan hinterland
with Europe and the rest of the world." (Unesco Site)
This coastal windy city in Morocco
is a wonderful destination to explore and feel the Berber roots and discover a
different culture; it is also a great destination for surfers.
It has a pleasant weather
and can get windy. It has a wonderful beach with golden sand; apart from
swimming you can also enjoy camel and horse riding; or quad biking.
The white and blue medina is
an enchanting place where you can shop, walk, eat & drink; also you have those
small little “Riads” (traditional house built around the courtyard) where you
can stay. The Medina is well designed and you can’t get lost unlike the
Marrakech souk. It has also a more laid back feel to it so you can shop without hassle and get some really good deals.
We also visited one of the
women Argan Oil cooperative on the way to Essaouira . We landed by flight to
Marrakech and got a car with driver from Marrakech airport to Essaouira. It is
a two and half hour drive.Let me now take you to this trip with some of these beautiful pictures.
- Sfenj. Morrocan doughnuts made with sticky unsweeteen and leavened dough.
- Moroccan flatbread made of semolina: Harcha served with honey and butter.
- The famous hat stall in the middle of the Medina.
- Apart from the stall and typical shops you also have great boutiques.
- Colorful Berbere carpets!
- Entrance to one the Riad.
- This lovely restaurant is the Mega Loft. It serves great fusion food and the interior is lovely and colorful and has live music.
- Vegetable Tagine at the Mega Loft.
- This is at Taros, one of the most hapenning place in Essaouira. We went a couple of times. One of the night, it had a typical Morrocan live music and dance. You also have international singers and music. Great nights at Taros.
- Sunset time at Taros with some local wine! Always bread and olives to welcome you in any restaurant . Love this Khobz bread.
- Live music while having lunch in a small little place we found serving only Vegan food. We loved it! Le Corail At Latifa.
- Sweet couscous with fried onions and chickpeas at Le Corail.
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- Merci Mona et Karim.
- Lovely day at the Beach: Sidi Kaouki.
- Lots of cats and kittens in the streets of the Medina.
- Visitng the women Cooperative Agronomade. Learning the secrets of the Argan nut and its products.
- The making of the famous Argan Oil: for cosmetic use as well as culinary.
- The different products with Argan.
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