The Mystical, Ancient City of Essaouira

If ever there existed a mystical city, it would be Essaouira, Morocco. 

A coastal city south of Casablanca, Essaouira (a UNESCO site) has been inhabited for thousands of years by a revolving door of occupiers, including the Phonecians, Berbers, Carthinians, Romans, Arabs, Portuguese and French. It has a sheltered deep-water port which has made it a valuable entrance point into North Africa from Europe and the Mediterranean. It became the major port in Morocco beginning in the 1700s, and was the meeting point for caravans traveling from sub-Saharan Africa with ships from Europe, West Africa and the Americas.

During the Portuguese occupation, Essaouira was dubbed Mogador due to a Muslim saint (Sidi Mogdoul) who is buried there, and is sometimes referred to as Mogador today. 

It continues to be a major fishing port, and boasts an iconic fortress. Fame came to Essouira when it was visited by Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, and Paul Bowles, and it was used by Orson Welles for the filming of Othello. The arts - especially music - are very much in evidence, as it is home to the hugely popular Festival of Gnawa Music that takes place every June, as well as many other cultural festivals.

Essaouira was home to most of Morocco's Jewish population before Israel become a nation, and there still exists a Jewish "Mellah" or neighborhood. There is an ancient Souk where you can purchase just about anything your heart desires, as well as a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and bars. Essaouira, a highly international city, elicits the wisdom of the ages with a modern heart and a uniquely Moroccan soul. 

Marrakesh Voyage LLC includes a stay in Essaouira in most of its pre-planned itineraries. Enjoy a cooking class, where you are guided to the local market to hand-pick your own seafood for preparation. The hotels are stunning, the people are gracious and the food is divine! There are wind-surfing lessons, and camel rides on the beach. It is also one of the few places on Earth where you can purchase Argon oil, a highly-prized nut oil used in cooking as well as beauty products, direct from the factory.

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Our team of experienced travel professionals at Marrakesh Voyage would be delighted to help you design a private, guided journey in the Kingdom of Morocco.