They call Essaouira the ‘Jewel of the Atlantic' for a reason. It's a whitewashed maze famous for its Medina, fishing village vibe and flocks of kite surfers. You'll explore the harbour, meander through the UNESCO-listed medina and catch up on its bohemian arts scenes. Ibrahim, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘An Essaouira born and bred Amazigh, my family moved when I was 14. Now, when I return, I'm filled with nostalgia as I tour the alleys I used to play football in with my Arab and Jewish friends. Essaouira has always been a multicultural melting pot.'
You'll get the lowdown on the city from your guide, learning about the port, municipal market, jewellers' district and artisan centres. Its mellow atmosphere, narrow winding streets laden with kaleidoscopic carpets, peeling-paint houses with and heavy old wooden doors make it a wonderful place to wander around. You'll walk the ramparts of the harbour, known as the Skala, where electric-blue boats bob in the water and see the collection of historic European brass cannons.
After lunch in a local restaurant inside the medina, we'll check out the artisan shops and galleries, known for handcrafted products made with thuya wood. The Othello arts space – named after the film of the Shakespeare play, which was partially shot in Essaouira – is worth a visit. We'll also drop into an argan oil cooperative, which was founded by local women, where you can try homemade local products such a mint tea, bread and amlou – a spread made from argan oil, honey and almonds.
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