Day 01
Day Trip to Essaouira and the Argan Forest from Marrakech
- Take a day trip to Essaouira, the former Mogador, built on a rocky peninsula, with its ramparts standing watch over the ocean, its medina in white and blue tones, its busy port, and its long sandy beaches. Visit an argan oil cooperative on your way. The history of Essaouira dates back to the 8th century BC, when the Phoenicians stopped there on the road to the equator. The real founder of the city was the Alaouite Sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, who entrusted its construction to Theodore Cornut, an architect and student of Vauban. Essaouira is now a charming little fishing port, especially lively when the boats arrive and sardines and crustaceans are sold at auction. On the docks, fishermen repair their red nets.
- Enjoy grilled sardines outdoors in the harbour's small restaurants, then discover the Sqala du Port, a crenellated bastion built to protect the harbour and the city. It consists of two fortified wings behind the Navy Gate. Leaving the port of Sqala, enter Moulay Hassan Square. Discover the kasbah, a district surrounded by ramparts with foundations anchored in the rock.
- Walk along the ramparts, taking the street that leads to the Sqala of the Kasbah, where the famous guns of Essaouira stand in line. Orson Welles chose this place to film the exterior scenes of his Othello. At the heart of the kasbah, the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions reflects the collective memory of the province of Essaouira.
- You will discover the ritual and secular musical instruments of the Aissaoua, Hamadcha, and Gnaoua brotherhoods. Every year in June, the world-renowned Gnaoua Festival of Essaouira takes place.
