Essaouira

Rocky shores battered by the Atlantic tides, lofty ramparts standing against marine winds, and a city of royal white rising above them in elegance: Essaouira appears as if it came straight out of a medieval fantasyland. It has been a popular anchorage on the Moroccan coast since the time of the Phonecians. Over centuries, numerous rulers from Portuguese kings to Moroccan sultans influenced its narrative. Today, an easygoing atmosphere moderates much of Essaouira’s imperial glory. Cinematic scenes of fishing works and a low-key life are what you will find.

Within the ramparts that gave the city its aesthetic poshness, the medina lies serenely near the ocean. It has been a UNESCO site since 2001. As in most Moroccan cities, it is where the heart of culture and trade beats. Yet, the Medina of Essaouira allows every moment to sink in different from other medinas. You can take a stroll on the ramparts and admire a dramatic coastline, shop for ceramics and rugs, or enjoy a beverage in the alfresco cafes.

The sturdy walls of the medina lead into another highlight attraction in Essaouira, the working port guarded by a rectangular tower. There, Moroccan blue appears on pretty much everywhere from wooden boats to fishing nets. The visual feast it offers is so satisfying that it will awe you into silence.