Essaouira Holidays

Perched on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira is the perfect, peaceful remedy to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, its streets just as full of traditional culture and character. So idyllic that scenes for Game of Thrones were filmed here, this former fishing village is a hub of history, culture, and music.

The spice-scented lanes of the city, lined with art galleries and boutiques, are perfect to simply wander and soak up your surroundings. The French-built 16th-century ramparts offer a scenic spot to breathe in the famous 'alizee,' the coastal wind that constantly accompanies the city. The lanes of the UNESCO-listed medina are vibrantly colorful, with shutters painted to match the sea and walls that complement the pinks of the sunset. The souk is a treasure trove of trinkets. Keep an eye out for women churning argan oil with horizontal wheels—a great souvenir, especially as you can witness its production firsthand.

Wind your way through the atmospheric pathways to reach the old port, where small blue fishing boats bob on the calm waters and, if you time it right, the air is alive with the sounds and smells of a fish market, the wares just-pulled-out-of-the-water fresh.