Essaouira
Essaouira has it all . This small town perched on the Atlantic coast of Morocco , presents a friendly alternative to the frantic Marrakesh and has endless pleasant proposals to spend a few most fun vacation enjoying its culture and doing all kinds of activities.
It is a simple city in every way. It's easy to walk . Easy to find nice restaurants and cafes. easy to surf , with ideal conditions even for beginners. The Medina has a interesting souk and the vendors are certainly friendlier than in other parts of the country.
The hotel Ocean Vagabond is an ideal accommodation to sleep in Essaouira, because is located 100 meters from the beach and 200 meters from the Medina , where most of the bars and restaurants that you will frequent during your vacations are located. The ground floor of the hotel, large panoramic windows that offer views of the garden, houses a swimming pool ideal to disconnect from everything.
Essaouira
DO YOUR SHOPPING IN THE MEDINA
Essaouira was declared World Heritage . This town maintains the charm and authenticity of a land that has remained oblivious to the passage of time , with a walled fortification by the sea, where the houses are white like the towns of Andalusia.
In the inside the walls is its ancient city: the medina . In this tangle of alleys you will find many places entertainment and shopping where you can buy practically anything you can think of, be it spices, tapestries or souvenirs made by local artisans.
If the prices of the small shops are not exposed, do not forget to haggle with the seller, something really everyday in the souks of Morocco. In fact, if you don't, you must assume that they will be charging you at least double.
Essaouira
WHAT DO WE DO IN THE MEDINA?
In the Medina of Essaouira you will also find many designer cafes and restaurants that often merge environments north africans with europeans to offer an attractive result for visitors of all styles.
An example of this is Caravan Cafe either Mega Loft Cafe , two beautiful premises decorated in great detail that offer a great food and live performances of the most varied, such as violin concerts or magic shows.
Another well-known place in Essaouira is the Taros cafe-restaurant , especially popular for its privileged view of the sea , ideal for see the sunset . It also presents a extensive wine and beer list , drinks that are not easy to find anywhere in Morocco, a country with a Muslim majority.
When the sun goes down, the atmosphere in Taros comes alive with live music on their rooftop and stays open until midnight. The place is exterior and open, in the winter months it is better to be warm.
Say goodbye to Essaouira from the rooftop of Le Taros
VISIT AN ARGAN OIL COOPERATIVE
on the way between Essaouira Y Marrakesh you'll find a handful of cooperatives where you can witness the manufacture of products made with argan oil , a very popular product throughout the world, originally from the country, and especially used in cosmetics for its benefits for hair and skin.
Most cooperatives are similar and the visit does not need a reservation . the tea our is half an hour At most, enough time to observe the production and buy some of these products.
In these cooperatives, women use old tools to extract oil from the beans by hand and complete the entire creation process . It is actually more expensive to buy the argan products here than in the Medina, but it is worth seeing the process first-hand, while you support local businesses and the women who make them.
For example, one of the best known cooperatives, Afous Argan , is an organization that is in the hands of women who are often divorced, separated from their husbands and therefore neglected by Moroccan society and have found a refuge in this work.
Essaouira
PRACTICE WATER SPORTS
Essaouira beach is a good place for kitesurfing and surfing for all levels. In the vicinity of the beach there are many shops and schools where to learn or rent the material at quite reasonable prices.
One of the famous places is surfing , a very friendly school where you will find practically everything. Prices will vary depending on what you are looking for. For example, a group kite lesson swings between 60 and 120 euros per person, while a class of surf , between the 30 and 80 euros per person. school too organize surf and kite day trips, together with a guide , to be able to know the best places, according to the conditions and the level of the group.
In general, the best months to do kitesurfing are in summer, from March to October . The winter months are the best conditions for the surf , of October to April . However, it is possible to do both sports all year round, especially for beginners.
Essaouira
RELAX WITH A MINT TEA
After a long day playing sports and strolling through the souk, you can relax watching life go by in front of the sea with a good mint tea. This is the local drink par excellence, a custom that comes from remote times, because the refreshing taste of mint helps alleviate the effect of the heat in Morocco.
The good thing about Essaouira is that although the temperatures are not so warm in winter, at noon you can wear short sleeves and it's sunny almost 300 days a year . In addition, you will not feel pressured in the same way as in other Moroccan cities and you will be able to take the day very calmly on a terrace.
Essaouira
PURIFY YOURSELF IN A HAMMAM
A visit to any city in Morocco is not complete without having visited a hammam at least once. Also Known As Turkish bath , the hammam It is an essential practice in Muslim Culture , because Islamic precepts advise rigorous hygiene.
Moroccans go to these baths at least once a month and it is a place where meet people and socialize . With the arrival of tourism, some Hammams for foreigners have also become popular, adapted to a spa style.
A visit to a Hammam is quite an experience to relax the body and mind . The ritual begins with the extension on our body of a natural clay mixed with water . Continue with the application of a black soap prepared with olive oil and eucalyptus leaves that soften the skin before a strong body scrub . Lastly, the extension of argan oil to hydrate the skin and leave it perfect to return home.
Among the best-known Hammam in Essaouira are Azure Spa Y Mounia Hammam Y Spa Cooking.
Experiencing a hammam is one of the 'must' in Essaouira