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| Review by Jo Rutherford from Ely Cambridgeshire
Essaouria is a stunning holiday location, particularly the medina. It has a rich and fascinating history and the musuem and christian cemetery bear witness to this. The views from various parts of the town are breathtaking, particularly the port. The local bus is an experience and will take you up or down the coast to vast tracts of unspoilt beaches. I would suggest that Essaouria is perhaps more suitable for adults and older children through to teenagers, rather than young children. The shopping is as good as it gets, particuarly the silver souk, however, although the town offers some excellent restaurants, serving all food from tagines and couscous to superb Italian at Silvestres, we enjoyed shopping on the main boulevard and preparing meals at home with the freshest of ingredients. For a fantastic authentic experience you cant beat the windy city of Essaouria.
Review by visitor
Although it was busy when we went as it was August, Essouaira retained its charm and individuality. Great people, lovely food and very good value for money. We loved it and hope to return
Review by Emily Simpson from York
For sights, sounds, smells, people, culture, relaxation, watersports, camel trekking, shopping, eating, drinking and having lots of fun in an AMAZING place, go to Essaouira!
Review by visitor
Essaouira- Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2008
Essaouira is generally acclaimed as one of the most enchanting spots along Moroccos Atalantic coast,and is rumoured to become as infamous as St Tropez. Its sunny and temperate climate hardly changes from month to month, and the cool sea breeze is as welcoming as the generosity and warmth offered by the inhabitants.
The liberal and tolerant atmosphere strongly characterises the mood on the streets, where fishermen,merchants,craftsme,musicians and artists of all kinds,come to share their work,play and friendship.
This exotic Moroccan fishing port was once the home of the "hippy hippy sheiks" in the late seventies,and today a new wave of tourism is adding style to its ramshackle charms.In the late afternoon the medina, Essaouiras old walled quarter,glows pink,a fabulous sight as falcons swoop across the beach from the Island of Mogador.The towns ramparts are so picturesque that they have been used in numerous films, including Ridley Scotts, Kingdom of Heaven.
Down in the harbour a flottila of fishing boats arrive back at this thriving port with all manner of exotic sea creatures,cooked in the many restaurants straight from the nets, and washed down with cold rose wine.
In Morocco,shopping is an art form,and Essaouira is no exception. But instead of the twists and turns of a typical souk,where you may get lost and have to pay a local urchin to get you out, Essaouira is very easy to navigate. A great introduction to the Arabian way of life.There are literally hundreds of shops,offering beaten brass souvenirs,inlaid thuya woodwork,multi-coloured slippers,rugs,scarves,blankets,incredible lamps,jewelry and spices.In addition to the fun of haggling over prices,freshly brewed mint tea appears from everywhere,and buying a carpet can take several hours,or even days.These bustling streets are littered with antique shops, local artists and painters,musicians,wonderful cafes,restaurants,take-aways,all within a unique safe,friendly,and welcoming environment. A happy place. Essaouira is still as enchanting,evocative,and as endearing as it was in the eighteenth century,the town is still a hubof Moroccan art,and recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Martyn Wheatley Ghazoua
Review by Kate Gallaher from Bury St Edmudns
Essaouira is just the place to go if you want to experience the atmosphere of a North African country but without the hassle that you can get in other countries. It is really laid back and, although you are expected to haggle and their are a lot of people trying to sell you things, it is always very good natured and friendly. The beach is lovely, if windy, and there is plenty of opportunity to try many watersports. There isn't a huge amount to do other than that but we found that it was just a lovely place to expore and there was plenty to see. The many choices of restaurants and the various souks that offer anything you could desire all add to the experience. We took our children who are 7 and 5 and I had been worried that it may be a bit of a culture shock for them but they, too, found it all fascinating and loved the cats, camels and fish! Essaouira is an ideal destination for a relaxing beach holiday but much more interesting than most traditional holiday destinations.
Review by ursula jones from scunthorpe
we have been to essaouira 7 times and absolutely LOVE it!
Review by Laura OKeefe from Edinburgh
Really loved Essaouira and it was our favourite place in Morocco. Large enough to be bustling and vibrant but small enough to wander safely amid the friendly but not intrusive locals. The beach was quiet and lovely and although it's known for being windy it's not always the case and it's lovely to sunbathe on. Restaurants are varied, but it's not a big place for nightlife. There aren't a great many items of cultural note other than the actual town itself (the walls are a UNESCO World Heritage site)but the charm of Essaouira is more than that - it's in the working harbour, the souks, the beach, the people.
Review by Celia Pagel from Oxford
Essaouria is a thriving and authentic arabic walled town with working fishing harbour. It is an opportunity for Westerners to experience the souks and colourful way of life in a safe and welcoming environment. It is a delightful place to wander the streets and sit at cafes watching life go by. It also offers plent of water sports if that is your interest.It was a huige learing experience (but relatively safe and enjoyable) for our teenage daughters who nearly got left behind in exchange for a herd of camels!
Review by Noreen Harrington from Kenmare
We loved lots of things about Essaouira. Our favourite restaurant was hands-down, Les Alizes. We ate there 3 out of the 7 nights - I would have eaten there every single night if I could have! The Pigeon Pastilla was amazing. We loved to have Mint Tea and Pastries at Patisserie Driss in the afternoon. We went Quad-Biking one day - the kids (and me) enjoyed it immensely - great fun! The Medina is an interesting place to wander around in and just soak up the fabulous atmosphere. Hammam at Lalla Mira was a great way to spend a couple of hours.
Review by member Moreland from Windermere
Great place to visit
Review by visitor
Great place - good mixture of Africa & Europe. You can mix with the hustle and bustle of the locals, walk a few yards and get Italian ice-cream!
Review by Gabriele Rau from 74906 Bad Rappenau
Essaouira is a small town, at the atlantic side in morocco. Between Agadir and Safi. The Best is the old Medina.
There are no cars running. You can live there inside in beautiful riads. Luxory or even cheap. Outside the Medina
you will find bigger Hotels, like the Sofitel or Atlas-Spa, with all comfort. You will find nice beaches, even in the
near in small villages like Sidi Kaouki.. In former times the called the town Essaouira "Mogador" from portugues
people.The harbour-ships in lovely blue colors, the buildings, nice places are making the town even romantic.
Birds are surrounding the sky and you will have the best sunset in morocco. A great selection of restaurants and
bars will make your holidays comfortibel. The have also off licens Alkohol-Shops. You have a plenty of shops,
with special moroccan handcrafts. Like babouches, tuja-wood, scarfs, instruments. In the end of june, the "Gnaoua-Festival "is a great experience, for those people loving african music. The youth of morocco and also
people of the whole world are coming there. Many foreign artists are invited from other countries. This year
they celebrate the 12th festival of Gnaoua on ten stages. There is still a lot off to tell. We are coming 2 times
a year to Essaouira. Our favorite town in the lovely country morocco. In Essaouira you can found very liberal
and openminded people. The mixture of culture and human beeing is the best. Excuse me the bad english.
Talking I"m better...
Sincerely and best regards Gabriele from Germany
PS "The Villarenters " works excellent.
Review by Liz Turner from Purley
Essaouira was a facinating and interesting town. Much more run down and scruffy than i had imagined from the photo's i had seen before I went but charming. Everything was very accessible and lots to see with the souks, the craftsmen, the fishermen, the restaurants and the closesness of the beach etc. It would be a great place to visit and something for every age althought we didnt see too much in the way of nightlife but maybe we weren't looking in the right places.
If you like lots of variety in food Morrocco is not the place to go. There was really little choice over endless Terrines, pasta or pizza and by the end of the week we couldn't wait to get home for a curry!! There is loads to buy in the way of bread, fruit ,fish etc but if you were wanting to self cater the few shops selling more western foods were ridiculously expensive and would make home cooking more expensive than eating out. There are lots of restaurants selling food quite cheaply but it is all much the same menu.
All in all we all had a great time. Unless you just want to lie on a beach and relax or windsurf etc there isn't too much to see after 2 days unless you want to use it as base for travelling out. But a holiday with a few days in Marrakech, Atlas mountains and Essaouira is perfect. We would recommend it it was a facinating week.
Review by visitor
Would like to go back soon.
Review by Cheryl Barlow from Loughton
Essaouira was our first experience of Morocco and now we can't wait to go back. The people were really welcoming and helpful.
Review by Trond Folcersahm from Oslo
A cool town with friendly and nice people. The service in the restaurants are superb. The food excellent and the prices is like a fairytale for norwegians.
Review by Colin Simpson from New Milton
I found Essaouira quiet and relaxing with a large uncrowded beach.There were many fine restaurants to choose from and the food was excellent.The Medina is one big shopping centre with plenty to haggle for.All in all a great lazy holiday
Review by Sasha Arbuckle from Oxford
Essaouira is a beautiful, laid back town with a lovely beach, albeit a bit windy! There is certainly something for everyone there, with or without kids. We enjoyed wandering around the Medina, walking round the ramparts and visiting the port. We took a taxi to a nearby beach, Sidi Kouki, which we preferred to the beach at Essaouira as it has rock pools and nice restaurants. Definitely recommend Essaouira to anyone looking for an independent holiday without any hassle.
Review by sonia bidwell from lairg
Such a beautifull place full of friendly people, full of vitality and vibrant colour. Wonderfull to holiday on the Atlantic coast instead of the Med. Fell asleep to the sound of the waves. Just wish it was easier for us to get to . A very long tiring journey fom the north of Scotland. But as they say "that's our problem!"
Review by visitor
The freshest fish, the wildest windsurfing and a laid back 60's legacy add up to Morroco's most fashionable coastal resort. For a taste of the real Morocco, this is as good as it gets!
Review by Diana Holden from Stamford
After feeling unsure at first of the intention/motivation of the local people, we came away loving these fun loving and tactile people, who still have a sort of innocence, which we hope will not be swamped by western ideas and tourism.
Review by Alan Houghton from Altea
Essouiara has a great atmosphere and really is a much more relaxed place than Marakech where it is easy to feel over hassled..some good restaurants and its a shopping paradise ...we found most thing could be bought for about 60 per cent of the starting price..great empty beach and some terrific fish to be had from local fishermen..
Review by Sweyn Alsop from Falmouth
Essaouira is a fantastic town, combining sunshine and watersports with a medina that transports you back to a biblical era of exciting suks and passageways full of the promise of the exotic.
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