Africa / Morocco

Essaouira in Blue

I had always imagined Morocco as a high-energy place painted in desert-like warm colors. The pinks and peaches of the Marrakech medina, the deep golden yellows of the Sahara, the rainbow hues of scarves and fabrics, the warm yellow candlelight dancing on the walls from an within an ornate lantern.

Never did I once envision the soothing blues of the laid back seaside city of Essaouira.

Blue door and a bike | Essaouira, MoroccoOrange on a blue windowsill | Essaouira, MoroccoIf you are the type of person whose mood is affected by colors (like I am), the cool blue tones of Essaouira will whisk away any stress you may have felt in Morocco’s bigger cities – it’s a completely different place. The white wash of the buildings reminded me of the stark white buildings of the Greek Islands; the sound of the sea and the cry of seagulls circling the fishing boats reminded me of Monterey, California. And the blue… the blue is like no where else I’ve been.

Blue is everywhere – on the doors, the windows, the sky, the decorations, the details… Sometimes it’s a newly painted royal blue, sometimes it’s an Egyptian blue worn by time. Sometimes it is a bright turquoise that contrasts off the darker hues. Blue is Essaouira’s accent color that reminds you of the Atlantic Ocean lapping at the old fort walls. It gives the city a distinct personality that feels a little bit like Morocco and a little bit like Europe.

Palm tree and blue door in the medina | Essouira, MoroccoBlue doorway and shutters | Essaouira, MoroccoA brief history: Essaouira, once known as Mogador, is a small city on the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco. It was once considered the most important port in Africa as the Bay of Mogador  is protected and easily navigable. As it was so important, it was fought over by many empires for centuries. Casablanca took over as Morocco’s biggest port city in the early 1900s, leaving Essaouira to it’s destiny as a laid back tourist/vacation destination and hippie hot spot. (Back in the 1960s, both Cat Stevens and jimi Hendrix famously traveled here which of course put it on the map to travelers.)

Hippie hotspot? Of course I had to go. It is not as popular as places like Marrakech, Fes, or Casablanca, but maybe that’s another reason to check it out.

Local man looking out to sea | Essaouira, MoroccoEssaouira is the kind of city that is best enjoyed slowly. When I say slowly, I do not mean you need days or weeks to see it – quite the opposite. I mean enjoy it at an easy pace without a list of things to see. Take time to wander the souks and alleyways, have a coffee in the afternoon light along the fortress wall, and of course to walk along the sprawling beach listening to the gulls.  You don’t need to look at a single map or a guide book.  Just wander around, take in the city, and admire the blue.
Medina side alley | Essaouira, MoroccoMid afternoon in the main square | Essaouira, MoroccoMedina near the fort walls | Essaouira, MoroccoBlue doorways in the medina | Essaouira, MoroccoResting bike under tree | Essaouira, MoroccoFort ramparts | Essaouira, MoroccoConversation cart | Essaouira, MoroccoBakery cart in the medina | Essaouira, MoroccoRippling sand | Essaouira, MoroccoI loved Marrakech – I loved the chaos, I loved the pinks and peaches, and I loved the scarves.

But the calming blues of Essaouira stole my heart.

Practical Information:

* Essaouira is only a 2.5 – 3.5 hour drive from Marrakech, depending on traffic. It cant be easily tacked on to an itinerary based in southern Morocco and as a day trip.

* The Supratour bus is the cheapest way to travel between cities and leaves several times per day.  Find out more information HERE

* If you have limited time, book a group van transport to save time. (the bus stops several times along the way. Vans can be booked when you arrive in the city at a tour desk or through your riad/hotel.

* Try the seafood from the food stalls by the water. It’s freshly caught everyday!

 

6 Comments

  • jenny adams
    March 21, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    I want to go here! can we go back? After Marfa?

    Reply
    • Annie
      March 24, 2014 at 10:48 am

      lol yes. we’ll need a little blue after all of that yellow and dry.

      Reply
  • Lucy
    March 27, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Brings back lots of great memories – lovely photos. Really fell in love with Essaouira, much more than Marrakech in fact which was a bit hard going after four days at seaside pace!

    Reply
    • Annie
      March 27, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      I agree. Essaouira just felt good. Marrakech, while hectic and exotic and beautiful in all the right ways, is alot to take in. Essaouira is the opposite yet with a distinctly Moroccan feel. Glad you thought the same! Cant wait to read more about your experience. :)

      Reply
  • Jana
    April 5, 2014 at 10:39 am

    Essauira the former liar of pirates is great city to go to. It is probably wiser to stay they overnight and not only do just an excursion from Marrakech, but if you have limited time then it is possible as day trip from Marrakech.
    What I like the best is early mornings to go to the port and buy the fresh caught fish of the day. It is bit chaotic, you have the sellers and then young kids that clean the fish for a buck for you. There are all different variety if fish and you probably not get it fresher then that.
    There is also fish market in the medina of Essaouira. Here mainly locals buy some fish and then go to the restaurant where they cook it for them. It is great way and unusual for us. I am not personally big fish eater but fish baked in oven or grill over the fire in these places stole my heart away. It is the authentic experience eating like the locals.
    http://www.your-morocco-tour.com

    Reply
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