Tag: Africa


Essaouira: Morocco’s Exotic Beach Town

Discover the Funky Cool Medina of This Breezy Boho City

The colorful kites of kite surfers float in a bright blue sky above a herd of camels trekking along Essaouira’s sandy beach. Copyright Amy Laughinghouse.Baked by the North African sun and buffeted by a persistent ocean breeze, the Moroccan coastal city of Essaouira lies about three hours west of Marrakesh. But its wave-lashed walled medina, wedged between the wild and windy Atlantic and an arc of modern suburbs, seems to exist in a parallel universe that transcends geographical boundaries.

Essaouira is an improbable mishmash of ancient Arabic and Berber culture, groovy surfer dude vibes, and 21stcentury Boho chic. It’s a mix of bustling souks and high-end art galleries, fishing shacks and sushi bars, traditional hammams and detox yoga retreats…the sort of place where you can take a camel ride on the beach in the morning and visit the organic Val d’Argan winery in the afternoon.

Shops line the Skala de la Kasbah in Essaouira’s medina. Copyright Amy Laughinghouse.

Shops line the Skala de la Kasbah in Essaouira’s medina.

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