- Skala de la Ville: The sea bastion with rows of old Portuguese-era cannons facing the Atlantic is the sight the town is known for. Walk the ramparts for the view over the harbor and the Îles Purpuraires. Go late afternoon when the light is softer and the stone is warm. Entry is about US$1 to 2, and you need 30 to 45 minutes.
- Fishing Port: Blue wooden boats, gulls and men mending nets make this the most honest place in town. Arrive in the morning to see the catch unloaded and auctioned. Entry is a small fee of roughly US$0.50 to 1 at the gate, and an hour is enough.
- Medina and Rue Mohammed Zerktouni: The UNESCO-listed old town has straight lanes, unusually for Morocco, lined with stalls and cafés. Browse the thuya woodwork and argan products, and bargain calmly. Free to enter, allow 2 to 3 hours.
- Skala de la Ville: The sea bastion with rows of old Portuguese-era cannons facing the Atlantic is the sight the town is known for. Walk the ramparts for the view over the harbor and the Îles Purpuraires. Go late afternoon when the light is softer and the stone is warm. Entry is about US$1 to 2, and you need 30 to 45 minutes.
- Fishing Port: Blue wooden boats, gulls and men mending nets make this the most honest place in town. Arrive in the morning to see the catch unloaded and auctioned. Entry is a small fee of roughly US$0.50 to 1 at the gate, and an hour is enough.
- Medina and Rue Mohammed Zerktouni: The UNESCO-listed old town has straight lanes, unusually for Morocco, lined with stalls and cafés. Browse the thuya woodwork and argan products, and bargain calmly. Free to enter, allow 2 to 3 hours.
- Skala du Port: The smaller harbor fortification gives the best photos of the boats and the walls. Go at golden hour. It is cheap, about US$1, and takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Plage d’Essaouira: A wide bay of pale sand that is blustery but good for long walks, horse rides and watching kitesurfers. Best in the morning before the wind rises. It is free, and you can stay as long as you like.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.