Things to do in Morocco, Essaouira, Agadir

The cities of Essaouira and Agadir, the Atlantic Ocean and the Moroccan hospitality

Morocco

I went to Morocco in February 2019 with a friend, we visited several places, back from the desert, we slept one night in Marrakesh and the day after we took a bus to Essaouira, where we stayed for one night and then travelled by another bus to Agadir, where our trip was ending.

I enjoyed Essaouira, we should have stayed a day more, it's small but it needs at least 2 days; Agadir it's nice but the best part was our host: an open, curious, person that makes feel pampered.

In this part of the trip, we understood how to use public transportation in Morocco, not the tourist busses but the local ones. We learned that we had to bargain for the price and that there is no timetable, just go there, decide the maximum price you want to pay and go.

Essaouira

Essaouira is a coastal city located in western Morocco, situated on the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its beautiful beaches and well-preserved medina which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The city was originally known as Mogador and has been influenced by various civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, and Portuguese. Its strategic coastal location made it an important trading port for centuries.

White and blue

The medina of Essaouira is one of its main attractions. It is enclosed by sturdy 18th-century ramparts and offers narrow winding streets, white-washed houses with blue accents, and bustling markets. The medina is pedestrian-friendly, making it a delightful place to explore on foot.

We arrived there in the first afternoon, and we loved it immediately, the atmosphere there is more relaxed than in Marrakesh. And these small streets with blue doors and windows are Mediterranean even if we were on the ocean. 

City walls

The city has a thriving fishing port that is always bustling with activity. You can witness traditional blue wooden fishing boats being repaired, see fishermen unloading their catches, and visit the lively fish market where you can sample freshly caught seafood.

We simply walked into the city and find a place where to eat some fish, we discovered that is possible to buy fresh fish at the harbour and go to a restaurant and ask to cook it.

After the meal, we discovered this place near the city walls and stayed there for the sunset.

Ocean

Essaouira is famous for its picturesque sandy beaches, which are popular among locals and tourists alike. The strong winds and waves make it a preferred destination for water sports enthusiasts, particularly wind and kite surfers. The beach also offers opportunities for relaxing walks and sunbathing.

This series of pictures were taken between the harbour and the city walls. After the harbour, there is a beautiful shore, but we discovered it after the sunset, anyway this part, with these rocks, is nice and I could take nice pictures. 

I enjoyed the view, the breeze and the waves of the ocean.

Sunset

We wait there for the sunset, and after the one in the desert, this one was really good. 

Sitting on the rocks looking at the sea and simply doing nothing was a pleasure, after the rush days of the desert trip relaxing was a necessity. We just discovered that Essaouira was the perfect place for it, small city, nice people, and good food.

Shadows

There were a lot of people enjoying the sunset: kids playing, someone fishing, tourists and drug dealers looking for them. 

At one point we didn't know what to do, the place was nice, and a good source for pictures, but maybe we could have tried to see the sunset from another perspective.

Squala du port

I remember the exact moment I took this picture: the sunset was ending and we were the only ones left there, my friend was on the phone with her mother and I was trying to get the best from that circumstance.

The building on the left is the entrance of the harbour, we went there just after the call, and we knew a fisherman that showed us where to see the last part of the sunset, we had a nice talk with him and he told us a lot of interesting stories. He was able to talk different languages and he explained to us how hard a fisherman's life can be, months on a boat on the open ocean, and he gave us some hints about the city.

Waves

The architecture of Essaouira reflects its diverse heritage. You can find a mix of Moroccan, European, and Moorish styles. The Portuguese influence is evident in the design of the ramparts and the Skala de la Ville, a seafront bastion offering panoramic views of the city.

The day after in the early morning we tried to see the sunrise but the clouds didn't give us the opportunity. After breakfast, we went to see the city walls before going to Agadir. The weather was still bad, later in the day also rained.  

Essaouira city walls and medina are famous because in 1950 Orson Welles shot Othello there.

Agadir

Agadir is a coastal city situated in southwestern Morocco, along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its golden sandy beaches, modern infrastructure, and pleasant climate.

Agadir is a modern city with well-developed infrastructure. Following a devastating earthquake in 1960, the city was rebuilt with a modern urban plan in mind. This means that Agadir offers modern facilities, wide boulevards, and well-designed neighbourhoods.

About our host, as I said he was amazing, very welcoming and friendly. He offered us breakfast and dinner every day, and he wanted to bring us to his family in the south Sahara but we didn’t have time for that. The first morning we decided to go out for breakfast but he stopped us at the entrance and said: “You can’t go out without breakfast!”. He told us that the guests before us went with him to a wedding in the south Sahara, and as you can see from the picture below I had the opportunity to wear the Amazigh traditional clothes.

Spilt

Agadir is in the south of Morocco, 4-5 hours by local busses from Essaouira. I don't have many pictures here because I had problems with the camera; this and the last ones were taken with my phone.

Agadir is home to one of the largest traditional markets in Morocco, called Souk El Had. It is a bustling marketplace where you can find a wide range of goods, including fresh produce, spices, textiles, leather products, ceramics, and handicrafts. Exploring the market is a great way to experience the local culture and engage in some bargain shopping.

Sunset on the beach

Agadir is famous for its long, wide sandy beaches, which stretch for approximately 10 kilometres. The beaches are well-maintained and offer a perfect setting for sunbathing, swimming, and various water sports. Many hotels, resorts, and beach clubs are located along the coastline, providing facilities and entertainment options for tourists.

We saw another sunset on the beach, I took this picture with my camera and the funny story is that I had problems with the memory card: I had space only for one picture, then every time I had to decide what to keep and what to delete to get another shot. I think I did 3 or 4 attempts before this one.

Oufella

Although most of Agadir is modern, the city has a historic attraction known as Agadir Kasbah. Located on a hilltop overlooking the city (Oufella), the Kasbah offers panoramic views of Agadir and its surroundings. While the original Kasbah was destroyed in the 1960 earthquake, a partial reconstruction provides visitors with a glimpse into the city's past.

On the last day, we went up to the Oufella to enjoy the city's landscape and the old Agadir's ruins. The picture is not giving respect to the view but is possible to see the harbour, the beach and the rich part of the city, more in the south there is the popular part, for sure less fancy and tourist, but not less beautiful.

I ended this trip with a very nice impression of Morocco, amazing people, amazing places, good food and a very good adventure. I think that this trip gave me a lot of nice memories and experiences, and that’s why it is a country that I suggest visiting, and I am quite sure I will go back one day.