Essaouira, Morocco

Clinging to Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira swaps the rose hues of the mountain towns for sparkling whitewash and blue shutters. The pretty medina is confined within solid great ramparts, and sidles up to a 18th-century military harbour. But both are dwarfed by the vast sweep of beach that runs along the approach to the city. In true Maghreb style, the sights to see are the quotidian ones: djellaba’d men whiz by on motorbikes, the port’s clamour competes with gnaoua-soundtracked cafés and the call to prayer – but forget comparing the pace of life of the souks here to Marrakech. Everything happens in a distinctly lower gear, and a wonderful air of insouciance prevails. Fish-fed cats snooze outside riads in carved Moorish horseshoe archways; graffiti is scratched on medieval doors; glimpses of shady courtyards and dim passageways lure you to yet another mint tea. Contented, cosmopolitan and cool without caring about it, Essaouira is a jaded urbanite’s delight.
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When to go

The north-westerly winds can be fierce here, but this only makes it extra-alluring to windsurfers, especially between March and September. When Marrakech is at its most scalding in the summer months, Essaouira can make for a balmy alternative.

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Getting there

  • Planes

    The nearest airport is the tiny Aeroport de Mogador, but flights tend only to be from Casablanca and Paris. Marrakech’s airport is two and a half hours away by car. Direct flights from Gatwick and Heathrow to Marrakech and Caablanca with Royal Air Maroc, GB Airways and Air France; from July 2006, EasyJet starts flying from Gatwick.

  • Trains

    There aren’t any trains, but you can get a coach from Marrakech and Agadir through Supratours (+212 (0)524 435525); the journey takes around three or four hours and costs up to 200dh return.

  • Automobiles

    No cars are allowed in the medina | so there’s not much need to have your own car in this compact seaside town | but if you do drive there | parking is easy. You can get a taxi to or from Marrakech for around 800dh and the journey takes about two hours.

  • Taxis

    You probably won’t need any transport while you’re staying here, as restaurants and sights are never more than a ten-minute walk away, but if you do fancy a day trip, your hotel can organise you a driver.

African Room 1 at Heure Bleue, Essaouira

African Room 1 at Heure Bleue, Essaouira

Built into the medina walls, Heure Bleue hotel is an oasis of luxe in laid-back, countercultural Essaouira, the one-time playground of the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley. Dotted with carvings and draped with fabrics, seductive African Room has a spacious king-size bed and black marble ensuite, as well as a fabulous fireplace – ideal for heating up windswept Essaouira nights.

Find out more about Heure Bleue