day trip to Essaouira

Distance:  350km     Time on the road: 5h 30min 

A city on the Atlantic coast in the Marrakech-Safi economic zone of western Morocco, Essaouira was once known as Mogador. The contemporary name, which refers to the defensive walls that still encircle a portion of the city, means “the tiny rampart.” Essaouira had a reputation as a hippy mecca starting in the late 1960s. Contrary to common opinion, Jimi Hendrix penned “Castles Made of Sand” in 1967—two years prior to his visit to Essaouira’s castles. Essaouira was also visited by Cat Stevens. The medina is home to several local arts and crafts companies, such as those that specialize in cabinet construction and “thuya” wood carving (using the roots of Tetraclinis trees), both of which have been done in Essaouira for generations. Essaouira continues to be a significant fishing port in Morocco.