Essaouira
20km away is Essaouira. It is easily reached by foot, via a bus that runs regularly, a taxi or car.
The historic old town of the city is situated in a sickle shaped bay along a long beach with an old citadel at its end.
From the citadel you can enjoy views across the city and towards the bird island of Mogador just off-shore. This island has had a diverse past: it was used by the Phoenicians as a breeding ground for snails and then, during the Middle Ages, the Portuguese erected a fort on the island. Mogador was eventually used as a prison.
The historic old town of the city is situated in a sickle shaped bay along a long beach with an old citadel at its end.
From the citadel you can enjoy views across the city and towards the bird island of Mogador just off-shore. This island has had a diverse past: it was used by the Phoenicians as a breeding ground for snails and then, during the Middle Ages, the Portuguese erected a fort on the island. Mogador was eventually used as a prison.
At the bottom of the citadel lies the port, where merchant ships used to anchor. Today, only the bright blue fishing boats of the locals use the port: their catch is delivered to the fish market in the heart of the Medina (old town).
Surrounded by a wall, the entirely enclosed Medina has wide streets as well as the tiny alleyways you may expect of Moroccan Medinas. There are shops everywhere selling everything from handmade jewelry, crafts and beautiful carpets to traditional leatherwear, spices, and clothing.