Bathed in golden sunlight and swept by Atlantic breezes, the Moroccan town of Essaouira is just a three-hour direct flight from London Stansted with Ryanair. With temperatures in May hovering at a blissful 25C, this bohemian coastal gem offers a laid-back escape from the UK’s grey skies. And now, with a striking new cultural centre rising on the town’s outskirts — set to celebrate everything from Gnaoua music to Berber craftsmanship — Essaouira is drawing fresh attention as Morocco’s creative soul one hundred miles west of Marrakech.
This June, the town will host its 36th Gnaoua and World Musical Festival, drawing indigenous musicians and international artists performing unique collaborations on two main stages, as well as spaces in the medina dedicated to contemporary world music.
Essaouira’s ancient medina — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — buzzes with energy within ochre-coloured walls. Narrow alleys twist between white-and-blue houses, souks brim with colour, and tiny roof-top cafes tempt passers-by with mint tea, and sea and medina views. While Atlantic waves break upon the northern sea wall of the citadel, to the south camels plod through the golden sands of a vast, sheltered curving beach, and horses canter past as surfers ride the waves. It’s a place where desert romance meets the cooling trade winds.
The town’s artisan spirit runs deep. In tucked-away workshops, craftsmen carve delicate instruments and turn fragrant thuya wood into treasures. And for travellers craving authentic lodgings, mystical riads are hidden in the quieter neighborhoods — many now available on Airbnb as is mine (The Azure House). These gem-like traditional homes offer tranquility and romance together with central courtyards filled with light and plants, just a step away from the enthralling medina.
The food, too, is a draw. From grilled sardines at the port to roof-top tagines under starlit skies, the flavours here are as vibrant as the town itself.
Once a haunt for creatives like Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones, Essaouira still hums with artistic energy — only now, it’s being embraced by a new generation of culture-seekers and sun-chasers.
With year-round sunshine, a warm welcome and an irresistible mix of tradition and cool, Essaouira is Morocco’s best-kept secret.
