Essaouira lies about 175km (or two and a half hours by car) to the west of Marrakech, on Morocco's Atlantic coast. This 18th Century fortified town was fabled for being a hangout of Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s and was the setting for Orson Welles' 1952 classic film 'Othello'. Whilst the latter is uncontestably true, the former is thought by many to be something of an exaggeration, as many of the older locals recall that the legendary axeman stayed in Diabat (a village just down the coast from Essaouira) for just an afternoon. Still, it's nice to think that the Hendrix classic "Castles made of Sand" could have been inspired by this strikingly beautiful, and relaxed seaside town. A visit to Essaouira makes a superb way to round off a trip in the Moroccan interior, offering a relaxing (but no less interesting) contrast to Marrakech and the High Atlas Mountains. Many of our tailor made itineraries to Marrakech and the High Atlas Mountains end in Essaouira, and three nights in a riad in the ancient medina start at around £150 based on two sharing, although a wide range of riad options exist, including the "Palais Heure Bleue", one of the best colonial-style hotels in Morocco. Our recommended choice for overall value, service, location and availability is "Dar L'Oussia", well situated just a stone's throw from the main square. Although there are few sites to visit in Essaouira (apart from the impressive city rampart and the lively fishing port), the town's markets and Bohemian shops offer some hassle-free shopping opportunities, so if you can't summon up the energy to trawl through Marrakech's hectic souks, then save your shopping until Essaouira. The town has a number of good restaurants, including the "Chalet de la Plage", "Ristorante Silvestro" and "Elizir", and a rooftop bar "Taros". For those with a hire car there are excellent beaches to the north and the south of town. A 20-minute drive south takes you to Sidi Kaouki, a wild surfing beach with surfboard hire for those interested. There you'll find a clutch of good value, but fairly basic, beachside auberges and guest houses. The beaches to the north are no less dramatic, but offer no facilities, just vast expanses of sand dunes and wild shores. There is also a wide sweeping sandy bay in Essaouira itself, with a laid-back surf cafe and a windsurfing/kitesurfing hire shop. "Club Mistrale" also offers lessons in kitesurfing from beginners up. Whatever you choose to do in Essaouira, it's a great place to finish your trip, and one that is highly recommended by Epic Morocco.
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