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Immerse yourself in the sensory-overload that is Essaouira. This fascinating city is a little more off the beaten path than other destinations in Morocco, which means it’s full to the brim with authentic local life just waiting to be explored. The seaside medina is home to local fishermen hauling in their daily catch as well as family bakeries churning out their famous pastries, and on this Essaouira tour you’ll get to experience all of this and more!
After meeting your local guide under the clock tower just inside the medina walls, you’ll begin your Essaouira city tour with a stop at the oldest pastry shop in the city. Having been in business since 1925, there couldn’t be a more perfect place to get a taste of traditional Essaouira pastries. As Essaouira was once home to a large Jewish Moroccan community, the pastries here are time-honoured, family recipes you won't find elsewhere in Morocco.
After this, you’ll head up onto the ramparts of the city and to an old watchtower, from which you can get an impressive 360 degree view of Essaouira, its port, and the ocean. The spot we'll take you to is different from the typical tourist viewpoint - the entrance to this one is often overlooked and difficult to find...if you don't know where to find it! Seeing the city from above will set the scene nicely for the rest of your Essaouira tour, and with a local to point out the landmarks for you, you’ll know exactly where all the unmissable spots are.
Next, you’ll head deep into the medina, the centre of all the action in Essaouira. Here you’ll meet a local artist in his studio and check out some of his pieces, giving you the chance to discover Moroccan artwork right from the very source. You'll also have the chance to enjoy a brief demonstration from on Arabic calligraphy from a local artist.
After you’ve got your artistic fix for the day, you’ll head over to the crazy, atmospheric fish market for a savoury lunch of grilled fish. Being on the coast, the produce here comes right from the sea, so you can definitely expect the freshest and most sustainable seafood to choose from. We'll park ourselves down at wood benches and tables, right alongside the locals, and pick our fresh fish to be grilled. Usually we chow down on sardines, but if they're not available, your local guide will select another excellent fresh option for you.
Finally, you’ll head just outside the medina to try a typical Moroccan dessert, and then finish up at an herbalist's shop and wash everything down with an aromatic Moroccan Royal Tea, a proprietary blend mixed right on the spot. It’s these little nooks and crannies that really expose local life in Essaouira, and with your local guide to help, you’ll find places that the average tourist might miss.
Once this tour ends, your local guide will be happy to give you some more recommendations for things to see in Essaouira, or assist you in finding your way back to your accommodation.