Essaouira

城市概覽

In addition to the new town, Essaouira offers a picturesque medina (old town) surrounded by seawalls and city walls, designed by a French architect in the 18th century, a harbor with fish market, and a long beach with numerous water sports opportunities. Once a hippie hangout, Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens spent some time here. Orson Welles filmed part of his Othello in town; west of the medina there's a square named in his honor.

如何抵達

By plane Three are flights from Charleroi, London, Madrid, Marseille, Paris, Tangier, Weeze, operated by RyanAir and Transavia. Also seasonal flights from Gran Canaria by Binter Canarias and from Bordeaux by easyJet. 1 Essaouira-Mogador Airport (ESU IATA) (16 km SE from the city). There is an Al Barid ATM and a tourist information office. Please note, boarding passes have to be printed out before heading to the airport and then stamped at a check in desk, even if you have no bags to check in. Also, Ryanair is notoriously stricter about carry-on bag sizes at this airport. (updated Aug 2024) Getting there/away:

Bus #2, 6:30 — 18:30, roughly every hour, 7 dirham. Sometimes it goes directly to the airport but other times it stops instead at the main road junction near the airport, from where it is a 3 km walk. Bus drivers are able to advise the next direct bus departures. In city center it departs from the bus stop near the 2 Bab Doukkala, NE of medina. Airport shuttle bus, 50 dirham per person. It departs from 3 Greg tours agency in the city center. In cases when there are not enough passengers, one have to pay 100 dirham. Grand taxi 150 dirham (as of 2024), can fit up to 6 people. Larger international airports are in Agadir, Marrakech and Casablanca.

By bus Bus departures are not 100% reliable. They may be canceled or rescheduled. It is also common for the buses to be sold out. Get your ticket in advance to be sure. 4 Supratours (just down the street from the beach and close to the medina entrance at Bab Marrakech). Runs coaches from their office in Marrakech (immediately next door to Marrakech's new train station). 80 dirham per person for standard bus, plus 5 dirham for each piece of stowed luggage. (updated Jan 2018) 5 CTM, ☏ +212 5247-84764. Runs a coach service from Marrakech's bus station (or the CTM Offices in the Gueliz, on Zerktouni street) for 80 dirham (add 5 dirham per piece of stowed luggage) taking about 3 hours to Essaouira. CTM buses also connec

當地交通

The walled center of town, the Medina, is supposedly restricted to non-motorized vehicles, but this rule is widely ignored in the case of mopeds which are an increasing nuisance. However, compared to e.g. Marrakech the mopeds are much less of a hazard. Other than that, there are occasional donkey carts to dodge. Taxi costs a flat fee of 8 dirham during day and 9 dirham after 20:00 (as of Jan 2024).

必看景點

Essaouira is a perfect example of a late 18th century fortified town, with the original canons still in place and where Orson Wells shot his Othello, "The Moor of Venice".

Medina The UNESCO World Heritage Listed medina: check out the fish market at the west end, watch the sunset from the seawall at the Place Moulay Hassan, visit the Scala (wall tower north east of the Place), walk through the markets towards Bab Doukkala at the east end, and check out the artisan's shops near the eastern wall.

1 Essaouira Ramparts. (updated Jan 2018) 2 Essaouira Citadel. 09:00-17:00. 60 dirham for foreigners. (updated Jun 2019) 3 Mogador island (about 1.5 km from the city). It's a nature reserve, and thus can't be visited without an official authorization. In the 19th century, it was used as a quarantine station for pilgrims returning from Mecca. (updated Jan 2018)

Diabat town 4 The nearby town of Diabat. is at the south end of Essaouira's beach, and is allegedly where Jimi Hendrix once spent some time. Even if the stories aren't true, this long, windswept beach with its ruined fort is a fantastic walk. Diabat is an empty, concrete Berber village that is practically devoid of attractions except the Hendrix ruin and a Hendrix Café. It's best visited in the early morning via taxi and then return to Essouiara via a short and very romantic walk on the beach past the castle in the sand of Hendrix fame. (updated Jan 2018) 5 Dar Sultan Palace. Walk south along the beach, cross the shallow river Oued Igrounzer and in the hills to your left you will see the ruins of a once magnificent 18th century palace used by Sultans and Kings. A path leads there; you can still find some old floor mosaics and thankfully the ruins offer some shade. (updated Jan 2018)

體驗活動

The beach dominates the Essaouirans' leisure time. Although the strong wind and currents makes relaxed tanning and swimming a little difficult at times, it is perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing. With good winds for most days of the year, Essaouira is a watersports' paradise. The best spots are reported to be Essaouira Bay, Sidi Kaouki, Cape Sim and Mouley Bouzertoune. Equipment can be hired from various hire centres on the beach front. However, this is not the ideal place to learn watersports, particularly kitesurfing. There tends to be a bit of a catch 22 - either its calm and you can't go out because there's no wind or its windy and you can't go out because there is a huge shore break. In addition the water can smell of sewage. Camel and horse rides, quad-bikes, near the southern end of the main beach. A crowd of salesmen offering any type of rides can be found there throughout all day long. Ecotourism, walking tours, 8 bis rue houmman el fatouaki Médina Essaouira, ☏ +212 618-132480. half day. Guided eco-friendly tours of the amazing countryside around Essaouira. You can discover the Argan Woods, the Thuya Forests, and the Dunes, take mint tea in a Berber village, and learn the secrets of a unique ecosystem at your own pace. Price per person per day: half day is 200 dirham and full day is 400 dirham (including a traditional meal with Moroccan family). Transport from town to the departure point of each walk is included. World Music Festival. In June. Club Royal Essaouira, Bd Mohammed V,, ☏ +212 5247-85794, [email protected]. Kitesurf, surf and windsurf directly on the main beach. Recent equipment. (updated Feb 2016) Azur Art & Spa, 15 rue Khalid ben Walid, ☏ +212 5247-85794, [email protected]. A mix of art and spa, as per the name. Patrons can enjoy viewing art while having spa treatments. (updated Feb 2016)

購物

Essaouira's craftsmen are renowned for their woodwork and lacquerware. Intricately inlaid boxes, chessboards and curios can be found for good prices in the city's hundreds of shops; however, be aware that extensive deforestation is taking place in the area due to these woods not being replanted. Artwork of all kinds can be had here.

1 Baguette+. Great bakery. Anything without cream of chocolate is great. Go there in the morning to early afternoon. 2 dirham per piece. (updated May 2019) 2 Rhassoul/ghassoul merchant. E