Maybe it’s the Pisces in me that loves to be by any body of water. Marrakech is lovely, but it’s very high energy. It can be noisy and crowded as the tourist hub of Morocco, so this break to visit coastal town Essaouira was like a much needed deep breath. The pace is much slower, the air is cooler, and instead of the sound of scooters and market vendors, you hear seagulls and waves crashing near the ramparts.

I spent the day walking without a plan, which sometimes ends up being the best kind of travel day. Walking is the best way to see the city, and it’s a bit easier than Morocco in the sense that you can make one big circle to see the ramparts, the port, walk through the medina, and essentially end up right back where you started.

You certainly don’t need a long itinerary or really one at all. You just need time to walk and take in the most surreal and delightful city.

Photo Journal Details

Location: Essaouira, Morocco

Distance from Marrakech: 2½-3 hours by car

How to get there: Day trip by private driver, tour, or bus

Time needed: 4-6 hours is sufficient, but if you can do a full day that may be even better.

Best for: A slower day, coastal views, walking, and photography

*Two women walking toward the beach entrance at the ramparts in Essaouira*

*Two women harvesting wild fennel in along the sidewalk in Essaouira*

*Blue boats by the ramparts in Essaouira*

*Vests on display at a vendor in Essaouira*

A Slower Pace

What i’ll probably always remember most about Essaouira is that everywhere was a picture. It may just be the most photogenic destination i’ve ever visited. The quiet, slow pace gave me so many opportunities to capture light, color, people, and textures, giving me some of the best photos I’ve ever taken.

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