2011 Gnawa Festival

Considered to be one of Morocco's most scenic locations, Essaouira's Moulay Hassan square was the main venue for the 2011 Gnawa Festival that took place in June. With the 16th century Portuguese fort looming over the restless Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the town’s white sandy beach to the east, Moulay Hassan welcomed musicians and music-lovers from all over Morocco, and beyond its borders, to celebrate the universally uniting power of music.

Kitesurfing in Morocco

The water sport of kitesurfing, also referred to as kiteboarding, is a mixture of surfing, wakeboarding and windsurfing. A rider will stand on the kiteboard or surfboard while using the wind to generate speed and power to drag the kitesurfer across the water. Kitesurfers participate in wave riding, free style or wake style kitesurfing. Footstraps ensure that that the kitesurfer does not lose the board. While the kite utilizes the wind to propel kitesurfers forward, it is still a risky sport and it is recommended that individuals take lessons and learn all the safety precautions, even while on holiday in Morocco and just wanting to try it out.

Surfing at Immesouane

Located in close proximity to the city of Essaouira and the bustling destination of Agadir is a quiet and peaceful village that is one of Morocco’s best kept secrets. In the surfing community though, it is not so secret, as thousands of surfers flock to Immesouane each year to take advantage of the wonderful beaches and great surfing opportunities. Any surfer will be able to tell you that visiting Immesouane is like finding a little piece of paradise, and it is a recommended destination for anyone touring Morocco.

Gary Player Opens New Course at Golf de Mogador

Located in the beautiful historic port city of Essaouira on Morocco’s Atlantic coastline, the newly completed golf course at Golf de Mogador was recently opened with a ceremonial round of golf. As a highlight of the first Mogador Classic Tournament, the designer of the course, South African Gary Player, was one of the leading golfers to enjoy that inaugural event. At the completion of the game, Player was quoted as saying, “I am blown away by the beauty of what we have created here in Essaouira, and my greatest hope is that the course increases tourism and creates jobs for the warm and gracious people of Morocco.”

Festival of the Atlantic Andalusias

The Festival of the Atlantic Andalusias was held in Essaouira for the first time in 2003. It was such a huge success, that it has become an annual event that everyone looks forward to each year. It is a music festival that celebrates and promotes the influences that Andalusias has had on a variety of cultures such as Latin America, Spain and North America. Organizers of the Festival of the Atlantic Andalusias created the music festival with one main goal, to encourage peaceful co-existence and cultural exchange.

Lalla Mira – Morocco’s First Organic Hotel

Tucked away in the medina of the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Essaouira, the Hotel Lalla Mira is Morocco’s first “organic” hotel. This recently converted riad welcomes guests with comfort and warm Moroccan hospitality. The beach is a mere ten minute walk away, and the sights, sounds and tantalizing aromas of the market are just around the corner.

Argan Oil – Morocco’s Liquid Gold

Situated on the Atlantic coastline of western Morocco, the city of Essaouira is a popular tourist and holiday destination. With a history going back to prehistoric times, this city is drenched in tradition and culture offering visitors a truly authentic Moroccan experience.

Gnaoua and World Music Festival

The Gnaoua and World Music Festival is an annual event that is held in Essaouira, in Morocco. It is an event that the entire family will enjoy, and is known to be a friendly, festive and relaxed extravaganza of music, culture, entertainment and dance. Essaouira is located approximately a hundred and fifty kilometers outside Marrakech and this year, the Gnaoua and World Music Festival will be held between the 26th and 28th of June 2008. It is where local and international musicians and genres meet to create a festival that is unique in sound and vibrant in atmosphere.

Iles Purpuraires – A Haven for Wildlife

Essaouira has always been a magnet for tourists who travel to Morocco, as it is known for its magnificent history, art and as a city where many poets and writers found their inspiration. Just off the coast, and visible from the city, lies a small group of islands known as Iles Purpuraires. Not only do these islands add mystery and intrigue to the city, but it they protect Essaouira from the sometimes turbulent ocean.

The Enchanting Rhythms of the Gnaoua Festival

The Gnaoua Festival is a four day music festival held in June or July each year in the beautiful coastal resort city of Essaouira in Morocco. Gnaoua (also known as Gnawa) musicians invite jazz, rock, pop and contemporary World music artists from other countries to enjoy the experience of an interchange of musical ideas.

Escape to Essaouira

As you walk across the Place Moulay Hassan to grab a scoop of ice cream or croissant from the Patisserie Driss, you’d never know this town center, or any part of Essaouira experienced a rich influx of culture and history. Travelers have scuttled their feet in the sands of this timeless coastal city well before the seventh century when the Phoenicians constructed their farthest outpost here. Even the Portuguese built sarcophagus walls around the harbor and Mogador Island. And as recent as 1765, Sultan Sidi Abdellah captured a French architect from a French vessel to redesign the city to make it open to foreign traders. In the 1900s, Jewish settlers and families were welcomed. However, In the 1950s, as the French built Casablanca into its commercial center, Essaouira slipped into stagnation until the hippie and tourist boom of present.

Festivals in Fez, Essaouira, and Sefrou

Tis the season for festivity in Morocco as summer approaches and travelers search for exotic locales with something special to offer. Artists from all over the musical spectrum are also heading to Morocco to exhibit their abilities in music festivals, while other towns offer their own venue to celebrate the season.

Asilah: Culture, Art, Beaches, & Festivals Galore Morocco (pt 2)

Asilah's history has another commonality with that of its sister port town of Essaouira – they both have a turbulent history. Being ruled by Rome, Morocco, the Portuguese, and the Spanish, it is a wonder that the town remains so calm after such a historical juggling of identity. Iberians were shipped here during Rome’s brief rule over the area and the Portuguese came near the end of the 1400s. Spain re-captured the area near the end of the 1500s, while Morocco regained the territory with the rule of Moulay Ismail near the end of the 1600s.

Essaouira: The Mighty Mogador

Essaouira is located in the southwest region of Morocco, and is a grand escape from the more tourist-centered beaches of Agadir. Its original name was Tassort, which refers to its kasbah, fortress-like walls. Its name is derived from Tashelhit, the southern, Souss Berber language. In Moroccan Arabic, it's called Saouira, which literally means ‘picture'.

This relaxed, hippie and wind-surfers' paradise is just that – picture perfect. It is one reason that Orson Wells chose to shoot scenes for Othello on its coast. Essaouira has attracted foreign visitors, expats, and artists for decades. Even Jimmy Hendrix was attracted to its mystical qualities when he hung out and even tried purchasing the entire nearby village of Diabat. Therein, the muse of the French or Portuguese ruins led him to write his song, “Castles in the Sand”.

Essaouira Morocco - A Tale of Pirates and Windsurfing

Welcome to the Moroccan town of Essaouira! No longer a mid-1960's hippy hangout (Jimi Hendrix used to party here); Essaouira has evolved into a still-undiscovered gem of pristine beaches, great windsurfing, laid back nightspots and hearty restaurants. The narrow streets keep traffic to a minimum and encourage walking. With little effort you'll find yourself walking past the multi-colored doors, tall stucco-colored houses and the eclectic mix of euro-tourism and weather-worn locals.