Essaouira-Mogador

Perched along Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira (formerly known as Mogador) is a captivating fortress city where ancient ramparts meet rolling waves. This UNESCO World Heritage site has been a cultural crossroads for centuries, blending Berber, Arab, Jewish, and European influences into its unique identity. The city’s trademark blue fishing boats dot its working harbor, while trade winds that once powered Portuguese caravels now draw windsurfers from around the globe to its crescent beach. Its whitewashed medina, with walls designed by French military architect Théodore Cornut in the 18th century, houses a vibrant arts scene and traditional craftspeople working in thuya wood and silver.