Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A day by the sea
Morning
It is possible to do
Essaouira as a day trip
from Marrakech. You can
get an early morning
CTM
bus
from
gare routière
(see p104)
, a Supratours
coach at 8:30am or a
grand
taxi
from a rank behind
the bus station and arrive
by 10 or 11am (although
Essaouira is worth at least
a couple of days). You will
probably enter the city
from the
Bab Marrakech
and follow Rue Mohammed
El Qorry to the main
crossroads of the medina,
which is also the middle of
the
souks
. Walk south
down Avenue de L'Istiqlal,
taking a right turn into
shop-lined
Rue Attarine
. A
first left leads down to
Place Moulay Hassan
(see p81)
, a great place for
a snack at one of the many
cafés. Follow the squawks
of the seagulls south to
the
port
(see p81)
and a
lunch of grilled sardines.
Afternoon
From the port, backtrack to
Place Moulay Hassan but
take a left at the famed
Ta r o s
café
(see p85)
and
follow the narrow alley,
Rue de la Skala
, on the
inside of the high sea wall.
There are some interesting
boutiques here. After a
short walk, a ramp leads
up to the
ramparts
(see
p81)
for a wonderful view.
Descend and then
continue to the
mellah
,
the old Jewish quarter.
Find your way back to the
souks and again follow
Avenue de L'Istiqlal south.
Take a left along Avenue
du Caire, exiting by the
Bab Sbâa and turning left
for the
beach
. The
Chalet
de la Plage
(see p85)
is
perfect for an early (or
late) dinner by the ocean.
The beach at Essaouria
cold for comfort - not that this
bothers the windsurfers or the
boys who gather here to use the
compact sand of the beach as a
football pitch.
d
Map P2
(
Galerie Damgaard
For about a quarter of a
century, a generation of painters
and sculptors have made
Essaouira an important centre of
artistic activity. Many of these
artists were brought to public
attention by Dane Frederic
Damgaard who used to run this
influential gallery, but has now
retired.
d
Map P2 • Ave Oqba Bin
Nafia, Medina • 0524 78 44 46 • Open
9am-1pm, 3-7pm daily
)
Musée des Arts et
Traditions Populaires
This small ethnographic
museum occupies a 19th-century
house that was formerly the
town hall. It contains displays of
ancient crafts, weapons and
jewellery. Also displayed here
are instruments and accessories
that were used by religious
brotherhoods. In addition you
can also view some stunning
examples of Berber and Jewish
costumes.
d
Map N1 • Rue Derb
Laalouj, Medina • 0524 47 53 00
• Open 8:30am-noon, 2:30-6:30pm
Wed-Mon
83
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