Today we headed towards the coast with our first stop in Agadir before heading to Essaouira.

Agadir is considered the regional capital of Morocco and lies to the south of the Atlas Mountains. It is the shortened version of the Berber word "Agadir n Irir" which means, the fortified granary. Known as the pearl of Morocco.
We had a short stop here to stretch our legs along the promenade.

The coastal city of Essaouira is one of the most picturesque places in Morocco even if it is known as the windy city of Africa! The site of Essaouira has been inhabited since the 7th century BC. The commercial activities of this flourishing port date back to antiquity, when Juba II of Mauritania chose it as the location for his Tyrian purple factories, a precious dye whose trade with Rome was extremely lucrative. The city donned many names in the centuries that followed. First called Amogdul, or "well protected", this term was then deformed by the Portuguese who pronounced it Mogdura, whereas the French preferred "la mythique Mogador". The name Essaouira, however, means "the pretty picture" or "well drawn" depending on which translation you go with! The charming blue-white town has never been short of admirers, Jimi Hendrix was a frequent visitor, as were Cat Stevens and Frank Zappa. Orson Welles filmed part of Othello on its historic ramparts, and if other parts of the city look familiar, it's been featured in everything from Game of Thrones to Oliver Stone's Alexandra. With its rich history as a former trading base for the Portuguese and as the only port south of Tangier that was open in the 19th century to European trade, the resident mix (and influence) of Arabs, Berbers, Jews, Africans, and Europeans have contributed largely to Essaouira's plentiful charms.

Plenty to see here;

The Sqala of Kasbah or Sqala of the city is a vast artillery platform. This fortification was used to protect the city against sea attacks. The building has tall and fortified walls. On the top of the walls, around twenty bronze cannons face the ocean.

Sqala du Port is the castle-like entrance to the port with stone arches that feature in Game of Thrones and has become the icon of Essaouira.

Essaouira's Ramparts enables you to gain a fresh perspective on the city. These fortified walls were constructed around the medina in the 18th century to protect the port from attack and are remarkably well preserved.

Borj el Barmil is a fortress tower at the port. There is a small entrance fee to go inside this fortress tower but it's the best place to have views of the whole city.

Essaouira's fishing port is a great sight if a little smelly. Visit when the fishermen have returned for the day and are cleaning and selling their catch. Check out the rows of small blue boats clacking in the harbour. All the boats are painted with this bright nautical blue but no-one could tell me why!!

Bab Doukkala is a city gate at the northern end of the city, easily distinguishable by its large horseshoe-shaped arch and its ornate roof shingle.

The Medina of Essaouira cocooned by impressive city walls, is a truly magical place. You can wander around its charming labyrinthine alleys and shop around at local artisan shops. The medina of Essaouira was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. We stayed in the Medina in a delightful riad so truly felt the atmosphere.

The Jewish quarter (mellah) of Essaouira's Medina shows how the Muslim and Jewish religions worked in harmony. There are a number of synagogues to visit (tourists are allowed inside Haim Pinto Synagogue), as well as the Jewish cemetery past Bab Doukkala, which also has a Christian cemetery adjacent.Simon Attias Synagogue - Behind the imposing wooden door (there's no sign) lies a beautifully restored 19th-century synagogue, filled with the scent of fragrant cedar wood.

Moulay Hassan Square is the most vibrant square in Essaouira. This place is between the harbor and the entrance to the Old Medina. Essaouira is well known for its artisanal marquetry thuja wood.