Essaouira was known as Mogador until the 1960s and is a port city in the western Moroccan region of Marrakesh-Safi, on the Atlantic coast.
Archaeological research shows that Essaouira has been occupied since prehistoric times.
The bay at Essaouira is partially sheltered by the island of Mogador, making it a peaceful harbor protected against strong marine winds and still has a thriving fishing community in a fleet of picturesque blue boats.
The present city of Essaouira was built during the mid-eighteenth century by the Moroccan King Mohammed III.
One of his objectives was to establish a harbour at the closest possible point to Marrakesh.
We stumbled upon this glorious rainbow of a street just outside the Ben Youssef madrasa.
Wool of every feasible colour is draped from wires high across the street, while bundles of vivid jewel bright yarn and textiles are piled in every corner.
I was a little giddy with the joy of it all!!
Enjoy this colourful delight of a street.
Who knew that bundles of colourful wool could bring so much joy!!
Plus a little additional joy of some more markets including these giant piles of terracotta cookware.
The route to Jardin Majorelle takes you off the tourist track and through some of the more residential, local areas.
Here residents carry on their day to day lives, shopping for fresh fruit, bartering and enjoying a hot coffee at one of the many dusty road side cafes.
I get a little carried away with this banana stall!
I blend in nicely….
The streets are protected from the heat with woven wood panels in some places.
Naturally we have to stop so the caffeine addict can get his fix!
A stunning one-hectare botanical garden and artist’s landscape garden in Marrakesh.
It was created by the French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle over almost forty years, starting in 1923, and features a Cubist villa designed by French architect Paul Sinoir in the 1930s.
Majorelle arrived in Morocco in 1917 and was quickly bewitched by the colors and vibrant street life in Marrakesh.
Our first full day in Marrakech was spent simply aclimatising to the hustle and bustle, exploring and wandering the myriad of labyrinthian streets that make up the old medina.
This blast to the senses is completely overwhelming at first, with stall holders calling out to you, cats streaking between your feet and the ubiquitous motorbikes and mopeds charging through the crowds.
The medina is roughly still divided up into areas dedicated to various trades including the spice market, the metal workers and the leather workers.
Enjoy just some of the many intriguing sights to be seen!
I have been wanting to visit Marrakech for a very long time, seduced by the promise of colourful markets piled high with spices, textiles and ceramics.
Being obsessed with all things vivid, bustling and hectic we were in for a treat – a chaotic treat, but a treat non the less!
I have to admit to having some reservations as I have heard a lot about the hassle and scams that tourists endure in the city, and I love my personal space so I was feeling quite trepidatious.
We’d scored a free transfer from the airport to our first accomodation and this was a relief, not having to haggle with the sea of taxi drivers at the airport made the trip start off well.
Located just inside the old medina walls it was perfectly situated to explore the heart of the souks but just out of the way enough to be a much needed peaceful retreat when it all got too much.
Our first evening we headed out in the frantic main square Jemaa el-Fnaa.
This is Marrakech’s main square and the most important part of the medina.
Here, locals and tourists gather day and night to eat at one of the many pop up food stalls, shop or watch traditional dancing and play games.
