Essaouira is like a laidback, coastal cousin to the bold and boisterous Marrakech, but with full-on ancient charm credentials. You'll have plenty of time to wander inside the whitewashed Medina walls of this UNESCO-listed old town, which is brimming with age-old souks and artistic flair. As Youssef, a local expert guide, explains, “The French influence means that unlike many labyrinth-like medinas, this one has a grid layout, making it easy to find your way around the artsy stalls, spice souks and cafes.”
You'll start your day with an early pick-up from your hotel in Agadir and make a couple of photo and coffee stops along the way. Your final pitstop is at the Argan Cooperative, where you'll hear about how luxury beauty products are made from the locally produced argan oil. Plus, you'll taste a few delicacies like olive oil, honey and mint tea. Then, it's onto the main event, a guided tour of Essaouira.
This city's been a hub for writers, musicians and artists since the 1960s, so it's no surprise this place is loaded with tucked-away galleries and workshops, which you'll be able to check out as you tour the port, market and jewellery district. Inside the medina, there's a table at a restaurant waiting for you with the freshest catch of the day to tuck into, before some free time to roam the markets. Youseff shares his top tip, “at the spice souk look for stalls selling ras el hanout (a Moroccan spice mix) and ask for the ‘local blend' rather than the tourist jars – they'll often mix it fresh for you, and you can learn about each ingredient." After some friendly haggling with the locals, you might even have time for a walk along the beach before heading back to for your bus.
