Villa Maroc

Essaouira

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Housed in a large converted 18th-century town house, the Villa Maroc is a model of restrained chic, with airy whitewashed rooms offset by tiled floors and colourful fabrics. The terrace offers great views, while the in-house spa is as well regarded for pampering as the restaurant is for intimate dining (set menu Dh250).

The same operators also have a countryside retreat 12km from the medina, complete with pool, barbecue and three guest rooms. A shuttle bus operates between 11am and 5pm (lunch Dh250).

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Morocco, Essaouira, Medina, Carpet shops

    Medina

    0.15 MILES

    Surrounded by dramatic, wave-lashed ramparts, the narrow streets, hassle-free souqs, street vendors and vibrant galleries of Essaouira's walled medina…

  • View of Essaouira, Atlantic Coast, Morocco, North Africa, Africa

    Essaouira Beach

    0.55 MILES

    Essaouira’s wide, sandy beach is great for walking and kitesurfing, but sunbathing and swimming can be difficult when the winds are strong. For swimming,…

  • Boats docked in the Skala du port at sunset, Essaouira, Morocco

    Port

    0.2 MILES

    Essaouira's large working port is noisy, pungent and hugely atmospheric. Along with the flurry of sea-blue wooden boats arriving and departing, nets being…

  • Skala de la Ville

    Skala de la Ville

    0.2 MILES

    You might recognise the ramparts of the 18th-century Skala de la Ville. They, along with the hulking Bastion Nord, had a starring role in Game of Thrones…

  • Fish

    Fish Auction

    0.15 MILES

    Head to the port in the afternoon when the sea-blue boats come in for the day and the fishermen auction off their catch. There's always some heated…

  • Souq Joutiya

    Souq Joutiya

    1.14 MILES

    Turn left outside the Bab Doukkala and around 15 minutes later you’ll reach the industrial quarter’s abandoned warehouses. Take a left past salvaged…

  • Had Draa Souq

    Had Draa Souq

    14.54 MILES

    The Sunday market at Had Draa, 30km from Essaouira, is the largest in the region, where animals and produce have been traded for centuries. Early risers…

  • Bbio Organic Farm

    Bbio Organic Farm

    18.26 MILES

    This idyllic organic farm makes a perfect day out or a pit stop on your way to Marrakesh. Tours (bookings essential) are with the owner Khalid, who will…

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Nearby Essaouira attractions

1. Simon Attias Synagogue

0.11 MILES

Behind the imposing wooden door (there's no sign) lies a beautifully restored 19th-century synagogue, filled with the scent of fragrant cedar wood. In the…

2. Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum

0.13 MILES

Housed in an old riad, this somewhat fusty museum has a small collection of jewellery, costumes, embroidery, woodcarving and weapons from the region. Its…

3. Fish Auction

0.15 MILES

Head to the port in the afternoon when the sea-blue boats come in for the day and the fishermen auction off their catch. There's always some heated…

4. Medina

0.15 MILES

Surrounded by dramatic, wave-lashed ramparts, the narrow streets, hassle-free souqs, street vendors and vibrant galleries of Essaouira's walled medina…

5. Port

0.2 MILES

Essaouira's large working port is noisy, pungent and hugely atmospheric. Along with the flurry of sea-blue wooden boats arriving and departing, nets being…

6. Skala de la Ville

0.2 MILES

You might recognise the ramparts of the 18th-century Skala de la Ville. They, along with the hulking Bastion Nord, had a starring role in Game of Thrones…

7. Skala du Port

0.23 MILES

This honey-coloured bastion looms over the picturesque harbour and its sea-blue fishing boats. Look back at the walled medina from here, through a curtain…

8. Fish Souq

0.25 MILES

Join the locals and street cats picking up their fresh fish at this small market. For a cheap lunch, buy half a dozen sardines, and for around Dh10 one of…